creativity Archives - Alene's Adornments Blog

How to Deal with a Creativity Block

Alene Geed — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 18:05:56 +0000

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.

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Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

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Time for a little Dreaming

Alene Geed — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 18:02:39 +0000

I have so much fun creating collections! Once I started designing jewelry, I noticed themes

Sterling and copper skinny pendant

starting to develop. So I named my first collection and began creating the designs for it. This is when the fun begins for me. I love knowing that when you wear one of my designs, you have a story and an inspiration to accompany it. That way you can be reminded of the sentiment behind the creation of the jewelry design.

Voila! The Dare to Dream Collection!

Sterling-copper skinny earrings

Dare to Dream is the collection that embodies our desire to dream and our wish to allow our dreams to permeate our existence, grow, expand, morph into even bigger dreams and become reality. Every design is a limited Edition of ONE.

The fusing process is like our dreams… it starts with a concept (in this case my idea for the piece) and then it takes its own leap into the final design; one that I could not have imagined or predicted!

Wear your selection as a reminder to Dream Big and Take the Leap forward!

Copper and Sterling Cuff with amethyst gemstones

Shop for my full Collection here.

Dare to Dream Rings Collection

“Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean”

Christopher Reeve

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Sawing, Filing and Sanding: a Jeweler’s life

Alene Geed — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:41:42 +0000

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.

https://alenesadornmentsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/60444217-81A0-465E-95F8-3864D12E8451.mp4

Now to show off a few of my designs!

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Reflections and Fond Memories

Alene Geed — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:02:03 +0000

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.

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I love turquoise

Alene Geed — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 14:00:02 +0000

Yes this is one of my favorite gems. I adore how it is so versatile. It looks awesome with copper or silver. Turquoise happens to be my birthstone. Lucky me

Plus I complement it with any number of other gems. It is shown here with my signature sprinkled silver metal .

Other gemstone combos include:

sunstone, rhodochrosite, citrine, peridot and ruby!

Which is your favorite?

https://alenesadornmentsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/0467AF03-0C9D-4A9E-A9D5-4AB6BE542F0F.mp4

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Evolution of Cuff Bracelets

Alene Geed — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 15:08:38 +0000

I have so much fun creating cuff bracelets. The design possibilities are endless.

Here’s an overview of how I make the magic happen.

Evolution of cuffs

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Wonder What Goes On Inside My Studio?

Alene Geed — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 22:13:20 +0000

Day in and day out I use tools, metals and gemstones to create my jewelry designs. My studio is in Arizona.. which is very hot 6 months of the year. So of course I have air conditioning! Each tool has it’s purpose in the design process. So now that you’ve gotten a peek into a few of the processes.. I will show you some finished jewelry created with these processes.

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A Peek into my Sprinkled Silver Jewelry process

Alene Geed — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 21:09:13 +0000

Want to see how I create some of my designs?

Early in my jewelry design career, I fell in love with copper and silver metals. One of my first experiments involved fusing metal components together.. just to see what would happen.

OK, so I did destroy a few chunks of metal. Applying just a little TOO much heat whereas the metals became a lump of indescribable mass. A learning experience, right? In the end I am happy for what I learned and can live with a few lumps of metal, knowing it helped me perfect this design process.

Raw copper is textured and then heated. After this I add sterling and fine silver components to the copper. Applying heat, I melt the silver right into the copper. the fun part is i am never sure how it will turn out! the Heat is in charge.

I coined this process ‘sprinkled silver’ and even have it copyrighted. Here are a few of the designs from my collections.

These designs and more are available at shopalenesadornments.com.

I invite you to Shop to Your Heart’s Content!

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Polychrome Jasper. My New Find.

Alene Geed — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:11:24 +0000

A couple of years ago, while I was attending the JOGS Gem Show in Tucson, I happened upon a supplier from Madagascar.

This supplier was showcasing primarily large raw stones. They were to be used for display in a home or office. In the corner of one of the displays were scattered some gorgeous cabochons. When I inquired I was told these were polychrome jasper gems. I love the earth tones and was immediately drawn to their beauty.

I purchased a few of these and was already envisioning the designs I would create with these one of a kind gems.

Every time I went back to this show (twice a year) I looked in vain for this supplier because I wanted more of these cabochons. It was as if they never existed??

Am I in the Twilight Zone?

Here is my first finished design. The sunstone gemstone in the center of the spiral really enhances the deep brick colors in the jasper. Love it!

Fun Fact: The reddish tones in these gems are created by the iron deposits in the mine.

Recently I learned that this gem was discovered by geologists in 2006 while searching for more ocean jasper. The formations are few in number, making this one of the rarest jasper in the world!

Lucky Me. I own 5 of the gems. YIPPEE! It pays to be in the right place at the right time doesn’t it?

Want to own one of these very rare gems? The pendant shown here is available for purchase online. Or choose one of the other gems shown in the photo at top. I will create a custom pendant just for you! Email me at alene@alenesadornments.com for more details.

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What is Artisan Jewelry?

Alene Geed — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 21:48:57 +0000

We hear this term a lot at craft shows, museums and in galleries. Ever wonder what it really means?

The word artisan originates from the Italian word artigiano. it’s defined as a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand. These products may be functional or decorative. (in the case of jewelry)

Artisan jewelry is custom made by a highly skilled craftsman.

Artisan jewelry is known to have existed as far back as 7000 BCE. These first handcrafted ornaments, necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings were made of gold and copper. Furthermore they were often sculpted to depict human and animal forms. Today handmade artisan jewelry is made of metals, gemstones, beads and many other materials. Every piece of handmade jewelry looks and feels unique.

As a result of this uniqueness, custom handmade jewelry pieces can have a high price and a high monetary value. The price not only reflects the individuality of each piece, but it also shows the high quality of the materials that are used to make each item. The best materials combined with the distinctive look of handcrafted artisan jewelry pieces often land in museum exhibits around the world.

Copper, Sterling and Amethyst Cuff

Because each of my designs is created by hand I get to feel and see the progression of the design. Each time my hammer hits the metal to create a texture I feel the connection to artisans from centuries past. I am inspired by their work and their commitment to their craft. This gives me endless pleasure!

My wish for you is that you experience this same pleasure each time you wear one of my custom designed jewelry pieces.

Shop Here for my Rustic Yet Refined Jewelry

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Alene Geed

Arizona designer Alene Geed is the creator of artisan copper, sterling and gemstone jewelry. Her designs are unique, artsy and feminine with an American Southwest Influence. Designs are available for purchase at http://www.alenesadornments.com

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