All jewelry designers experience “designers’ block,” but recently I learned that sometimes it is when you stop looking for inspiration that you find it. A little while ago I was under some pressure to design some jewelry. I struggled in my studio for a night . . . or two. Then the weekend came, and instead of working, I decided to make it a movie marathon weekend.
Well, you can guess what comes next . . . me in my comfy sweatsedo on my couch with my puppy, bags of chocolate, and bowls of popcorn nearby. I watched countless movies and shows that mostly blur together now. By Sunday evening I was bleary-eyed and a little panicky. My jewelry party was just a couple days away. That’s when I got off my you-know-what, and marched back to my studio to make something.
After making my “go-to” jewelry designs to get my juices flowing, my design inspiration hit. As if commanded, I designed necklaces inspired by Rango and Secretariat, my two favorite movies from my marathon weekend! Sounds cheesy, I know. But I loved them both. Secretariat because I was moved by the idea of being born into this world to do one thing and to do it with all your might. And Rango . . . well, all the lawless characters of the town of Dirt were heartwarming and unforgettable – rattlesnake, lizards, armadillos, and buzzards included. The animation and story of finding your own path were both artfully done.
The next day at Nina Designs I picked up the western-themed charms I needed – a silver cowboy boot, rattlesnake charms, and couple of horse charms – and got to work. This is what I came up with. They were the first to get plucked up at my jewelry party!
What do you think? All parts are now available at Nina Designs, and a parts list will be up on Design Ideas soon.
Winner's Circle Necklace inspired by the movie Secretariat
Winner's Circle
Spirit of the West Necklace inspired by Rango!
