As an artist I can get quite messy with components spread across my work bench as I try to create a design that I see in my head. Finding that all important component or detail, can be quite the driving force. This energy for me is used, to perfect my craft and therefore the design. Someone asked me today how did you even think of that design? We were talking about the Julleen Pearled Egg. This isn’t the first time I have been asked this but the answer is, at some point I have been shown something that inspires me. It can be anything. A Fried Egg perhaps?
At one time I just couldn't source any Mabe Bezel Pearls, (see left pic below). I found this so frustrating and so here is a prime example how "necessity can turn into invention" and can help an artist create! Going back to the egg, I must have fried thousands of eggs in my life time but I can't recollect that it was a trigger, it was just that I saw my new design in my head one day, which pushed me to mount a Mabe Pearl into a Sterling Silver base which seemingly looked like a fried egg. I began drawing my Julleen jewelled egg and from there more detail was required to make it stand out from the crowd.(there's that 2018 term again) I wanted a hand beaten base and made a variegated bail to support the pendant and then I easily created the matching earring. It's over a decade later and someone today fell completely in love with my pearled Mabe Egg design all over again. This isn't then end - oh no! After my designer pendants were produced by my wonderful silver smiths, I then had to set them onto a necklace. Building a pearl and gemstone necklace around the Pendant is the next step in the overall creation and then choosing what components to be placed where, along the neckline. Choosing the long spacers so the neck looks slimmer is another detail that is often forgotten and getting the balance just "so-so" and then deciding on the right clasp, is all part of the designer process. Much thought and many details can make something very special.
It's all in the details folks and those details will pay off in the end.It may take people a while to catch up but if you make something creative and unique someone at some stage will recognise your hard work and passion.
