Inspiration Behind the Piece: Celestial Watch

There is something calming about the night sky with the moon and stars hanging in balance in all of the nothingness that is the universe.

I created this Celestial Watch in different stages. I first found the watch face and bought the star beads to match it. I knew I wanted to use black and silver and eventually found the perfect beads. They are dual colored, and they match perfectly with the other components of this watch.

I didn't know I needed to use the gunmetal stardust beads and the antiqued silver pewter spacer beads and the swirl toggle clasp until I sat down and placed the components alongside one another. Everything about this watch design - the colors, shapes, textures...all happen to be a beautiful contrast, but yet one and the same. Silver, black, and grey; just like the universe above and around us.

Thank you so much for reading. This Celestial Watch is currently available here.

Work in Progress Wednesday 10/26/11

This week I have more inspiration than actual progress, but that's part of the fun.

I have some cameo pendants that will be made into beaded necklaces, although the skull one might turn into something more manly.

I have a few necklace starts at the top of the picture with amethyst, lampwork glass, and swarovski pearls.

There's an owl key chain hiding in the top right corner, and below that a pair of cute rose hair pins.

The blue and pink earrings were previously featured here. The bottom left corner is some starts for cell phone charms. I want to use the rune pendants for something so I pulled those out of their storage (along with the black and grey snowflake obsidian pendants) and there are some flower hair pins as well.

To the left of the colorful earrings are some tech/geeky charms. I was thinking maybe zipper pulls or cell phone charms? Not exactly sure yet.

What is Work in Progress Wednesday? It's a meme from off of the internet somewhere. I've decided to start posting some of what I'm currently working on every Wednesday for your viewing pleasure and my motivation. I have to finish what I show you...right?

Inspiration Behind the Piece: Celtic Tree Necklace

This Celtic Tree Necklace was inspired by a friend of mine. She loves all things trees and copper and green.

I wanted to make something extra special with the tree pendant, and I was hoarding the green beads until I could come up with the perfect design.

When holding this necklace the beads are so lustrous and sleek. I can safely say that this is one of my favorite pieces that I have ever made.

But where are the Celtic symbols? You can't see it very well in the picture, but that triangle bail that holds the tree pendant has Celtic designs on it as well as the top round part of the toggle clasp.

Thank you so much for reading. Please check back as I will continue to write the inspiration behind some of my pieces.

Dark Inspiration and New Items in the Works.

I’ve been feeling inspired lately to create darker, dramatic pieces. I am currently filling up a page with different designs and materials – I already have colors and textures figured out! In the coming weeks I will get to work on these pieces and get them up for sale as soon as possible. It’s really exciting to have a specific look/feel call out to you demanding to be created.

You can also expect more wine charm sets, bookmarks, jewelry pieces, brooches, hair accessories, and men’s items in the coming weeks…maybe even a few Valentine’s Day themed items.

Again I am reminded to take it easy with my work. Sometimes I just get so excited I want to do everything and see the results right now. I am going to try to do the daily blogging, as that is one of my goals for 2009. I’ll also try to relax and not work so hard all the time. The trick is to get organized and set/maintain a realistic schedule.

I look forward to connecting with you on a daily basis.

Thank you so much for reading. And thank you to everyone that comments and follows this blog.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com/
http://1337art.artfire.com
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

Discouraged...or ambitious?

We all have days where we keep going back and forth between discouraged and ambitious. Therefore, the solution to this silly problem will look something like this:

DiScOuRaGeD: Day #1

Today I feel discouraged because I have been trying very hard most of the time lately to up my sales, but I see no result.

Ambitious: Day #1

I have so many new ideas to write down and get started with that I don't have time to write about how well all of these new ideas are going to sell like mad!

Some days we feel like quitting, when other days we feel so inspired and happy about what we do. It's dangerous to let those negative thoughts linger. That is why they need to be written down. You can look back on your Discouraged entries and see how silly you sounded.

Your biggest problem at this point is where to find a notebook! Thisisit and thescenicroute have a great variety of unique handmade journals.

Thank you so much for reading.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, charms, and more. Customs are accepted.

What Inspires You?

There are so many things in this world that try to keep us down...but what inspires us to push our way through the muck and negativity of the environment we live in?

Inner Passion: Without ourselves we have no inspiration. What is it that "fuels our fire?" Do you want to impress someone? Do you need to prove or express yourself?

Purpose: Creating gives us a sense of purpose. Why must we do anything if there is no gain? Always ask "why?" Why do I paint? Why do I write? Why do I want others to experience what I have to offer? We are all human, and we all want to be apart of our world.

People: The opinions of others have a dramatic effect on our creativity, whether positive or negative. You may feel like you have to prove yourself to someone, and you may also feel that you have to prove someone's false judgments wrong. Or perhaps you want to give someone else joy. Your creativity evolves around a single persons wants, likes, dislikes until you have yourself a finished product.

Colors: Some people are easily inspired by colors. Our moods are said to be effected by what colors we choose to wear and what colors attract our eyes the most. When you look at the bright blue sky, do you think "run for shelter" or "I wonder if I can catch that on canvas?" Some of my designs started out with a group of colors that I felt went well together.

Weather: Weather changes mood. Weather also induces memories. Do you feel the most creative sitting under the shade of a tree or when you are cuddled up on your porch while you watch the rain pour or the snow meander to the ground?

Hidden Meanings: There are people out there, such as myself, who feel the need to express ourselves outwardly, but secretly. We write stories and poetry with references and ideas that no one but us will recognize (or so we think!). It makes us feel comfortable knowing that we can show the world what we did without them knowing what we mean.

Symbols and Traditions: Inspiration can be aroused when we discover what a color or a gemstone or an animal represents (among other things, of course.) Mythology, for example, has been the pinnacle of many people's inspiration. Dragons, wizards, magic...fantasy, adventure, the impossible.

If you read this may you always be inspired.

Thank you so much for reading.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart: Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, and more. Customs are accepted.

Treasury

I'm in my second treasury at Etsy. Mine is the necklace on the pink background.

It feels great to be apart of one. I never really understood how the treasuries work, but I'm still happy about it!

For future designs I'll keep the treasuries in mind...it will be a nice inspiration to create something someone wants to share with everyone!