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You’re Not Good Enough

Monday, June 28th, 2010 by Alyice

Someone hurt my feelings the other day.

I don’t believe it was on purpose, but the comment stung and sat with me for days.

It made me question myself as an emerging artist.

It made me question whether I was good enough to keep putting my work out there.

It made me want to stay in my safe little shell and just create what I know and believe I am good at.

It made me afraid to try new things, to try new techniques, to try new products.

And it made me afraid to share my results with you or anyone else for that matter.

I know that what I create will not please everyone. Just like I know that what others create will not always please me.

I know that art is very subjective in nature.

I know that some of what I create will be better than other stuff I create. I know that when I push myself to go beyond my comfort zone, what I initially produce may not be my best work.

I know this and yet, I couldn’t shake how bad the comment made me feel. For someone to tell me that my work isn’t good enough, that it doesn’t have a finished appeal, that it isn’t polished enough… well, it hurt.

Today I decided to not let that comment hurt me anymore. It will not haunt me. It will not cause me to question myself as an emerging artist, a crafter, or a person who simply loves to create with her hands. It will not hold me back.

Today I decided to once again step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Today I decided to continue to work towards improving my skills and my craft.

And every time doubt and insecurities enter my mind, I am going to remember this very sweet comment from someone who has several pieces of my art: “I love how you can take average everyday things and put your own twist on them to make them amazing.”

Keep Creating

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A Graduation Package

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 by Alyice

My friend’s daughter, Kat, is graduating this year. My family and I had really hoped we would be able to make the trip to Wisconsin to see her graduate, but with the economy the way it is, it does not look feasible. It’s truly a choice between a short week-end vacation as a family or a trip to the graduation without my husband.

It really breaks my heart because I was looking forward to the trip, and to seeing her one last time before she took off for college.

So since I can’t be there in person, I wanted to do the next best thing and send a little “me” to her—a little love, if you will.

The frame so she can put a picture of her mom, brother, and new step-dad inside and know that she is never far from their hearts.

A paper weight so that she can remember that hope is always waiting around the corner.

A pen and pencil holder with a bird on one side and a tree on the other so that she can remember why she went to college and what it means to soar and yet still be grounded.

And two sets of stars (that can be used as Christmas tree ornaments or danglies on a curtain) to remind her that every time she looks upon a star we, her loved ones, are looking upon those same stars—which means that no matter the distance, we are always as close as a thought, a phone call and an email.

Keep Creating

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Celebrate Mother’s Day

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 by Alyice

Though my mother passed away a few years ago, I chose to celebrate Mother’s Day this year by picking a few “mothers” I know and creating a couple of flower pots, complete with fake flowers, to give as gifts.

It’s my way of honoring my mother’s memory. My mother loved plants and flowers. She loved nurturing seedlings, she enjoyed pruning mature plants, and she never missed an opportunity to show off her collection to guests.

My mother also loved receiving bouquets from gentleman callers. Whether it was a dozen long stem red roses, or a planter full of carnations, her face would light up with excitement and pure joy upon receiving such a gift.

I, on the other hand, never really cared to have someone spend so much money on a bouquet of flowers only to have them die on me. Instead, I preferred to spend an evening dining and chatting at a local restaurant or fast food joint. And if I really had my way, I’d opt for a fun event like a local dinner theatre, a college play, carnival rides, or some other low cost form of entertainment.

So for years, I boycotted sending anyone flowers, even my mom.

But about five years before my mom passed away, it dawned on me that I was being selfish. It didn’t matter that I didn’t like receiving cut flowers, or that I thought they were a waste of money, my mom loved receiving flowers and she didn’t consider a bouquet a waste of money.

That’s when, upon a strong recommendation from my sister-in-law, Teri, I browsed ProFlowers.com, picked out what I thought were my mom’s favorite flowers and had them delivered.

Upon receiving the flowers, my mom cried tears of joy. Then she called me. Those flowers meant more to her than any other gesture I could’ve made. What made them even more special was that I actually knew her favorite flower.

Today, I wish I could send my mother a bouquet of flowers. Today, I wish I could hear the joy in her voice when she called to say “thank you”. Instead, I’ll have to settle for the next best thing: memories.

If your mother is still alive, I encourage you to think of the one thing that brings her pleasure, then make it happen. It could be something as simple as hanging out with you for a day at the local atrium, enjoying some of your homemade lasagna, or checking off one more item on her collectibles list.

I promise you that it will be a memory you cherish long after she’s passed away. A memory that makes your heart smile, even in the midst of bittersweet holidays like, Mother’s Day.

Keep Creating

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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All material on this blog belongs to Alyice Edrich, unless otherwise noted. No project, artwork, or text may be reproduced or displayed elsewhere without the consent of the creator. That includes making derivative works for resale. Please use project tutorials for personal use and/or gifts only.