16 August 2010

taking on hang ups

i have a huge problem with waste - whether it be of the material sort or immaterial (like time)... when i want to work/am driven to work, i hope to optimize my time... you know, once you can finally bring a piece into that fuzzy focus which allows you to at least begin... 



'there is no such thing as a failed experiment,
only experiments with unexpected outcomes.'
~ richard buckminster fuller


but i realized yesterday that thinking interferes with practicing... i don't want to waste materials or the time that could be spent making something that counts... but it is holding me back  - because it is really all in how you define what counts... i had mentioned that i got a bracelet mandrel... i have no problem using things around the house to improvise with - some of my favorite round shapes come from them... or buying items from the hardware store... but usually you need the right tools for the job... (yes, i know that you guys know this)... it can be a matter of expense - i have been using some really basic tools from over a decade ago and hadn't thought about it... at a class i held a pair of ruth rae's and was taken aback by the difference... 


what also interferes with practicing is a fear of failure - so yesterday i fused copper... (doesn't this all sound stupid? i am almost embarrassed to be writing it - except that i know that you have things that hold you back too)... 




wishing you a week where you might break even one of  your own little taboos... 

14 comments:

  1. So very true! I find my mistakes take me to more creativity and passion...most of the time:)..any way!

    Love the simplicity of the bracelets.

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  2. Gosh, were we separated at birth?? I hate the waste of practice, but now realize that you must practice to perfect. My goal is to achieve something useful even when I practice, or at the very least use practice piece until it can be used no more.

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  3. what kind of solder did you use? any tips? I use copper a lot in my jewelry class & would appreciiate any tips!

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  4. Thank you MJ...we really DO need to hear this =)) I know I do!

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  5. Me? I have no filters when it comes to tools. But I am sure that my finances wished I did! I buy tools and then never get around to using them. You should let me know if you need something because chances are good that I have one that I have never used! I would love to learn to fuse metal and do more with it. But I have this thing about flame in the house, so I have a butane torch with no butane. And I have a similar thing with chemicals. Late at night is not the time to be experimenting with these sort of things for me. But that's just me.
    how you define what counts - this is the crux of it. I mostly define it by what I like and am attracted to.

    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  6. these look great, what is that little rivet thing going on ..like that lots
    fearless experimentation is probably a good direction for a creative person...keep at it.

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  7. For me, it is all about perspective. When I'm not afraid to try new things, I allow myself to stretch the boundaries of what I believe "success" to be, even if the end result isn't what I expected. Some of my very favorite pieces are "failures".

    Thanks for sharing!

    :-) Molly

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  8. Hey, I know I was excited as hell when I "discovered" how to fuse copper! When I allow myself time to practice I learn so much!

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  9. Yay! You're doing it! I love that you are going forward in spite of your hesitation.

    Just think of all the beautiful things you will be able to create when you have it down.

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  10. I am with you on waste...surprisingly so many things I make come from not wanting to throw certain tidbits away...I save every little piece of wire too. I like the challenge of looking at something that did not cost anything and think..."hmmm what can I make with this"
    I have been teaching myself how to fuse metal too. I think if anyone ever saw my techniques they probably would laugh...I am completely self taught, I am a trial and error kind of gal.

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  11. boy do i identify with both! fear of failure and thinking when it really is no longer necessary. i've always intellectualized things that scare me instead of doing/feeling them, it's a safe distance and then i can fool myself that i'm using my time productively (thinking about doing it)! (i was afraid to have a torch in the house too, Erin, but it turned out not to be a big deal! I make headpins in the kitchen with my propane torch. doesn't smell or anything. might as well be a blender.) i was wondering if you could fuse copper! yours looks beautiful and rustic MJ, like always! way to go DANGER GIRL!!!

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  12. I want to break through those barriers too! I have begun my journey little by little now too… Feels great!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. You are always traiblazing new techniques and the rest of us follow! You've inspired me to experiment and I hope my copper fuses as seamlessly as yours!

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  14. Oops, that would be trailblazing, the blazing of many trails...which you do!

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