I haven't been making a lot of jewellery recently. As you've probably noticed. I blame it on my busy work schedule as well as a stunning lack of inspiration. I really, really want to add to my Artfire and Etsy shops - they're looking entirely too bare for my liking, and I have a sneaky suspicion that having a larger inventory just might draw more visitors which might, if I'm lucky, lead to sales. So, this weekend was spent trying to find my well of creative inspiration. I'm still looking for it..sigh. But I did manage to rustle up 3 new pieces: 2 pairs of earrings and a necklace. All very simple but you wouldn't believe how long it took me to come up with them. Creating is hard, people! I am happy though to have made something. Another big plus? I used quite a few beads and findings that have been in my stash for longer than I'd like to admit. It's pretty late at night here so I couldn't take photos of the new jewellery. I'll probably take pics sometime this week and post them next weekend. Sooner if I can help it.
Have you been creating this weekend? If you have, I hope you weren't as frustrated as I was :-).
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Ring-a-ding-ding!
My creative juices haven't been flowing too well in recent weeks. Frustration set in and I decided to distract myself with a simple craft project. I had some ring blanks on hand and a set of pretty brads (little sidenote: I never realised these pins were called brads, I always called them those "sticky-in things" or butterfly pins.). With the help of some cutters (to snip off those pesky potruding pins), a file and a dollop of glue, I came up with 3 cute little rings. I think i might give them away to two little girls I know who are the sweetest kids I've ever come across. Tamasin and Hayley, these are for you :-).
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Done!
I finally got around to completing that crystal necklace I started weeks ago. All those wrapped loops took time. My fingers hurt a bit but the end result pretty much makes up for the pain. I used Swarovski crystals in various shades (and sizes) of blue. All wire is non-tarnish artistic wire and I even found the energy to make my own clasp. I'm now deciding whether to add it to my Artfire shop or give it away as a present. Hmm...decisions, decisions...
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Creating again
This is what I'm currently working on. It's not quite finished yet but I hope it soon will be.
I was in the mood for wrapped loops. I know, how many people have you heard say that? It's not quite in the same league as "I'm in the mood for chocolate", is it? Anywho....I had all these Swarovski crystals in shades of blue in my stash so I started linking them and adding some vintage chain links. I started off thinking I'd make a bracelet but it's turning out to be more of a necklace. So I think I'm going to continue adding wire-wrapped single crystals and finish it all off with a simple spring (or possibly lobster) clasp. I think it's pretty. I might add it to my Artfire shop when it's done. What do you think? Too simple and plain?
I was in the mood for wrapped loops. I know, how many people have you heard say that? It's not quite in the same league as "I'm in the mood for chocolate", is it? Anywho....I had all these Swarovski crystals in shades of blue in my stash so I started linking them and adding some vintage chain links. I started off thinking I'd make a bracelet but it's turning out to be more of a necklace. So I think I'm going to continue adding wire-wrapped single crystals and finish it all off with a simple spring (or possibly lobster) clasp. I think it's pretty. I might add it to my Artfire shop when it's done. What do you think? Too simple and plain?
Monday, 7 March 2011
What's new pussycat?
Not much apparently :-). Yes, I know it's been ages since I posted anything but life's been weird-hectic recently. Did I ever mention that my day job sees me counselling young people? Well, a few of them have decided to freak out on me and I've been weathering the storm as best I can these past weeks.
It's no excuse though for not posting or making new jewellery. Making stuff is therapeutic. I should know. It's saved my sanity a number of times in the past. So I'm gonna get off my butt and exit this pity party I've been attending and go MAKE something. I'll probably post pics at the weekend.
Before I go, you might like to know that I emerged unscathed from the workshop I had to conduct this past Saturday. I had a group of 12 boisterous women whom I'd like to think rather enjoyed themselves. I learnt a few things though: 1) I need to refine my instructions and make them clearer 2) I need to rope in someone to help and 3) I need to teach said helper the project so she/he can actually help with the group. I might be asked to conduct more workshops but I'm going to have to sit down and seriously consider this. Given the investment in time and effort, can I and DO I want to commit? Especially since this is purely voluntary. I'm getting to that age when I really, really want to get paid for my services. Does that make me selfish? I know that had this opportunity presented itself to the 25 or even 30-year old me, I would have said 'yes' in a heartbeat.
It's no excuse though for not posting or making new jewellery. Making stuff is therapeutic. I should know. It's saved my sanity a number of times in the past. So I'm gonna get off my butt and exit this pity party I've been attending and go MAKE something. I'll probably post pics at the weekend.
