While creating jewelry can be fun, it can also be hard to come up with designs. If this sounds familiar, then don’t worry. You are not destined to always struggle with your creativity. Inspiration surrounds you, and you simply have to find out how to use it to your advantage. Here are some ideas that you can use to get your creative juices flowing freely so that you are inspired daily.
Bowl of Beads
Find a pretty bowl or teacup that you would like to have sitting out on the table. Fill it with your favorite beads, clasps, stringing materials and other tools. When you sit down to relax or when your hands are idle, try stringing something together. If it turns out well, take a picture of it or keep it. If you don’t like it, take it apart and try something else.
Don’t worry about not finishing something out of the beading bowl. It is simply a fount of inspiration that will help you get ideas about what you might want to try. Use your photographs to help you remember what you liked before you sit down to make your next piece.
Change out your beads and findings regularly so that you can stretch your creativity even more. The frequency that you refresh your bowl is up to you. If you are feeling bereft of design ideas, then you may change the beads out more frequently. However, if you keep stumbling upon ideas that you like, you may keep the same assortment of materials on hand for a longer period of time.
Color Combinations
It can sometimes be surprising to discover which colors actually go well together. Try to leave your preconceptions at the door when you are making jewelry. Don’t hesitate to try colors that you don’t think will complement each other. When you layer them or combine them with other beads, you may be surprised at just how well they go together.
You can also look at fabric to get an idea of what colors to use in your beadwork. Many fabrics are made using different hues and shades. Look deeper than the surface to find the colors that make up your favorite blanket, sweater or jacket. Then try using those colors in a new jewelry design.
Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to make sure that you open your eyes and your mind to new ideas. Once you have the mental freedom to explore and experiment, you are much less likely to suffer from beader’s block.
