Under the Influence....

....of design!

Welcome to the second installment of the B'sue Boutiques Build A Line Challenge Blog Hops!

We got to really thinking about our sources of inspiration this time, and I wanted to share a few. As an artist of multiple media, I never know where inspiration is going to strike, but this class has opened my eyes to something I'd crazily overlooked. I've always been a fan of getting the gears turning watching things like Project Runway and the like, but for whatever reason, I never connected it to trying to find out what was on the major runways to see what that might inspire. Boy, what a treasure trove!

Dolce and Gabanna top, Reem Acra bottom left, Naeem Khan center and right bottom.

I wanted to treat my Black theme as the Black Dress, a foundation on which to build. Not letting it get lost, not letting it get too heavy, or too cliché. The wonderful pops of color this year, patterns…all inspired me to think what might go with some of these lovely dresses, and what might I pull from them if I wanted the general feel without going over the top. It's been great to feel that rush of creativity again with "what can I do with this?"

One of my experiments, a plain clear cab, given a silver back and a little color. Work in progress.

I love working this way, putting it all out in front of me and just seeing where it goes. It began to flow, and I'm loving what's happening so far. I would love to show you the bigger pile, but that gives away too much! 

I can tell you I need to go get more of these, so save me some!

A lovely B'sue Floral Sprig!

I have given thought, as I dove into my pile headfirst, as to which of the categories we've talked about in the class that I thought I fit into: the hobbyist, the maker, or the designer. Volume and income wise, I know I'm qualifying as hobbyist, but the way I'm gathering things and planning is the mind of a maker. 

Does that make me a Mabyist? 

As in "maybe I'll sort this out?" 

I realized today I'm in Explorer Mode right now with all these new ideas, feeling it all out, seeing where it goes. I need to give myself room to see how I work best, without the pressure; I've been too hard on myself with the business end. In fact, I actually realized it's been the thing that's kept me hopping around so much design wise; too much pressure to find what worked for the market, leaving myself out of the equation too much. That's not good for creativity!

Speaking of creativity, this lovely lady has been popping up for me everywhere I go lately, no kidding!

Artist Frida Kahlo

From wall murals down the street, to random people's teeshirts… she even showed up in class! Wow! She's good inspiration, too, so I'm taking it as a sign.

And yes, Ookie is still here. 

He's in his finest ink, and we're taking him out on the town. All gets revealed April 1. Stay tuned!

Thank you for stopping by; onward to my other classmates!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne Jewelry Making Outside the Box --our Host and wonderful Teacher!

Diana Buynak Butterfly Emporium Ceramic Studio

Irene Hoffman, Heart's Dezire by Irene

Clare Wells Nemeth, Creative Magick

Mary Reckmeyer, Afrayed Not

Marcia Tuzzolino, Aurora Designs

Elisabeth Wilks, Wearable Art by Lizzie

Jeanette Rose Belmont, One Canvas At A Time

Lyn Joy Reeve, A Journey From Jewels To Jubilation

Belinda Reed-Ingle, Vogue Rocks

Beth Trubman, The Journey of Jewelry

Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate

Jann Tague, Clever Designs by Jann

Shari Gardner, SLG Jewelry Designs

Susan Bolton, Fern's Place

Chris Kemp, Noodle Pie Bracelets

Barbara Kelley, Angels' Keep

Susan Bowerman, Woodside Wireworks

Pamela Anger, Novegatti Designs

Joan Donovan, Hailey's Cottage

Alison Huie, Ally's Baubles

Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

Erica Olmos, Beeb's Closet

Erin Whitacre, Shattered Time Jewelry

Fran Sitton, Sitton Up Front

Ginger Hammond, Lynn Leigh Designs

Paula Gaskill, Lovely LaylaBug Jewels

Mary Deis, The Rose Sword

Renee Webb Allen, Small Stuff Design

Valerie Tilghman, ArtJewelsandGifts

Chris Cravens, Vintage Cravens

Leslie Carver, Adorn Divine Designs  you are here!

Donna Parry, JewelryDonna

Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures

Kelly Wymer, Winged Wisdom Enchantments