Learn to Use the Coiling Gizmo with Kerry Bogert
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Right Under My Nose
As the Holidays have wound down, and the kids have returned to school, I have been making a very very conscious effert to get my “creative fire” lit. To get the ideas flowing… to get back to “work”… and start making new things. Exciting huh? Not always. Often times, when the time is finally available to me to get done what needs gettin’ done, I don’t know what to do with myself!!
I had an AH HA! moment of sorts, though, while working through some new design ideas. I wanted to try to take the wild, colorful flowers I create for my mixed media art work and put them on the surface of a bead. I found it much easier said then done! But oh so worth the efforts. I was so happy with the results, it had me wondering … why didn’t I think of that before? The inspiration was right there, under my nose/in front of my face, this whole time and I never noticed it.
Is there a chance you’re missing something right in front of you that could be driving you to new ideas and designs? Please share!
Kerry Bogert is blogging and creating glass beads from her home studio in Western NY. You can see more of her work at www.kabsconcepts.com and catch up with her daily at her blog www.kabsconcepts.blogspot.com.
Using Design Instinct
Remember way back in August when I was so excited to be making felted wool beads? I kept promissing I would share what I actually ended up making with the beads. It took me a long, long time to find the ‘thing’ that would make these beads all me.
For the past 4-ish years, wire has always been my medium of choice for creating jewelry. (Yeah, I bet you already knew that. I even wrote a book about wire! ) But seriously, for about 3 months, I had no idea how to make my wire work with the wool. Until this piece. It is called “Winds Day”. Yes, like the Winnie the Pooh cartoon. When I sat down to string this necklace, I had intended to thread my needle right threw the center of those sterling wire coils, but just as I was about to push the needle in, I turned the bead a bit and the swirls of wire took center stage on the wool. I love it.
I can’t put my finger on what exactly made me do that little quarter turn. I think may have something to do with design instinct. I do try to follow my gut with jewelry making. I never make what I think with sell, only what I am truly inspired to create. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Either way… it is always a colorful ride!
So, how do you design? Do you go with your gut?
Kerry Bogert is blogging and creating glass beads from her home studio in Western NY. You can see more of her work at www.kabsconcepts.com and catch up with her daily at her blog www.kabsconcepts.blogspot.com.