You’ve heard of Writer’s Block, right? This is when a novelist or other writer just cannot seem to move forward with the book they are writing. The ideas are just NOT flowing.

Recently, as a jewelry designer, I experienced something similar. I’ll create the scene for you here.

My Creativity Block DAY

In the morning I have ideas on how my day will unfold. I want to move forward creating new pieces using the new gems I purchase. So I head to my jewelers bench, sit down, and begin.

I am already feeling anxious so I decide to organize my gems first. After an hour or so of this, I realize that I no longer have the desire to create. So I leave the bench and decide to work on photographing my current designs. About 30 minutes into this process, I am already feeling bored. I head to the laptop to work on social media. I barely get the laptop opened when I decide I am not in the mood. OK, I am officially now in FULL CREATIVITY BLOCK mode!

How I got back to Designing

Over the years I have these times. Thankfully not often. The formula for removing the block varies. These work for me.

• Go for a walk around the neighborhood. or better yet go for a hike.
• Head to the Gym for a workout
• Go Shopping. (one of my favorites)
• Get a Pedicure.
• Binge watch TV.
• Call a Friend
• Go out to lunch (maybe with my friend or husband?)
• Shop Online
• Read a book. Yes an actual book with pages.
• Take a mini vacation

You notice I did not mention eating a bag of chips or other junk food. This would have been on my list a couple of years ago, but after watching my weight increase, I removed this from the list.

The Creativity Block is gone!

Last week, I decided to switch my design process and start working again with steel and gold. I have designed this way previously but had not gotten back to it for over a year. Guess what? Changing my strategy like this worked! Now I cannot WAIT to get to the bench and start creating. The design ideas are flowing again. The ideas keep coming and faster than ever.

Now I have methods in place for the next time the Block rears it’s ugly head.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post How to Deal with a Creativity Block appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Isn’t this gem gorgeous? I agree. Except for the fact that is is NOT a gem or a stone. Goldstone is actually made from glass. An Italian from Venice (Vincenzo Miotti) had the exclusive license to create this stone. In addition to opaque glass, this gem has flecks of copper. That’s what gives it the sparkle you see here.

In the 17th century the Miotti family perfected the technique to create goldstone. They kept this formula a secret for 2 centuries! Finally in the 19th century, Italian glassmaker Pietro Bigaglia introduced it to the rest of the world.

I do love the beauty and sparkle of this stone. And since it is glass, it holds up to lots of treatments without damage. the vibrant colors blend so well with other gems as well. Below you can see it paired with a polychrome jasper gem from Madagascar.

Shop my site for Goldstone and more

I invite you to follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs.

The post Goldstone; Is it really a stone? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

These 3 processes are essential to my life at the Jewelry Bench.

My least favorite is the sawing. I think it’s because this process is used towards the beginning of the design process. Whereas the filing and sanding are done once the piece is close to completion.

Moreover  both the filing and sanding have an almost meditative effect for me. I can let my mind relax and dream a little, since these processes are so repetitive. Anything that helps me relax is worth it! Plus I love seeing the result that sanding brings to my vision for the design. I guess it’s what we call a Win-Win.

Now to show off a few of my designs!

The post Sawing, Filing and Sanding: a Jeweler’s life appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Today I saw something that brought back memories of my Mom. A Facebook post was highlighting a craft that my Mom used to do. She has left us almost 20 years ago now but her essence is still part of my being.

Mom was a highly creative person who spent her lifetime imagining and making so many crafts. I grew up in this environment so it is no wonder that I chose the arts (jewelry design) to express myself.

Recently I chose to use my Mom’s costume jewelry to create a memento for each of the women in our family. Each design includes some of my creation too

Cherishing a piece of jewelry that belonged to a recent relative or long past ancestor is one way to help keep the memories alive.

My wish is that my jewelry will be the catalyst to bring back cherished memories to your children, grandchildren and beyond.

