Integrated creativity — making use of a variety of different materials in new and creative ways
We are all familiar with the oft used term ‘recycle’, which as growing up we thought was just what one did to be thrifty. Recently I came across another version of the old hackneyed term, ‘up-cycle’ which meant to make something even more useful or upscale from something previously used. Sorry, but that term just does not do it for me; it is too reminiscent of up-chuck, aka to hurl or shoot the cat or vomit or “Mommy, I threw up!!!” followed by a long wail and longer lasting smell. [I don’t like the term ‘blog’ either, but that is another story.]
As I was explaining to my sisters the essence of the article, which was good despite the terminology, it hit me. What we do or have is integrated creativity. We discover new uses for both old and new things including discards, random yard sale or auction finds, and those things we forgot we had that probably were purchased with some other use in mind!
Some of this comes from having to ‘make do’ as children. When you live many miles from the store, and might only get to town once a year, creativity comes into play more often than not. Don’t have the exact item called for in the directions for any project? Scrounge around and see what you can find that might work.
Scrounge = look everywhere with eyes wide open for a potential solution.
Granted there are times when you may have to wait for that trip to the store, but often a little integrated creativity comes to the rescue and you end up with a special creation using unexpected materials. Integrated creativity does not mean you have to use unusual items, only that you keep your mind open to the possibilities. It means that you consider materials at hand and how they may complete or embellish a project, how they might preserve a memory, or create a mood. Integrated creativity combines items from different crafts or uses, in new and interesting ways. The results can range from extremely useful utilitarian items to heirloom quality gifts. Most will be unique one of a kind, and they will each contain the spirit of the maker. Old items will find life, and either bring history with it or begin something new.
Is there a trick to this? No, not really. Just keep in mind that a hook is not always a hook, or a bracket for a piece of equipment may now BE a hook!
That old board might become a primitive frame, just right for an original pen and ink sketch. That drapery fabric might make a fantastic carryall bag, or a cover for a scrapbook or a hand bound copy of the family history. Those odd washers in a jar from Grandpa? Accents on a frame, embellishments on that carryall or maybe just what you need to fix the plumbing!