At the beginning of December I had a day booked to be in the metalsmithing studio. I didn’t want to go. It was the day after a holiday show, in the midst of a season that wasn’t going well at all.
I was about to cancel when I received an order for a pair of earrings that I had had in stock, but had just sold the day before at another show. (I think it was, in fact, the one piece of jewelry I sold all that day at that particular show. Figures, right?) It was a style of earring that I could not make at home so grudgingly I realized I had to go to the studio, even though I really didn’t want to be there. I had nothing else to make — no new designs, and no other pieces I couldn’t make at home.
I was grumpy an annoyed. Even though I normally love being at the studio, I wasn’t in the mood.
Then the day before, an idea came to me. I am currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear [affiliate link], and she talks about how creative ideas as if they are these little creatures looking for the right person to inhabit. (She describes it much more eloquently than I and without making it sound like it’s a parasite. It’s a great book and everyone should read it.) It was strange how one moment I didn’t want to be in the studio and then suddenly this new design just popped into my head and suddenly I could not wait to go to the studio. The best part was it utilized a supply I had purchased in error — twice! — that I unfortunately could not return.
Perhaps that mistake was subconsciously intentional? Who knows! All I know is on Saturday I had an idea, Sunday morning I went into the metalsmithing studio with raw materials and left that afternoon with a finished necklace, the prototype for a new line of jewelry I am working on this year. (I almost never leave the studio with a new product that I just started that day.)
This past Saturday I went into the studio and made two more of these necklaces, with a new idea for another necklace that had popped into my mind the day before. I did not have time to start it, as these necklaces are quite labor intensive. To make them I have to saw wire into smaller pieces, solder each one into a circular shape (though in reality they look more like lumpy D’s at this point), throw them in a bath of acid for five minutes, shape them with a mandrel, clean them up a bit with a file, hammer them, resaw half of them open, loop them together, resolder the open ones, back into the bath of acid, tumble them, and attach the chain.
If that isn’t a labor of love, then I’m not sure what is!
(But seriously, I am having so much fun making these necklaced.)
After my frustrations with the end of last year’s season, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be excited to making jewelry. I am reminded that when inspiration hits — or, as Elizabeth Gilbert describes, “When an idea thinks it has found somebody” — to run with it. You may surprise yourself and be completely rejuvenated and reminded why you do what you do.
What do you do when inspiration hits you
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I have had these moments with both my writing and designing, but love when inspiration does hit, because then I am a woman possessed to do all I can to let my creative juices flow. So totally get it 😉
Yes! I know you get it, Janine 🙂
I have that book on my ‘must read’ list so I am glad you enjoyed it! I love that necklace btw.. you are really so talented!
Such a great book, I plan on buying it.
And thank you so much, Lauren!
I am in LOVE with that necklace you are wearing. I love that it makes a statement while still being more on the delicate side. Beautiful lady! You are so talented.
Thanks so much, Joanna! That is definitely the look I’m going for!
Funny because I was JUST reading your comment on my blog post about “Big Magic” and I replied to tell you I want to read it. Badly.
I love the necklace.
I was having trouble before a photoshoot yesterday. Sometimes I feel like I only have a bit of magic to do photos, and what if I’ve used it all up? Mostly it works out just fine, but I was nervous.
I actually thought of you when I was reading it. It’s totally up your alley and I think you will fall in love with it. And she lives in Jersey!
I’d like to think the magic is always there, sometimes it’s just stronger than others.
I want “that” parasite. 🙂 I have heard wonderful things about “Big Magic”, I must read this book ASAP! I was getting in my own head this weekend, but decided to let go of the negative and just be… flourish 🙂
XOXO
p.s. I love your necklace.
Yes, you definitely should read it, I think you will love it. I’m glad you were able to flourish!
These necklaces are beautiful. There is something about HAVING to be creative that feels really arduous but I love your take on it <3
Yes I hear you. You definitely can’t force the creativity but learn to work with it, especially when the feelings are strongest.
And thank you so much! 🙂