As a regular feature in my blog, in keeping with the core of what "inside the artisan" is all about, namely where I tell the stories behind my creations, I'm going to start posting about how I find my inspiration to create my pieces and also name them. Sometimes the idea for the piece comes first and sometimes the name comes first. It may well be that I end up not making the piece - or maybe I will one day, months later...... but I will explain how an idea comes to me - and then maybe you can use a similar process for your own creativity - whether it be in art or craft or whatever......
So as I write this - I don't have any idea in my head at all....so if I want to come up with a new idea - (something
unique so that it follows my
word of the year, from yesterday's posting :-D!), I'd begin by thinking about what I have done, said, heard, and seen today.....and noting anything that sticks in my mind.....
My day started with a man coming to our home to measure up and look at the feasibility of us converting two of our fireplaces into gas fireplaces....General chat - although occasionally the guy would just stop talking, right in the middle of a sentence, and look out of the window - and then comment on how many Jack Rabbits he had seen hopping through the vineyard.....He did this a few times...
Then I went to a board meeting and lunch for the Sonoma Newcomers group and during lunch we spoke of movies and the such.... When I got home my husband wasn't in, but shortly after, he came home and told me he'd been to a card shop and saw two funny cards - one of people in a restaurant and one of rabbits with big ears.....And now here I am, sitting at my computer...
So as I'm writing this blog, I wrote as a stream of consciousness - just writing what came into my head - just those couple of paragraphs. If I wasn't writing it down, I would just replay it in my mind.... just think back on my day and see what comes about.......
Immediately as I've finished my "review", the rabbits stick out, as rabbits came up a few times today........and I think of large ears - as our Jack Rabbits have enormous ears....and then moving to the board meeting..... the movie I was recommending to everyone over lunch was "The Reader" which I absolutely loved.....
And voila! How about creating a rabbit piece with really big ears and calling it "The Listener"??
The next phase is to check that it would fit in with the themes of my jewelry creations...... I've recently changed my themes of jewelry so the categories are that the jewelry evokes one of the following feelings: Playful; Happy; Loved; Comforted; Young at heart; Homey; and Serene. So would a rabbit of some sort with big ears who is a great listener fit into any of these? Yes - I can see him fitting into "comforted" - we all know the great feeling when someone really listens to us, and he could also fit into playful or happy. He has a touch of whimsy - big ears suggesting he's an excellent listener........and so now I'd just go forward and think should this be a necklace, charm, earrings or what and then look at the structural design elements that are necessary for hanging etc etc .
So - "The Listener." I'll now write down this idea in my little book and maybe one day.....watch this space - he may put in an appearance .....
In comparison to "The Listener", here's a photo of a rabbit we saw in Washington state. I don't think he'd be a good listener! Whatever happened to his ears????
Now as I'm thinking about Jack Rabbit....other thoughts are also coming into my head, like Jack in the box and maybe I could do a rabbit like a jack in a box - but the rabbit is coming out of a top hat - like a magician's rabbit....the rabbit could sit on a spring....the top could be a magician's glove with a hinge and when you open it....out pops the rabbit....... Definitely playful...so that will also go in my little ideas book.....
If you are a creator, try the above technique and then email me and tell me your story - I'd love to share it here on my blog.
My definite favorite was The Reader. Highly Recommend it. Kenny was actually a really different movie - odd subject and just amusing. If you want something different, try Kenny - but don't blame me if you don't like it!!
My favorite was Prisoner of Birth. I listened to it as a audio book while I was driving to and from the city and got so excited in parts I had to switch it off and concentrate on driving instead! Jeffrey Archer is just a wonderful story teller. If you haven't read any of his - give them a go. Last month I tried "Not a penny more, not a penny less" which I loved, but this one was even better. And I'll read another one of his next month - just gripping stories. Good easy reads that really engage you.....
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