Wednesday, May 25, 2011

15 minutes...

bracelet
The count down to Squam is getting serious! I'm so excited and totally consumed with making, listing, packing, and laundry (yesterday there were 3 loads of deconstructed linen clothes for two of my workshops!). In the midst of it all, I had a sudden and urgent need to make something frivolous. This happens to me under pressure. So, I gave myself 15 minutes to play with no rules or directions. I set a timer, and  began pulling things off shelves. The next thing I knew, I was covering a wooden bracelet in Mod Podge and topping it with some scraps of paper cut into tiles. 
paper tiles
I didn't work slowly, nor meticulously... I just dove in and started cutting, getting sticky and having fun. It was the perfect way to blow off some steam. I may do this again today if I start to feel harried. Set the timer, and then see what happens... want to try it, too? Here are some suggestions:
  • Give yourself a short amount of time, or you'll start to think too hard.
  • Work in a medium that feels loose: glue, crayons,water colors, ripping paper or fabric. 
  • Don't have expectations for a certain outcome.
  • Set judgments aside.
  • Enjoy yourself!
*bracelet components are just things I've had in my studio for years so I'm not clear on sources, but paper is from Amy Butler (5 years ago?), wooden bracelet from craft store (Michael's, but not certain).

wooden bracelet
Reminder: Today is the last day to enter the incredible raffle over at Stumble and Stitches: "Stitch Home Alabama" fundraiser for the south! Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 8:18 AM Labels:

13 comments:

  1. EmilyMay 25, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I often do this when I'm overwhelmed with my to do list. It's amazing what you can accomplish in an allotted time slot!

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  2. Jenny BartoyMay 25, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Hi Maya! I love this idea. My expectations for myself and creativity are always too high and I end up not *making* and *creating* as much as I could if I were less rigid with constraints. Off to find a timer... (LOVE the AB paper!)

    Thanks so much for mentioning our fundraiser. We've reached $2510 this morning!! Less than $500 to go before midnight to make our $3K goal. Fingers crossed... The generosity and support have been ah-mazing!

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  3. sarahMay 25, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    What a great idea. And what a cool bracelet.
    I love it on the flower pot!

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  4. denice@inkstitchMay 25, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    I love to work this way when I am buried and in danger of getting stuck in all the To-Dos. Hmm... actually, that's a regular day. That's why I built my workbench to counter height, so I can work standing up and on-the-fly. :)

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  5. AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [26 May 02:15am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  6. Seaweed and RaineMay 26, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    What a great idea! I am loving that paper. Hope the whole event goes really well for you :)

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  7. TaraMay 26, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I love the idea of giving yourself 15 minutes of jump-in-and-make-time, almost like guerilla making.

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  8. louiseMay 26, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    i do this too! the night before i was flying to seattle i made a cover for my ipod. just had to and i still marvel at it. i love doing things like that - no time so you have to go straight to the source. no dithering, no worrying -so liberating! the bracelet is very cool. enjoy squam!

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  9. AnonymousMay 29, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    How inspiring! I think that the best stuff happens spontaneously. When I over plan things don't go my way. Hooray for serendipity!

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  10. UnknownMay 29, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    SO wonderful! I'm going to feature you because this is perfect for my mood lately - quick and easy projects! :D

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  11. MichelleNovember 25, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    So cute! Can I find the wooden bracelet just at a normal craft store?

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  12. mayalunaNovember 28, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Michelle,
    Yup! shouldn't be too hard to find.

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  13. CathyJune 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM

    What a great idea!! I will definitely try it.

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