On my online workbook this week: the arc of Success

Dear

This week's inspiration is an unique, uniqueness.

My tip for you this week is about adding those scattered bits of straw to your design. They are carefully placed and secured to add very on purpose flaws. Not by mistake, either!

I add flaws to my work for two reasons: the first one is a lesson I had to learn the hard way. I used to strive to make my handmade floral objects so perfect. Shop bought perfect. And then I noticed that people assumed it is just that… shop bought!

I had to work even harder to come up with perfect flaws. It is a distinctly human thing. It is completely different to the kind of flaws a machine adds to an item. We want to see the arc of success. How the artist overcame to create this.

The second reason is because it adds tension… and with that adds life. A bought basket can be a bit dusty and dull. But add a few bits of straw or a wispy side to the weave… Is that bit there going to fall??? Blow away? Or… gasp!... was it left there? No, it was carefully planned and positioned and glued into place at a cheeky angle, just so. Those wisps of straw add personality to the design. It draws your eye. There is nothing accidental about them.

And that means you have to prevent the flaws from looking like a mistake that makes the design look sloppy or unkept. The straw bits are carefully glued into place to be exactly like I want them.

That is a great example though… a blob of glue is not a flaw you should add. A scattered bit of straw that draws your eye to your flower? It makes all the difference… Add perfectly planned flaws.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine