I admit it, I've never written a blog before. And I admit it, I don't even know where to begin, so I'm just going to start typing and see what happens.I've been pondering this for a few weeks now...how do I write about a piece I've created? What do I talk about? Well, I suppose I can start with the basics...I love green. I love brown. I love mixing metals. I love asymmetry, contrasting textures, and bringing a diverse selection of components and segments together into one, unified piece. I love long necklaces that I can layer up with shorter necklaces. I think all of that comes through emphatically with "This and That."
I can also talk about my inspiration for this piece. This is where things get a little funny for me. The thing is, when I design a piece like "This and That," it just "happens". I don't plan, I don't sketch. I just sit down with the ideal artist's palette...a pile of beads, some bits and pieces of chain and cording, maybe some wire, and tools. Then I just go. I find that if I spend too much time actually thinking through a project, it stymies my creative process. So, as a rule, I prefer to "do," not "think." And that's exactly what I did with "This and That."
My hope for this project is that it will inspire others to let themselves go, to NOT think through a piece, and just move forward with it as the piece dictates.
And, interestingly enough, that's what just happened with this blog.
~Amy
It's lovely so your approach is definitly working for you!!!I really love all the textures this necklace has. And the colors-so wonderful. When I saw this piece I thought of a quiet, sparkling, rippling mountain stream:)Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely one of my favorite pieces in this issue! So earthy, and perfect for the season!
ReplyDeleteExcellent job on writing the blog post :) This piece is gorgeous!! I love the mix of elements!
ReplyDeleteAimée
just got this mag..
ReplyDeletebeautiful necklace
I love all these things that Amy loves... brown and green, mixing metals, beads, leather, assymetry... your jewelry looks very "natural" and stones at the pictures confirm this feeling.
ReplyDeletelubaska dot k at gmail dot com
Love your "just go" style! Very modern and fresh! Congratulations on being showcased in Stringing!
ReplyDeleteLove all the earth tones!
ReplyDelete~Molly P
Agreed! You should definitely consider blogging more Amy. You are a natural! I was instantly attracted to this piece in the issue. I have a line of necklaces that I call "This and That" becuase you can wear them 'this way' and 'that way'. And your method and taste is similar to mine. Sitting down at the bead board and letting it flow organically is the only way for me to design. I wish I could sketch and plan, but I have to be in the moment for the creative juices to kick in. Thanks for sharing your inspiration. I am a new follower, so I hope you will continue writing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the day!
Erin
So delish! Your blog is great and so is your project!
ReplyDeleteBTW Amy I forgot to tell you that I am already a huge fan of yours and I am currently working on my version of "Floral Wreaths" I will hopefully have it done next week. I will let you know if when it is done if you would like.
ReplyDeleteOops This is the first comment I wrote (for some reason I didn't post it the first time:
ReplyDeleteI love the versatility of this necklace! It is stunning!! Please keep blogging!
A bold mixture of elements! And it works! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful necklace - very organic and earthy (all good things). I think your approach is the right approach, especially with these results!
ReplyDeletelove the organic quality of this piece. I also love green, brown, mixed metal and asymmetry, so this piece is totally my style.
ReplyDeleteErin S
Lovely necklace. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes it's easy to think too much instead of just doing it. For various reasons. Regardless of how one approach a new project, I think it's useful to vary between different approaches to find new angles as well as new creative energy. And to find one or several ways of working that suits oneself.
I'm a follower of that same style. I call it "beading by the seat of my pants" ;-) It's obviously working very well for you - what a great combination of elements in this necklace!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design! Keep on blogging on!
ReplyDeleteStunning piece! One of the pieces that I dog eared for inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteWow - awesome. Love the design.
ReplyDeleteAmy, Congratulations. Your work is amazing and I love that you allow it to happen on it's own. I do that too, I just don't think it would work out if I tried to plan it. Amazingly beautiful!
ReplyDelete"This and That" - I really like this one. I like the mixture of chains, beads, and everything! I'm kind of an eclectic person myself, so this really appeals to me. I like what you said about going where the piece dictates. I tell my customers that the components will "talk" to them.
ReplyDeleteYou're a natural! :) My fave part about the piece...just do, don't think. I spend so much of my time at a desk job managing people and things and trying to think before doing that it feels sooooo awesome to love up on a pile of beads with no limits!! Welcome!
ReplyDeleteI design the same way Amy! I have a general idea where I am going then just go!
ReplyDeleteNatural, earthy, inspirational... congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSo when did you say you were mailing this out to me?! lol. Its just Ravishing! I think your necklace was one of my most faves in the whole magazine! So Devine.
ReplyDeleteAmy, Congratulations and continued success. It's a great piece. 'love your classes at Artful Beads.
ReplyDeleteChris White
I love the mix of coppery, brassy beads with the greens. Beautimous.
ReplyDeleteI can't resist sketching designs, even knowing that some of my best designs just seem to come out of nowhere, with no thinking or planning. I should follow your lead more often!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the Stringing blog carnival!
such a beautiful, earthy design, love it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about each designer's thought process and how different each approach is. Yours is definitely working for you!
ReplyDeleteLetting yourself go, creativly speaking, seems to be a success. Your work is beautiful, and so is your blog!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have a creative path you walk. Thanks for sharing your "Artist's Way" with us and for sharing your beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteitmelodie@yahoo.com
Ooooohhhh!! I like your suggestion to NOT THINK. What a great idea. I think that's when my best designs come to me as well, when I'm going on pure instinct rather than a plan. It's the stuff I dream and spontaneously see in my head that comes out the best rather than the ones that I 'plan' for.
ReplyDeleteBoth your necklace and your first blog post have turned out great!! Keep up the blog writing, I'd love to hear more! :D
Love it! Until I started reading the blogs in this hop, I always thought that I was doing it wrong as I just like to grab and go. Thanks for permission to do it that way.
ReplyDelete