Inspired is Done
I’ve always had a hearty love for “getting inspired.” I loved to seek out new ideas, soak them up – and then move on with a lighter step. Is this process of “getting inspired” a thing of the past? Maybe it just ain’t rewarding anymore. As we are so saturated with brilliance that we’ve toughed up a bit? Perhaps it’s not as easy to get “blown away” by something simply because you scroll down and its neighbor is even more mind blowing?
I might be a little slow to catch on sometimes – but I do know that if “getting inspired” walked out the door – something new walked in.
Here’s what just sauntered on in… “getting it done.” We’re dually inspired. That took 10 seconds. Now, we’re moving on to “getting it done.” We’re building, singing, crafting, publishing. You name it. It’s getting done.
I like this. I know, it does sounds little like a phrase you might see a lot at the monster truck jamboree – let’s ignore that for now.
I’m all for getting it done. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of wrapping something up. Speaking of which, what are your creative dreams? Let’s get them done.
This awesome poster is by RedBishop. Check it out here.
This post was “inspired” in part the burgeoning interest in pinterest. If you’re so inclined, I would love to see you there.
All New 2012 Gatski Metal Catalog
We just finished our all new 2012 Gatski Metal Catalog. Have a look here. If you like the feel of real paper in your hands – please do sign up here to get one in the mail. The completion of our catalog puts us one step closer to being ready for the Buyers Market of American Craft Show. We come off of “Gatski Mountain” for just one show each year – and the Buyers Market is it. We’re looking forward to seeing our buyers there!
garden dreams
Happy February! Each day brings a little more light to our days. Even the smallest steps can bring monumental optimism. Just imagine the garden our minds grow in February!
Are you planning a garden this year? I am coming to realize that even something as small as a little potted plant on the stoop can bring much satisfaction. In reality- a garden is what you make it. Although, my mother is an accomplished gardener- my garden does not have that je ne sais quoi. That’s putting it nicely. Honestly, in August you might think it’s where the cows graze. Despite it’s appearance – it provides. Thru the winter, we usually have something from the garden to eat.
My favorite place to shop for garden seeds is Fedco. Their selection is fabulous and their descriptions provide great fodder for garden dreams.
What will you be putting in dirt this year?
Ben is actually responsible for some of our finer garden moments.
A Good Book – On the Edge of Nowhere
No one ever promised me, or promised any man- Indian, Eskimo, or white man- that life was easy in this country. You had to fight for whatever was important to you. You had to be tough…. But it can be done.
“On the Edge of Nowhere” is a great mid-winter read. I do recommend it. Can you imagine living in Alaska at the turn of the century? What an incredibly brutal and dramatic landscape upon which to carve out a life. “You had to fight for whatever was important to you.” This little dandy of a quote really stuck with me.
This is another key to a creative and rich life – the willingness to fight for it. It’s sounds more fierce than it is. Most of us have to fight through our everyday anyhow. You might as well shove a little harder towards something that fulfills you.
What would you recommend reading this winter?
Your Creative Life
I only made one goal this New Years. It is “be more useful to you.” After nearly 10 years carving out a full-time business selling metal sculptures- I do believe we’ve collected a few tricks in our bag. Tricks or tools? Either way, they’re things we can’t live without. You might not be clamoring to live 1/2 mile off the road in the middle of rural Pennsylvania- but perhaps you want to add a little more grit to your everyday. Whether it’s building a creative business, getting a little dirtier on the weekends or tasting something so fantastically fresh it’s about to get up and walk away- we have some ideas.
We have nurtured a creative and independent life – and it is flourishing. There is pure joy in something you’ve created yourself. But, you know that already – you’ve felt the sublime satisfaction of mixing up a cocktail on Friday night or whipping up a batch of pancakes on Saturday morning. It’s not complicated.
What is complicated is taking that leap of faith to do something a little bigger than making your own mixed drink. The “hey, why don’t we dig up half our backyard and grow our own vegetables.” Or, the “hey, I’m going to quit my job and make kites for a living.”
Here’s the happy news. You don’t have to start with a leap… just a small step in the direction you’re going. While we did start our full time business with a leap [and the interweb is chock full of people encouraging you do that] – I’m actually a fan of the small steps. It is the small steps that have kept us going for nearly 10 years.
This is my first tip…. take one small step towards your own independent and creative life. Do it old school. Go to the library and get a book about it, gather materials from your house and talk to someone in person about it. Whatever it may be – cooking, crafting, growing, building – focus on doing one thing. Take one small step for now.
About seventeen years ago – Ben picked up the scrap metal lying around his parents farm and set to work with the welder. One small step.
