I started out this blog post by writing about all the new things I want to learn and do during the year of 2017 and then was struck by a thought that would not leave my head. Over the last few days, the thought has grown bigger and stronger and I don't think I can ignore it.
Rather than go on and on about new things I'm going to do this year, I am going to take a step back and re-visit things I've already done. There are so many techniques that I've dabbled in and tried, but have never truly explored all of the possibilities.
So, this year I want to learn more about making beads from paper. I really love everything about making them from selecting the paper, cutting the strips and forming them into beads and watching them take shape before my very eyes. I think there is so much more to this than just the basics that I am familiar with.
I want to experiment more with using buttons in jewelry. My foray into buttons has mostly involved making rings, but I want to explore using them in clasps and as bails for pendants. I've used buttons as bails a few times and think the look is terrific, but there are definitely more possibilities than what I've done to date.
Another of my favorite activities is working with wire and I think I've become too comfortable with the techniques I know well. Time to challenge myself and the wire to new, interesting and unique designs. Wire sculpture comes to mind as something to try.
Resin is another area where I've barely scratched the surface. Look for more exploration in resin to come, especially with preserving and using organic materials such as leaves and seed pods in resin. I had so much fun dipping fall leaves in resin last year and I know there are techniques and designs that have yet to be coaxed from the resin.
Last, but not least, I would really like to play with form folding in much more depth than I've done in the past. Making these was a fun project, but there is much more to form folding than leaves and hearts.
I'm very good at trying new techniques and mastering the basics, but it seems as soon as I do that, it's off to the next thing. My attention span is short. 2017 is going to be the year to go back and explore all of the areas I've mentioned in more depth and really master them; not just superficially, but inside out, upside down, backwards and forwards. Now, I may not to get to all of the things I've mentioned, but I'm looking forward to the challenge!
To see what other members of the jewelry artisans community have to say about the projects they want to try in 2017, please click on the links below:
Cat's Wire
Violetmoon's Corner
