I wanted to write some more about finding inspiration in the works of other artists, and how to use that inspiration ethically without copying. I once wrote a post about simultaneous inspiration, and how it often happens with my friends and fellow beadmakers Gaea, Diane, and I with our beadmaking. So I felt like I was repeating myself about how artists work with trends and sometimes come up with similar ideas, and how the exciting and challenging part of art is how to take these trends and ideas and things that inspire you, and use your own voice to express them. I still hope to write a bit about *how* do do that, but it is hard for me to put into words. It's a rather intuitive process for me; one that I have engaged in for years, so it is a challenge to actually describe it. I shall continue to try.

Anyway, while I was pondering this subject, I found myself inspired by another jewelry designer who was working on the same blogger outreach program with me, using the new Brown Lava beads from Rings and Things. While I was working with my own Puffed Square Lava beads, I recalled a pair of earrings I saw on Margot Potter's blog, using the same beads. I loved the way she wrapped the contrasting silver wire around the beads. As I was trying to figure out a way to attach my beads to the faux suede cords on my necklace shown above, I remembered the wrapping and decided it might be a good solution for me too! While the technique is similar, and the inspiration was certainly from what I saw Margot do, I think that my application of it turned it into something entirely different. Margot wrote about a creative process that she compares to musicians "riffing" off of each other in the great post she wrote about copyrights and copycats. While I cannot speak for her, obviously, to me this is an example of what she was describing. I saw something, took note of it, was inspired by it, and figured out how to use it in my own way, creating something both new and inspired by someone else. I try to acknowledge these bits and pieces that inspire me, and the sources, whenever I can. And I think that constantly adding new inspirations and mixing them up in my own way is what has helped me create and evolve my style over the years.

By the way, I fired some more of the keyhole pendants shown in the necklace above, in some new colors, and listed them in the Etsy shop. Gave them a new name too, Openwork Escutcheons, just to be fancy. Please visit the Earthenwood Etsy shop to see them.

I took a little blog break yesterday, as I was feeling pretty crummy. I spent the day sleeping in and then lounging the couch watching tv and squishing clay around for the rest of the day and evening, with my big snuggly blanket and heating pad. I am feeling much better today! One of the things I did yesterday was make some brand new pendants. I have been mulling these around for a while, after seeing the antique porcelain keyhole plates in a shop in Kalamazoo when I visited. I loved that they were made of clay, and they were bead sized. I was tempted to buy them and make jewelry from them, but I thought it would be even better to be inspired by them somehow, so I filed the idea away for a rainy day.

Below, are the pendants I made. They are unfired and unglazed. I made the keyhole cut out with a tiny cookie cutter that I bent from thin sheet metal, and the outside shape is from a square cookie cutter that I altered. They are a little fragile to work with in the raw and dry clay, with all the holes, but I only broke two while sanding. These will definitely be a small run of pendants, as they are too finicky for a regular production item, but they sure are fun! I think they will be glazed mostly in dark metallic glazes. I am looking forward to getting some fired and finished.

oh, and the picture above was taken in my new photo area, in the upstairs studio. I am still working on adjusting the lighting and space, but it looks promising so far.

After visiting the antique shop the other day, we ventured next door to another antique shop, but one of a different variety. This one had all sorts of architectural details. There were piles of old windows, floor vents, doors, tin ceiling pieces, and other large pieces. That was neat to look through, but of course what caught my eye was the small details. In particular, the collection of beautiful old brass door hardware, door knobs, hinges, and handles. This interests me particularly now because my latest carvings are inspired by them. Now I am further inspired to think about making more.

I really need a better camera if I am going to be blogging from things I see on my adventures. The cell phone just doesn't do a great job getting the quality that I need. This is something I think I need to invest in, once I get all my tax checks and real life payments written and sent off.

I am writing this post on Friday to publish Saturday. I have a fun evening planned ahead that I am sure I will want to talk about in my next entry! So I wanted to write this one and save it while the memory is fresh. Tonight, it is off to the Smart Shop, where the Art Hop is taking place. Squee! Fun!

This tile is the companion piece to the lock image in the Fortess Threshhold tile. The key accompanies the lock and is symbolic of many things. It is the device that opens a lock or a door, it holds much power. It can be a key of happiness, of strength, of knowledge.
 

I designed this key to be elegant and beautiful, and the way the top of the key formed into an infinity symbol was not planned, it just happened as I carved, and I really enjoy that element to it. The key sets atop of a large gear image with darkness behind it, with bright red drops coloring it, making it stand out visually in the center of the tile. It is a strong image to me, the key, as if it is guarding and protecting something, and it also is full of possibilities.
 

What could be behind the lock that it allows access to?
 

Info about the ceramic tiles:
 

This sturdy stoneware tile is approximately 3.5"w x 4.5"h. It has a notch on the back for hanging onto a wall. It will lay flush with the wall if using a small nail or a flat head screw. The tile can be used outdoors too, although I recommend bringing it in for the winter months, to prevent freezing. Keys and ruler are shown for scale, and do not come with this purchase. Available in the Earthenwood Ceramic Etsy shop

This is the first tile design in my new series of Santcuary tiles, and it is called the Fortress Threshold. The keyhole symbol is a fascinating one to me. It can be symbolic of many different things, most of which I associate with either entering and keeping or exiting and exploring, because the keyhole lock is something that either lets you in or out of somewhere, like a portal.

 

The keyhole can represent something that is locked up and stored away, perhaps something secret or valuable. It can be a symbol of protection: a keyhole lock holds something safely inside, like the lock on a vault or to the door of a castle. This can be comforting or it can be restrictive, depending on what is being locked up. A heart, or mind, or soul locked away from the world feel like prison. But a lock on a fortress can keep you safely inside, and you can choose to find comfort there, guarded against the world outside. It is a symbol of the home and its safety, to me... both the physical home and the home of the heart and mind.

 

The keyhole image also makes me think of unlocking and opening. Just as it keeps things safely inside, it performs the function of setting things free. Unlocking the mind to new possibilities, and opening the heart to friendship and love. It can be a symbol to set free creativity and break free from the ties that bind one from finding happiness in life.

 

This symbol has been a very important one to me in my own path of self discovery. I have a rich inner mindscape filled with interesting imagery, and this series of tiles has helped me explore many symbols and thoughts that seem to repeat in my mind. Thinking about them and incorporating them into this new series has helped me learn about myself.

 

Now, where is the key to this lock...?

 

This series of tiles is available in the Earthenwood Ceramics Etsy shop