Thursday, May 19, 2016

LEAP! Oh wait, did I look?

by Staci Louise Smith

I unfortunately tend to say yes to new things; to more shows, to new ventures, to deadlines, with no planning on how they will all get done!  Thankfully I work good under pressure, though as I get older, my body and mind don't appreciate it as much.

(tired me guzzling coffee)

Sometimes though, leaping, without looking, allows new and exciting things to come into my life and business.  I find often if I put too much thought into something, I will find a million reasons not to do it.  And really, what is happening, is I am letting my fear and doubt rule my decision making.

Now, don't get me wrong, somethings really do need to be thought out.  And my brain, is not your brain, so, my method may not work for you, and maybe you never talk yourself out of things.
However, what I am trying to say, is don't be afraid to try something new.  You can always choose not to do it again if it doesn't work out.

So this year I cut out some Art Shows I was doing that were not bringing in the money I needed.  I added some new ones to try out, and decided to spend more time teaching.  Since I have three kids and am not able to travel, online teaching seemed the thing to do.  So I signed a contract with Craft Art Edu.  You may know them, because Sherri Stokey teaches there too!  

Here is her most recent class, Drunkards Path



Anyhow, with some encouragement from Sherri, I signed up with them.  It was a long learning process for me, but I got my first class up and I could NOT BE MORE HAPPY I LEAPED!

I learned soooo much about creating an online class.  My editor was always available to answer my questions (sometimes over and over again).  It took me longest to do the voice over, because apparently, I hate hearing my own voice, and I was really critical of it.  It was also hard to find quiet time in my house.  I share the office with my hubs and I have 3 kids and 3 rescue dogs and a parrot.  There are small quiet windows in my day!  lol!

Anyhow, I picked a big one for the first class, because I could NOT wait to share this with you.  It is called 

Gold Rush: The Rustic Crackle Technique

You can watch a free preview and order it here

I called it Gold Rush, because I honestly came up with this technique in a rush.  Its a spin off a traditional technique, which I totally messed up, and I found a way to turn my mistake into something I ended up LOVING.  I spent time re-creating it and experimenting and timing and combining......and finally had enough information to make beads and my class.

I was chatting with another teacher recently, and we talked about people hesitating to play during their creative time.  Let me say this: just dive in!  Trust yourself.  All of us teachers want you to try new things.  Take the techniques we teach you and begin to ask yourselves "what if I used it with this?"  Or changed the back ground color?  Or added this?  Almost as if you are doing science experiments.  Because that, my friends, is where the magic happens!

This leap I took went well for me.  Both the experimenting with a new technique and joining Craft Art Edu have been great!  Not all of experiments do.  I promise, I have piles of "not fit for human eyes" beads and wire graveyards........but its how the really good stuff happens.  So to me, its worth the mistakes.  Its worth the cast offs.  It's worth the time.

So I challenge you to play.  To take a technique you know, or have been wanting to try, and then take it a step further.  Push your boundaries and LEAP!  Even if you don't know where you will land.  Like I said, you can always choose to not do it again if it doesn't work out.  But you may just end up with something unique and that you love too!




6 comments:

craftyd said...

I hear you on trying something new although I don't think working with that size beads is for me. I recently took a glass flower class and can't wait to play more with that and I also watched your class yesterday. It is awesome and I can't wait to give that a try. I always love your work, now if I can just do something half as nice I will be happy.
Dolores

Shai Williams said...

It's not that I don't want to play to see where it goes. I find that I will go into my studio with that in mind and I get sidetracked by a focal calling my name.

Erin Fish said...

I signed up for this class - (was waiting so patiently when you first mentioned that it was coming) and I LOVE LOVE, LOVE IT! Now to practice and learn from you! Thank you! Should also mention that I was having some problems accessing the workshop and Craft Art Edu was amazingly supportive! :)

Coffeefreek53 said...

I am so glad you took the leap. I bought your class and have watched it once and will watch it probably multiple times. I've been a fan of your work for a long time and am so happy that you have shared this. Keep leaping kiddo, it works for you!

TesoriTrovati said...

You are so brilliant. In so many ways. I agree. The aging, the coffee, the LEAPING! I have put my grand jetes on hold while I focus on my son and his graduation. But my big show is just around the corner so I will be LEAPING in again! And I LEAPT at the chance to get your tutorial. Because that is perfect technique for the ideas I am trying to convey in my mixed media art for this theme show. So thank you for putting in the work. Now I need to go and find some of the supplies and a few moments to really sit down and watch. You are my favorite artist. You push your limits and follow your creative ideas with abandon. You do so much for everyone and you always shine. I would love to be able to teach like you do and work on new ideas. So in lieu of me being able to do anything I love to celebrate people like you that are leading the charge. You go, girlfriend! I am right her cheering for you! Enjoy the day! Erin

Unknown said...

Love the class - I'm new to Polymer clay but found this class to be very doable. I'm excited to get started.

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