Before I go, you might like to know that I emerged unscathed from the workshop I had to conduct this past Saturday. I had a group of 12 boisterous women whom I'd like to think rather enjoyed themselves. I learnt a few things though: 1) I need to refine my instructions and make them clearer 2) I need to rope in someone to help and 3) I need to teach said helper the project so she/he can actually help with the group. I might be asked to conduct more workshops but I'm going to have to sit down and seriously consider this. Given the investment in time and effort, can I and DO I want to commit? Especially since this is purely voluntary. I'm getting to that age when I really, really want to get paid for my services. Does that make me selfish? I know that had this opportunity presented itself to the 25 or even 30-year old me, I would have said 'yes' in a heartbeat.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Teaching a workshop
Something surprising happened last week. I was asked by a friend if I would consider conducting a jewellery-making workshop for a group of mothers whose children attend a local arts academy. My friend has been volunteering at this arts academy - which holds subsidised classes (in art, music, drama, cooking etc) for children who display creative talents but don't have the means to pay - for close to a year and thought I would enjoy helping out there too. It seems the people who run the academy are hoping to start a series of workshops for parents (mostly mothers) so they get to learn something and have some fun while waiting for their children to finish with their classes.
So the upshot of all this is: on 5 March, I'll be teaching a group of women how to make rings. I've never taught a workshop before so it's a little scary. But I think it might be good for me to get out of my comfort zone. Since there isn't enough budget to cover the cost of tools, which is a shame really, I decided that I'd rely on just a handful of beads and some monofilament wire to make something pretty. After a lot of thought, and discussion with the academy director, I chose the following two rings as the items the women will be learning to make. I might change up the colours, and possibly the materials (eg metal beads in place of plastic) as well but I'm not quite sure. What do you think? I'd love to hear from you if you have ideas on changing up the 2 rings.
So the upshot of all this is: on 5 March, I'll be teaching a group of women how to make rings. I've never taught a workshop before so it's a little scary. But I think it might be good for me to get out of my comfort zone. Since there isn't enough budget to cover the cost of tools, which is a shame really, I decided that I'd rely on just a handful of beads and some monofilament wire to make something pretty. After a lot of thought, and discussion with the academy director, I chose the following two rings as the items the women will be learning to make. I might change up the colours, and possibly the materials (eg metal beads in place of plastic) as well but I'm not quite sure. What do you think? I'd love to hear from you if you have ideas on changing up the 2 rings.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Charlatan?
Warning: this is not an upbeat post. If you're looking for sunshine and flowers, you'd do better reading another blog today. But please check back next week. Regular service should resume then.
I don't usually voice this out loud but, a lot of times, I feel like a charlatan when it comes to my jewellery-making. Growing up, I never thought of myself as being creative. Truth be told, I used to fail most of my art assignments in secondary school (high school). And by fail, I mean really badly - like 30/100 badly. I couldn't - and still can't - draw. Or paint. Or sketch. Or any of the things you expect creative types to do. I appreciated art though - art galleries are some of my favourite places - but I decided early on that I couldn't do art. After all, that was what my teachers repeatedly told me. And good student that I was, I listened to them and believed.
Until I was in mid-twenties when I began dabbling in crafts. To save my pennies, I made presents for friends and colleagues and got seriously into stencilling and decoupage. I stopped when work got hectic and I found I didn't quite have the time. Then about 3 years ago, in a bid to add something else to my life apart from work, I took a beading class at a community centre. I've been hooked on beads and jewellery-making ever since. But even now, I find it difficult to tell people I make jewellery. I'm regularly visited by self-doubt and I almost always question my design ideas. I still don't think I'm creative and I certainly don't see myself as an artist. I'm sure this perception holds me back. In fact, I know it does.
But I then I read this blog post about what it takes to be an artist. It was something of an eye-opener for me and although I'm not quite at the point where I can confidently announce to the world that 'why yes, I am an artist', I think I just might be on my way there.
I'm going to stop my navel gazing and post some eye candy now. Partly to thank anyone out there who waded through my rambling. Partly to add some colour to an otherwise boring post. But mostly to reassure myself that I am capable - on occasion - of thinking up (fairly) original and pretty designs.
I don't usually voice this out loud but, a lot of times, I feel like a charlatan when it comes to my jewellery-making. Growing up, I never thought of myself as being creative. Truth be told, I used to fail most of my art assignments in secondary school (high school). And by fail, I mean really badly - like 30/100 badly. I couldn't - and still can't - draw. Or paint. Or sketch. Or any of the things you expect creative types to do. I appreciated art though - art galleries are some of my favourite places - but I decided early on that I couldn't do art. After all, that was what my teachers repeatedly told me. And good student that I was, I listened to them and believed.
Until I was in mid-twenties when I began dabbling in crafts. To save my pennies, I made presents for friends and colleagues and got seriously into stencilling and decoupage. I stopped when work got hectic and I found I didn't quite have the time. Then about 3 years ago, in a bid to add something else to my life apart from work, I took a beading class at a community centre. I've been hooked on beads and jewellery-making ever since. But even now, I find it difficult to tell people I make jewellery. I'm regularly visited by self-doubt and I almost always question my design ideas. I still don't think I'm creative and I certainly don't see myself as an artist. I'm sure this perception holds me back. In fact, I know it does.
But I then I read this blog post about what it takes to be an artist. It was something of an eye-opener for me and although I'm not quite at the point where I can confidently announce to the world that 'why yes, I am an artist', I think I just might be on my way there.
I'm going to stop my navel gazing and post some eye candy now. Partly to thank anyone out there who waded through my rambling. Partly to add some colour to an otherwise boring post. But mostly to reassure myself that I am capable - on occasion - of thinking up (fairly) original and pretty designs.
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