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The Creative Brain

There is nothing more fun to me than being in the "Zone".

The feeling of creative flow for me is just like no other! When I am in this space, I can and only want to create all day long. Inevitably, I do have to stop at some point to take care of the people in my life...but, at times I really think I could just keep going for days! Especially because this state of mind isn't always readily available.

Creatives can be lauded for their talents, but what so many people don't know is that it can take days or weeks (or longer!) for a single creative idea to come through. These are the times when I get out rather than try to push through. I look for inspiration in other mediums like visiting the local art gallery or simply just getting outside. Nature and Architecture are both are huge sources of inspiration for me, and luckily are all around. 

When I recently returned from a nice long sabbatical to the Beach, it was completely necessary that I took that break. I didn't even try to think about creating. I was just soaking up the sun, the sand, the salt, my daughter and my family. It was amazing. But, it was eventually time to return to my craft. 

Now, here I am, finally caught up at last with my life that was on hold while I was away... and I had maybe my most creative idea in a very long time. I am really just so excited with the direction my mind went this week when I looked at a tray of semiprecious Watermelon Tourmaline and Aquamarine stones. I have had these stones for...ages. I have not known what I was going to do to really showcase their beauty, until this week. 

Introducing...my latest Semiprecious Bar Collection!

Gold Bar Necklaces with Semiprecious Stones by Laura James Jewelry

What do you think? Just plain yummy, right?!

I am so glad I took that break so that my brain could come up with these fresh new designs. Available very soon...just in time for the Holidays :).

Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

xo-Laura

 

Creative Chaos

Finding your Passion on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

I recently came across this abstract painting by the very talented Danish artist, Trine Panum and I thought...I bet that's what my brain looks like on the inside!

This painting's abstract fabulousness completely speaks to me, and when I wondered just why, I came to this conclusion after reading the Artists's own quote which certainly resonated with me: 

'I respond and create in spontaneity.
The paintings are emotional outbursts and energy discharge - a constant search of chaos and aesthetic order ' . Trine Panum

It's so true. I cannot reign in the creativity in my brain or plan when it will strike. Sometimes it comes in different ways- some days jewelry design, other days writing...and some days, making anything that has nothing to do with jewelry! There really is no way for me to plan. I have to just go with whatever impulse I am given. Learning to go with this flow has taken many years, but I now can embrace the creative chaos- and be grateful when it comes...no matter what form that may look like. 

I often have people ask me...how did you find your passion? Well, Jewelry is one of them, but not the only one. The only way I would have found that I had even one was to experiment and try out new things. I must have had 20 hobbies or obsessions as a kid, always trying out whatever seemed like a good idea at the time. Photography, Guitar, Painting, Skincare, Scuba Diving, any form of Design...you name it, I tried it!

The cool thing is that each one may not have been what I wanted to do all day long, but at some point I have needed to call on them in my business. Photography, especially- I can't tell you how tough it is to photograph small scale items like Jewelry and how many years it has taken to feel like I have it somewhat figured out. 

Point being, try something. Seek out the new- you never know what is going to stick. How do you know when you've found a passion? You have tunnel vision when you do it, with no idea what time it is. Then, you've found it. So, give it a shot- go find your passion. Everyone has one- they just have to look for it.

Let me know what passions you have realized in the comments below - I'd love to hear!

ox-Laura

 

Recycling the Past: Project Marianne

Project Marianne Blog Post on the Laura James Jewelry BLog

Much like my recent blog post regarding using my Grandmother's coin collection in my jewelry designs, in this recent NY Times article the designer took his own Grandmother's circa 1961 Amber necklace and used the pieces for a special collection that would touch many lives.

I can identify with him when asked how it will feel to part with the stones...“It will be a warm feeling, and will make me feel her soul is staying present with me.” 

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New York Times Style 

8/23/2016 by Ellie Hay

The designer Jacob Skragge’s grandmother traveled to Israel in 1961, where she purchased a necklace (right). When she died, she requested that her belongings be spread throughout the world — so Skragge and his All Blues co-founder Fredrik Nathorst created 37 earrings: one with each stone.

Before the jewelry designer Jacob Skragge’s grandmother, Marianne, died earlier this year, she told family members that she wanted neither her body nor her belongings to be forgotten in a box — instead, she said, she wanted to be “spread with the wind.”

This inspired Skragge, who is the co-founder with Fredrik Nathorst of the Swedish jewelry brand All Blues, to dream up a limited collection of earrings to honor Marianne’s legacy. Skragge transformed a necklace Marianne bought on a 1961 trip to Israel into 37 handcrafted earrings, each with one of its amber stones. Every earring has been individually numbered: one will be given to her daughter, one to Jacob — and the 35 others to be dispersed throughout the world. (The collection will available on the All Blues store beginning next Monday, August 29.)

Project Marianne, as he calls it, has been curated, designed and photographed by Nathorst, who says it was important for him to design pieces sensitively — and to frame each stone with “dignity and confidence.” Nathorst took inspiration from paintings, creating sterling silver plates to frame the beads “without becoming more important than the work itself.”

After Skragge’s grandfather passed away 12 years ago, he and Marianne spent a lot of time together; he says they would “go to theaters or have lunch.” When asked how it will feel to part with the stones, Skragge replies matter of factly: “It will be a warm feeling, and will make me feel her soul is staying present with me.” He continues: “I will give the earring I’m keeping to my future daughter or wife. I know she would want that.”