Friday, October 23, 2009

A little humor is necessary


A little humor is necessary to get all of us through the day sometimes. I try to add a little magic or humor to all my pieces. Why does it always rain on me is a tribute to the days where nothing goes right and you know however hard you try you are not going to be able to fix whatever is going wrong.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I've been reading


So for me reading is a fun yet dangerous. I often get swept up in whatever I have read and then the creativity happens. My latest read was just an innocent magazine I picked up at Indigo. Then it happened. I found an article on glass etching. Any sane person would go to the craft store in a week or two to check out what was available, but being me I had to pick up my supplies immediately. I have now purchased a bottle of etching fluid, stickers and a practice pendant. I am so excited I am going into the kitchen after I finish writing this and I will let you know how it went. I found the idea in handcrafted jewelry but they got the idea from a book called Custom cool jewelry by Melinda Barta. She is the editor of beadwork magazine. I can't tell you the amount of times I have walked past the glass etching section but it never occured to me to use it on pendants. Thank-you Melinda especially if it turns out wonderfully.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I found what I was looking for - my inspiration


This is the room setting I was looking for. It is the inspiration for my new collection. I have this picture posted on my notice board above where I work on my jewelry. It reminds me of Marie Antoinette, perhaps it could be her salon filled with the finest silks and accessories from far away lands.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Writing Etsy descriptions and naming pieces - Moby Dick


I always try to research themes, stories or history around pieces I am selling. Today I spent a half hour trying to identify what type of whale was on one of my latest pieces (it turned out to be a sperm whale like Moby Dick). Wikipedia is one of my best friends for this type of thing. Often it triggers ideas and memories from childhood while I'm researching. The researching sometimes explains why I was attracted to a part I am using in my jewelry in the first place.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

attention to detail


My latest piece had a lot of thought put into it. The sizes and colors of each crystal were carefully chosen, the metals matched to each other for tone, the length adjusted and adjusted until I was happy. Jewelry is a labor of love but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Jules Verne



I love Jules Verne especially Mysterious Island. I love his books so much that I also own several games inspired by his books so I can feel as though as I was there. It was only a matter of time before his inspiration crept into my jewelry. I have created several Octopi but none as awe inspiring as shown in the picture here. I have made a few hot air balloons too as an homage to Around the World in 80 days.