Finding Bliss

Finding Bliss, originally uploaded by NymphDuPave.

I had been wanting to make a spiritual piece for a while, but it was just so overwhelming looking at all the beads I had and wanting to just... well, make EVERYTHING.

So, I sat down with my moleskine sketch journal (where I come up with product ideas) and I wrote down everything I wanted to portray with the piece of jewelry. Among other things was protection, a reminder to be present and also one to Embrace your life and the people within it. Look here for the full description.

It's one of my better pieces, that's for sure.

Bad drawing but it feels good to be designing again.

Bad drawing but it feels good, originally uploaded by NymphDuPave.

Once I have most of the design down for this particular piece I'll start work on it. I don't wait until I have every detail out, nor do I stick strictly to what I've drawn. I like the organic shift between what you've pieced together in concept and what you're putting together in hand.

This was just a REALLY rough, quick start to sketching it out but I felt like posting part of the process that I go through. When I have the final piece together I'll post what the design looked like and what the piece ended up as.

I get my ideas from all over (movies, celebrities, neighbors, household items, other jewelry) and then I run to my little self-customized reporter moleskine and I start working on the design.

Keep a Journal of Ideas

Something I have learned is to keep a small journal, easy to write in that fits anywhere when it comes to my jewelry. I prefer a Moleskine reporter with plain paper (not ruled because I do sketches). They also have pockets in the back which is great for delivery confirmation receipts or the receipts for beads or items purchased for making jewelry. The elastic band keeps them closed even with extra stuff inside and the tough exterior of the Moleskine keeps your work protected.

Keep a good, water-proof, feather-proof pen with reliable ink and a strong cap with this journal. I like Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pens because they've never feathered, leaked or dried out on me and you can buy them individually. I prefer the smallest sized nib for the detailed work I do. But even a Bic ballpoint will do.

This journal should be completely portable and you might want to keep it in a ziplock bag. The LAST thing you want is all your ideas and inspiration to stained or ruined because of food, coffee, soda or rain.