Enamel pins... what's the big deal?

Confession: I didn't know collecting pins was even a 'thing' until I got a message from the beautiful, pink-haired Holly Coral this summer, asking if I fancied doing a swapsie for one of my crochet necklaces.

Since then I've co-designed my own range of crafty pins with artist Claire Spake (she's nuts, and has since become a bit of a bestie, but that's another story), participated in various swaps with other designers, and am following more pin artists than I care to mention on social media! There's something about pins that's hooked me, and I can't see this current obsession ending any time soon!

Maybe it's because they're essentially grown-up 'pocket money toys' - an inexpensive way to update an outfit and add a bit of individuality to your style (cheaper and less permanent than a tattoo as well!). There are cutesy pins, dark pins, feminist pins, niche pins - seriously, something for everyone!

My main issue though is how to wear them... I don't wear a denim jacket because I usually wear jeans and am not young or cool enough to pull off double denim. Although I'd love to get away with dungarees (with patch pocket perfect for sporting a pin or 7), I'm not sure my boobs would let me. I do pop them on my handbag occasionally, but have lost 2 treasured pins this way, so am now a bit nervy.

How do you wear yours please???????????

7 ways to deal with Crafters' Block

Do you freeze when beginning a large project? Do you have spells of just feeling generally uninspired and unmotivated? Us too! Try our 7 ways of digging yourself out of the hole and rediscovering your creative vibe…

OVERWHELM

1. Just make a start. Whilst this may sound like an obvious and too-simple suggestion, making just the smallest of starts will instantly make your project seem less daunting and more easily achievable. I overcame my bullet journaling fear of imperfection by writing just one word on the second page: ‘Index’. As soon as my beloved journal was no longer virgin and pristine I could let go and begin. In fact once I’d broken that seal, I was raring to go, and you couldn’t have kept me away if you’d tried!

My beloved BuJo

2. Break it down. When I had a recent wholesale order of crochet baskets, all I could do for a while was stare at my yarn… In my head though, I broke it down into smaller sections; x amount of red baskets, x amount of blue ones, and so on. Each part was then immediately achievable, and I got through the order relatively quickly.

3. Visualise coming to the end. Really concentrate, and do this as clearly as your possibly can –where will you be sitting? How will you feel? What will you do to celebrate? Think about how silly you’ll feel that you felt overwhelmed at the beginning! I also do this with car journeys actually! It honestly does make the trickier bits whizz by and seem irrelevant.

LACK OF INSPIRATION / MOTIVATION

4. Embrace social media. When I’m having a confidence wobble, or am just in a general bit of a sulk with crafting, quite often the last thing I feel like doing is going on Pinterest or Instagram, and seeing how creative other people have been! Then I remind myself to grow up. When I relax, and just have a little browse for the sake of it - rather than putting any sort of pressure on myself – I often feel the tension melt away and I start enjoying myself again. Appreciating and celebrating other people’s work is a wonderful thing! 

Oh FFS

5. Try something different. When you remove the pressure to be great at something straight away, it’s easier to go with the flow and enjoy yourself. You never know, you may even stumble across a brand new hobby!

6. Make lists. A bucket list, a shopping list, a to-do list for the following week… getting your ideas onto paper not only clears your mind, but it helps you focus on what’s important to you. Ideas will flow, and you will gradually feel inspired and excited to start ticking things off. (Note: a brand new notebook is obviously a must!)

7. Go outside. I’m not one for the gym, but just getting outdoors energises and restores me – especially if there’s some gorgeous Autumn sunshine and piles of leaves to crunch through! Get your boots and bobble hat on, and go blow away some of the cobwebs!

How do you get inspired after a creative slump? I’d love to hear your tips! xx