Inspiration. It’s the key whenever you start a project, be it a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or other handmade accessories. Many people may think that jewelry making inspiration comes second nature to jewelry designers, but this isn’t always the case.
Nothing is worse than sitting down at my desk, staring up at all my beads, and drawing a complete blank on what to make. It’s overwhelming when you aren’t in the right mood. So what’s a girl to do when she’s surrounded by beautiful materials and can’t quite figure out how to combine them into a finished design?
I’m not claiming to be the expert on finding your muse, but here are five tips I try to keep in mind to kick-start my jewelry making inspiration.
#1: Open your eyes
Sometimes removing yourself physically and looking at the world around you can help inspire you. I happen to live in a beautiful state that provides stunning scenery. Going for a run can help me see beautiful color palettes that I wouldn’t otherwise think of, or heading out for a hike can give me fresh perspective on some textures to incorporate in my designs. Remove yourself and look for the beauty that surrounds you.
#2: Take some time to let everything sing
I’ve been known to pull a variety of beads, wires, findings, and stones that will work very well together in a final design and then lose my focus. I know the design is there somewhere it’s just a matter of seeing through the options to the final design. Don’t be frustrated! Take the time you need to let your artistic vision come through.
#3: Let the beads speak to you
No matter how long you wait the beads won’t actually start talking. Rather, this tip reminds you that your shouldn’t be afraid to go big with your designs or to scale back. Sometimes working through all the options helps me find the right combination to make something unexpected.
#4: Keep looking at the puzzle until the answer comes to you
I view jewelry design as a puzzle, or as an equation, and sometimes it takes time to work through all the different options to find the right one. Don’t be afraid to set something aside for later. A fresh mindset or experience could be just what you need to make everything work together.
#5: If something doesn’t feel right, keep trying
I’ve had many instances where the design is missing something and I just keep adding and subtracting materials until I discover what is missing. Don’t quit in your pursuit of perfection; keep searching and know that it will come.
What other tips or tricks do you use to find your jewelry making inspiration? Share them in the notes below!