Contemplation


I'm not a beader lately. I'm not a blogger lately either.
I'm a thinker.
Contemplating the "why's" of what I'm doing. Is it worth it? Am I making a difference?
Do I give too much of myself? Am I staying true to myself? Do I inspire? Do I inspire TOO much? Am I inspired too much? Am I still unique? Was I ever "unique"? Am I reinventing the wheel? Who invented this wheel? Is everyone making this? Is everyone selling this? Do I have a "style"? Do I have "what it takes"? What are people taking from me? Are they taking too much? DO I HAVE A VOICE? Do I have my own voice??
How can I make this my own? How can I get it to look new, exciting, unique, like ME?
What if someone does the same thing? What if someone's looks like mine?

maybe I'm over-thinking it....................

Comments

  1. Anonymous10/02/2008

    You have good points, but I think you're over-thinking. I love how unique your work is and you always seem to have something new and exciting to display. This is also evident of your home. I'm new to your Blog and I love how much time and care you've put into re-doing the rooms of your house - I'm excited to see more! Keep on creating and just go with the flow.

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  2. Being an artist requires introspection, I think. It's fine to ask these questions- it's not necessary to seek the answers to all of them. So long as you hold the mirror to yourself, you'll be open to them as they come.

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  3. I don't think you are over-thinking. I think they are all great questions to ask, questions we should all be asking ourselves. Especially in todays jewelry climate where it is easy for everything to begin to look the same - everyone needs to keep their own voice clear (and also defend their own voice when necessary).

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  4. I think you have a very "distinct" look to your pieces and I look forward to seeing what new things you've created daily. I can understand why would you be thinking about these things though. I got very discouraged after a bad art fair a couple of years ago and sort of turned my back on making jewelry for a while. It wasn't until going to Bead & Button this past June that I was excited about it again and good things just keep coming and coming my way. I think every designer will have their ups and downs and I've found that I am constantly changing with the trends and more importantly, the economy. As long as you continue to enjoy/love/are passionate about creating jewelry, everything else will fall into place.

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  5. You DO have a style, and a wonderful talent - to take beads and components from different artists and incorporate them into pieces that are TRULY your own.

    Contemplation is a good thing :)

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  6. Lorelei, you are a very talented jewlery-maker and designer. You absolutely inspire. I know you've inspired me personally to do what I'm doing now. One of the things that I admire about you is that you do have unique style that flows. What you make is you. Each piece has your care and loving energy in it.

    It's perfectly natural to ask these questions. I've been asking myself some similar questions lately too. What do I want? What makes me happy? All I can do is do what I "think" is right. One thing that I am learning is that I need to let go of fear. I'm trying to work on that now. I'm trying to listen inside myself.

    Just relax, follow your heart and intuition. That's all you can do. If you're following your heart's true desire, then everything will come together.

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  7. Just for the record, I believe you have a true gift, and you definitely have "the knack" for achieving a look that is beautiful and stands alone. I've never commented but I want you to know that I've visited your blog daily for months now, just to see what you've created. I would love to start making jewelry but am paralyzed about where to start...it's all a bit overwhelming! But you inspire me and I definitely think you have a voice. Your pieces are gorgeous and unique.

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  8. We are all swimming in the same creative ocean but each one of us picks up a different pebble or shell from the beach - there is really nothing completely new but each one of us have our own way of expressing. Writers all use the same alphabet and the same words, it's how they put them together that makes their story unique. Your story is unique and you are the only one who can tell it - and if you don't pick up your shell on the beach no one else will.

    What's brought on this contemplative mood ... usually I'm the heavy thinking one and you are the lighthearted sunny voice.

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  9. thinking is good. I think we all ask those questions and work on defining our niche in this field. Creating for the joy of creating is good too, try not to drive youself crazy over there! Your voice comes through in your work, you are one of my favorite designers!

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  10. Anonymous10/02/2008

    Oh my, the voice inside my head is now inside yours! ;-)

    It's exactly my thought process when I'm sculpting or painting. I think it's natural for us to think this way. I think it's one way to push us past our saftey zones, to create something different.

    Your jewelry is definitely unique, beautiful and what I've been looking for in a jeweler for a long time. That's why I own so many of your pieces! Every day I'm surprised at what you've created in ONE day.

    Patricia

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  11. it's good to think about these things, so you don't forget you have a life outside of jewelry. Jewelry is work but it should also be joy. of course jewelry can be your life, too, and that's fine. everything, including making jewelry, ebbs and flows. you'll be ok! believe me, we ALL think the same thoughts about the business...

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  12. I wouldn't call what you are doing over-thinking, but I would say that it sounds like that thinking betrays the security that you should have in your originality and uniqueness. Every person, especially an artist like you, is filled with creative energy, and what is born from that energy brightens someone's day, be it when they snap on one of your bracelets or simply look at your Etsy shop.

    Do you feel fulfilled in what you do? You have the talent for it.

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  13. You definitely have your own "style" and I love it. You also seem to be very passionate about what you do, which is so important and your passion really really shows.

    If it makes you feel good, do it. If not, take a break. I'm on a break myself. I'm actually getting worried when I will get back into it!!!!

    If other shops are popping up that are very similar to your style, then you know you are doing something right.

    I hope you feel better tomorrow :)

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  14. Ok girlfriend - get over it! You are truely unique!!!! I have been in the artsy world of Round Top/Warrenton, Texas for the past 4 days and 2 of those days I wore my heart necklas. I have had more people stop me and ask me where I got it. One woman even offerd me $100.00 bucks for it. It makes my heart sing and I feel so happy when I wear your pieces.

    You are U N I Q U E !!!

    Hugs - Lindy

    PS - postings coming soon. This place is AMAZING - words can not describe it.

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  15. Anonymous10/03/2008

    Lorelei,

    I know I've said this before, but you truly do have a gift for design. It's also very evident that you have a passion for what you do.

    I recently saw an Etsy site where a weaver is selling nearly exact replicas of a design I published in Handwoven several years ago. I had to take a deep breath and remember that my "original" design was inspired by other weavers and knitters (who were, in turn, inspired by other weavers) and that this is part of a larger creative circle.

    There are people out there who will directly copy you (especially when your projects hit the stands). However, as long as you stay true to yourself and your creative process, you can find comfort in the fact that your design is your own. The fact that you're thinking about these things is evidence of that!

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  16. We all have those days (weeks or months in my case!) Just be.

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  17. I could fill up this whole box with compliments to you..but I will just keep it simple by saying..Your blog is one I check daily..I don't have time to always comment but you intrique me and inspire me..your designs give us a glimpse of whats inside your creative head.. you have found your calling..it would be a sin to stop now :)

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