Holding On to All That Stuff: A Creative Crafter's Best Tool

When I was in college, my art professor told us that an artist should collect and save everything and anything that might inspire us. She pointed out that you never know from where your next creative idea might come. She said that we should keep images that might inspire us, colors and textures that we might use, and any bits and pieces that might become source material or samples for an art work.

Now I don't think I've gone overboard, but I've definitely taken her advice. Over the years, I've held on to piles of magazines and catalogs, loads of postcards, a bag of scrap fabric, a bin of seashells, and various odds and ends. It might seem crazy to some, but only a crafter can understand what a goldmine this stuff can be. Recently, I've turned this stuff into some neat projects

About 10 years ago, I bought a bag of scrap fabric for some sewing projects. Over the years, I have used it very little, yet felt the need to move this fabric to two different states with me. Recently, however, I used this pile of discarded scraps to create two fabric wreaths. Both of the wreaths came out very nicely and wouldn't have been possible if I didn't remember "Oh, I have that bag of fabric somewhere!"

At Christmas, my mother gave me a tote bag made of this (to me) odd toile fabric. I must admit I didn't really like the bag, but I had the idea of stamping purple flowers on top of the fabric to give it a modern look.

In digging through my stuff, I came upon this clothing tag that I have saved with a cut out of a daisy flower on it. I realized I could use this cut out as a stencil for my flower instead of cutting my own. With some paint and a little bit of time, I had a new tote bag that I really love.

After years of scribbling ideas and sketches on whatever paper I could find, I finally invested in a nice journal to keep all my thoughts organized. In celebration of my purchase, I made myself a funky new bookmark to keep my place in my journal.

Taking the back page of a catalog where the paper was a thicker cardstock, I chose an interesting area of the image and cut out a bookmark-shaped section. I used some decorative shears to give my bookmark a scalloped edge. I then punched a hole in the top and used some leftover yarn scraps to make a colorful tassel. Now this is not a really inventive project, but I've created a bookmark that I like and I enjoy using.

I still have LOTS of stuff I've saved, including this collection of things I've picked up off the street. There's broken heart lockets, a little fireman's hat, a random doll's foot, and other weird bits. I've always had this idea of making a sculptural figure out of all of this, but who knows what it might become?

I hope you have a fun collection and get some creative inspiration from it!

Check out my other tutorials and articles:

How to Make a Scrap Fabric Welcome Wreath

How to Make a Folded Ribbon Door Wreath

Garden-Inspired Wreath with Bird House and Flowers

Creative Bulletin Board or Jewelry Display Made from Garden Fence

How to Hang Your Artwork to Create an Interesting Arrangement

How to Make an Interesting Photo Collage

Hording Stuff: A Creative Crafter's Best Tool

DIY Craft Project: Fall into the Holidays Wreath

Christmas Wall Hanging Using Vintage or Costume Jewelry

How to Decorate for the Holidays with Basic Frames

Easy Christmas Tree Ornaments Made with Oven Bake Clay

How to Make Christmas Ornaments From Recycled Greeting Cards

A Newbie's Guide to Needle Felting a Reindeer Christmas Ornament

Needle Felted Tree for Christmas or Everyday Decoration

Copyright © 2013 by Donna Herron. All rights reserved.