February 2, 2010
It has been awhile since I have posted anything.
We have been extremely busy driving this semi up and down the road, and that usually means if you aren’t driving, you better be sleeping.
This means, to me, that the economy is picking up. Manufacturers are shipping more product. Which means, again to me, that people are buying again.
Lumber has really picked up. Must be lots of remodeling going on or, can we hope, new construction.
Because of our busy schedule this hasn’t left me much time for creating new and exciting pieces of jewelry out here. But, summer is coming, and that is really when I get to do my creating. I just love to get down into my studio, crank up the tunes, and let the metal show me where to go.
Also tagged create, creativity, economy, handcrafted, handcrafted jewelry, lumber, new construction, remodeling, truck driving, truckdriving, trucking –
October 26, 2009
I thought that I would post about where I get some of my design ideas.
If you have been following my posts, you know that I am a truckdriver by trade, metalsmith by heart. So, this means that I have my eyes constantly aware of my surroundings.
Yesterday, I saw the coolest graffiti on the side of a rail car. I am definitely going to be using this design. The other day, I was loading at a steel mill, and on the ground was the coolest shape of heavy wire. I am thinking that this shape would make a fantastic focal point of a bracelet. I am always looking at women on television and in magazines are wearing. This tells me what is going on in the fashion world.
I came up with one of my signature bracelets as a mistake. I was creating a chain necklace and didn’t like the shapes, but thought it would look fantastic for a bracelet.
Sometimes, I do wonder when I am creating a new design, had I seen this design, or something, before from some other metalsmith. I would never intentionally copy someone else’s designs, but I can’t obsess about if someone else had something similar or if someone is copying my designs.
Also tagged create, creativity, drawing, fashion, handcrafted, handcrafted jewelry, jewelry, magazines, rail car, television, train, truck driving, truckdriving, trucking –
September 20, 2009
It was inevitable, summer is over, and we are back to work. It is such a sad affair.
We are enroute to Channahon, IL, just south of Joliet, IL. It was an easy trip, and we definitely needed it to break in. Seems like some maintenance issues didn’t get resolved over the summer, and we had a few things to repair. But, we are running strong now.
I didn’t bring any jewelry making supplies in the truck for the initial trip. I am probably going to regret it. I did bring some knitting and some books, that I have been anxious to read. I guess, I just needed a break from creating earrings, bracelets, etc. I need to just clear the brain and get back to the basics of creation. Yesterday, going down the road, I thought of a couple of design ideas, so I am going to try to draw these ideas out, and hope that the creative juices will start flowing again.
March 9, 2009
It is much easier to macrame with cord than it is with wire. I have been practicing and practicing some macrame knots using wire for some new earring designs. A wonderful wire artist, Perri, has inspired me to explore all the possibilites with different knots to create unique jewelry. The wire is much harder to manipulate and I am still trying to get the proper dimensions. It sounds definitely easier than it really is. My fingers are feeling the pain with the twisting and pulling on the wire. I am so thankful for the inexpensive copper wire to practice with. Everytime, I think that I am ready to graduate to sterling silver wire, I look more closely at my work, and I am not ready for the graduation. No diploma for me yet. I hope that I can keep up with the patience and continue practicing. I am going to go onto something else for the time being, as I need to feel productive and finish a pair or earrings.
January 26, 2009
Well we are in Portland, OR reloading for Michigan. I am going to enjoy the warm while I can.
We took a friends dog back to her yesterday in Seattle. He is a huge rotweiler and very strong. I thought I would take him for a walk, when we got to Seattle, but he took me for a walk, or shall I say jog. Maybe that is what I need to lose some weight, a strong dog to jog with. It is a thought.
It was good to catch up with her, as we hadn’t seen each other since summer.
I am working on a design for some earrings. I know what I want them to look like, but getting it down on paper can be a struggle sometimes. I really have to be the worlds worst drawer. It seems I have trouble with even stick people. Maybe I should take a class this summer. My forging instructor said that everyone can draw, you just have to find it. Well, I definitely need to find it.
Here’s to a great sunny day!!!
