Necessity is the Mother of Invention

     I recently started reading Twyla Tharpe's book " The Creative Habit".  It explores the challenge of making creativity a habit and getting through "writer's blocks" and other such difficulties.  I have only just begun it so I still have a long way to go.  At the beginning of chapter 3, there is a questionnaire called "your creative autobiography" which asks you to explore your creative history in order to understand your "creative DNA" (I'm not going to explain this, just read the book).  Anyway, the first question is "What is the first creative moment you remember?"  This was a very hard question for me to answer for I have to go way to my childhood, before I even thought of myself as a creative person (that has only been very recent).  The moment I came back to had to do with my Breyer model horse collection.  Being a horse crazy kid, I had a healthy collection of them that I loved to play with.  One day when I was in the toy store with my mother, I saw the great barn set, complete with tack, fences, jumps, and probably anything else you could possibly think of.  Basically, it was a deluxe doll house for toy horses.  Of, course I pointed it out to my mother for a possible gift. Never got it.  I pointed it out to my grandmother. Never got it (and you know if grandma didn't get it for you, nobody would).  I don't know why nobody bought it for me.  Perhaps it was tremendously expensive or looked poorly made to my mother, but whatever the reason, I am thankful that nobody purchased it for me.  If they had I would never have spent an entire rainy Sunday afternoon constructing a barn and fences for my horses out of cardboard boxes, and saddles and bridles out of cloth and elastic from my mother's sewing stash.  This was the first time I remember creating something without help, directions, a kit, or any other guidance of that sort.  I simply created what I so desired out of the resources I had available to me.
     This is how it sometimes goes with the creative process.  Often the desire for something very specific sparks the fire of innovation.  I know many people who have gotten into beaded jewelry making because they wanted a certain color or style of necklace to wear with a special outfit.  So it went with some of the belly dance accessories I have created recently.  The first tribal fusion headdress I made came out of a need for something to go with certain costume pieces.  I have since made two costume bra tops, and many hair accessories.  Some very special pieces I have sold to other dancers and have enjoyed watching them perform with something beautiful that I created.  This last piece I made is also for sale, and I'm sure it will look fabulous on the lucky dancer.  It was made with love out of up-cycled jewelry pieces and vintage ribbon and lace.  As I continue to become more involved with the dancing, I'm sure I will have many other creations to add to my collection of belly dance costume accessories.  Stay tuned!

Finding your Own Petite Trianon

     I was very blessed to have the opportunity to take a brief trip to Paris, France just last week.  It still remains my favorite city.  Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the splendid Palace of Versailles.  What was most interesting about this visit was the opportunity to visit Marie Antionette's Petite Trianon, which was completely closed the first time I was in Paris.  This small palace was given to her by her husband Louis XVI as her own personal retreat from palace life.  This building was still quite grand and not at all "petite" by our regular living standards but compared to the main palace one can understand the name. On the grounds and gardens behinds this little palace, lay the remains of what looked like a little peasant village, which was in fact, a regular working farm that she like to stay at to escape life at Versailles.  It is endlessly amusing that one could live in a palace with all the adorable shoes, fancy clothes, and grand meals you could possibly desire and still need such an escape.  On the other hand, I get it completely.  We all get busy and overwhelmed with our lives and need to escape and simplify.  Life at Versailles, as grand as it was, must have been very overwhelming at times.  I think I would want to escape it sometimes too.  One thing that I always notice when I travel to Europe is is how much simpler they all seem to live.  They just don't seem to fill their lives with as much extra"stuff" as we do here in the states.
     This bracelet has nothing to do with Marie Antionette or Paris, but I created it as a reminder to find quiet and peace in life.  One does not need a little palace, or a house in the Poconos to find your own Petite Trianon.  Finding and making time to do things you enjoy is important,and shouldn't always be put last on the priority list of life.  Make time in life to read a book, tend a garden, learn something you always wanted to learn, take walks, or just take a moment out of your day to write in a journal.  Do this and you will feel rich enough.  This bracelet is a mix of two of my favorite techniques, metal etching and resin.  The collage at the center made out of a discarded watch back.  The etchings on the copper piece were made with my favorite collage stamp.  It is my hope that any future owner of this bracelet be reminded to slow down, and not get too overwhelmed by the loudness of our lives.

