Finding Creative Inspiration

by Judy Ellis, Wire-Sculpture.com

Daily Wire Jewelry Tip June 10, 2015

Finding Inspiration for your creations

Every once in a while I’m surfing through our blog and come across an older article that I think is worth updating and re-sharing. Today is one of those days.

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.

Inspirational Ideas:

Colors and Textures

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.

Close-up of a statue depicting Maitreya at the Thikse Monastery in Ladakh, India.	Traditional Dresses of the Wancho Tribe in Northern India

Asian Influence:

Another inspiration from culture can come from the geometric simplicity of Asian clothing as well as architecture.

Royal Ballet, Cambodia	Architectural Fashion; GUO PEI’s 2010 Collection.

Traditional Japanese Temple

And yet other cultures have their own distinct art, lore, and artifacts and fashion to draw from. I’ve featured a few beautiful examples below.

Crowns of Ancient Egypt	Indian Hand Jewelry	African Bead Work
Traditional Bulgarian Dress	Russian nobles at the fancy dress ball of 1903	Corey LeClaire, men’s fancy dancer, Lakota/Navajo from Durango, CO.

Modern Culture:

Even modern cultures  can inspire you, examples like skyscrapers or concrete – using gray labradorite stone to represent it.

22x30mm Labradorite Rectangle Cabochon

Labradorite 30mm Square Beads

Labradorite 25x30mm Faceted Hexagon Beads

Cleveland Skyscraper – Cleveland, Ohio

Inspiration in Nature:

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.

Breathtaking Scenery

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.

Great Designers:

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.

Two of our featured instructors and their educational helps.

We have so many instructional videos and books that can help you find your artistic style and create a product that is uniquely yours!

Kim St. Jean	Eva Sherman
Introduction to Stone Setting with Kim St. Jean – 5 DVD Set	Fun, Fast Fold Forming DVD Series

A few additional suggestions:

All 6 Jump Start Beginner Classes on DVD	Entire Metalworking 101 Beginner DVD Series	Entire Coiling and Weaving Series
Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping	Complete Wire and Pliers DVD Series	Loopy Wire Wrap Freeform Pendant DVD and Supply Kit

Stay True to your Vision:

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.

For more great videos and tips, visit our RESOURCE CENTER today!

Happy Wrapping!

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Related Posts

• 

  A Chainmail Bracelet: Start Narrow, Make it Wide
  A Chainmail Bracelet: Start Narrow, Make it Wide
• 

  Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
  Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
• 

  Using a Tile to Cut Rivets
  Using a Tile to Cut Rivets
• 

  Rivet and Eyelet Tools
  Rivet and Eyelet Tools