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.