Confessions of a Reformed Scrooge

        Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time for the frantic to-do lists, retail frenzy, and endless errands.  I admit that until recently, I really got bogged down with all the Christmas hoopla.  I didn't enjoy walking into every store to be blasted by Christmas music and prepackaged gift boxes featuring combinations of jewelry, perfume, and earmuffs.  It all just seemed so excessive.  Nor, I admit, did I like just buying gift cards for everyone, because what is the point of that?  Why don't we all just keep our money?   I am the first to admit that I was a scrooge, and my dear husband was very good to put up with my complaining through the holiday season.  I am proud to say I've gotten over my scroogeness by following these simple rules:1. buy from local stores and artisans as much as you can, 2. let yourself of the hook, and 3. don't worry so much.   I've found that by following these three simple rules, I enjoy the season a great deal more.  When you purchase something from small local businesses and artists, you are really giving two gifts.  You are giving something to recipient as well as the person or business you are buying it from.  Your purchase at a small local store this season may have helped them pay that extra bill that needed to be paid to stay in business.  When you go to a craft show and make a big purchase from an artist, you may have made their day and helped them to stay in business and continue to do what they love.  Sure, the big box stores need your business ( and they always manage to get at least some of mine), but it is the local stores that really need your support this season.  So this season please support us struggling artists and shop owners who rely on the season for your support.  Oh, and about the other two rules....the world will not end if you don't make award-winning cookies and send out Christmas cards.  Just try not doing it one year and see what happens.  Just relax, let yourself off the hook and don't worry so much.  And here is my shameless plug:  I have many unique jewelry designs still available if you would like to stop by and check them out.  Also, I have many designs for sale at Creative Genius Art Gallery in Medford, NJ, so stop by and check them out when you are shopping in downtown Medford ( which you really should be this holiday season).  Online, non-local people, there is still time to ship for Christmas, so check out my etsy shop, facebook page, and blog and find that perfect gift for that unique person in your life ( even if that person is you).  Happy Holidays!

Quieting your inner critic

     So, I meant to write this post at the beginning of the month but life and time slipped away from me with  the craft fair season in full swing.  My big news of October is that I was published in the Autumn edition of Jewelry Affaire magazine, available on newstands now!  I distinctly remember when I mailed this piece in, my ever-present inner critic was trying to convince me that my work was not good enough.  I buy this magazine on a regular basis and am always in awe of other peoples creations.  I very much am my own worst critic.  Luckily, another louder voice asked me "what's the worst that could happen?" (just to clarify: people who hear voices in their head are not necessarily crazy).  When I thought about the answer to that question I realized that the excitement of being published would  be well worth the risk of a little rejection.  But fear of rejection and failure can be a powerful thing and can keep us from reaching our potential.  It is actually very fitting that I write this blog now, as my inner critic has been particularly beastly as of late.  We all know who he/she is.  It is that part of yourself that constantly compares yourself to others and tells you you are not good enough.  Silencing that voice can help you take the chances, and look at  failure and rejection as learning experiences.  Yes, it's no fun when you spend a lot of time working on a new technique and the result is less than satifactory. But, perhaps the next time you try it, you will have discovered (from your failure) hints that will help the next time you try it.  Most everyone has these inner battles at some point, not just artists.  I think the key to moving forward is to learning to not let that inner critic have too much control, and to ask yourself next time you are faced with a challenge "what's the worst that could happen?"

