Keeping things fresh

Speaking for myself, the secret for me coping with time consuming research and the execution of projects is rotation. I also have a few rules.

Having a couple of projects in various stages helps with the momentum. It also helps me keep the project that I am currently working on, alive and fresh because the moment ennui sets in, I swap projects around. (This covers those awful moments when something being worked on simply will not come together smoothly.) Bagging projects helps keep the elements you have/need in one place for accessibility rather than a frantic rummage around and exhausting temper tantrum because I've lost something and have to re-do the work. Keeping your concepts filed is an enormous boon. My system isn't impressive at all -- I lump all my sketches into an A4 envelope and do the "rifle-thru" every once in awhile. Ideally, every project should have it's own file and safe-place for storage. (I can dream can't I?)

Rules:

1. Call time-out when a project drives you up the wall! Go do something else.
2. Always wash your hands before working on a project.
4. Change your needles before they blunt and tarnish!
5. When working with silks, look after your fingers.
6. Rethink something when it flops.