> For the past year and a half, I have been
> involved in one fashion show or another. It all
> began one day, when I decided I liked fashion,
> it would be cool to have my own fashion show,
> got a collaborater, some models, some fabric,
> a old fence for a catwalk...and ta-da, a
> modge-podge fashion show.
>
> Less then one week after it ended, I went to
> college. I went to my "Fasion Seminar" class,
> and learned that is where we planned for the
> university's fashion show. From then on out,
> my free time has been spent scheming,
> designing, fabric shopping, arguing with
> superiors, sewing like mad....basically this
> huge creative storm cloud.
>
> As time for the fashion show grew closer,
> stress increase, as did creativity. It amazes
> me that I came up with an entire prom dress
> (for the fashion show, and for the sister's
> prom) is less than 3 hours. Under normal
> circumstance, I've spent days pondering
> where to even begin.
>
> Last night, the fashion show happened.
> Everything went very smootly, the audience
> responded well, and I have someone that
> wants a replica of my sisters prom dress (and
> will actually pay me for my time. . .). Last night,
> I was relieved and happy that it was over, and
> proud of my accomplishments.
>
> Today, though, has been very weird. I am
> having difficulty figuring out what to do....just
> basically in shock that it's all over. I have never
> before felt this feeling so strong, the feeling
> that something in my life is missing.
>
> Next year, I will be changing Universities, to
> where I do not know. There is no knowing
> whether there will be a fashion show for me to
> love/hate/complain about. It looks like I have
> to come up with my own again, simply to have
> a project.
>
> The creative process is sometimes very
> difficult to control, understand, or achieve. I've
> had streaks where I will go days without any
> good ideas. Lately, it's been WHAM idea.
> WHAM, where's that sketch book.
>
> I don't know what I am really getting at, I'm
> more rambling than anything. Basically this is
> just a reflection. I am glad that I have been
> able to do something that makes me proud,
> and I think it would be interesting to hear
> another persons take on the creative process,
> and what other's do to express themselves
> creatively.

Like Quartz, I create a lot of artist dolls. I usually start out with a vague idea of a theme, but I never know how it's going to turn out until it's finished. That's part of the fun for me ;-)

One suggestion I might make to you (although Grishny already addressed it) is to get another opinion on your projects. I can't say how many times I've run in with half-painted eyes on a doll and asked Mom, "Are the whites even?" She doesn't think she's very creative, but sometimes she has knockout suggestions.

Another thing might be to try to be creative in a different area. My main focus is making one of a kind Barbie (and other) dolls. I normally do painting, hairstyling, limb remolding, and sewing on a doll, but lately I've gotten into making jewelry for them, also. I've also started writing a little. Basically what I'm saying is that you can get stuck in a sort of creative rut, if you don't continually branch out and test your limits.

La"Oh yeah, I like experimenting with cookie recipes too--Ground Pecan and Dried Cherry went over big"Zorra