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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

 

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things
Favorite Jewelry Staples from Laura James Jewelry
Over the years, I have found that one of the main questions I am most asked is..."what is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?"
For me, this is a hard one to answer! Pretty much each piece of jewelry that I own is special to me for its own reason. It marks certain occasions like birthdays or graduations, or the giver was special to me...or it may have marked a time of success in my life and I purchased it to reward myself.
Whatever the reason, each piece has its own special story.
This photo above shows a few of my current faves...the pieces I pretty much rarely take off these days.
The channel set diamond band was a very special gift from my husband to celebrate the birth of our daughter, Lila Lewellyn three years ago... I love that it keeps her near me all day long and I wear it next to my wedding band.
This delicate, rose gold necklace with the bezel set solitaire stone is something I recently created and added to my jewelry line as an answer to an everyday necklace you could wear from the Yoga studio to the Pool. A piece with a little sparkle that you could layer with your other necklaces...and not have to take it off for any reason. As a result, I rarely am without mine!
And, of course, this framed photo as we exited our wedding reception nearly 12 years ago. Not an actual piece of jewelry, though the frame is so pretty it should be! A wonderful reminder of the excitement we felt, the elation of being with all of our loved ones that came so far to see us wed, and the anticipation of what lay before us in the new life we would be building together.
Like a song, photographs and jewelry are closely tied together for me. They are my memory markers that I can always rely on whenever I want to take that trek down Memory Lane.
What are your jewelry staples and why?
xox-Laura
Vacation State of Mind

Photography by Laura James of Laura James Jewelry

photo taken by Laura James

 

Nothing refreshes me quite like a visit to the Ocean. Specifically, a very clear blue Ocean with sugar white sand! I frequent our family Florida retreat as much as I can, soaking up the relaxation and inspiration so that I can emerge fresh, renewed, and ready to tackle what's next. It's really the only way for me! 

I loved pulling out my camera to capture this shot at Sunrise this morning. The mix of colors was just what I was hoping for. I am continually inspired by the Ocean and the Beach! It was also fun to vary from my normal Product photography to Landscape photography. It's always nice to try a new route :)...I am already counting down the minutes till the Harvest Moon tonight to see what I can capture!

Where's your Vacation State of Mind?

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

 

Jewelry Trends from the Runway at Fashion Week

"Statement necklaces, arm cuffs, art school earrings and raw stones all made an impact on the runway this Fashion Week." Vogue

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It's always interesting to me to see how a Jewelry Trend starts on the Runway as a fantasy and emerges later as a staple!  Trends may come and go, but they often do find their way down the chain, eventually, and I am going to have fun seeing where these Jewelry trends pop up this year...

 
MINERAL JEWELRY 
Agates, Druzy, Stalagmite Crystals...a Mineral Jewelry moment is my favorite trend! I have been juxtaposing shiny objects with a touch of these rough, organic minerals in my own jewelry collections since the beginning:

Mineral Jewelry Trend on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

 
ARTY EARRINGS
Do you also love a big, bold statement earring?! This trend gives added leeway, so you can go out on a limb without a worry:
Arty Statement Earring Jewelry Trends on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

 
DELICATE CHOKERS
Finally, we're downsizing those 3" chokers of yesteryear and trading Goth for Glam with these wispy, delicate options:
Delicate Chokers Jewelry Trend on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

 
STATEMENT NECKLACES
They're here (did they ever leave?!) and they pack a punch...especially with their Pendants:

Runway Trends and Statement Necklaces on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

Now, I can't leave out the UFO Jewelry trend! That's right, there is such a thing. Think TOTAL FANTASY when you see this extremely Avant-Garde jewelry:

Fantasy Jewelry Trends from Fashion Week on the Laura James Jewelry Blog


That's a wrap for today! Now, quick, go through your own jewelry collection and see what's trending...or pick up a new piece or two. :)

xox-Laura James 

 

photos courtesy of Vogue Magazine

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