If I Can Do It, You Can Do It

By Kristal Wick
Sparkle&Kristal-Small

Inspiration…What Does It Mean To You?
Colors, shapes, and techniques can all be inspirational and seem to be the most common answers to this question. But what REALLY floats your boat? My inspiration always comes from an internal question:

 Can I do it?

You see, I was born with a slight handicap: only a thumb on my left hand. Everything I do takes me longer than most, especially when it comes to jewelry making. Closing a jump ring or wrapping a loop can be daunting tasks, but always worth it in the end! I couldn’t hold a jump rope as a kid, so my folks had a prosthetic post made for me at age five.  The post made it possible for me to grasp on to things like a ski pole or hair dryer, from there it has been a whirlwind history.

If I Can Do It, You Can Do It
My folks were really great at encouraging me to go for it, whatever “it” was. Although it must have been tough watching me struggle, they raised me to believe that all things are possible and to keep on trying. I bring that same attitude to my jewelry designs, particularly when teaching. My motto is, “If I can do it, YOU can do it” and I strive to impart even a speck of this positivity in each and every student. As children, we seem to have a willingness to take risks in the realm of creativity. As adults, we become fearful of jumping off the artistic cliff into new color palettes or techniques. I believe the most important aspect of any creative endeavor is embracing your inner critic(s) or fears and letting go! Give yourself permission to splash around in the sheer bliss of unedited creativity. In the end, it’s actually the flow that counts here my beady peeps, not how perfect your wrapped loops are.

“Don’t Die with Your Music Still Inside You”
Sparkle&Kristal-small2One of my fave inspirational teachers is Wayne Dyer and his phrase is permanently instilled in my noggin. Feel free to replace the word “music” with any other passion you have such as cooking, painting, a new business venture, or even jewelry making! It doesn’t matter how old we are, our weight, education, or how many beads we own; everyone can tap into their creative flow and express their deep inner desires. If I can do it, YOU can do it – so go write that book, take up the cow bell (there’s never enough), or learn a new mixed metal technique, and join me in venturing outside the box! When you hear that inner question “can I do it?” I hope you yell back, YES! I know you can, and I want to see the pictures and hear all about your exciting journey…

Creatively,
Kristal

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Comments

    • Lois D
    • July 5, 2013
    Reply

    Kristal, thank you so much for this inspiring post, so fitting for celebrating both our nation’s Independence Day AND our own freedom to be as creative as we can be!

    I so enjoy your videos and especially love your puppies, Sparkle and Bling 🙂

    • Paulette barber
    • July 6, 2013
    Reply

    Love your post! Nothing should stop us from being creative.

    • Theresa Dumford
    • July 6, 2013
    Reply

    Kristal, you are an inspiration!!! Thank you!

    • Jay
    • July 31, 2013
    Reply

    I love this blog you are inspiring 🙂

  1. Reply

    I really loved your blog, it gave me another little push so I can move forward with my beaded passion. I have watched a few of your how to videos and I am so grateful. You truly are an inspiration…
    Thank you,
    Diane
    [email protected]

  2. Reply

    You are awesome and I admire your love of life, it shows with everything you are. Very inspiring, thanks.

    • Mary Ann A
    • June 28, 2014
    Reply

    Kristal, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I suffer from tremors and arthritis of both hands, which also makes me slow. I keep on pushing on, trying new techniques and now when I do feel, I can’t do something, I’m going to remember your post and especially your mantra “Don’t Die With Your Music Still Inside You” Sincerely, Mary Ann

    • Karen
    • September 27, 2014
    Reply

    Hi Kristal. I love watching you and Cindy on art dads.com and today was the first day I saw your hand. I thought omg she must have been in an accident. How in the world will she make her beautiful jewelry? Then I found this website and read you have been like that since birth. Wow you are an inspiration. I am 61 and am thinking (or should I say I have for years thought about) opening a craft shop that offers cross stitch, beading and sewing lessons. I love to go to the craft shows. Meet the artists. I have worked at ac Moore. Pat Catans and Joanne. I do if all. I work full time in accounting and have worked full time for over 40 years but I had the most fun in my part time jobs in the craft stores. Ooooh how I want to break free and do this but I am scared at the same time. I don’t want to go to my grave with these dreams inside me so maybe with your inspiration I will do this. Not getting any younger!!!! Thanks for your ideas and laughter. When I watch the videos I can picture us sitting crafting and laughing. Don’t stop! Thanks Karen

    • Karen
    • September 27, 2014
    Reply

    Last post I see you on artbeads.com. Sorry
    O;)

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