Creative Inspiration is everywhere. But we have to take time and slow down to see it. When I finally opened my heart to God and started living in the present, I began to be inspired by things all around me. Not just fancy art galleries but even the grocery store became a source of inspiration. Here are some of my favorite ways to find inspiration when I am running on empty.
1. Head to the bookstore. I grab a coffee and sit right in the middle of the craft section. I usually have about 15 books spread around, taking notes. If there’s a book I love and have to have, I write the name down and wait till I get home to order it on half.com (super cheap place to buy books.)
2. Inspiration notebooks. I never pass magazines on to friends because I rip everything out of them that makes me look twice. I have two huge notebooks full of pretty pictures, paint colors, rooms, sewing ideas, craft ideas, clothing, anything that catches my eye. If I am having a rough day, I pull these out and instantly I feel better.
3. Blogs. I could get lost for hours looking at different crafting blogs. Etsy is another great source of inspiration. Please make sure you have a spare hour or two before you visit this site!
4. Museums and Art Galleries. Just walking into a place that has handmade creations makes my heart sing.
5. Take a class or try something new. I have taken several art and sewing classes. Recently I completed upholstery school. Trying something out of your comfort zone is a great way to jump start your brain. Try something that you enjoy or something you want to learn more about, photography, cooking, karate, gardening, or sailing. Next on my list is drum lessons, but that might be a little bit too far out of my comfort zone!
6. Start a craft group. I want to start a group that meets once a month for a night full of creating and sharing! A different project each month, would anyone join me!?!?
7. Grab a girlfriend and go thrifting. This is one of my favorite past times and one that fills me up every time. Something about walking around all that cast off junk just makes me want to take it all home and give it new life.
8. The grocery store game. This can be played anywhere, waiting in line, getting your car worked on, sitting at swim practice. Look around and take in all the different colors, patterns, and textures. Grocery store packaging is amazing if you really look at it!
9. Have coffee with a friend. I had coffee with my friend Cammie last week. Just talking and opening up unleashed so many thoughts and ideas and different ways to look at things.
10. George Costanza Day. Do you remember on Seinfeld when George decides he would do everything opposite of what he normally would do?! This is a fun little game to play, especially for others who don’t know you are doing it! Again a great way to jump start your brain.
Finally, I love to visit other peoples homes and see what inspires them. Here are some pictures of my friend the Nester’s home. I only took a few pictures because I didn’t want her to think I was a stalker.
The winner of the Button Bird Art is…………Amanda Miller!!! Amanda please send me an email with your information to buttonbirddesigns@gmail.com!
My name is Angela Statzer and I love to incorporate just about anything into my artwork. Ranging from recycled materials, vintage items, wood, jewelry, other people’s junk, buttons and fabric, my style is fun and diverse. You can find me smiling at any yard sale, thrift store or flea market. I am a momma to two amazing kids and wife to one hot husband. 
When my kids were young, some friends and I started a crafting group. There were 12 of us and each month a different mom would host the evening.
The hostess would plan the craft by buying all the supplies and showing us how to do it.
We set a $5 budget and we all paid this to the hostess each month. It was a fun evening out at very little expense. We all brought snacks to share too.
Many of the projects were jumping off points for other projects.
xo jana
I'm hopping over her from the Nester's site…I loved all your tips for getting the creativity juice flowing!
I'm a part of a artists and crafters guild. After we meet and share what we're working on, I always go home brimming with ideas and inspiration!
I too am visiting from the Nester. Number 8 had me (the grocery store game). I never thought of looking there for inspiration.
And, I do hope that on occasion that you support your local book store and buy a book from them, because otherwise soon you’ll find your bookstore out of business! (It’s what’s happening in my town.)
Jana
THANK YOU!!!! Great idea and I am going to use your format for when I start my group! Thanks so much for sharing!
Carol H
Yes you are correct we should support the local book stores. I didn't mention the small forture that I spend there on Magezines! Thanks!
My whole family loves a trip to the bookstore. Sometimes we buy something and sometimes just coffee. But I always leave inspired!
Thank you so much for this post! Loved it and LOVE your blog!
The Nester's home is completely inspiring. Do you think she painted that turquoise canvas herself?
Always get inspiration from Nester's home! Fun list. Isn't it amazing all the things we can do that are just awesome and a super fun and costs almost nothing!
half.com, where have I been? I have never heard of this and just found a book there for $4 I was about to buy on Amazon for $11.
Thank you, Angela!
Hey Kristen!
Yes the Nester painted that herself! Isn't she amazing!
lots of love!
Angela
I know Susan!!
My favorite things in my house were created by a family member or found at a yard sale or thrift store!
xoxox
Angela
I flip through older magazines and also roam through thrift stores…always looking for gorgeous items on the inexpensive side. Love your blog…popped over from thenester site
Hi Angela
I love your list of ways to get dreative. I think a once a month crafting group sounds like fun! If you're looking for people to join I'd like to.
Rhondi
Hi Rhondi! Do you live in the Charlotte area? I hope to get a craft together this fall!
xoxo
Angela