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Do you find it hard to move away from a certain style if you've been with one stamp company many years? I feel like i've lost my way and don't my style any more. Anyone else? Or do you feel like you have to stick to the way that each company designs?
Just wondering if anyone else has this problem or if it's just me.
Location: not too far from the big mountain in n.h.
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I started out buying only from one company but in the last couple years have really expanded. I love it and I'm not afraid to mix and match either. At first I felt guilty because my Mother was the one that got me started and she is still mostly the other company. My style however, has really changed. I have found some stuff that really fits my style and sadly don't use my older stamps much.
I felt like that when I did the whole 'demonstrator' thing. It was suffocating, when it comes to style. If you were going to stick with that companies product, you had no style of your own. You just used whatever style they churned out.
Got to the point that I didn't enjoy stamping as much as I had in the past. Needless to say, I am very happy that I left that behind.
I get what both of you mean and I guess because of the whole "demo" thing I feel guilty to mix and match. It sounds silly but I guess I never gave myself permission. I've transitioned out of a company that I love and still prefer their paper and ink but I want to explore new and different things now but my style is completely lost! And, sometimes it's hard to sit and stamp when you don't know what direction to go. KWIM?
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I totally understand. I sometimes just grab some stamps and see where it takes me. Sometimes it goes in the trash but other times great. It really is hard to find a new "style". I change from time to time depending on who knows what. Sometimes I just want to do flowery stuff, other times it's certain sentiments ect. etc. Lately I can't make anything without distress inks. They are just awesome to work with. I still use my other inks (have EVERY color) and paper too. I think just play around and don't try to force yourself into any certain style. Just do what makes YOU happy.
Thanks Dee I guess I need to stop feeling guilty and just play! I have sooooo much and I don't know why I think there are rules about doing each company a certain way lol!
I've been scrapbooking for about three years and making cards for less than three months and I still don't have a clue what my style is. I just know that whatever it is, I'm not thrilled with it.
My plan is steal (I mean borrow) other crafter's styles and hope to find something that suits my taste and ability.
Dee is exactly right...just play! It took me almost 2 years of not touching my stamp stuff to get back to that point. Where I could go in my craft room and just play again. You will feel really good when you do.
I have found it helpful looking at galleries, blogs, Pinterest and seeing what everyone else is doing/using. Finding new techniques to try can really help set you off in a new direction too.
I'm also getting in on some challenges that different blogs do each week and that is a lot of fun. They give you a theme or sketch which gives you a direction to go, which is really good for getting the creative mojo working.
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Great advice Michelle! When I'm stuck I just take a look around until something just calls out to me. You never know what is going to light that fire for you.
I've been stamping for about 10 years, and I'm not sure that I have a style...lol. But sometimes I think what affects your style more than stamps is to try different mediums outside of your norm. For instance, one of my favorites is the bleaching technique where you stamp and emboss an image on colored paper, and then use a paint brush to remove color in the image, and then once dry, either watercolor paint or use colored pencils. Or maybe try some of Tim Holtz's techniques, just to allow yourself to "play" as the others said. Tim has alot of great videos on You Tube. Anyway, I wish you the best and hope you can have fun with it.
If I started with one company I would have burned out so fast. I am really glad I shopped all over. My style has changed. I am really excited because I feel it shows how I have grown as an artist and crafter.
Set down one free day and read blogs. Look for blogs that are away from your usual style or company. Go to a new stamp store and buy something that really call out to you but is not your style. Buy a different stamping magazine that is not your favorite publication.
If you can't go out grab your favorite stamp, coloring and inking supplies and try new techniques as you blog read. That is one of my favorite things to do.
Don't be nervous or scared to play. We update our homes constantly. We should do the same with our stamping techniques too.
How do you change style habits?
