Observe Nature

Having a hard time coming up with original, creative ideas?  Observe nature.  Nature has been a source for jewelry design for thousands of years—Egyptian, Medieval, and Baroque, Art Nouveau and more!  Inspiration for shape, color, line, and texture can inevitably transpire for your next jewelry piece when studying nature.   You could find a color scheme from a breathtaking sunset, or perhaps a shape outline from the thorns of your rosebush.  Trees, birds, animals, insects, the ocean, mountains, the stars, moon, and sun!   The possibilities are endless.  Jewelry design is truly an art form—think of it as such.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

You don’t have to follow any rule!  Just because a certain pattern says to do something a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to!  Play around, have fun!  You just might surprise yourself with what you come up with.  There are no limits in design and jewelry making.  Experiment with new tools , new beads , and new ideas.  Do not be afraid of failure.   Do not become your worst critic.  Imagine, take pleasure in your creativity, and try to reach beyond your perceived potential.

Study History

Study history???  What does that have to do with jewelry design?  A lot.  Fashion has proven old trends to be stylish.  Furthermore, many well-known jewelry designers take inspiration from historical jewelry pieces.  It may also be beneficial to study historic and religious symbols, such as the Celtic knot, the Egyptian Cartouche and Ankh, the Christian cross, the Irish Claddagh, the Star of David, the European torc, the Hamsa or Hamesh hand, Chinese dragons and phoenixes, and much more!  Also as you study the history of jewelry, you will find how the trends and fashion reflected a country’s social, cultural, economical, and political standing.

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