Friday 17 October 2014

Thoughts On Creativity



Hello from Dortmund!

As you know, the boyfriend and I had an awesome vacation in Canada about two months ago (pictures can be found here, here and here). Two days before we left we wandered along W 4th Ave and found Banyen Bookshop. There was a lot of esoteric stuff I am not fond of but they also had a few nice books on creativity and such. I got myself a book and as you can see I started to read it the same night at the beach. The book is called "Living Artfully" and was written by Sandra Magsamen. It's a good read and the author has some very lovely ideas.


Next to being a good and inspiring read, the book got me thinking about creativity in general as well as my journey to become more creative.

The word creativity or Kreativtät goes back to the Latin verb "creare". "Creare" translates into "to make something" or "to invent something". In some contents it also means "to choose". All of these translations relate to my understanding of creativity quite well.

Some day ago I talked to Michelle about creativity and she assumed she wasn't very creative because she mostly follows patterns instead of making up her own patterns. I disagree with her sentiments. According to my understanding of creativity, Michelle is very creative indeed because she makes new creations with her hands. That is, she creates something and even if she does indeed follow a pattern, the process of creation is a still an act of creativity.

Until recently I never considered myself a very creative person. Even worse: I told myself I wasn't creative at all! I liked to make things but hardly dared to actually tackle new skills (telling me I will be bad at it anyway) or didn't like the results (they weren't perfect!). As you know I really got into crochet when I lived in Australia 2008/2009. When I returned to Germany, I still made a lot of Granny Squares but that was it.


About two years that changed. I wish I could pinpoint one special event but I really can't remember. I wanted to make something different to Granny Squares and I think I started with an amigurumi teddy bear. I tried to follow the pattern and the result looked close to a teddy. It still sits on the bookshelf even though I have made some far prettier stuff since then. This teddy reminds me that I can tackle new skills even if the (first) result isn't perfect. You might think, that it is pretty normal that first tries don't work out perfectly but for me accepting this has been a HUGE step.


Since then my creativity tries to go into overload... Of course Facebook and Pinterest don't help with that. There is so much to try and so much to do! I find myself wandering out of my comfort zone these days: Even though crochet is still my first (and strongest) craft love, I like to work with paper these days. The last couple of days I spent making Lucky Stars and I really enjoy the calm I reach when I fold them.


Altogether I have found peace in doing crafts. It helps me to focus and to relax. And since I noticed that about myself, I made sure to embrace creativity. Of course I am not perfect, of course I don't manage everything and of course I don't have the time to try everything. But that's okay. I am happy.

So nowadays I proudly call myself a creative person! 
What about you?

15 comments :

  1. Your post is very interesting! In French : la créativité. I'm sure you are a creative person and an interesting person. Just have a blog is a form of creativity.
    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Oh, I like the French word! It sounds very fancy and makes me feel cozy.

      You are right: A blog is a creative output too! I didn't quite realize that before but it is so true.

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  2. How often did I hear: I'm not creative! Almost every single person is creative: if he/she cooks, paints, gardens, crochets etc. For myself I always have something on my needles, hooks, sewing table, drawing board etc. It's like breathing. Creating is a must for me. And I'm crazy happy with that! :)

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    1. Yep, I get to hear that a lot, too. But I reckon once one starts and believes in oneself the creativity just turns up and won't leave! :-)

      I can't live without my creative outputs either... When I am away from my yarn or at the moment my paper, I long for it desperatly!

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    2. I change between crafts, too. This year it was leatherwork and crochet mixed with a bit of beadwork. :)

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  3. Blogging is a form of creativity and you have also produced some lovely projects. I like to think that I am a creative person.

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  4. Hi Anne, thank you for visiting my blog :) I have definitely come across yours before - I love the idea of sharing a blog around the globe!
    Am I a creative person? That's a tricky one. I always think I am quite good at making and doing, just not very good at the ideas in the first place. So I've always said I'm not very creative. I don't mind trying new crafts but it takes me ages to think I am any good. For instance, I get lots of lovely comments on my blog but instill feel a bit rubbish at it!
    Have a great weekend,
    Jillxo

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment! We love that we share the blog too. It's something very special for us. :-)

      You are a very creative person, too - I really like your projects! I know how you fell about projects not being perfect (in one's mind) though. I am trying to get rid of that feeling and I hope you manage to see the wonderfullness of your projects soon, too!

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  5. Hi Anne, a wonderful and honest post.
    I don't think I have analysed the meaning of creativity before, I just enjoy making something for my home, even if it is not brilliant I can laugh and say that no one else in the whole wide world has it. I follow patterns too but inevitably your personality is added by material choice, colour, an embellishment or 3!!! so it becomes individual.
    I admire designers, without them there would be no progression, without people to make their designs they wouldn't have the inspiration to create new projects.
    Have a fun creative weekend x

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    1. I totally agree! Even if following a pattern, the very act of "choosing" (one of the definitions of 'creare' above) the yarn type, colour, size and style and putting it all together is a creative expression. Reading a pattern is a skill, interpreting the pattern to make the finished product is creativity.

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    2. I totally agree with the two of you! The relationship between a designer and the ones who follow a pattern is a very special thing indeed. And both sides are creative in their own way :-)

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  6. I like to think i'm a creative personn too ... and blogging is a good way to share with all of you. You are creative ! We are creative !!! so have a creative sunday !

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  7. I, and many others, can really relate to what you've said here! I remember talking about this with you, and how nice it was to know that I'm not the only one who self-doubts. :) Also, the feeling of surprising yourself is so nice, isn't it?! Surprise, you're creative! xx

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