Musings

I wonder where artist and creative sorts get their ideas from ~ are they coming up with them on their own or are they influenced or inspired by other’s work?  And if they are influenced at what point is it inspiration vs. stealing? 

I struggle with this because while I am a fairly handy person I’m not a very imaginative one.  I will see something, whether it be a decorating style, a beautifully set table or a crafty type thing, and that’s my starting point.  It’s not like a creative lightbulb goes off in my head and an idea is born. 

For example ~ I saw on the Cath Kidston website an adorable needle holder.  Not wanting to spend $33 (shipping is a little dear from the UK) I bought $32 worth of materials to make my own instead (this is TOTALLY justifiable because I bought new pinking sheers and I have enough material to make 10 of them if I wanted to). 

(work in progress – still need to stitch it all together)

Granted mine is a bit different since I used buttons, beads and sequins rather than all felt but is this an homage or plagerism?  Obviously I’m not planning on selling them – just want to make the one little one for myself.

I find myself doing the same thing with posts without even realizing it.  I visit probably 20 different blogs a day and something will lodge itself in the far reaches of my brain and I’ll do a post and realize that a photo I took is similar to another I’ve seen or I’ll a use a phrase that I’ve read elsewhere. 

Sigh.  I just wish I was as creative as the rest of you.