Earring :: Ideas :: Inspiration

Poet and feminist Audre Loude once said: "There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt." I have heard this said before of any art form, that there is no "new" art, only reinterpretations of ideas already established. Think about going to a museum, be it modern or antiquity. Have you ever left feeling a deep impulse to just create? Something, anything -- so long as you get your say in the process of making something out of something else. I guess it's the same for those who watch sports and then feel motivated to go to the gym (said activity does not have an effect on me, unfortunately). 

That said, one of my main source of jewelry ideas is spending time in the jewelry department of stores such as Target and Macy's or browsing them online. I have been known to get lost in the sea of Etsy products and sketch some ideas from there, too. This past week I found some super cute earrings at Target and, with the new stash of jewels from LA's jewelry district, one pair lead to two pairs lead to seven new pairs of earrings:

This is the original from Target, priced at $40:

And here is the Bead Up version, priced at $19:

Amethyst, Agate, Pearl, and Crystal earrings, $19 

But then I figured, why stop at gold? Silver rocks, too!

Pink and Pearl Earrings, $18

Then I saw these earrings, originally from Anthropology but no longer on their site:

Which turned into my interpretation (based on the materials I had on hand, of course):

Pink Crystal Drop earrings, $19

And these Anthropology earrings:

Turned into these Bead Up earrings:

Pink Briolette Earrings, $20

Then I just kept going!

Gold and Leaf Gemstone Earrings, $20

Cerulean Blue and Gold Hammered Hoop Earrings, $16

Bridal Pearl and Crystal Earrings, $17

And while I was at it, I remembered a sketch I had drawn last week based on a design I saw in a bead magazine:

Which turned into this -- a new spin on an old classic!

Brass Birdie Goes to its Nest Necklace - Turquoise

I think this is the most productive jewelry makin' day I have had in awhile! 

Here's to another one!

Quotable Jewelry

This week marked an important little landmark in my Etsy journey -- I have sold more items than currently have listed (57 sales; 56 items at the time!). It's always funny to see how giddy I get when I get a message on my (new) Blackberry saying that I sold an item on Etsy! Makes me feel alive and reminds me why I have spent so much time and money in this crazy hobby of mine! I finally added some new items to my Etsy site today. Two new pieces with quotes behind them need particular attention: The first one I especially love. I bought these precious little sterling silver rose charms awhile back and have been waiting to figure out how to use them perfectly. When I was thinking of finding a scripture to go with the rose, I was reminded of the passage from the Sermon on the Mount: "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them." ~ Jesus (Matthew 6:27-29; The Message translation). Love 'em. Next on the list - this little sparrow resin charm I have had for MONTHS. When I was in Baltimore I found these really cute Czech orange beads that just screamed "Buy Me!" I am glad they go so well with the charm. Happy is the person who not only sings, but feels God's eye is on the sparrow, and knows God watches over me. To be simply ensconced in God is true joy. ~Alfred A. Montapert Also posted several new items on Etsy today (finally). I have been in a rut and have not found the strength nor the time to make jewelry in over a week (long story short - my parents drove all the way to LA from KY to visit for a few weeks, and on the 3rd day here my dad was admitted to the hospital and had to have emergency surgery. He's thankfully fine now, and yesterday when he returned home I was happy enough to finally get back to the creating table. Funny how the two are correlated!). While I was in Chicago I also found some GREAT cinnabar beads, which I really wanted for a reprise to this bracelet:Glad it turned out as envisioned, and this time with nicer materials (nice glass and beautiful, Chinese textured beads!! On an unrelated note, I discovered "Craft Cult's" Heart-o-matic feature today -- a website that tracks your Etsy store site. Why have I never heard of this place before? Now it's easy to see who "hearts" my store and items without having to click on each one, one at a time! Wahoo! Lastly, I got pictures of the sari that my friend Chrissy is wearing to this wedding (she asked me to make a few sets of earrings and necklaces for the wedding eventS - she's on the right). I am thinking crayon green and yellow crystals and gold wire. Thoughts? As always, thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!