Recognizing your influences - Part 1 of 2

Novelist and Blogger Charles Gramlich of Razored Zen (which I read religiously) has recently posted on how our influences can affect how we create. He writes

Being “unconscious” of one's sources has potential risks and potential benefits. On the risk side, it’s possible to stay so close to the original that you are simply writing pastiche. On the benefit side, being unconscious of influences allows a seamless mix and match of many influences into the blend that makes up true creativity.

It's got me thinking about how this carries over to other mediums besides the written word. Singer/Songwriters often speak about their influences and often those artists were the ones their parents listened to. I remember my Dad listening to Elvis, Alice Cooper and some other band with a song called "Chicken Train" on our 8 track stereo. And my mother had a large country music collection including Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Waylon Jennings. These influences have a large part in what I listen to today and I love that I can trace it all back to those memories.

We all know the rich history behind painters and the huge influence they had on visual artists. Many visual artists will rattle off their favorites -Mattise, Picasso, and Cezanne. If you look closely, you can see those influences in their work and they are happy to speak of them. Same goes for photographers.

What about scrapbookers, knitters and crocheters or sewers or jewelers? Where do they find their influences? I would imagine the mothers and grandmothers who taught them their craft had most of that influence when it comes to technique but what about style? Influence can come from many places. What has influenced you and how does that play out in your work? Take a moment to think back to your childhood. What was around you then? Who was around you then? What were your passions, your interests? It is important that we understand what influences us so that we can harness or ignore it - which is what I'll write about in part 2 of this series. Comment about your own work. I'd love to hear about who you see in your craft.

by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark

image via wikipedia

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Featured Mom - Louise Felice

Today's featured mom is Louise Felice from the online boutique of the same name. She's been sewing for ages and loves to create clothing for children. Not only are her designs beautifully crafted from vintage and recycled fabrics but she keeps her prices super reasonable. Louise's business philosophy revolves around allowing moms to buy cute and fun clothing for their kids without breaking the bank.

Her business was originally based in the Island of Malta but now that she's stateside, she's in the process of building up again. Her years of experience are helping her out with this task as she's been sewing since she was four! It seems her creativity has been a part of her since she was able to hold a needle and thread.

Recently, she's been pointing her talents in the direction of finding new techniques. Louise has been dabbling in vegetable dyes and attempting to alter her recycled fabrics.

Her key to finding time to create lies in her doggy induced early wake up time of 5am. She usually gets a couple hours into her arts before beginning the rest of her day.

Her children are following in her creative footsteps. With a daughter who crochets and a son who cooks she is in great company when it comes to being a free flowing creative spirit.

When I asked her what she's learned about balancing a creative life with a mommy life she laughed and said "Patience!".

Louise has generously provided Maternal Spark readers with a 25% off promo until August 30th (not including shipping costs). Just mention Maternal Spark in the note to seller field when purchasing.

You can find Louise in her Etsy shop or via email. Go pay her a visit and say hi!

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So what are you into?

I've been working on developing a weekly "Energizer" post. The idea being, I would post exercises or fun projects or ways to jump start your creative projects and you would get so inspired you would rush away to work into the wee hours and come out with a masterpiece. That's the idea anyhow. Then it occurred to me that it would be a whole lot easier if I knew what my readers enjoyed most. Are sewing tutorials going to fall on uninterested ears? Who cares about writing prompts? Punch your answer into the poll below and give me a little direction wont'cha? After all, this blog is for you.

15 Time Saving, Organization and Inspirational tips from my readers

During the Super Giveaway I asked my readers to comment with a creative tip in order to get an entry. There were a few gems in the group - here they are.

Organization

1) Use egg cartons for organizing craft supplies like buttons and beads.
2) Pour left over paint into pill bottles, label and store.


Time Savers

1) Keep the wrappers from your butter sticks in the fridge for quickly greasing a cookie sheet.
2) Set up your crock pot in the morning for a fuss free dinnertime (this is something I'm thinking of doing, any one with tips on crock potting is welcome to share!)
3) If you suffer from insomnia, get something done! Don't just watch tv.
4) When spraying your cooking pans with non-stick spray, place the pan on the door of your dishwasher. Any over spray will be cleaned during the next cleaning cycle. Geez, I think I'll start all my prep work on the door of the dishwasher!
5) Store any leftover broth in ice cube trays and freeze. They will be easily accessible next time you cook!

Inspiration

1) Look to nature for interesting patterns.
2) When making home made play dough - add Koolaid for color and scent.
3) Encourage your kids to make easy picture books with stickers.
4) Make bean or rice bags with left over fabric scraps.
5) If your kids are in sports, save all their jerseys and make a memory blanket they can take to university.
6) Save all those outgrown onesies and make a sweet memory quilt for yourself!
7) Save your plastic grocery bags, cut into 1" strips and crochet with them.
8) Carry your camera in your purse to capture inspirational moments or pieces of art in your travels throughout the day.

image from freefoto.com

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Featured Mom - Emily from Kianika Designs

Emily of Kianika designs is our Featured Mom for today. She makes adorable crocheted items and often finds time to craft while her kids play alongside her.

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

E: I first learned to crochet as a child, around age 8, so I’ve always been interested in it. (My aunt first taught me.) But I really just started to pick it up again in the last few years.

H: What do you like to chrochet?

E: I like to create anything and everything. Does that narrow it down? I’ve made slippers, skirts, shrugs, hats, scarves, sweaters, toys, cell phone cases, purses, pillows…my projects are extremely varied! I like to experiment to see what I can come up with.

H: Do you sell your items?

E: I first heard about Etsy on a baby forum. Some other mothers started selling some of their crafts, so I thought I’d try too. Am I finding success? It’s hard to say…I’ve sold three things in my first month, so it’s not too bad. We’ll have to see how things go from here – but, I am having a lot of fun!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

E: Yes, I’ve always enjoyed doing crafts. As a child I used to make friendship bracelets a lot. I’ve also tried weaving and cross-stitching. I’m very tactile, so I always need my hands to be busy!

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

E: I crochet at different times during the day. If my family is all hanging out in the living room, I’ll work on a project. Or, if I need some downtime during the day, I’ll pull out a project. I find this craft easy to do with kids around because there is no mess involved and it takes up little space. All it requires is a ball of yarn and crochet hook.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

E: YES! My oldest (age 3 – she’ll be 4 in July) loves to make things with playdough, and model magic. She loves to draw and paint. She makes up stories and silly dances. Sometimes, she’ll sit beside me while I work on a project and hold the yarn, calling herself the “yarn girl.” She’s great. My youngest is only 10 months old – but I’m sure there is a creative soul in there! She likes to clap her hands and “sing.”

H: What have you learned after having your kids (in relation to your art).

I think my kids have inspired me to learn more about different crochet techniques and try out new patterns. For instance, the only reason why I even attempted to make a toy was for them. I think I’ve branched out in terms of what I make because of them.

Emily's work can be found at http://www.kianikadesigns.etsy.com/

and she welcomes custom orders so drop her a line kianikadesigns@yahoo.ca

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