The post Reflections and Fond Memories appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

[tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]Pay It Forward is an enriching and powerful way to live our lives. The movie of the same title gave more credence to a practice that has been followed by countless others over the centuries.

Just in case you are still in the dark about it.. here are the details

• Do something for someone else.

• Something totally unexpected.

• Something that makes them smile.

• Don’t expect ‘or accept’ anything in return.

That’s it! It may inspire this person to do something nice for someone else, and those people to do something nice for someone else… and so on. Wouldn’t this be a great week if everyone participated? Aren’t you happy that you got the ball rolling? Keep in mind that this does NOT have to be someone you know and it does NOT have to involve cash. That part is up to you.

[tweet_box design=”box_03″ float=”none”]”If you can’t feed 100 people, then just feed one.” Mother Teresa[/tweet_box]

 Suggestions to get you started:

1) Buy groceries for the person in front or back of you in line.

2) Hold the door for someone entering or leaving at the same time.

3) Babysit a friend or neighbor’s children or pets. (for free)

4) Pay the rent or car payment (one time)

5) Have a friend or colleague starting a new business? Give them a positive review and share their posts online

6) Leave a gift basket or flowers at a neighboring door step.

7) Smile at someone who is frowning and clearly having a bad day

8) Buy Coffee or ice cream for the next person in line at your favorite hangout.

9) See someone carrying heavy load or juggling children and groceries? Help them out.

These are just a few ideas to get your brain kick-started in the right direction.

Please Share this post.

Let me know what you did to PAY IT FORWARD.

The post 9 Ways to Pay it Forward this Week appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

If you haven’t guessed by now. I love to texture my metal as I create my designs. So when I became aware of the corrugation process, I was intrigued.

First of all I purchased the book. Metal Corrugation by Patricia McAleer.   This colorful book introduces the metalsmith (that’s me) to a new method of creative expression–metal corrugated jewelry designs.

I read it cover to cover (several times). Hooked after the first page.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, making mistakes and having fun.[/tweet_box]

I use this corrugation brake with very pliable (after lots of heat) metal. The metal sheet I use is a thinner gauge. I stick with 24 gauge or even 26 gauge to be safe. Did you know that metal gauges get thinner as the number gets higher.. 24 gauge is thicker than 26 gauge. This took me awhile to get used to this counter-intuitive method of measuring.

By the way, this process requires arm strength!

The texture created is so much fun to work with. Often my mind is 4 steps ahead of the process.. already figuring out what cool designs will result.  These raw copper sheets are corrugated. The two pieces to the left are run through the brake twice at different angles. Consequently, I reheated the metal in between the two runs through the brake. Most of all, I am having fun. After all, don’t we all want to have fun while we work?

This short video on corrugated jewelry  gives you peek into how this all works. Enjoy!

[tweet_box design=”box_14_at” float=”none” author=”Alene Geed” pic_url=”http://alenesadornmentsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/alene_geed_jewelry_designer.jpg”] “Corrugating metal is a creative way to create designer jewelry.”   [/tweet_box]

Want to see a few of the finished designs? 
I knew you would say yes!

Read my post – An Inside Peek; How I create my designs.

The post Corrugated Jewelry? Yes! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Texturing Metal is one of my favorite ways to create designs. I love the way texture adds to the basic metal. It gives it dimension and makes the designs more interesting.

There are LOTS of ways to texture metal. Here’s a peek into two of the ways I use most frequently.

Corrugation.  

This means literally, to shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. Old-fashioned washboards were corrugated.  I use a corrugation brake to create the folds. Then as you can see on the large metal piece to the right.. I turned the metal 90 degrees and corrugated again! There are endless designs using this process. I just have to remember to soften the metal EVERY time after running the metal through the brake. Otherwise it gets too brittle.

Texturing with Hammers:

Did I mention that I LOVE to hammer?? Maybe this is my positive way of taking out aggression. Could be!! At any rate I do love the feel of the hammer in my hand and adore the textures that can be created. And art is involved in the techniques too. The hammer hit needs to be precise or the texture will not be consistent. This takes practice.

