Merry Go around: Get out of your comfort zone and try something new

Now that's a challenge to set, isn't it?!

Well I'm going to look at this from a business point of view. As you know before I started Sara's Texture Crafts I worked in Fashion (not to be confused with 'I was in Fashion', as I'm sure I never quite made that!) Anyhoo... when I started supplying fibre to felt makers and spinners I have to say I didn't know much about it. Only what I had taught myself crafting in my front room. Fashion Design is less bothered by the technical details of fabrics and fibres and more concerned with drape, movement and form. So I had no technical knowledge, or concept of what fibre would be suited to what sort of felting, or spinning project and these are all things that I was immediately being asked. I felt completely out of my depth, but was determined to make steps to put it right and knew I had to if I was to be taken seriously.

I read lots of books and practised felting, I searched the web and got talking to other crafters... I even started to learn to spin. For me hands on practise is the best way to learn, you can only learn so much as a vouyer. In the past three and a half years, I've learnt a lot and continue to do so each day... especially when I get chance to interact with artists and customers (specialised events and groups are great for this).

Now as my business grows and time goes on, I come into contact with other craftsmen... like weavers, or knitters and they all have so many different takes on the fibres I use and how they'd best use them. So for me most of the time I feel on the edge of the 'comfort zone'... there's always something new to pick up, or think about and it's that constaint test that keeps me motivated and feeling creative. Something I thought I'd loose just selling supplies.

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

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This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!

Mitsy at MindArt - http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/
Kim at Vilt a la Kim - http://viltalakim.blogspot.com/
Sara at Crafts of Texture - http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Fabienne at Easterya Jewellery Creations - http://easterya.blogspot.com/
Mariana at Florcita - http://www./florcita.eu/
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent - http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Lily at Lily Pang Art and Design - http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Ruth at Birdland Creations - http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/