As 2018 opens, I'm feeling reflective. I have a lot of new ideas waiting to be born, and though it's good to have the work table and sketch books feeling bountiful, I also believe in looking back occasionally, because I think that what we create manifests so often from who we are. And who we are is that glorious composite of our roots, our experiences, our history.
There have been so many changes, since I began making and selling jewelry. That was way back in the early 1990s, when I discovered beads and wire. Good thing, too, because the nineties were mostly minimalist and I am many things, but one term "no one ever" would use to describe me is "minmalist".
So the beads, with their wonderfully diverse colors and shapes, and textures, were my go-to when the clothing of the decade was mostly stripped, of both color and embellishment. Blacks, grays, and neutrals ruled the clothing racks. Jewelry was tiny, delicate, nearly invisible. Y necklaces ruled, for some time. Chokers were a "thing". But overall, jewelry itself was not a thing. Except for me. Colorful bead strands and bangle bracelets and silver rings, where I could find them. Silver was finally overtaking years of gold being the dominant metal!
There have been so many changes, since I began making and selling jewelry. That was way back in the early 1990s, when I discovered beads and wire. Good thing, too, because the nineties were mostly minimalist and I am many things, but one term "no one ever" would use to describe me is "minmalist".
About as "minimalist" as I got during the decade. Purchased from Nordstrom in the mid- to late-nineties. One of the few non-silver items I own. but it was *that* blue that (literally) sold me.
So the beads, with their wonderfully diverse colors and shapes, and textures, were my go-to when the clothing of the decade was mostly stripped, of both color and embellishment. Blacks, grays, and neutrals ruled the clothing racks. Jewelry was tiny, delicate, nearly invisible. Y necklaces ruled, for some time. Chokers were a "thing". But overall, jewelry itself was not a thing. Except for me. Colorful bead strands and bangle bracelets and silver rings, where I could find them. Silver was finally overtaking years of gold being the dominant metal!
The kind of thing I made myself during those minimalist years. A Y necklace, yes. But tiny and subtle? Not on your life. :)
But minimalist or not, beads or cabochons, the one thing that has always informed my own choices (and in everything, not just in adornment) is color. I can't remember a time when I was not drawn to rich, saturated, exuberant color! Why live in monochrome when the whole world is bursting with luscious violet, sumptuous teal, bold and make-your-heart-beat-faster red!
Of course, I find that the love of sumptuous color informs my designs consistently throughout the years. What used to be in the form of beads, now appears in the gorgeous cabochons it's my pleasure to play with and design around. I don't know if it's partly from growing up in the Southwest, where the sunsets are absolutely amazing color blazes, or the turquoise and coral and lapis and other gems that I regularly saw in Native American work and elsewhere, but whatever it is, it's in my soul.
And I think it's always been there. I can remember as far back as fifth grade, when I would have been nine. My best friend and I got the same hoodie sweater for Christmas. Mine was white, while hers was red. A beautiful, deep, audacious red. And I remember wishing that mine was that color, too. Red just seemed so much more exciting than white! And it still does. :)
Hoping this year finds you at peace and with many great and colorful adventures ahead!
All the best,
Jill
