On Inspiration, Imitation, Irritation and Gratitude

There is a lot of talk about Inspiration, Imitation (Copyright, Idea Stealing, Copying other Artist’s items and ideas etc.) in the Handmade community.
I think I am absolutely guilty of being inspired by my fellow dollmakers art and by other artists all over the internet.
I spend a lot of time admiring the beautiful items they make and I find myself spending 1 hour and more  instead of “a quick look” on the internet.
I am sure I am influenced by the wonderful things I see. I see something and some spark in me becomes alive and an idea forms, becomes clearer and clearer in my mind and eventually I watch my hands bringing it to life.
My customers inspire me. Their visions and ideas challenge me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.
I am also inspired by beautiful boys and girls I see in the streets, I am inspired by children I got to know by looking after them intensely when they were little, I am inspired by characters I read about in story books or watch in movies. I am inspired by nature, by memories from my childhood…. I am inspired by life.
When I started learning to sew I even almost copied some things, just so I could have something to compare it with, so I could see whether I succeeded in making something. I am reminded of painters who train their skills by copying ancient masters’ techniques and colour schemes, expressions etc.

Where it becomes a bit distasteful is when you copy something and claim it is uniquely yours or say you invented it or build a brand based on stealing someone else’s thunder.
Don’t sell yourself short, trust in your own imagination and endless pool of creativity. By copying someone else you might be missing out on the incredible ideas you would otherwise come up with all by yourself. What captures my heart most, is when I see someone create something that comes directly from them, out of the depths of their mind/ soul/ heart. Same goes for what I make. When I have a deep connection with it, it often is my best work/ doll.

I trust that the right people find me, I trust that the customers who are drawn to me will love what I do. I trust that I always get the exact business I need and can handle.
I learn, I grow and I apologize to everyone who has the feeling I stole an idea off them or are a little bit too much inspired by their incredible artist work.
I also might forget to give credit where credit is due when I am so emerged in my process that I forget where my inspiration came from originally. Please forgive me for that.
I am striving to be original, unique and I am working towards finding myself in my art and work more and more.
Sometimes I have to learn who I am not, before I can find myself.

I have been trying to make a short list of people and pages who I am most inspired by, but I realize I interact with so many wonderful people in online world, that I better mention almost everyone I came across as I am sure they left their mark in the inspiration part of my brain in one way or another 😉

Here is a (ever growing) list of people and websites I am or have been inspired by (in alphabetical order):
Angelique Angels. Alexandra to me is royalty in doll couture making.
Amy Butler. Her colourful fabrics and free online tutorials helped me make beautiful quilts.
Bamboletta. I love you girls. I might not have picked up this art if the frustration of not being able to cart one of your cuties had not inspired me to make dolls for myself.
Bumbabeena Dolls. I love these sweet dolls created by the wonderful Reena.
Byron Katie. My light in the dark. The work that brings me back to me every. single. time.
Chalbaby. Chaldea is making the cutest african babies. My daughter has several in her room xx