My Creative Process

I think everyone has their own way to work through the creative process. Some people seem to come up with an idea and everything is instant -- it all comes together. I've had that happen a couple times but it's not my normal pattern. Some people plan it all out, adding a little here and a little there until it suits them. That's happened to me too, but it's not normally how creativity works for me.

My creative process? ....hmmmmm.... where do I begin? I think it starts with inspiration. Usually I'll see something ... it could be a bridge, a flower, a dew drop ... and it will prompt a thought that will become the basis of a new design. Sometimes I sit right down and get my beads out, but normally, I mull it around for a few days or even a few weeks. I try to envision what details I want to bring out in the piece and mentally play around with size, balance and shape. If the inspiration had specific color, that's the starting point for my imagination but I never limit myself. When I finally sit down and start working on the piece, it usually goes together fairly quickly. Once in a while, things don't come out like I expect, so the trial and error part of the process begins. I move things around, shorten them, lengthen them until I achieve the look I want. When I have an arrangement that I'm satisfied with, I put together a prototype. I try it on. If I'm still satisfied, I set the piece on a table and just leave it there.... for days. I look at it in every light and sometimes put it on different fabrics. I sort of "let it soak".

Sometimes, I'll have a creative "dry spell". Usually, I don't worry about it -- a little break can be a good thing. I recently went through a period of creative inactivity. When it was over, I developed 4 new necklace designs in 2 days. They are still "soaking" -- so I'll introduce them in the weeks to come. I'm also mulling around 2 or 3 more necklace designs -- but have to wait for more supplies to get started on prototypes.

Over the next few months, I'll be sharing more about specific pieces in my collection -- what inspired them, how they came to be named and other little tidbits. I'll also share bits and pieces about how I started making jewelry, how I came to be in business and what I'm learning about turning a hobby into a career. It's been a fun journey!

I Smell Orange

I started my day as normally as any other -- a little toast and a fresh orange for breakfast. My kitchen smelled fresh and citrus-y for a couple hours afterward. Then I ran errands -- no big deal, but I travels took me past the Tropicana plant. We seem to be in between seasons so there wasn't much activity but there is still a hint of orange in the air. This afternoon, I did a little cleaning -- again, no big deal -- but it just happened that I used a furniture polish with orange oil. Again that scent of orange! I find it to be a pleasant fragrance -- good thing!!

I've continued to be busy with jewelry. Last week, I cleaned all of it and prepared for a show on Friday evening. I re-tagged all the earrings -- the price of silver has gone up more than I can continue to absorb and it seemed a good time to get consistent with all the labels (same fonts, same layouts, etc). I made a dozen necklaces and about 40 pairs of earrings. My racks were full for the craft show. It was the best sales event I've had since we moved here nearly 6 months ago. When I got home, it was late -- nearly 11 pm -- but I wanted to do a quick check of email. I discovered that I had a sale on Etsy too! It was an encouraging night for business -- a night I very much needed. It's been a slow winter -- I hope the spring continues to bring better business days.

One Year Ago, part 2

Today is a major anniversary for me! It marks 1 year since my second surgery (read my post of Feb 25) and I'm getting better all the time. The second surgery was considerably tougher on me and recovery has been slow, but I have been enjoying noticeable improvements, even these past few weeks. I sang special music in church last Sunday morning -- my voice was the strongest it has been for a year! It's getting to be uncommon to forget or lose things and my concentration is getting better. It's been wonderful to feel "good"!

My jewelry business is starting to pick up a little too! My Etsy shop is getting a little more visibility -- I've gotten 12 "hearts" (which are given by people who like and want to remember my shop) since the beginning of the month. I sold 4 pairs of earrings last week on Etsy and I'm signed up to participate in a cool craft show next Friday night. The show is part of a "neighborhood block party" called WestFest in a very nice development in our area. There is also going to be a concert (Gary Puckett) and it sounds like a fun event! I'm excited at the prospect!! Today, I've been cleaning my jewelry and re-organizing, getting ready.

When WestFest is done, I will be focusing on getting ready to move -- we'll be heading to our next project in WI in early May. I look forward to going north -- we'll be a lot closer to family and friends. But I have to admit, the prospect of winter in WI in a trailer isn't rocking my world! But that's ok. With last winter in upstate NY and next winter in WI, I've been viewing this winter in FL as the center of the Oreo ... the treat in the middle! :)

So life is good .... BUSY, but good! And we are blessed!

Creative Energy!

I've been BUSY! I was able to get in to a craft show on Saturday, but we were also still committed to being at the flea market -- so we did both. My wonderful husband did the flea market and I headed for the craft show (a friend also went with me until my husband could get there). The weather was windy and chilly, so neither was a good as we had hoped but it still wasn't bad ... and I made some GREAT contacts! One lady was interested in my stuff for a wedding. Another lady told me about a monthly event in an upscale part of town ... then said my stuff was PERFECT for that show (that was flattering!) ... then called me later with phone number so I can try to get in. I gave out a bunch of business cards, too. So, while it wasn't the fabulous sales day I would have liked, I think it was profitable.

While I'm at a show/market, I offer to make jewelry "on demand" -- customers can get any style earrings in whatever color they choose and it only takes me about 15 minutes (which is why I don't do a show alone -- I usually end up making while someone else keeps on eye on business). I usually don't do necklaces on demand because they take too long to make ... but Saturday, one lady asked me to make something for her, and she created her own design. I wouldn't have put it together quite the way she did, but it has prompted a flood of ideas for a couple new styles! So.... this week I'm hoping to perfect the ideas and make some more necklaces! It was also a simpler design than what I usually make so I could probably make it on demand at a show ... and it will be the least expensive necklace in my repertoire so it should make a good seller. I couldn't sleep last night ... too many creative juices rolling!!

And back to last week, because we were going to split up, I made about 150 new pairs of earrings. I guess it kept me out of trouble! Sort of?

Tonight, we are planning to go see the launch of the shuttle -- it's a night launch at 2:30 tomorrow morning. Night launches are FABULOUS!!!!! So I'm pretty excited! But I really need a nap this afternoon, so I better get crackin' on the new necklaces so I can sleep.

listing, listing, listing!!!

The past few weeks have been very busy ... I think I've taken about 1700 photos. Then I've gone through them to sort by clarity, angle, and general appearance. Then I've cropped them to the appropriate size for listing on Etsy. Each listing has at least 2 photos -- one with the earrings hanging, one laying down. Some listings also have photos of the items in alternate colors so people can see what the items look like in other colors. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, I started listing ... I've listed nearly 80 items!! No new sales yet, but I have 6 new hearts ... so that's positive.
I've also worked on some of the new designs floating around in my head. I've finished work on "Sway" (the navy pearl) and "Yasmin" (the emerald crystal) ... they are similar but a bit different and in different lines. I've also figured out the detail for a new stone earring design ... haven't named it yet. Today, my project has been to work on a necklace idea ... it's not quite where I want it to be yet ... need to keep mulling it around.