5 Habits You Need to Incorporate in Your Life as a Crafter

Do you ever wonder how your favorite crafters and bloggers never seem to run out of ideas for jaw-dropping projects? Have you ever marveled at how crafting superstars like Jennifer McGuire and Amy Tangerine develop such valuable techniques and trendy designs that everyone just adores? Here's the secret: creativity is not merely a stroke of luck; it's a habit!

Crisp Dye Inks

You might believe that inspiration strikes randomly, but the truth is that creativity thrives on mindful practices and ingrained habits. After all, crafting beautiful projects is not a natural talent - it's an exercised ability! 

Today, we'll teach you five life-changing habits that will help you be more organized, creative, and happier as a crafter. So whether you're a pro or a beginner, these five essential practices are your gateway to unleashing the full extent of your crafting prowess. Get ready, and let's go bring out the artistic genius within you!

1. Organize and Tidy Up Your Crafting Space Regularly

We know, we know - cleaning up after your crafting supplies is one of the things we put off, but believe us when we say that it's vital to you and your creativity! A clean space is a happy place, and you'll soon realize the multitude of benefits that this habit will bring you. 

If your craft room is well-organized and free from clutter, you'll find that it is easier to think and get inspired to work on a project. Plus, there are fewer accidents, such as random ink blobs appearing on your project or you knocking over a tiny tub of glitter. 

Alcohol Markers

Cleaning regularly also helps you lengthen the longevity of your supplies. After all, dust, dirt, and spills can have a negative impact on the quality and lifespan of your tools and materials. By keeping your crafting space clean, you minimize the risk of accidental damage to your supplies due to improper storage or use, saving you money in the long run. 

Furthermore, organizing and labeling your craft supplies also helps you with inventory! There may be craft supplies you never got to use much because they were buried under boxes of packaging or some old card projects that you never got to send! Either way, maintaining a habit of cleaning your space will leave you happier, more inspired, and less distracted.

When everything is in its designated place, you can easily find the tools, materials, and supplies you need, saving time and reducing frustration. A clutter-free environment promotes a focused and productive mindset, enabling you to immerse yourself in your creative process fully! 

Stampwheel

2. Learn to Record Ideas and Inspiration

Perhaps you have some really vivid dreams with weird blobs and shapes, or there's this color palette in a movie scene that really stands out to you. Maybe you're just cooking, and suddenly, an idea for a card or scrapbook layout comes to you! A good habit would always be keeping a small notebook within reach so that when these random ideas pop into your head, you can jot them down, journal about them, and stash them somewhere for safekeeping.

Even if, at first, these seemingly "random" visions don't make sense to you, when you start creating a project, you can flip through your notes and find a theme that you'd like to incorporate in your crafting. You'd be surprised to know that most of our designers here at Altenew got their most brilliant and unique designs that way. 

Detailed Blending Brushes

The next time you're stuck on ideas, just go through your memos, and voila! Your future self will thank your past self for keeping track of all your "eureka" moments. 

3. Create a Consistent “Creating” Time Every Day

If your schedule allows it, block a specific hour or at least 30 minutes daily to make something with your hands. Even if it's not an elaborate project or a complicated design, finding time to craft is essential. 

Not only will it help you unwind and relax after the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it also contributes to your continuous skill development by honing your techniques and expanding your creative projects. Plus, it keeps those creative juices flowing and unleashes a constant flow of fresh ideas that will leave you buzzing with excitement for your projects!

Watercolor 36 Pan Set

Now, you might be thinking, "Wait a minute, won't forcing myself to craft every day drain me of ideas and inspiration?" Well, here's the awesome part: it's quite the opposite! Embracing this daily creative practice helps you bust through those pesky creative blocks and build up resilience like a creative ninja! Even on those days when you're feeling less than inspired, showing up and diving into the creative process will develop the discipline and perseverance you need to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

Additionally, if you dream of taking your crafting to the next level and turning it into a serious business, creating something every day is your secret weapon. It allows you to build an impressive portfolio that showcases your incredible skills, boundless creativity, and versatility as a crafter. And trust us, having that collection of amazing work under your belt opens up incredible opportunities like affiliate marketing, mind-blowing exhibitions, exciting collaborations, lucrative commissions, and even selling your one-of-a-kind creations. It's like having a golden ticket to success!

4. Find Time to Support and Compliment Fellow Crafters

The world of paper crafting is a very positive and supportive community. After all, there is nothing more caring than the act of making a gift or project with your hands! That's why we advocate for the habit of making sure that your fellow creators are appreciated. There are many crafters out there with blogs, videos, and content - saying a kind word or compliment costs nothing, and it helps encourage a creative soul like yourself to keep on creating. Your kind words can brighten someone's day, boost their confidence, and remind them of the impact their projects have on others! 

By lifting each other up as crafters, we can form meaningful connections, share experiences, and create a supportive network where everyone thrives. So why not make it a habit to comment on at least three different crafters' blogs, channels, or pages every day? It doesn't have to be just compliments; you can also share tips, techniques, and other helpful hacks that you've learned that can help them in their craft. When crafters come together to share their expertise, everyone benefits from the collective wisdom! 

5. Embrace Curiosity and Never Stop Learning 

There is a quote from Russel Brunson, author of Expert Secrets, that says, "I'm not publishing because I know everything about this topic; I'm publishing because I'm obsessed with this topic." Here at Altenew, we couldn't agree more! We are obsessed with paper crafting, and we make it a goal to make sure to keep on learning new things about this beautiful realm to share with you.

Now, we ask that you create a habit with the same mindset. No matter how many years you have been a crafter, whether one or ten, never stop being obsessed. There is always something new to discover, explore, and experiment with. You can always do more with your supplies - all it takes is some creative guidance and a bit of your imagination! 

Keep on seeking crafty knowledge - in blogs, events, workshops, retreats, videos, and many more. From taking educational classes to watching fun Youtube tutorials, keep on consuming content! Because as you absorb all of these ideas, project photos, and techniques with your mind and eyes, your heart and hand will find a way to bring these to physical fruition.

Getting knowledge is free, but using it and practicing it for your creations is priceless. So make a habit of reading at least one blog post a day to keep the creative blocks away (LOL)! 

Be a Better Crafter by Building These 5 Effective Habits!

Amp up your crafting game with these five essential habits! While not all of us can amass a million subscribers or readers in this lifetime, as long as you keep learning, improving, and creating, you are already crafting your legacy. Your creations may not be widely known, but they are deeply loved by those who see them and receive them. Always remember that! 

For more inspirational content like this, make sure to drop by our All About Crafting blog. We look forward to seeing more of your lovely projects out there, so don't forget to tag us on social media! Thanks for stopping by.