One thing that often happens with any artist, beaders and otherwise, is that we can temporarily lose our muse. There are a lot of different ways to get the creative juices flowing again…and you can start by seeking inspiration! There are SO many ways of doing this and I intend to explore many of them in this blog.
Have you ever noticed how a tremendous amount of artists put nature on the top of their inspiration list? Well, if you think about it, this only makes sense! It is where we derive many of our colors, and even structures. There is a vast sea of inspiration that can come from the world around us. But this post will not be about nature being inspiration. (Haha, sike!) People sometimes forget that there are many alternative means for finding inspiration. Another common one is another artist’s work. There is a lot about another artists work that can inspire…we can explore – technique, color composition, texture juxtaposition, material, even abstracted versions of other’s art can prove inspirational. One thing you can do is to pull up Google and do an image search in a general idea and you will find a plethora of artists work to pull inspiration from. Please take note that inspiration is NOT duplication. One should only use another’s work for getting ideas…but the honorable and ethical thing to do is to NOT duplicate or copy another’s work.
When I find that my creative juices have waned, Etsy, Artfire, Google Images and even bookmarked work or saved photos will get the ideas pouring out again! I also make a point to keep an idea journal – something that I can sketch ideas in. I may never actually get to them…or they may not work in reality but it can still provide much needed inspiration for a workable piece. When in need, don’t fret!!!! Don’t get yourself worked up into a perspiration for inspiration!!!
I have mentioned in earlier posts that a particular artist has been a great inspiration for me in my recent foray into wirework. I am pleased to introduce, Kharisma Ryantori, artist behind Popnicute! Kharisma, Kay for short, began her journey into wirework around a year and a half ago. From a world away, in
Q: Kay, what inspired you to start making jewelry?
A: I've been making jewelry since I was 17. But by then until 2008, on and off, I only did simple stringing. It escalated to wire twisting type of jewelry in my college years. But then it stopped because I was swamped by college projects. My aunts would occasionally ask me to make them something but that's about it. And then one day, in early 2008, my fiancé showed me this nice wire wrapped jewelry in deviantArt, I was like "wow! [I] didn't know you could do that!". Then I started looking and [was] wowed by so many nice things done in what I [would] later know is called wire wrapping style. It made me drool and want to learn more about it. But I didn't know where to get the wire in that thickness. The only available wire in local bead stores only accommodates wire twisting style, about 28 gauge. SO when my boyfriend (fiancé now), came to visit me in Summer 2008, he brought me 6 spools of colored bead wire in 20 gauge, said they were gifts from his mom. And the rest is history.
**You can see more of Kay’s work on her DeviantArt account, here.
Q: What/who would you say has been the greatest influence/inspiration for your work?
A: It could easily be Iza Malczyk. I find myself browsing her gallery when I'm out of ideas. She's just too amazing! DeviantArt is also a great source of inspiration.
Q: What piece was the toughest for you to design/execute/create and how did you "figure it out"?
A: I don't have any particular piece in mind. They all have had their own challenges. If I'm not sure about a new technique, I'd use my copper wire to practice. After the trial and error phase, usually I get them figured out.
Q: When you have "beader's block" how do you overcome it, what gets your creative juices flowing again?
A: When I get horrible artist block, I sleep. Before bed I'd think of the materials I’d like to use and try to create things with them in my imagination. Sometimes I'd get the answer when I wake up. If I still get nothing, I'd browse the galleries of my favorite artists. Usually I'll try to eyeball their techniques, that gets my artistic juice flowing. It's like sport for the mind. So instead of getting my adrenaline pumping, I get my artistic juice flowing. But mind you that I do it not to copy their work. It's my way to learn new techniques. [I might find] some
thing that I might not have even thought of before. I like to challenge my mind. Instead of buying tutorials, I'd eyeball them first. If I'm stuck, I'd consider [getting] the tutorials.
Q: What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment as an artist?
A: To have people say "I knew it was your design when I saw it". I think having a personal and recognizable style is important. I like experimenting and exploring new fields but hopefully the "Popnicute touch" is still there.
Q: Where do you hope/plan to go with your jewelry in the next 5 years?
A: Hopefully I'll be famous by then ;) And probably teaching some live classes.
Q: What is your favorite tool in your toolbox?
A: Probably my stepped pliers and my hammer.
Q: Would you suggest any books for budding wire workers/beaders?
A: Hmm…I don't have anything in particular but I like books/e-books. I love reading and learning things that spark my interest. I'd suggest you to buy books/tutorials on thing
s you'd like to learn at the moment. Otherwise they'll just sit on your shelf and gathering dust. Buy books based on your skill level and when you're ready to take up the challenge buy more advanced ones.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other beaders/wire workers what would it be?
A: Don't be afraid to experiment. It's good for you :) And don't go by text book smart, combine techniques, make adjustments and innovate :)
Thank you, Kay for giving us some insight into your world and showing us how you inspire and are inspired!
As you can see, we all have our “beading block” moments. Sometimes it just takes putting the piece down and waiting for the answer to come to you. Remember, there is a wealth of inspiration out there…so go and find it!
Remember…inspire and be inspired!
**You can become a fan of Kay’s work here or even follow her on twitter! She even carries supplies here!