Comfort Zone or Passion?

Have you ever asked yourself this question; “Am I working from a comfort zone or from my true passion?”

I have before and because of the answer that I had to admit to myself, I now ask this question more and more often. Why? Well I find that the answer was too often, ‘comfort zone’. When I work from my comfort zone, the creations are just that ‘comfortable’ and although not they are good pieces, they are just nothing special, at least not to me.

I get a lot of compliments on my pieces, like ‘very creative’, great piece, unique, you know the usual.  Well me, being me, I always wonder “are they just being nice” because when I look at my pieces I often see, yep you got it ‘comfort zone’.  Now there are some pieces that came from playing around with wire and beads or thread and beads and turned into something that I really love.  These come from my passion.  For example:

 

This piece was created while simply playing around with some wire. I liked the result and kept the design.   When we create something that we love and it comes from a simple choice to practice or from playing with something that is in your heart. These creations are born from the passion that is within us.  Another example would be this:

This piece was created, again, playing around.  This time with wire and I wanted to be able to add something to it to make just a bit more.  I love twisted and swirling wire and I love marble and thought that this particular fancy marble would look great with the copper.

Now, how about the comfort zone.  Well let me show you some of what I call creations from my comfort zone.  Have a look:

Simply stringing beads together into a beautiful design.  Well this feels like comfort zone to me even though I truly love the outcome of the project, it came about simply because I liked the colors.  Cute and definitely a place for these on everyone’s list but nothing passionate about these to me.

Or this:

 

Again, simply stringing beads together into a pattern that is pleasing, I don’t feel particularly passionate about this piece either. At least to me.

Creating jewelry, admittedly takes some ‘no how’ and it does take creativity and talent.  However, these things are different from passion for your art.  A lot of people are born with creativity and are blessed with huge talents.  But even creative and talented artists sometimes don’t find the passion they require to start or complete a piece.  How about you, are you working from your comfort zone or do you have that unstoppable passion for your work?

Why do some of us work within our comfort zone for more time than we do from just the passion. For me the answer is simple.  I am in the business not only to create beautiful pieces because I love the creation of the pieces, but because I want to sell my items and sometimes that need to sell means I need more pieces available to me than can be created from the passion.  So I use ‘go to’ pieces and techniques that are much easier for me and come together much faster.  I think that many of us do that.  For instance, you have a show coming up in a couple of weeks, what do you do, you get really busy creating more things.  During this time are your creative juices really flowing or are you simply trying to make sure that you have more quantity for the show?

There is nothing wrong with working from your comfort zone.  Absolutely, it works for us all when we need more.  But let us not forget from where the comfort zone arrives.  The passion.  The passion is the all important aspect of the creation and the craft; it is what drives us to do more.  Passion drives us to try different types of creation.  But to continue with the passion, one must not forget that it does need to be fed.  Rest, relaxation, contemplation and the all important rejuvenation are all components to feeding the passion.  There are others I am sure, but these four will keep you on the road to your passion.  And don’t forget to kick your muse out of the recliner once in a while.

 

Written by Bead Thing

 

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