Here are a few of the texturing hammers I use on a regular basis. Each one of them gives a different texture or design to the metal.

Did you know there is actually a Hammer Museum? It is located in Alaska. Wouldn’t it be fun to visit?

If I ever get back to Alaska, I will check it out. A whole building filled with hammers. Whoopee!

Several other texturing techniques including Stamping, roller mill, form folding and fusing will be highlighted in future Peeks into my design process.

A few of my finished designs.

There is still time to enter the SWEEPSTAKES!   One lucky person will win this Sterling and Dichroic glass pendant.

The post Peek into my Design Process: Texturing appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

As the Holidays wind to a close this year, I have been thinking of all the people and things in my life that I appreciate.

Have you ever done that?.. just realize how lucky we all are to have people (and animals) who love us and ‘things’ that bring us pleasure.

I decided right then and there to list all my ‘appreciates’.

What I created was a list that is endless. Each time I think it’s complete, I think of something else! Here’s a small sampling of my ‘appreciates’

1. My Husband. for his acceptance and love & his uncanny ability to make me laugh.. even after 20 years of marriage.
2. My sisters. for their enduring love and friendship; the ones who know all my secrets.
3. Kitty Button. for her affection, (she’s sitting on my lap as I write this) her craziness and cuteness.
4. My Jewelry Studio. for the continuous pleasure it brings me as I have the space to design and create new pieces.
5. Morning Coffee. for it’s aroma and taste. And for my quiet time to start my day
6. My friends. for their willingness to share their lives with me. for the fun we have.
7. Books. for my pleasure in being swallowed up in a great story. For the excitement in finding a new author to read
8. My Clients and Customers. for their loyalty, trust and energy. Many have become friends.
9. My Social Media Friends. for the lost and new connections I have experienced over the last several years.

What about you?

I encourage you to take the time today to reflect on your ‘appreciates’? It will warm your heart & get your day moving in the best possible direction.

The post 5,6,7,8.. Who & What do we appreciate? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

It happens to me all the time.

In the morning, I put on one of my rings; lo and behold…. it is too tight.

Seriously? it fit me last week? and I am pretty sure that weight gain or loss has marginal effect on the fingers. This ring is a good example. I wore it yesterday as shown and today it was too tight. 

Don’t have a clue what all the reasons are for swelling of the fingers. Sometimes it is just the humidity that day. Perhaps it is affected by our hormones, or by certain drugs we start taking. 

All I know is that this phenomenon pushed me into designing my rings so they can be adjusted up or down a size. In this example, this feature allowed me to stretch the band slightly so the ring fit my fatter finger. YIPPEE!

My Rings Collection is comprised of 80% adjustable (yet classy and rich looking) designs.

The design to the left (silver and lapis) gives you the options of pinching or stretching the band slightly to fit your finger of the day.

These wrap designs are my favorite though. The adjustable feature is more subtle. So much fun to create. Copper rings are also designed primarily in this wrap design.

So on your next ‘FAT FINGER’ day, remember this post and check out my designs at Alenes Adornments.

IF you enjoyed this post you might like. Jewelry Clasps; The bigger the better

The post Having a ‘Fat Finger’ Day? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

I have been playing around with a new technique I learned from a recent class with Eva Sherman. (instructor extraordinaire).    Once we had learned this process of crimping the metal, I put my own spin on it.. Because that’s the way creative people think. 

So I combined the crimping with corrugation, forging, mixed metals and different patinas.

Voila! A collection is born.

I will be photographing and listing the first 5 designs (each one is limited edition of one) on my web site. alenesadornments

If you want to have first dibs on purchasing one of these, please join my mailing list. My subscribers will get first notice AND their subscriber only discount!  

please Share the blog. Thanks!

The post Do you love Copper Cuffs? See my newest collection. appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.