Comments on: Ideas..

By: Connie Burns

Connie Burns — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 03:51:36 +0000

I keep most of my ideas on my Pinterest boards. I’m always pinning ideas and images. My mind also races constantly with possibilities. I have to limit myself to things I can actually do!! I also have asked strangers (usually customers) if I can take a picture of something they are wearing on my phone. Generally, what I end up creating looks nothing like the original, but something about it sparked a thought in me, and I’m off!!

I have tried keeping a notebook, but, like keeping my table clean, it just seems beyond me!

By: Jeanne Lyons

Jeanne Lyons — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:38:36 +0000

I started out using a notebook but I didn’t like the disorganization of it. I could never find what I was looking for. I thought about a book for each category, necklaces, pendants, bracelets… but that would be too cumbersome unless I was at home. SO…
I got a simple drawing program called Paper 53 for my I pad. It allows me to sketch (in color if I want), add notes and organize my drawing in “books”… necklace ideas, pendant ideas, etc. If I don’t have my I pad with me I sketch in a notebook and transfer it there at a later time. I’m still learning the ins and outs of the program but at least I have most of my design ideas organized in one place.

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 01:58:13 +0000

I sketch on paper and on my tablet, so I have a digital copy of my designs, then, when I want to make something I look back at my sketches and make the one that catches my eye.

By: Cheryl Feyen

Cheryl Feyen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:47:09 +0000

I’ve never been a journal or “sketching” person, mainly because I can barely draw stick figures until I took a Jewelry and Metalsmithing class at my local junior college last year. Part of our assignments was to sketch out several designs at the beginning and figure how all the parts would work together. Metalsmithing is more complicated than the stringing I was doing before and I found that drawing it out (as primitive as my drawing is) really helped with the technical aspects of figuring the piece out.

I do have to admit that as I was making the piece I would trace the components into my journal as well so that my final ‘sketch’ and my final ‘design’ were fairly similar.

I also have a folder on my computer where I place all sorts of ideas for design inspiration, sometimes it is just a photo, or a tutorial from here or another website saved as a pdf. I rip pictures from magazines and scan them in as well so I have a folder full of 100’s of ideas that I cans scan through when I am at a loss for inspiration.

By: Anne Mulligan

Anne Mulligan — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:30:51 +0000

I love that the earrings in the set have different charms from the pendant, so it’s not so matchy-matchy.

By: Lisa Yang

Lisa Yang — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:39:13 +0000

I keep a notebook too. I write in it all day long, almost everyday – I clip pictures and I also write up all of my projects too. I hate when I made something once and then I forget how much wire it took or what size beads. It takes a little bit more time to write it down, but it is worth it. The other thing I do is I try to learn a new technique and stay with it for a period of time. That way my mind stays focused and I really learn and remember that technique.
Besides a written journal, I use my blog to keep myself on track. I try to post weekly examples of what I’ve been working on. My jewelry journals date back to 2005. My blog started this year, but I think the blog is super useful because of the pictures. I may start adding some of my sketches to my blog in the future. It would be fun to see what I was ‘thinking’ of making and what I actually made.
Patricia – I really like the examples you posted. Keep up the nice work.

By: Sheila Davis

Sheila Davis — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:33:47 +0000

That was my first thought too Rena, a sketchbook is invaluable for jewelry making. You might try keeping an idea book too with jewelry inspirations from magazines, not just bead magazines too. Take pictures with your phone when you’re someplace and see something that inspires you. You can always transfer the idea to your sketchbook. Good luck and have fun!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:34:21 +0000

I find that it helps for me to sketch out some of my design ideas – especially if I won’t be able to work on them right away. Sketching it out also helps me figure out how the piece will come together, and how all the components will work with each other.

Why not designate a special notebook for your jewelry design ideas – a combination of sketches and words that help you develop and remember your great inspirations!

I especially like your ocean-themed washer and charm necklace – a great summer style.

Keep on creating, Patricia – and we hope to see more of your work!

Also, kudos to your hubby for being so supportive of your jewelry, especially while you were immobile.