MelissaWestPhoto

I’m having a love affair – with Pintrest that is – just like so many creative people around me (admit it you are addicted too!)  Pintrest has a plethora of ideas and inspiration from which to glean and, unfortunately, it is very easy to repin and not so easy to take that inspiration and create your own art.

A few months ago I found myself pinning galore and few of those pins actually changing the world in which I live.  Be it an idea for my studio, a new recipe, a hair style or a shoot concept.  So, I decided to stop wishing I had exactly what was in the picture and instead take the ideas and concepts to which I was drawn and make them my own.

When I fall in love with an idea now, I look for a few minutes, maybe search for like ideas, and then walk away.   I head to my fabric cabinet, craft supplies, or prop stash – sometimes it jumps right out and sometimes I have to mull it over in my head or walk around my house gathering bits and pieces – sometime for a few days.  With a vague idea it is much easier for me to create a shoot, craft or outfit that is totally me rather than going back again and again bemoaning the fact that I am not in possession of the exact prop, clothes, location or material that the original creator owned.

I find so much contentment and satisfaction this way…drawing on the creativity of others yet still creating my own unique art.

Enter the April Showers shoot:

I gathered a few ideas on Pintrest and then shut the laptop.

DIY – Toadstool

For example, I loved the pop of red in a few of the ideas I pinned so…

I looked and found :

1.  red polka dot material

2.  a stump from our wood pile

3.  a five gallon bucket lid from my husband’s work shop

4.  a doily passed down from my grandmother

I screwed the lid to the stump, added some stuffing, glued on fabric and doily – and voila!  A totally unique toadstool that I absolutely love!  I took an idea and made it my own.

DIY – Rain drops and clouds

Once again I took a concept and walked away.  Before, I would often leave the Pintrest board open and compare fabrics and I was never satisfied.  By getting a general idea and walking away it gives me the freedom to create.

I chose fabrics that complimented the blues and grays of a rainy day, added a few pops of red and yellow and went to work.  I free handed the clouds and rain drops and my daughter helped me choose the order in which to string them.  It was fun, easy and such a great creative outlet that made me happy from beginning to end and without a speck of copycat guilt.

If you find yourself in the same position – try walking away from the computer today and don’t just pin – create!   I’d love to hear what you are creating.

a great print found here on Etsy

Another great post about allowing yourself to be creative – here.

What tips do you have for making Pintrest work for you?