- Set up a work area, ideally somewhere you can leave in a mess so that you can return to your project exactly where you left off without any effort. This is handy if you've got a few minutes spare (e.g. waiting to use the bathroom or for the microwave to go "ping!") and you can just sit down quickly and do something tiny with your project -it's still something!Your work area doesn't have to be huge - a tiny corner in a room will do if that's all you've got. Make the space as comfy and inviting as you can by putting some of your favourite things there, like plants, pictures and relevant books.
- Make an inspiration board (or a scrapbook if space is limited) full of things you'd love to make, colours you'll use, inspiring quotes, magazine clippings, doodles - whatever makes you want to create.
- Get equipment - write a list of what you'll need and figure out how you're going to get it. I got my sewing machine from a friend who didn't use it anymore (bless her), lots of ribbons, buttons and beads from my Mum's old sewing days, needles, threads, bobbins etc from the £ shop and most of my fabric is from charity shops.Ask around family and friends to see what they have laying about, you never know! Look in dirt-cheap shops, second-hand shops, charity shops and at boot sales. Search freecycle (Google it to find one for your area), or Craigslist if you're in the US and you might find something you need for cheap or even free.
- Aim to spend 15 minutes a day on your projects, at least. We can all manage to carve 15 minutes out of the day, even if you have to get up earlier, go to bed later, give up watching a crappy TV show...you'll figure something out! Choose a regular slot in the day if it helps, for example first thing in the morning or in the evening while dinner's in the oven.If you miss a day, it's not the end of the world. Just start again tomorrow.
- Set up a new blog purely to show off what you're doing. This will give you an incentive to create so you have something to post.
- Keep a sketchbook so that when you're in front of the TV or just lazing about on your bed you can still do sketches of things you want to make, write little stories, draw pictures, write down inspiring things you've seen or heard today, jot down random ideas or just doodle silly things. Decorate the cover to make it completely "you".
- Making stuff you actually need is a good way to make sure you finish it and of course saves you a hell of a lot of beer money. Do you need new clothes, bags, cushion covers, furniture, room dividers? Get on with making some then! (Tutorials for just about anything can be found online these days).
- Read LIVING AN ARTFUL LIFE by Crafty Chica for inspiration - I love it!
- Keep an "inspiring photos" folder on your computer. Whenever you see something online that you want to make or just look at again you can just right-click and save the picture in your folder for your viewing pleasure!
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