November 12, 2005

Bead stringing is easy. It’s the design component that’s difficult for most people. Walking into a bead shop or gazing through a catalog can be intimidating at first, but once you get over the initial shock of “what the heck do I pick?”, you’ll find the possibilities are endless.
Where do I look for ideas and inspiration? Ask 100 artists, and you’ll probably get 100 answers. I am learning to look everywhere for color combinations that I wouldn’t normally think of….I’m by nature a mono-chromatic sort, who at one time in her life wouldn’t park a red car next to a purple one (I’ve since purchased only silver, white or grey vehicles). Clashing of colors hurt my head.
Since that time, however, I’ve learned to embrace “clashes” and train wrecks. Red and orange. Pink and green. Silver and gold. Complementary can be found in the oddest combinations if you have the right material and eye for design. Too much in a delicate piece and you’ll find yourself cringing. Bold colors sometimes speak best from bold work…and the same can be said for delicate mixes.
So to answer the question of “where do you look for ideas and inspiration” I can’t pick one answer. I’m constantly on the look out, finding ideas, color combinations and shapes in every thing imaginable. Sometimes I’ll pick up a strand of beads, a focal stone, or a cluster of silver and have no idea what I’ll do with it, but know it will “come to me” some day. Sometimes it will even come to me in a dream…sounds a little mystical, but I’ll admit that I design jewelry in my nightly dreams.
Good thing I dream in color.

Comments

• Recent Posts

  • New “Pandora-style” bead from Generation Gems
  • Recycle, upcycle….
  • What can I do with 21′ of wire???
  • Coppery Goodness
  • Stage fright….