Jewelry Design Ideas – Get Inspired!

Probably the most challenging aspect of jewelry making once you know how is to come up with unique designs that people want to buy.  This article is to help you find inspiration that when filtered through who you are produces unique pieces that your customers connect with and want to buy.

One of the best places to find inspiration is through cultural influences. Every culture has its own aesthetic beauty, many of which are vastly different from what you may just assume to be the norm of beauty. A trip to your local library, or even doing research on the internet, will unearth a multitude of ideas.  Start at the continent level and work your way down into its indigenous people.  Study their art, way of life and language to discover shapes, textures, materials, and objects that influence your creativity.

For example, in the East Indian culture a dominance of gold and silver tones is used that bring out any color that they are juxtaposed with. You may want to create some pieces heavy in gold that are juxtaposed with stones of a strong color. The result is an eye-catching work of art. There is also a great emphasis on detail and decadence in this culture.

Another inspiration from culture can come from the geometric simplicity of Asian clothing as well as architecture. And yet other cultures have their own distinct art, lore, and artifacts to draw from.  Even modern cultures such as our own can inspire you, even skyscrapers or concrete – using gray labradorite stone to represent it.

Another area for inspiration that you can tap in to for design ideas is nature. You can draw from things organic and alive or from landscapes of burned out forests.  Wind, rain, water, sand all offer immense inspiration.  Start out by defining those things that you love in nature and feel in touch with before you narrow down what it is that really inspires you.

Another area of inspiration is from other designers.  Look at their works of art and start cataloging what it is about the various pieces that you love.  Assess their qualities and define where they got their inspiration from. Working backwards from the end product will help you find your way to your own pieces.

The most important thing is to find and then stay true to your own unique artistic vision. This thematic expression that you create is what will intrigue and connect you with your customers and keep them coming back to buy more of your pieces.

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2 Comments

1. 

   Aileen

   April 30, 2009 at 3:57 pm

   I think that all artists work this way. As artists we are affected with our environment and culture. I have always been inspired by these things without really thinking about it. This all comes into play when I look at materials too.
2. 

   Margie

   April 30, 2009 at 11:42 pm

   Thank you for sharing this article. I also think that many artists think this way. Our brains sometimes make connections that less creative types miss. (My red hat club went to a pottery painting place this week and it was interesting to see the different approaches taken by the different personality types. I doubt my plate is going to turn out very well since it was the first one I ever tried but one woman said to me “You are SO creative” because of the way I was approaching the experience.)