Heartache

     I've noticed over the years that I am a pretty optimistic, upbeat person, and it shows in the designs I create.  Themes of love, joy, bliss, and dreams find their way through pictures and words into the jewelry that I love to create.  In general, I have a pretty "glass is half full" kind of attituds towards life.  I used this picture in this watchface pendant and the woman is the photo looked anything but joyful and full of love.  She looked heartbroken.  So I chose the word "heartache" to accent this image.  The birds in the pin reminded me of mourning doves, which, although they can be symbols of great joy, their very name provokes feelings of sorrow.  So why would anyone want to wear such a depressing necklace?  Because through dealing with heartache and disappointment comes great strength.  I am a big fan of the book "The Self-Esteem Trap" by Polly Young-Eisendrath, which, if you haven't read, you definately should.  In this book she describes how this generation of over-protective parents have become so concerned with sheltering their children from any adversity that we are raising a generation of children ill-equiped to handle the setbacks of life.  Everybody needs to have go through some heartache, whether the reason is from love, loss, or any other disappointments from life.  It is in dealing with life's setbacks that we find our inner strength, and learn how to cope.  So I say, that this is a necklace to wear to remind ourselves that our spirit will give us strength to deal with life's challenges.  After all, the glass is always half-full.

In Defense of the Corset

    

     I recently fell in love and purchased this charming little rubber stamp image of the a corset to add to my vast collection of stamps.  I have been fascinated recently with the recent popularity of corset styles in the some of the new steampunk, burlesque, and fusion bellydance costuming, as well as mainstream fashion.  In one way, in struck me as slightly ironic that we've taken to wearing what I'd always previously believed to be a symbol of female repression and turned it into an empowering image of female beauty.  In reality, the requirement to wear a tight corset each day of a woman's life caused fainting and in extreme cases led to bone structure deformities.  Imagine having to wake up each day and lace something so tight around your mid-section so tight that you could barely breath all day, everyday.  No thank you!  Corsets have been around for some time as an undergarment and dribbled out of popularity with the invention of fabrics such as lycra (hello, Spanx!), and the need to use our metal more wisely (war).  So in a way, we are still wearing forms of corsets in our underclothes every time we wear a push-up bra, tummy control girdle, or control top pantyhose.  Now that we are safely away from the era of required tight corset wearing, we are free to wear these undergarments on the outside, dress them up with all manner of silk and in every color and style you can imagine.  So I will continue to make new designs with my fun corset stamp and celebrate the fact that I can wear a fun, pretty corset, if I want to...because let's face it, they do look pretty awesome.

     The centerpiece of this bracelet is a tiny gem size tintype.  Tintypes are photos printed on pieces of metal and were  popular in the victorian era, when corsets were also popular.  The lady in this photo, was very likely wearing one herself (although it is a small picture and hard to tell).  The two copper pieces on the side are etched metal images of corsets.  I'm already very attached to this one so I don't know if I will sell it (or make myself another similar!).

Style vs. Fashion

     Here is today's confession:  I am not a fashionista.  Don't get me wrong, I love fashion.  I subscribe to InStyle and my favorite TV addiction is Project Runway.  I love to observe the way the trends ebb and flow, I just choose not to partake in 97.7% of these passing trends.  One day it's pleats, the next month everything is jewel tone.  It is very easy for women in today's culture to get totally confused and feel like they constantly need to "update" their wardrobe.  I am also different from many woman in that most women shop for jewelry to match their clothes, while I shop for clothes to match my jewelry.  Imagine how thrilled I was to observe that all of a sudden, lace is in style!  Lace dresses, lace shirts, lace skirts, lace tank tops.  So, I had to take advantage of this very passing trend to stock up on some fun clothes to match the jewelry that I make.  I will continue to wear my lacey clothes long after the trend dies down and everyone is wearing tiger stripes, or whatever else happens to be in style at the moment (and really, does lace ever go out of style?).  When you stay true to what you truly love, you will never be out of style.  You may be out of fashion, but you will always have your own style that is unique to you.  So don't be afraid to buck the trends and go for what you really like.  It is perfectly OK to be the only one in town who doesn't own a pair of UGG boots.