Probably the most enjoyable part of making jewelry, apart from hammering the crap out of whatever metal I want to use (LOL) is deciding what to make. When I first started putting pieces together, I’d sit at my bench staring at the stones or glass and trying to imagine their outcome. I didn’t write much down, including the component sizes, wire gauges, etc. Not very efficient, although still satisfying, once the item was completed.
Now, I find one of the steps I enjoy the most is visualizing my ideas and then sketching them. I don’t draw well by any stretch of the imagination, but I like committing ideas to pen and paper. I’ve got a notebook FULL of sketches. Some are completed items, while some are just representations of a mood or color or something that inspired me.
There are two rather large benefits for me in utilizing a sketch in my process.
One, a written rendition of the finished component allows me to better reign in sizing. I am HORRIBLE at estimating how much wire I’ll need, or what the size of the finished product will be. Actually incorporating the stone into my drawing gives me a really good idea of what components work, or what don’t, as well.
Two, I can determine if the image in my head is possible in reality. You know what I mean, right? You have this brilliant conceptual idea, but, once you try to achieve it, turns out to be completely impractical. I figure that if I can’t draw it, I probably can’t make it either. Although, that may have everything to do with my drawing skills and not the probability of a successful outcome. LOL
Here are a couple images of some of the cabs I’ve got ideas for that are sitting, waiting patiently, on my bench. I’ve started keeping the sketch right in with the cab in their own plastic storage bags. I store everything in the plastic storage containers I blogged about yesterday.
One day, when I win the Powerball and have unlimited free time, I may actually finish all the jewelry projects sitting on my work bench. And when that day comes, boy will I be organized and ready. HA!
Do you sketch your designs? Where do you keep them?
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Wow! Thanks for sharing! I am so impressed by your sketches and how organized you are with them! Some of my ideas are written in a notebook and some of them come and go from just experimenting in the workshop – but I am not sure about sketching … maybe one day!
I love the photos of your sketches. This seems to be a practical way to visualize. I have sketched a little but like you, I love to stare at the beads and stones, move them around to see a design unfold. However, I think that moving to sketches like your is the result of maturity in your craft.
Thank you for sharing your process! I do not make jewelry but I love how you actually incorporate the stone into your sketches and then put them together in a bag–great organization.
I always sketch for my bags and children’s clothes–I enjoy seeing the transition from paper into the actual form.
That is sweet! I have just begun metalsmithing and not really thought about how to go about putting designs down. You have a great idea with drawing around your stones like that. Thanks for sharing!
I love the way that you sketch your vision and store the sketch and the stone in a baggie. What an efficient way to do that! I sketch and then never have the correct stone, plus the sketch is in my sketchbook. I like your way better. Thanks for the tip. I love your blog, btw.
~lori
[...] http://shinyadornments.com/simplyshiny/2009/09/sketching-my-ideas/ See the two sketches and stones in the bottom right hand corner of the first picture? They became [...]