Whether you think you’re creative or not, I’m here to tell you that you definitely are! If you’re anything like me, finding inspiration for a project by seeing what other people create is how you usually start your process. This can spark your imagination and let you dream up different ways you can use that idea to create your own unique project.
While being inspired by other crafters is a great way to get started on any project, sometimes you can find yourself sitting in front of your supplies and simply not knowing what to create or where to start! Inspiration can come from so many things around us, and finding inspiration can be super fun!
10 Tips for Finding Inspiration
Let’s take a look at different ways that you can use for finding inspiration when you’re ready for your next project.
- Use the projects in the Chalk Couture Look Book or on the website. They are great examples and are easy to follow. Use the exact same colors and stencils or let the examples spark your imagination.
- Go to Pinterest, Etsy or other social media platforms and take a little scroll… You can find great ideas from anywhere!
- Follow me and Chalk Couture on social media. You never know what project might spark your creativity. Find other Chalk Couture designers and other crafters whose styles you like, and follow them too!
- Look for Color inspiration from:
- Chalk Couture Paste Palette Packs, which are a coordinated set of chalk paste colors.
- Paint swatches
- Nature – from flowers, to gardens, to beaches and birds… the list goes on and on!
- Fabric – fabric stores have so many patterns to choose from which can be a great way to find new color combinations.
- Fashion – similar to fabric, this is a great way to find coordinated color combinations to inspire your projects.
- Artwork
- Nail art
- Paper crafts
- Ribbon
- Browse stores online or go window shopping. Let the products in all these categories and more inspire you!
- Art
- Fabric
- Pillow / blankets / sheets
- Dish ware / ceramics
- Produce
- Plants / flowers
- Paper
- Flea markets / thrift stores
- Google interior design elements and see how these might lead you to new ideas. Reviewing these principles can take your project in a whole new direction:
- Space
- Shape / form
- Pattern
- Line
- Texture
- Color
- Scale
- Take a walk and see what you find interesting or what catches your attention.
- In the woods
- On an urban street
- Through a park
- Through a museum
- Create a jar full of ideas and make it a game. Put slips inside the jar with any or all of the following, and then pull out 2 or 3 to get your juices flowing:
- Colors
- Materials
- Themes
- Objects
- Patterns
- Movie / animated movie characters
- Superheroes
- Food
- Ethnicities
- Get connected – our community of craft-lovers is super inspiring and so generous in sharing their ideas and what they’re working on. Find inspiration from paper crafters, quilters, gardeners, etc.
- Create with kids, your own or a friend’s. Kids have no fear or preconceived notions and can give you a unique perspective. Simply enjoy the process of creating something together!
A fellow designer visited Graceland and shared her journey on her Facebook page. She asked her followers if they were getting inspired by her pictures. I have to admit that I was particularly drawn to colors, but how she was inspired and used that to create projects was simply amazing! She took inspiration from costumes and uniforms, room decor and architectural features and so much more! Her breathtaking designs came out of all that she soaked in and translated into her own vision!
We can learn so much from each other, especially to keep our minds open and take the best elements of all the things around us to inspire our very own creations! Come join our creative community if you want a place to share ideas and be inspired! It would be great to feature your projects as inspiration for others too, so send me message any time to share something you’ve made!
I can’t wait to see what you create!
Luana