Mollie Makes dreamcatcher*
One of the secrets to being more creative is simply to do creative things as often as possible. Just keep your hands moving!
We all know that feeling: all set to spend that rare free afternoon up to your elbows in paint, or curled up in your favourite chair crafting. Then you find every crochet hook except the one you need. Or you need to spend some time researching and sketching red deer before you start your painting. The sewing machine is under a pile of laundry. So instead, the afternoon disappears into a flurry of Pinterest and Instagram, gem destroying and random household tasks.
Some projects are too big for small, golden pockets of time. They need planning, thinking, the whole living room floor, and time to try things out, rethink things and try again. These are worthwhile of course, and the main body of work for many most artists and designer makers.
For me, the answer is to always have something ready for stolen moments like these. I like sock knitting for this: one ball of yarn and a pattern you can read on your phone. A pocket sketchbook opens up opportunities for drawing whenever a quiet moment appears.
Magazine kits are great for this. You usually get everything you need and instructions are often kept to a page. They can normally be made in a single afternoon or evening session too.
I made a few changes from Erin Black's cute design, mainly how the feathers hang, and I'm really pleased with the result. It's the latest issue of Mollie Makes so you might still be able to get your hands on it if you're quick.
*Something to consider: an excellent articule on cultural appropriation.