Why Jewelry Makers are Often Night Owls

In honor of National Napping Day, we are taking a moment to recognize the creative night owls amongst us—those jewelry makers who find inspiration strikes after dark, or those who love to work after everyone else is asleep.

If you are included in this group of people, you might be interested to know you are not alone, and there may be a scientific reason why! Plus, read on for tips on using nighttime creativity to your advantage.

Why You Are More Creative at Night

Studies show that people are more likely to be creative at night because of their circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm refers to the process of your body moving in time with the sun. As the sun starts to set, our minds start to wind down to get sleep, slowly releasing our thoughts from the day’s work or the lists of things that need to get done tomorrow. This allows for other parts of the brain that are not slowing down to get some attention in your busy mind!

New connections and pathways are formed that lead to creative ways of thinking that may have been blocked by more pressing matters earlier in the day.

Related: Where Did My Creativity Go?

Metalsmith Jessica Daman confesses, “I enjoy the quiet at night. There are no distractions from kids or phones ringing. Nothing to distract me from the state of mind I need to be in to create. I have never been a morning person. So, because my job allows me to have vampire hours, I generally just accept it and get to creating things.”

Jessica maintains her studio as a sacred space where she finds peace and gets into the flow. She says, “I think artists in general need a certain amount of solitude to create. For me that tends to occur often at night until I’m too tired to work. I put in my headphones with my music or audiobooks and just start and see where I go.”

Related: Favorite Lighting Solutions for Jewelry Makers

Need a Nap? You’re Not Alone!

Many creative types, including jewelry makers, are night owls for a variety of reasons. Whether it be insomnia, finding more inspiration, or just needing some peace and quiet away from their families or busy lives. Leslie Rogalski, Interweave contributor and founder of SLEEPLESS BEADER^TM, is amongst those that work better at night and her company name acknowledges creative types like her.

“I have always had insomnia. My teaching moniker and company name SLEEPLESS BEADER^TM came from that. I like my calm state of mind when the house and neighborhood are quiet, and I know I have many hours of uninterrupted beading until I hit that proverbial wall. But I cannot work on just anything at night. I prefer the Zen, meditative parts of something where I can almost go on autopilot.”

Tips for Using Nighttime Creativity to Your Advantage

Related: The Value of Play for Creativity

Are you a night owl or an early bird? When do you find you are the most creative? Let us know in the comments!