Why I Create My Style of Jewelry?

We are all so different, so unique and maybe that’s why I love the Arts so much! Maybe because each artist’s expression is truly unique, different and fascinating in its own way.  LOVE that!

More than an Artist, I consider myself an “explorer” of the Arts and most call me a “Renaissance Woman” though I might not quite fit that description, at least not in my mind.

Of all the creating modes that I love, I am most drawn to, or the one that gives me the most --I’ll stop short of saying pleasure, but something like that--- is Jewelry Making!

Back when I was a Facebook-a-holic in the early 2010s, I actually got over 6 thousand likes on my jewelry page. Whoaa!  So many compliments! Beyond that, more questions as to why I gravitate toward such styles as I do.

WELL, here goes…. a little into my psyche of why I create what I do. 

Jewely is a form of adornment, much like the clothing we choose and hair styles we wear.  There are many facets to that aspect of adornment which most attribute to culture, status, self-recognition, identity, sentimentality, beliefs, relationships, to name just a few.  But, here, I want to add a few of my own ideas.

I am a person who likes to step back and do what I call:  Whole picture thinking- or thinking outside the box—or going against the tide of what everyone else is doing. To me, going along with “the crowd” can show a lack of objectivity.  Step back from society’s parade of whatever the popular thing is and try and examine everything with an objective eye. Am I drawn to something objectively because of its merits or because its out there splashed in the media and most everyone seems to be wearing it?  Or does what I am drawn to have specific value that I can identify?

For me, as a jewelry artist, each piece of jewelry I make, I strive for a masterpiece no matter how long it takes to complete it. Further, I believe that Jewelry need not be an “Accessory” but rather the “Focal” of fashion. In short, you start with a piece of jewelry--- a masterpiece—and build your wardrobe around that work of art. The jewelry is the art and the rest a periphery, a kind of frame to that masterpiece!

I have always loved looking at Ancient Jewelry or works worn by Royalty or Silver Screen Stars in Museums.  They tell their own stories of long ago which when I examine more current fashions seem to fall short by comparison.

This brings us deeper into perhaps the “psychology” of color and even the shapes of objects.

Beyond objectivity--- really in all things—and focal point, with self-adornment, I believe that colors and shapes also come into play.

As human beings, we seem to be drawn to light:  Light that reflects moonlight in a night sky with flickering flashes of stars and constellations, sparkling ocean waves or the reflection of the sun on a still body of water.  It’s how we’re wired. So, naturally it follows that we are drawn to shiny metals and gemstones as a way to capture that fascination on our persons.

When I was in high school, my arm chair psychologist mother gifted me a book about the psychology of color. In it was a test to see what “your” color was and then explanations about each color.  A lot has been studied on the subject and that sure made me very popular at my school for a week or two!

Briefly:

RED:  Strength, Power, Passion, Energy, Determination

GREEN: Calming, Growth, Harmony, Sincerity

BLUE:  Compassionate, Unique, Authentic, Warm, Idealistic

BROWN: Reliability, Honesty, Resilience, Maturity, Predictability

ORANGE:  Joy, Creativity, Happiness, Success, Encouragement

YELLOW:  Joy, Intellect, Energy, Cheerfulness, Honor, Loyalty

PINK:  Youthfulness, Gentleness, Tenderness, Innocence, Hope

PURPLE:  Ambition, Power, Nobility, Wisdom, Dignity

WHITE:  Goodness, Safety, Perfection, Faith, Innocence, Cleanliness

BLACK:  Power, Elegance, Formality, Mystery, Grief, Strength, Authority

Of course, I’ve boiled all that down to a bare minimum. There are a LOT of studies out there about color.

SO, to answer my Blog Title’s question: I like to think outside the box while contemplating the magnificence of historic jewels of Royalty, Nobility, Silver Screen Idols, Tribal Designs, etc. and I seem to synthesize all that and more as I think about metal, color and possible gemstone additions.

All these things here are without a doubt contributing factors to how I approach creating my Jewelry.  And beyond this, as I mentioned is the psychology of shapes—and my favorite subject:  The Metaphysical Properties of Gemstones!

But THAT is for my next blog! In the meantime, hopefully, I have put out there a thing or two for contemplation! Ciao for now! MM