where do I start?

A number of you have been asking me about my CREATIVE PROCESS... where do my ideas come from? how do I make a start? when does it all come together? It's not always an easy process to explain, and it doesn't really follow a set formula.

Not being very helpful yet, am I????

It's probably easier if I step you through a project from start to finish.

For example, I need to make a crochet hook holder for a swap. I want it to be unique and original and fun! The recipient loves peacocks... so I am going to incorporate that passion into the project.

So... what do I know about peacocks? I'm thinking majestic blues and greens, and fabulous feathers. But I want more information, so I'll start with some research…

Don't panic... it's nothing too serious! I'll go to 'google images' and look at some pictures of peacocks. I'll search PEACOCK... also ANIMATED PEACOCK... and TOY PEACOCK. I need to browse through a few pages of images, and then think about the features which jump out at me... the colours, shapes, etc.

Thinking about what makes the peacock distinctive/cute? What gives them their character?

With all these thoughts in my head... I start to sketch a plan. Maybe I should say 'doodle' a plan... because it's not ever anything too fancy.

Again, don't panic. It is incredibly helpful to sketch out your thoughts before embarking on a new project. It will give you a focus, and help you to formulate a 'plan of attack'

Many of you are nervous about sketching. I was too... But now I find it such a useful tool, that I am starting to love that part of the process too.

The thing to remember, is that the sketch is only a guide... and it only needs to make sense to you. You are not aiming for a magnificent artwork to be framed and admired by all. You just want to give yourself some visualisation of where you are heading.

You don’t need to be an artist… just work with shapes in mind… thinking about what will be manageable with crochet. I sometimes like to add some colour to my sketches, so I start to get an overall impression.

I started by sketching out the head and body... thinking about how to store the hooks? how could they sit? should they be hidden by the tail feathers? how would I make that work?

Then it hit me! The hooks will BE the tail...

So I know have an idea in mind... I have my ideas on paper... The next step is to bring them to life.