As I continue to work on clearing the clutter, I noticed that I had a number of unfinished projects laying about my studio. I’m sure I’m not the first artist to develop this notorious habit.
There are pieces of art that I started in a workshop and never finished. A project that cracked during the curing process that I thought I could fix. An idea that seemed good when I started it but it didn’t quite turn out the way I imagined.
I don’t know why I hang-on to these pieces but I do. I hang onto them thinking I’ll finish them someday. In reality they take up valuable table space and I find myself simply moving them from one place to another in my studio.
I suppose I could toss them out. For some reason that isn’t an option I’m able to accept.
Until now.
As part of my effort to get clear and get through the clutter, I created the Unfinished Business Bucket or UBB. In this bucket I have placed these numerous projects. The bits and pieces and scrum that have laid unfinished, undesired, unwanted.
And to myself I have given a challenge. Once a week, or thereabouts, I will pull a piece from the Unfinished Business Bucket and make a determination: To Finish It, To Re-invent It, or To Dump It.
I don’t expect this to be easy. There must be some pack-rat, can’t waste, I’ll find a use for it someday spirit in my past who causes this to happen.
Whatever it is I want to confront it and use it to my benefit. I look at this as another exercise in creativity. Perhaps by clearing out the old, I can make way for new ideas and inspiration.
Or perhaps I’ll just end up with a really clear, clean studio.
February 6, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hi Amy,
Oh good, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who has enough unfinished projects laying around to fill a bucket! Hey, want to trade buckets? Seriously, what a great idea to take all of those unfinished things and put them in one place. Congratulations on taking that step and making room for new inspiration to enter your life!
-Karen
February 18, 2008 at 12:23 am
Hmm… a bucket. I created a shoe box for this during my last craft room clean-up — & it’s amazing how freeing it is to let go of old projects! Plus it makes it much easier to keep my craft desk clean.
Still, my shoe-box is getting full. A bucket may be the next step up!
Thanks for another enjoyable post!
March 9, 2008 at 8:33 pm
And I’m embarassed to admit that I have a clean, clear studio and really haven’t recreated anything with the stuff in the bucket.
Perhaps a swap of items in our buckets is in order?
-Amy
Pingback: Rohkem taaskasutamisest! « Emilia Käsitöö