rolling along

I've been bumping along making crayon and pencil rolls recently.   Mixing and matching new and vintage fabrics from the stash, stitching up little pockets for keeping drawing sticks cozy.  These are for Tinderbox, who featured one of the rolls in their spot in the local downtown business council's holiday gift guide.  It's really exciting to see my little creation on a glossy page, but it makes me feel pressure to make more of the same.  I'm trying to switch it up a bit with variations for colored pencils, paintbrushes and knitting needles.

I'm finding more and more that I like thinking of things to make, selecting the materials that will bring it together.  I enjoy figuring out how to construct things, how to do so with efficiency.  I like knowing I can make something, the feeling of holding something I've finished in my hands.  I like giving something that I've made to another.  But I'm also finding that I don't really like production work. 

I wonder, do any of you find it difficult to hold on to that inspired feeling when you're bumping through the seventh, eighteenth and ninetieth run?  What gets you through?  Do you even dare venture into the making more of the almost-the-same? 

Comments

[Tracy]

Love the crayon rolls! Making multiples is tough sometime, even trying for different fabric/pattern combos can get old. But sometimes we hit on a good thing, and want to, or need to make many of something. To get through I make yet another cup of tea and put on my favorite music to lift my spirits and shake my caboose a bit to make it fun! Happy sewing...and happy weekend :o)

[equisetaceae]

sometimes i find pleasure in the monotony of the 12th time on something. It makes me feel good knowing that I can make something so well and that it is so well love that many people want one. Sometimes just that feeling of accomplishment is enough to get me through the slog.

sometimes it is NOT! If i have to make something and i can't seem to get that crafting buzz on, i like to reward myself- good music/cbc/a great book on tape/chocolate!

although, i should point out that actually just sitting down at my machine or needles instead of dreading the project is usually enough to get those happy juices flowing.

[h.]

I do love the satisfaction of sitting back and seeing a whole pile of completed things I have made.
But, I have been running into a bit of the repetition blues lately. I find having several different products running helps. That way I can switch between them. But. I will say there is nothing more frustrating than sitting down to do a project after taking a month off between batches, and realizing you've forgotten how you did it. Somehow, even after making twenty bags, the measurements don't make it into my long term memory. I am having to force myself into writing down all my patterns, measurements, and instructions. Blech.

[Bev]

ah wish I had something like that for my sketching pencils, really lovely!

[Wild Rose]

Hi Sarah,

I love these! What a great way to store knitting needles. I do find it monotonous when I feel like I am on a production line ~ I made a load of lavender bags during the summer and I didn't enjoy it towards the end!

I've linked to your blog on my new one and I wanted to let you know that I am having a giveaway on Marie Chantal, so do drop by before 3rd December.

Enjoy your weekend,

Marie x

[kelly]

I just had my first production experience and I don't know how you do it, by the 4th one I was getting uninspired...love the roll-ups! kb

[Elizabeth]

For me, I typically end up making the same item over and over again and then I move on to the next new pattern and make that over and over again.

I think what helps me is focusing on the person I am making it for.
This is for Sarah, this is for Kathleen, this is for Bobby.

I do feel bogged down when I am motivated by a sense of duty rather than giving. Here, it goes something like this, "I said I would make this for so and so, so now I better get that done." Those are the most difficult times.

But for the most part I tend to agree with equisetaceae. I enjoy the meditative aspect of making the same project over and over again and moving to the the rhythm of that particular pattern and the feel of that particular yarn.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

[asti]

I don't make tons, but I do start to feel the grind a bit after a few, especially if under a bit of pressure to get them done. BUT as others have said, it is good to know that you are completely at ease with making said item, and that's an accomplishment in itself. Gotta keep focus on that I guess!

[emily]

well i'm now two-thirds of the way through ten eye pillows for teachers' gifts. and yes, it's getting old. i've been thinking quite a bit about what it is that i like to create, what drives me to create, what i don't like about it. i keep thinking that the answer will be revealing, somehow. if only the answer would reveal itself!

love those rolls, though. yes i do.

[the aesthetic onion]

I just started making multiples, but as I move on to the next one I feel each one gets better as i learn more about the way the fabric moves or the corner bends. I revel in the fabrics and I enjoy coming up with descriptions which make each one unique in it's own right. And then I love to see them all lined up next to each other. And think, yes I made all that.

[amanda]

I love those crayon rolls! I would never be the child to actually put my crayons away so neatly, but actually this might have inspired it.

I was a production assistant for an artist when I was in high school and I realized there are aspects to it that I really enjoy. I agree with those who say it can be like a meditation at times. Although there are times when I think, enough is enough-- and then I need a new challenge. Today has been one of those days in fact.

[Grace]

I agree with everyone else ... sometimes making a lot of the same thing is great. I time for being thoughtful, making each one the "best yet", a bit meditative. And sometimes, it's just plain hideous. ;)

I love your crayon rolls, though. You see them all over, but yours have a little je ne sais quoi. Probably the fabric choices.

xoxox

[jackie]

Thanks for sharing such a pretty bag for crayons. I would like to make one for my crochet needles.