What to do for Creative Block?

This week, my art journaling class is talking about creative block.  Our instructor told us about 10 things she does to overcome it (see video above).  I thought I'd share with my team the ways I fight creative block, and maybe it will help them.    Here goes...

To overcome creative block, I :

1.  Write and draw in my calendar and datebook.

I've made a simple calendar grid and write and paint in it every day.  When I sit down and take out my watercolors and pens, I feel more inclined to do something else.

2.  Go for a stroll on Pinterest.

There are so many creative ideas on Pinterest, I always run into something that I like.  I'll usually link up to the source, read the blog post, and look at the technique and colors used.  If there are instructions, I'll print them out for later.

3.  Draw a face.

One of the assignments in my art journaling class is to draw faces.  I've always wanted to learn how to draw, so I thought this was a great chance to practice!  I've been finding faces in magazines I have around the house and in catalogs I get in the mail.  If faces aren't your "thing," then draw designs or landscapes. 

4. Go for a walk or exercise.

After I exercise, I feel rejuvenated and I'm happy that I worked out.  Instead of rewarding myself with food, I'll sit and read or go and create something new.

5. Look in a craft magazine.

My favorite magazine is called Art Journaling, published by Stampington & Company.  They are a great company with a nice line of magazines -  I highly recommend you try one.    

6. Challenge myself.

I love to challenge myself!  It always gets my mind to thinking and gives me new topics to play with.  Highly recommended.  

7.  Take a class.

I wrote about this in my Saturday Link List.  There are so many online classes available.  I live in a small city, but we even have an Art Center and a Vo-Tech.  Usually you can find something that's not too expensive.

8.  Go to an art museum.

When I'm visiting another city, I love going to museums.  Art museums are my favorite.  Find the nearest big city and make a date with yourself!

9.  Surf the internet.

Usually, I don't have extra time to surf aimlessly.  But I'll go to teammates blogs, drop EC cards, look for new book titles and plan to buy more supplies.  This last one will get your creative juices flowing!   

10.  Work on one of my short-term goals.

Every month I give myself 3 short-term goals to work towards.  Whenever I'm stuck and don't know what to do, I'll look at my goals and try to accomplish one of them.

This guest post was brought to you by storybeader.

Promotional Ideas - Twitter

I started writing this post to talk about the Twitter idea I had (tweeting one another's listings).  But I thought we should first look at all the neat ways we've thought up to promote our shops.  Here's a summary from our  "Promotional Ideas and Activities" thread:

1) linking themes from team blog to individual blogs
2) team blog series: "Past Post Party"; using Artful Rising "It's a Wrap" method of highlighting individual posts from our blogs
3) donations for team advertising
4) team blog polling involving teammates artwork (non-members in the future)
5) pinning on Pinterest
6) group and individual (holiday) giveaways
7) team treasuries
8) Etsy grant writing
9) team sale and/or using team coupon codes
10) BNR (Buy and Replace) Treasury
11) Twitter one another's listings
12) photos on Facebook

Some of the things we're already doing: 

#5) pinning on Pinterest (if you have a Pinterest URL, please list it in the comments below).

#7) team treasuries - they're really taking off !

#12) team Facebook page  

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blogging-Business-Artisans/214199898646857).  

We now have over 20 Likes!  Enough to shorten our URL!
(update:  we are now https://www.facebook.com/BloggingBusinessArtisans.  Thanks Rose!) 

So now, I'll talk about Twitter.  My idea was that if everyone tweet about one item from each other's shops, it will bring our artwork into the Twitter world, where people might not know us.   I know when I tweet about new items in my own shop, my hits increase.  So if you are so inclined, visit your teammates pages.  Pick a favorite item, a new listing, or a whole shop!  And tweet about it.  The possibilities are endless.  And it's so easy.

shop view

listing view

On every Etsy listing, there are clickable boxes.  I have three: Tweet, Like (to my Facebook page), and Send (an email).  On everyone's front shop page (where your announcements are), there are more clickable boxes.  Click one (or two, etc) and let's be recognized!