Why I Always Choose the Most Complicated Things to Create

Why I Always Choose the Most Complicated Things to Create

If there’s one constant in my creative journey, it’s this: I can’t resist making things more complicated than they need to be. You’d think I’d embrace quick, simple projects that I could finish in a few hours and list in my shop. But no—somehow, I always find myself working on pieces that require endless hours of detailed work. It’s like I have an allergic reaction to simplicity.

Even when I start with a simple idea, my brain goes, “But wouldn’t it look better with more tiny details? And maybe some extra textures? Oh, and let’s sculpt each petal individually!” By the time I’m done, what was supposed to take two hours has turned into an eight-hour marathon.

The Art of Overcomplication

There are countless tools out there designed to make life easier for polymer clay artists—cutters, molds, texture sheets, you name it. These tools are meant to save time, streamline the process, and make it possible to create beautiful pieces quickly. And yet, every time I try to use them, I end up adding so many details by hand that I might as well not have used them at all.

Why? Because I don’t feel creative unless I’m putting a unique, personal touch on each piece. I want my creations to feel like they’ve come from my heart, not a production line. While that mindset leads to beautiful, one-of-a-kind results, it also means I spend way more time on each piece than I probably should.

The Reality of Time vs. Value

Here’s the tough part: spending hours (or even days) on a single creation means I have to price it higher than most people are willing to pay. And I totally understand! A doll necklace that took me 10 hours to make might look like a fun accessory, but the price has to reflect the time, effort, and love I poured into it.

Meanwhile, I see other artists producing stunning earrings or charms using cutters and molds. They can make dozens of items in a fraction of the time it takes me to finish one piece, and they sell them for lower prices that appeal to a wider audience. It’s a smart business model! But no matter how many times I tell myself to try it, I always end up back at the workbench crafting tiny, detailed pieces for hours.

If you’re curious about one of those detailed pieces, check out my Lily Art Doll Necklace. It’s the perfect example of my love for intricate work that I just can’t seem to give up.

Balancing Passion and Practicality

That said, I’ve recently decided to give simpler designs a try—specifically with earrings. Earrings are such a popular accessory (I know this because I wear them almost every day), and they’re a great way to fill my shop with pieces that are quicker to make while still being beautiful.

I’ve been experimenting with cutters and shapes to speed up the process, and while it feels a little strange to me, I know it’s the right choice. After all, not every piece has to be an eight-hour masterpiece. And earrings have the added bonus of being wearable art, which makes them a practical and stylish choice for so many people.

But even as I work on simpler designs, I know I’ll always come back to my more complex creations, like my dolls. They’re not just products to me—they’re little pieces of art. While they take much longer to create, they also feel deeply personal, and I love the satisfaction of finishing something truly unique.

Why I’ll Always Choose Creativity Over Speed

At the end of the day, I create because I love it. Sure, I could focus on pumping out simpler designs and probably make more sales, but where’s the fun in that? My art is my passion, and I want every piece to reflect that.

That said, I’m learning to find balance. By incorporating quicker designs into my shop, I can reach more people while still devoting time to the projects that mean the most to me. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even find a way to combine both worlds.

For now, I’ll keep overcomplicating things, because it’s what I do best—and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.