having creative doubt

The closer I get to making my puppet, the more hesitant I become.
What if I can’t do it? What if what I have in my head can’t translate to felt and foam? What if the kids will laugh at how horrible my puppets looks? What if I’m not good enough? What if I’m actually not creative?

​It’s not a surprise that I’m feeling this way. I’m getting closer to puppet creation time and it’s scary. It’s no longer an idea in my head to experiment with. It’s real. There is risk involved. Risk of failure, risk of shame, and risk of judgement.
 
So what can I do? Lean into my vulnerability.  
 
I’m going to offer my humble self to the world. I may not be the best at making puppets, the kids may laugh, I may fail, but I am going to try. Because with risk, comes reward and I’m tired of living in a world of safe ideas.

​So here I am, sharing with you, the next humble step in my puppet making process.
 
I’m not ready to cut out patterns and start sewing. That seems too daunting. I need to take it slow. I am going to start with clay! It’s moldable, changeable, and you can’t mess it up.
 
I found an old pack of clay in my closet and got to work. I first rolled out different head shapes, then noses, ears, and hair, and then put them all together in different ways! If I didn’t like it, I could mix and match it up or mash it into a ball and start again. True to our mission, I went back to play to help me through my doubts, and you know what, it worked. James even joined in on the fun!
 
Abby ​