Inspiration comes in packages....

RAD 148 Inspiration packages
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Today I received a very special surprise from Experimetal (aka Victoria Takahashi). Inside the box were these little packages. Just as I was getting ready to rip them all open, I spied a note with the "rules".

"If you open a package you have to use it, OR use it for inspiration and make a piece within 24 hours.

NO PEEKING! (Fondling counts as peeking)"

So, I decided that I could handle one little challenge before my trip to Seattle tomorrow, so I selected one in the middle of the bag and opened it up. I found this gorgeous rock with the natural hole already in it. I loved the shape and wanted to play with it as a ring.

I've decided to call them my "inspiration packages".



It was an idea that Kathryn Riechert began when she sent a package to Victoria. Its very fun and playful. I feel like a kid again--caught up in my play.

What inspires me....

tidal pool diamond rings
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

My work graphically represents my life. I have come to see my striving for the "perfect and happy" life as a clean form, and all the divergent paths and unexpected detours as the cutting away or crumbling of the original form. It is the acceptance of life as it comes--usually messy, unpredictable, and tragic--can lead to a new kind of beauty with richness and depth that only wisdom of experience can afford. I only now have words to describe this part of my experience that has been in my work for some time mostly because forms and shapes come more easily to me than words. I celebrate life in its chaos, juxtaposed with the eternal striving for order. Those universal themes are what resonate so sweetly to me when I work.

My first "signature piece" was an accident! I was wanting to drill holes to create a "moon ring" but instead the drill bit was dull and wreaked the whole ring. My sweet husband suggested that I salvage the ring by cutting around the unsightly hole in an artistic way with my saw. Even after it was done, I could only see my mistake. Now I don't see it that way, I see it as serendipity or a happy accident. It was the first in my Roman Ruins series.



My style is still developing as I learn more skills and venture further into experimentation. I am enjoying the process and feel that I have lifetime of learning and creating ahead of me.

For more stories about inspiration and signature styles, please read these blogs, whose authors are posting on the topic on June 5 -6, 2009

http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com
http://andescruz.ganoksin.com/blogs
http://andescruz.wordpress.com
http://ashleyakers.blogspot.com
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
http://etsymetal.blogspot.com
http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com
http://tangerinetreehouse.blogspot.com