The Creative Challenge ... Left vs Right Brain Part 2!

Last week, we talked about my new love of weaving ... but no matter how many weavings of other artists I absolutely adore, I'm having trouble making anything remotely similar!

If you missed the post, you can catch it here:  http://bit.ly/1tcWLIL

I would LOVE to create something like this:

Anna Sophia

http://bit.ly/1UROjnS

or 

The Decorist

http://bit.ly/28CfHAH

(The Decorist describes weaving as "this 70's craft 
is the hottest trend in wall art"!)

and something more colorful like this:

Honestly WTF

http://bit.ly/1uRXpqn

(This page has a great step by step tutorial)

In addition to the different colors, what all the weavings I adore have in common, is an amazing use of texture and layout.  I would LOVE to be able to do that!

As you will have seen in last week's post, my problem is my left vs right brained creative issue.  No matter how creative I want to be, the left side of my brain always wins!  To remind you of how the left vs right works in your head:

I'm a newbie to weaving, and the handful I've done so far all have a "theme" to them ... they're too left brained.  I can't just let go and be creative, the analytical side of my brain is making everything too symmetrical.  While this one I recently finished might be crazy in color, it's still too "samey samey"!

The most recent CraftStar LIVE show, had a guest - Kristen, from A Bit of Ewe Craft Emporium - she's a pro at weaving and creating all the elements that can be used ... from unique hand-spun and hand-dyed indie yarn and roving, to everything in between - and she gave us some great tips on how to "let go" when it comes to the creative process.

I reached out to her after the show and sent her a couple pics of my most recent attempts.  Being an incredibly helpful and generous crafter, she sent me a sketch of something to try with a package of her goodies that she's going to send me.

She also sent me before and after pics of parts of the package.  The work she does is amazing!

The raw materials

She dyed them in colors she knows I love!

If you have a project in mind with a specific color combo, reach out to Kristen in her shop on The CraftStar and she'll be more than happy to help you.

This is her latest gorgeous weaving which she's posted at a VERY reasonable price of $53.00!

Hand Woven Wall Hanging

Purchase here:  http://bit.ly/1ragmY3

So, while I'm waiting for my fabulous package to be put together, I decided I would make another attempt.  With Kristen's advice, I was determined to out-smart my left brain.  I had these components to work with, the color scheme was based on a few strips of fabric I had (you can see them top left of the pic)

Off I went to start my next weaving, with the same intent for success I had while taking any college exam.  While I did well on those using the left side of my brain, I could NOT conquer it creatively  - which is REALLY beginning to annoy me!

While this may look a little different than my previous attempts, the only thing different about it is I added more colors!!!  It's still symmetrical - aaaarrrgggghhhh!!!

Oh, and I added a tassel!  

Really great tutorial here on A Beautiful Mess:  http://bit.ly/1oaEe9J

This new love of mine, weaving, is different than many crafts that I have tried and failed at.  As I mentioned last week, I can't knit or crochet to save my life and I've given up trying.  I am NOT going to give up trying to create a weaving I love!

I'll post again when I receive my package from Kristen, and in the meantime, if you want to try this fabulously fun craft, go shopping in Kristen's store for unique and beautiful components!  (also great for knitting, crochet, dolls hair, jewelry, and much more!)

Til next time,

The Left-Brained Crafter ~ Bethan

Some more goodies from A Bit of Ewe Craft Emporium, including really handy "yarn cards", yarn bowls, and a mini loom!  Have fun shopping!