February 18, 2006
Finding your own style. It’s a difficult thing! I’ve been reading message boards and web sites of other jewelry makers and saw a really interesting comment the other day. The writer said she was “making jewelry in _____’s style, at least until I find my own.”
Two thoughts on that comment.
First, how would I feel if someone was “making jewelry in my style”? I guess if they were using tutorials that I’d written, or were making things for their own personal (not resale) use, I hope I’d be flattered. For one thing, that’s part of why I do it. It’s part of why I work on my art in public at times…I hope to teach, even a little, and have some legacy live on in someone else’s work. On the other hand, if someone took my designs and sold them as their own creations, I’d be a little miffed. More than that, it’s downright theft of my ideas, and I might do more than be a little ticked off. (Read March 2006 The Crafts Report for an article on identifying and seeking legal advice on design theft.)
So, to answer my question – how I would feel about “imitation being the sincerest form of flattery” would depend on the circumstance. 
Second thought is on finding one’s own style. I’ve found style evolves along the way. What I may have done in my beginnings of working with beads and wire has morphed into something else. My friend and fellow artist Angie says that my work is “girly” and I’ve seen that it does tend toward delicate and feminine. I also find that I gravitate toward open design: less cramped, closed, tightly wound; more open loops and swirls, beads and stones that have an airy feel to them. I’m sure as I travel along my own paths, my style will continue to change, twist and turn much as the wire I use to create my jewelry.
Comments
Got something to say?
