I have been working on a few new things and I am excited to share “Jolene”, a collection of one of a kind pearl, oxidized sterling and 18K gold pendants.
Jolene, pearl, gold and oxidized sterling silver pendants
The Shape of Things
A surreal week has provided an opportunity to immerse myself in the studio, much more than usual. A creative activity takes your mind in a different direction for a few hours, and it is so necessary to escape, even for a short moment, as we weather this storm.
The extra time at my bench has allowed me to develop and play with a new fabrication technique. I am discovering endless possibilities for interesting shape shifting designs and combinations. So many, that I need to decide what to focus on and what to set aside for the future.
While I’ve had failures during this phase, some cool successes were achieved too. Failure is helpful because we learn why something isn’t working, and rather than giving up, it challenges us to figure out a solution. What a profound sense of accomplishment when that happens.
The next exciting step is turning these little sculptures into jewelry. I will share them with you soon, hoping they bring you joy.
As we forge ahead, my thoughts continue to be with everyone who depends on their small business to pay the bills. I know this too shall pass, and praying that it ends quickly.
For now, this is the shape of things and we must make the best of it, for when it’s over our strength will propel us forward.
Stay well my friends.
Jackie
Perfect Pearl Earrings
“Jackie” Pearl Earrings
I LOVE these new silver and pearl earrings! They have become, my almost, every day earrings for daytime casual and dressier evening looks.
Pearls, in general, are my go to favorite gem because they are so simple, yet so incredibly versatile. I typically acquire pearls that have character, texture and organic shapes. Because no two pearls are identical, it gives them more interest and personality and they blend much better with my design aesthetic. Not to say that perfectly round pearls are not amazing, because there is no doubt that Mother Nature can wow us with her flawless creations.
These earrings, like many of my designs, begins with a basic idea, then I play with shape and form until I land on my version of perfection. The small but important details, such as the ear wire design, make these a beautiful success.
Embracing the design process, with all its challenges and triumphs, is so rewarding. Although I may not embrace every end result, I ALWAYS learn something new along the way.
You can find these little lovelies, that I named “Jackie”, on my website here!
Cheers!
Jackie
Creative Freedom
How does one define creative freedom?
This answer will certainly vary from each imaginative, gifted, artistic soul to the next. For me, being a former design director in the corporate world, there are many meanings. To be fair, there were countless moments of sheer joy and success, but many were hard fought. Now, I am no longer constrained by deadlines, budgets, opinions, criticisms, and rejections to name just a few.
Creative freedom means I can conceive and build everything my spirit craves, without scrutiny and audit by anyone other than myself. I can work as few or as many hours necessary to complete a project to my satisfaction. It also means managing every detail related to this small business. The up's and down's are explicitly mine to handle, solve, enjoy and admire. It's a scary thing, but having complete ownership, accepting what comes with this blossoming venture is definitely worthwhile.
As artists we crave to inspire others and seek admiration for our work, providing validation and a sense of purpose. If by chance we only inspire ourselves, at least we have done so with absolute conviction, inner fulfillment, and most importantly, creative freedom.
I hope you have a chance stop by and visit Jackie Jordan, LLC to see my latest jewelry creations. Each item is handcrafted with pure delight.
Sincerely,
Jackie
"Creativity is contagious, pass it on" Albert Einstein
Treasure Hunting Tucson Style
One of my ultimate pleasures is treasure hunting for jewelry embellishments. The search can be for something specific, such as a stone or pearl, but the primary goal is discovering unique elements to excite and inspire my creative soul.
My favorite excursion happens in Tucson, Arizona, where multitudes of gem and mineral shows blanket the city. This colossal exhibition of wondrous extractions from the earth will make you dizzy and in awe of Mother Nature. The magnitude of jaw dropping gifts from the planet to hold and behold is beyond description.
Navigating such an expo takes planning. Comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity, sunscreen, for the numerous outdoor venues, patience, as the crowds are exhausting, a list of essentials and must see shows, a good friend to tell you “you don’t need that”, and a budget. Save time for random excursions to visit the bead, glass and art fairs scattered throughout the town.
With those criteria met, my trooper pal Marge and I, trekked for miles in and out of hotel rooms, tents, ballrooms, warehouses, and parking lots with row after row of tables overflowing with nature’s bounty. I restrained myself from buying a 6-foot tall lingam stone, behemoth amethyst geode and a dinosaur skeleton, (yes you can buy those too), but instead acquired many gorgeous petite gems that fit handily into my backpack.
After three days of scrutinizing and selecting every specimen, I finally had time to admire my cache of tiny jewels, imagining what they might become. Iridescent boulder opals, sparkling geodes and druzy crystals, lustrous pearls, and slate speckled with shiny pyrite will keep me in creative bliss for weeks to come.
This treasure hunt was an adventure, a learning experience, a reminder of and appreciation for the beauty of our earth. It was also an inspired and successful journey to propel my artistic vision forward and encourage my return next year.
Now it's back to the bench to create something special with these fantastic finds.
Always inspired,
Jackie
