Watercolor Rooster

Watercolor Rooster

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Inspiration

Inspiration. So many things inspire us day to day. Depending on what we do with our inspiration is unique to everyone. A little boy or girl with a very ill parent or sibling might be inspired to become a physician in later years. Another person might have been inspired to become an attorney and later a judge, after watching or reading To Kill A Mockingbird.
We can all be inspired in so many ways to do great things, small things, creative things or to just be extra caring to a loved one or even a stranger.
I find that when I'm inspired creatively it can be the oddest little item that pushes my mind in different directions. Or I can be inspired to create my own version of an item, having been inspired by the original. Not a copy per se, but my own version.  (1st photo, inspiration necklace)

Hence, my button necklace. I've posted the original "inspiration" piece. It isn't completely my style, because of the darker colors and dark chain, however I LOVE buttons, which is why I wanted to create my own button necklace after I saw it. 
I chose a longer chain, in a bright silver tone, wire in shiny silver and some in pale pink. The colors of the buttons are in pinks (my favorite color), mints, yellows, white and teal. One thing that makes this necklace different than my inspiration necklace, is that I included rose and heart charms, a few special beads and pieces I'd been saving for a special project. One of the special items is an acrylic heart bead I wore in the 80's with other hearts. Also, a small pink princess phone I made into a sort of bead with my drill and a thin bit. This little phone was found in a grab bag many years ago at a junk store and I've been saving it since! I think it is perfect on my button necklace.
 These two photos my version of a button necklace. Small phone on upper right of necklace.


I hope to make a bracelet soon, now that I've made a matching pair of earrings. I am looking forward to wearing this set at the big arts/crafts Christmas show coming up in November.

Being creative and obsessed WITH creating has it's up side and it's down side. The up? Heck, just making things and for me, selling them and knowing others like or love the items I have created/made/painted/sewed and put so much love into.
The down? Not having enough time in the world to make everything in my head or getting really close to making an idea a reality, only to not know the technical info. to finish it. (welding for example)

The last few years for me, have been like a creative freight train. I have been making item after item that is new and different and love them ALL. Only a few items I've made aren't moving on to be permanent sold items in my online store and that isn't because they aren't good or pretty or useful. A few items I have made aren't exactly like items that have been produced in massive quantities, but similar enough for me not to continue. Or there may be too many other vendors/crafters/artists making a similar item. While competition is fine and I have done well in the past, I'd rather my items be a tad more unique and special. I also avoid making items that someone else can make by purchasing a kit at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I won't sell an item that the parts were purchased to just "put together" and call it my own design.

I hope my button necklace inspires you in some way. Maybe to collect buttons or to make your own necklace, or to want to go to the beach because of the beachy colors of the buttons!

I also hope to see you soon at the Christmas Spectacular in Georgetown soon!

Have a creatively inspiring day!