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Any artists or crafters on here?

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Posted 12/9/2008 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'm interested in how you work, function, get inspired etc...while dealing with fibro and all of its wonderful surprises.
Posted 12/9/2008 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I like to paint with acrylics, I do wood burning and make jewelry.

I havent' done anythng lately. I realize I paint when I am depressed and haven't been depressed so I am not painting. But have done many in the past. I do a lot of wood burning when I have stuff to work with. We have a souvineer factory where I buy my plaques. Then they put a varnish on them, they come out pretty.

The fibro hasn't really effected except for the fact that I haven't been doing it, but I have to be in the mood. When I am, fibro or no fibro, I still work.

I hope that you are haveing a wonderful day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/9/2008 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
i like to write poetry and draw. hard finding time, but that has more to do with the kids than the fibro.

i have found it harder to feel motivated with the fibro. i also find that a lot of my poetry comes off as really self absorbed and whiny when i'm in a flare..

{hugs}
~danielle
Posted 12/9/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
im a high school teacher with a degree in Visual & Fine Arts, and Graphic Design. i am currently not motivated at all to create, because im just too exhausted after a day at work. i do still practice my photography, but not very much. teaching art can take the fun out of making art. but i have christmas holidays coming up and may spend some time at my art station then.

Maz XX

Posted 12/9/2008 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a professional photographer.  I find my work very theraputic.  There are days when I don't want to go and shoot a 12 hour wedding, but once I'm out doing it, I feel great.  My pain seems to disappear because I'm so focused on my job.  I pay for it the next day, but oh well!!

 

I also find that being able to get out with my camera to enjoy nature and just soak up the atmosphere around me to be very theraputic.  I can go at my own pace.  Let my brain just take over and find beautiful scenes to snap.  I think my photography has given me so much to use in my battle with Lupus and Fibromyalgia.  It's an escape.  As are all types of artistic work.  We need to stretch the right side of our brains more often.  It's cleansing!

Posted 12/9/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I like to do cross stitch.. but find i can't do much with my hands..lately find they cramp... up to much.... just waiting to get some money ahead so i can get the thera gloves...

i don't find myself very motivated right now to work on it also like to bake and scrapbook
Posted 12/10/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I do digital scrapbooking. When I'm hurting, I find it impossible to sit at the computer, or to even get creative.
Posted 12/10/2008 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I am a writer. I am working on a couple of books but focusing on completing one. In addition, I just completed a proposal for one of my books.

Donnaeil
Posted 12/10/2008 2:58 AM (GMT 0)

I'm a writer and haven't been able to write a sentence since in this flare.  First of all, I can't look at the computer for more then ten minutes before my eyes get blurry.  Then there's the words that come out on the page spelled wrong...like I have dyslexia.  Oh, and the pain.  You get it.   I envy those of you who can plod through all the symptoms and still have the stamina to be creative.

Fibro bites.

donna

Posted 12/10/2008 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
I work with charcoals and definitely find it tough to work when my carpal tunnel is in charge. It comes and goes, I hope its on its way out for a longer stretch this time. When I am in a flare, I find I have zero inspiration and I am just flinging charcoal on the page with no hope of any clarity. I also am learning cross stitch, and have the same problem with carpal tunnel, my fingers go numb and I can't tell if I have a needle in my fingers or not! LOL!
Posted 12/10/2008 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
I've played with oil paints way back. Wasn't very good but have a few I've held on to. But what I love is making and designing quilts. Fiber art is so relaxing and it leaves a heritage for others as gifts. How do I get inspired? I head for the library and search for quilts online...old and new...doesn't matter. Looking at others creations and designs sparks my ideas. Problem is there isn't enough hours in a day to make all of the quilts on my "list".

Chutz
Posted 12/10/2008 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
I like to make jewelry but only when I am feeling ok.  The stress of designing something & then making it can do me in.  When I am flaring with my fibro I get very anxious & that kinda stops me, I guess.  The other thing I love to do is crochet.  When it gets cold out I love to make afghans because it is such a mindless thing & keeps me warm at the same time.  It is very soothing to me. 

I have always noticed that people with Fibro are often very creative people.  I wonder if there is a connection?  idea    Hugs, Denise

Posted 12/10/2008 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I thought it was just me that has a hard time getting inspired these days. I have done a little bit of everything over the years. The arthritis in my hands is a problem anymore but the biggest problem is energy or motivation. By the time I get the things done that has to be done for the day I have nothing left to give to creativity.

 

Your right Donna, fibro bites.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 12/10/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)

I love to make jewelry, real gemstones and glass are my favorite materiels to work with.  I also like to do glass etching, it's really fasinating watching the design come to life on the glass.  Lately I have found the wonders of photograghy, my hubby bought this camera that will do just about everything except the dishes.

I find that doing things that take my mind off of my pain help me to relax.  I used to do cross stitch and embroidery, but my hands couldn't take the pain caused by the delicate work.

Posted 12/10/2008 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I love to paint, and draw, and write. I write stuff about how I feel or how I see the world from my view. I usually paint stuff based on other paintings I have seen. I base them off of them... and I draw stuff, just simple things and such... I like to make things, I used to do TONS of picture frames....out of pencils and straws and twigs!

I find all of these things help with stress and depression. Writing helps me figure out how I feel about things or about how I see myself and stuff....

But, I really enjoy stuff like that and being artistic because I am really creative so...
Posted 12/10/2008 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I love to do stain glass and machine embroidery, Wish I could find some time
Lee Ann
Posted 12/10/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
WOW Thanks you guys! There are so many creative people here. I never told you what I do duh! I am currently working on some mosaics that I started over a year ago. My tendonitis hates when I do mosaics but I can't help it. I find peace in cutting tiles and arranging them in patterns. I love that I can use tiny, hard squares of broken plates and tiles to create movement. I use tweezers because sometimes my brain doesn't tell my hands exactly what to do. It's like there is just a split second off but it makes me clumsy. The tweezers somehow help. I also do mixed media, polymer clay, painting, jewelry and a million other things. I am addicted to the Somerset studios magazine.
I am like many of you in that the depression and pain sometimes make me not want to do anything. Usually I have months where I can make anything and then I have a few where I'm crazy and can't STOP making things. I have an endless supply of un-finished projects!
Posted 12/10/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Telula,

 

What a wonderfully creative thing to do!  I love it. Actually, you've tweaked some interest in me!  Where do you find inexpensive tiles to do this?  I can see how the tweezers would be very helpful, especially with really small pieces.  Thank you for the great thread! Lots of creative people here!

Posted 12/11/2008 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had to give up some stuff like quilting and cross stitch due to my hands hurting and my back hurting. But I'm still doing my photos. I have to, it's been my main hobby for many many years. I force myself to go out every weekend even if it's just around the yard. if you want to look at my work you can find it at www.pbase.com/gardengirl13

I do struggle some days and wonder if I should go to a p&s but I just can't I need to make myself struggle a little, I mean it IS art and aren't artists supposed to struggle? hee hee hee! But really even if I only go out and shoot for 10 minutes I feel better doing it even if it hurts. It's more of an emotional thing.
Posted 12/11/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
WOW kris! your photographs are absolutely gorgeous!! i love the closeups of the flowers and the interesting angles-the flaming popcorn one is really cool-how did you do that?

your kitty cat and pups are super cute, too :)
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