My friend emailed me last month to say that she hadn't been able to find the enthuasism to make any jewelry since before Christmas!!  It was so bad that she was looking for a rut who needs her!  I racked my brain for ideas to get her going again. The good news is she has recently made four things so she is well on the road to recovery!

Here are my tips for people with flagging issues : http://www.beadinggem.com/2008/02/what-to-do-when-you-lose-your-mojo-to.html

For me, I revive my mojo by learning a new technique. What do others do?

Pearl

I haven't made anything since last August so I know how your friend felt. I work 6 or 7 days a week and right now there is just no time so this is what Ive been doing:

Buy beads. Hoard beads. Look at beads. Dream beads. 

 I was strictly a Silver and gemstones girl. Maybe the brass, and pewter, and seed beads, and vintage glass, and leaves, and flowers that I just ordered will help?

I've had this happen to me and I've totally just put it all away and take a break from it. Then a month or so I see some thing or I find some beads and I get all excited and I it comes right back again. Having a break from it is nice. But I am so happy to start up again.

Looking at other people's jewelry inspires me if I'm stuck.

I browse thru bead stores for unusual focal pieces or colours - something always speaks to me.  I usually end up spending money that I didn't plan on spending, then cannot wait to get back home to start creating!

I think everyone goes through those bead funks.  My inspiration usually comes with my next issue of BeadStyle or Bead & Button!   Sometimes all I need to do is open a drawer or two of my bead stash - surrounding myself with my beads will usually do the trick.  Sometimes, though - it's best to just let it go for awhile - find a good book, or pick up another hobby for awhile (like gardening or crochet).  Eventually your "mojo" will return!

I'm with "Laughing Salmon", I'm a bead hoarder.  I love to collect, look at, and dream about beads.  I do need to dream less and create more, though (LOL).  I think everything in life is about hills and valleys.  Just keep in touch with your beading and I know your "mojo" will always come back.

Laura

I totally understand that feeling...I am by no means what you would call an "experienced" beader...but I am a HUGE bead hoarder!!!!!I have made several items over the years...very basic crimps and latches, a few multi-strands, etc....to make a long story short, I was hoping to really make my beading a more routine thing in my life, because I enjoy it so much! But with the kids and hubby, and barely any free time to really sit down and do it, I find that I tend to brainstorm these "delusions of grandeur", and then lose my steam! What helps? Browsing Michaels and beading websites help get me motivated, and I just got back from a trip to Sesame Place, and hit the bead aisle in Walmart in Trevose, PA! That actually helped  it! Does anyone have any bead routine suggestions? I need to develop one! Because I will NEVER advance past basic steps if I keep stopping/starting...PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!

 

Good luck, and thanks for listening! :-) 

 I hear you! Dream less, bead more!!!

 Believe it or not, I clean and reorganize my beading area. I will find beads I had horded to use  for something particular and then it inspires me to get it made.

Also, when I don't know what to do with particular beads, I leave them on my work area until I do something with them.
 

Go to a bead show and see what else is out there to work with. Maybe you are stuck in a medium rut? Change your style up a bit...

I also check the major department stores and see what colors the new season's fashions are in.

Lots of beautiful jewel tones this fall! Peacock feathers are HUGE this fall too. Oh...lots of amethysts, malachite, lapis... my bank account is screaming!