How to Hear Your Own Voice Amid the Noise

Finding your creative voice is one of the most rewarding parts of being a maker. It grows gradually, through doing, experimenting, and noticing what truly excites you. Over the years, teaching lampshade making and printmaking, I’ve seen students have that magical moment when a design feels just right, a stitch flows naturally, or a print starts to reveal its character. I’ve had those moments too, the satisfaction of seeing an idea take shape exactly as I imagined.

But sometimes things don’t go as planned. A stitch might slip, a print might misalign, or a technique doesn’t quite work out. Those moments can be frustrating, but they’re also part of finding your voice. When something goes wrong, I’ve learned to pause, take a step back, and look at the problem with curiosity instead of judgment. Often, the mistake leads to a new discovery, a different way to stitch, carve, or approach a pattern that I might not have considered otherwise.

Hearing your own voice isn’t about following trends or fitting a mold. It’s about trusting your instincts, noticing what feels satisfying, and letting curiosity guide your hands. Each project, even the ones that don’t go perfectly, is an opportunity to understand yourself a little better as a maker. Over time, the more you create, the more confident you become in your choices, and the clearer your unique perspective shines through.

Until next time,

Moji x