Once again, I’ll be doing The 100 Day Project, starting on February 22nd.
Do you know what separates artists who improve from those who stay stuck? It’s not talent. It’s not expensive tools. It’s not even having more time. It’s iteration.
In Blue Bottle Insiders, I like to say that We Learn By Doing. Sadly, many of us never get better at our craft because we never commit to sustained, focused practice. We make something when inspiration strikes, or when we have a free weekend, or when the mood is right. We wait for the perfect idea, the perfect conditions, the perfect moment.
And while we’re waiting, we’re not making. And if we’re not making (and trying things), we’re not learning.
Over the years, I’ve come to understand that we can’t think our way to mastery (as much as I would like to believe that I can). Instead, we learn by making, doing, and trying things. Every piece you create teaches you something the previous piece couldn’t. The 50th project reveals things you could never do when you started. By the time you reach 100 versions, you will be creating work that would have been impossible to even imagine when you started. Not because you suddenly became talented, but because you built the skills and committed to doing the work.
Constraints Are Magic
But there’s a paradox at play here. Unlimited freedom is paralyzing.
When you can make “anything,” you often end up making nothing. You have trouble starting because there are too many choices, too many directions, too many decisions draining your creative energy before you even begin. It can be overwhelming.
This is why constraints are powerful. When you give yourself a specific, bounded challenge (make one vessel every day, work only with a single color family, create within a 4×4 square), you remove the paralysis of infinite options. The constraint gives you freedom, not limitation. You’re no longer wasting mental energy on endless decisions about what to make. And creativity unfolds.
The 100 Day Project
In 2018, I committed to 100 days of veneers. Then 100 days of vessels in 2020, beads in 2023, and finally colorshift in 2025. Every single one of these projects pushed my skills further. Each project led to techniques (and ultimately, tutorials) I never would have discovered otherwise. They showed me that consistent practice within clear constraints creates genuine growth.
This is why I’m doing another 100-day project starting February 22nd.
I hope you’ll join me, along with many other members of Blue Bottle Insiders, each doing their own version of the project.
What Kinds of Projects?
The idea of the 100 Day Project is that each person chooses their project, their constraints, and the rules that work for them. If your life is very busy, commit to 15 minutes each day to make a Skinner blend, clean a part of your studio, or make some beads. If you have more time and energy, your project might be to make 100 earring pairs, 100 bowls, or 100 blue items. The rules are totally up to you. Some people just work toward something each day, such as a collage. When it’s done, choose another project!
In Blue Bottle Insiders last year, we had about 30 people commit to start, and about 15 of us finished all 100 days. Each day we posted a picture, in our dedicated space, for accountability and documentation. If you’re an Insiders member, you can go to that space now and see the work each person did last year. We’ll be doing the same for 2026!
There are many ways you can participate, whether you want to commit to your own 100-day journey or just follow along.
For now, just ask yourself this. What could you create if you committed to making something (anything) for 100 days?
You might surprise yourself. Join us!
