Quirky, but true

I've been getting feedback saying that people are interested in knowing more about me, how I design, what my processes are and where I get my inspirations. What - about me? I thought it was about the jewelry! But then when I think about designers I like, I do always love to read a little nugget that further paints the "artist picture" for me. It is nice to feel like you know a little bit about the artist ... after all that's one of the things that makes buying handmade more personal than mass produced items. So here goes a quirky little nugget ...

I can't design jewelry, with jewelry on. There - it's out there, I've said it! Yes, I must remove any jewelry I'm wearing if I'm seriously going to sit down and design a piece. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets - off, off, off. My wedding ring and watch don't seem to be a problem, I guess they're a little more like a part of me, because I wear them each and every day. I'm not sure exactly when this started, and for a while I wasn't even conscious that I was doing it! But one day after dropping the kids off at preschool, I sat down for a rare few hours in a row, free to work on several designs that had been floating around in my head. I just couldn't get comfortable. Things weren't aligning, colors weren't coordinating or complementing and I had to keep shifting around. I stood up frustrated, and after refilling my Diet Coke as I sat back down I noticed I began peeling off all of my jewelry. As soon as the last piece was carefully set aside ... "Ahh", the sigh of relief and I was a blank canvas to wholly be absorbed in whatever groove came over me to create from. I guess I feel whatever weight, texture or material I'm wearing effects my focus on the weight, textures and materials I'm working with in the next piece ... so I'm most comfortable when I'm not being influenced by anything directly.

Quirky - I know. I chose to share this particular piece of information because I noticed that the few people I had mentioned it to found it much more interesting than I expected and thought it was pretty funny! So for what it's worth, now everyone knows that I can't design with jewelry on! Thanks so much for stopping by today and don't forget to check the latest things in my Christmas in July sale at http://www.MyHappyThings.etsy.com!