The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Results”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Let’s play a little name game You can use any resource you have available to you - the internet, books, friends or strangers, your address book - whatever you need.

• You are starting a creativity-based business.
• What would you name it?
• ? Why?

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “House”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s an exercise to get your thoughts moving. Pick a number (it has to be equal to or greater than 5) and write down something having to do with Office Supplies that matches each number in quantity.

If you’d like to see an example, take a look at the Gratitude Countdown.

What do you do with all those plastic grocery bags that collect with each trip to the store?

Even when I bring my own canvas grocery bags, the checker and bagger usually end up giving me a couple more.

I can use a few of them - I have cats and a litter box to clean up each week. But I still found them piling up.

What to do with them? I was pondering that question when something came across my RSS feeds - crocheting with grocery bags. Using plastic grocery bags to make a reusable grocery tote seemed appropriate some how.

Here’s how it started, though this is only 10 bags out of however many I used - I lost track!

I had two or three of these bags that were stuffed full of more bags. I didn’t use them all, but I used a lot of them.

The finished tote. The different colors and textures are from bags from different stores.

Interested in the process? More pictures and the beginning steps behind the cut.

If you’re inspired to give a variation of the project a try, let us know how it goes!

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The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Budget”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

A few weeks ago, I posted about using kids craft kits to spur your creativity and curiosity.  I’ve been meaning to post about the last craft kit that I did - a braided silver wire bracelet.

I enjoy creating things and this wasn’t my first venture into making jewelry. It wasn’t even my first venture into wire jewelry - I’ve made wire-wrap rings in the past. But this was the first time that I’ve tried braiding wire.

The Process:
I picked up the kit at my local Hobby Lobby store for about $8. The directions were clearly written and accompanied by photos, making them easy to follow.  All together, the project took me about 90 minutes from start to finish.  It was considerably easier than I expected it to be.

The Result:

My bracelet did not come out looking like the picture on the box, but I didn’t expect it to.  It resembled the picture more than I expected it to, and that pleased me.

What surprised me most:
As I was braiding the wire, I was picturing variations I could do with the basic process. Most of those variations would use remnants from other craft projects, which is good.  Actually creating those variations of the bracelet would result in a problem though - one that I’m already quite familiar with - What do I do with the new bracelets? One bracelet - no problem - I gave it to a friend.  Multiple bracelets - problem. A good problem, but a problem all the same.

Recommendation:
I wouldn’t recommend this project for young children - it requires a bit more attention than they’re likely to have. I would recommend it for anyone over the age of 12 or so who has an interest or curiosity in jewelry. I would also recommend it to anyone who thinks they can’t do something like make jewelry.  In fact, if you look at the picture of the finished product and think it looks too complicated - go out and buy one of the kits.  You’ll be surprised how simple it is to make something that looks intricate!.

Pictures of the process are behind the jump if you’re curious.

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Here’s a simple, but not necessarily easy exercise to expand your creativity and attention. For each letter of the alphabet, come up with the name of a television show.

Can you complete the list without looking at an online database or newspaper? How many can your friends come up with? Which letter was the most difficult to find?

Which letters spawned mini-lists? How many do you watch? How many of the names evoke strong feelings for you?

For newer readers, here are some posts from our past.

2007

Quick Starts

• Say What? Take #45 - May 28, 2007
• Break Away #35 - May 29, 2007
• Inspiration Tag #41 - May 30, 2007
• Pet Countdown - May 31, 2007
• Fiction in a Flash #6 - June 1, 2007
• In the Kitchen #3 - June 2, 2007

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Hide”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?