How to Make an Idea Pocket

Everybody is creative. A lot of people don't know how to tap into their creativity. The Idea Pocket is one of many tools in your Creativity Toolbox that you can use to jump-start your creativity. Here's how you make one.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• #10 envelope
• Scissors
• Blank self-adhesive shipping label
• Odds and ends (pictures, beads, coins, movie tickets, etc.) to put in the completed pocket

1. Seal your #10 envelope. Hold the envelope on its side so the short ends are at the bottom and top.

2. Using scissors, cut the top third of the envelop off.

3. Write on the envelope (or print on the shipping label) the following poem:
   
   My Idea Pocket
   
   I want to write.
   I want to draw.
   
   Try though I might,
   I can’t think of anything at all!
   
   I reach my hand in here
   And find something very near.
   It’s just what I need!
   
   I’ll put it back or put in something new
   So I can use it another time too.
   
   (This poem is designed for writers or visual artists. You can modify it to fit your preferred mode of creating, such as cooking, gardening, dancing, etc.)

4. Look through magazines and pictures for things to include in the pocket. When you're going about everyday life, if you see something you think would be interesting, put it in there as well. If you see interesting leaves, sticks, or rocks when you're out on a hike, put those in as well.

5. When you have at least five items in your Idea Pocket, you can start to use it. Take your Idea Pocket and -- without looking -- pull something out. Look at it from all angles. Turn it over and look at the back, even.
   
   What colors are there? Shapes?
   
   If it's a picture, who are the people and what are they doing?
   
   Don't question why you pulled that one out.
   
   Don't wish you had picked something else. Use it.
   
   What is your creativity medium of choice?
   
   Does the item you picked out inspire you to do anything? What? Do it.
   
   If it's writing, write. Drawing, draw. Cooking, cook or at least write out a recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• When looking for pictures, try to avoid ones of people you know and/or of celebrities. You have preconceived ideas about them and might not be as open to the spark of inspiration as you might be otherwise.
• Don't over-think it.
• Don't say you're doing it "wrong." The only way to do it wrong is to say you are.

Resources

• Creative TIPs website
• The Idea Pocket blog

[Mocha]

on 12/31/2008 Wow, what a great way to organize your thoughts and find inspiration

[MicheleLTune]

on 12/30/2008 Great article on how to make an idea pocket - love stuff like this!

5* for sure!

*smiles*
Michele