MikiCat Designs

"That's not my style."

How many times have you heard that from others or said it yourself? But personal "style", just like our taste buds, change constantly. There was a rule at our dinner table when I was growing up... "You don't have to eat but you must taste." It didn't matter if we'd had that particular food before and decided we didn't like it. My mom insisted that our tastes would change as we grew older. Things we liked, might not have the same appeal when we got older and things we thought absolutely disgusting at 15 would become our favorite foods at 25. She was right. I love raw clams, oysters and broccoli. Three foods that had made me gag every time.

When we're young, we're encouraged to try many different things. To stretch our imaginations, try out different philosophies, foods, and looks. We're told we can be anything we want to be if we just try. My mom also used to say "You may be the greatest piccolo player in the world, but you'll never know unless you try the piccolo." Wise woman. So, I tried. Well, I didn't try the piccolo, but I expanded my horizons by tasting foods I never tried before, trying on a piece of clothing before dismissing it as 'not me' and even revisiting old styles and things I'd never liked because she was right. My tastes changed as I grew and the years went by.

Well, I'm no young woman anymore but does that mean I have to stop trying new things, tasting new and old foods or dismissing a look because I don't think it's me? Nope. The day I stop trying new things will be the day they can plant me 6 feet under. Well, I'd rather be cremated but that's neither here nor there. What I am trying to say is that while almost everything I make is something I love to wear, they're not always "my style". Which is why a lot of my jewelry is on the eclectic side. One day I'll like chainmaille, the other wire wrapping and the next beading. So I play with them all. However, if I ever do find a set style in my art, I'll probably force myself to change it because I don't want to get in a rut.

Most of the jewelry for sale on Artfire, Etsy and my website, are pieces I loved making. But I'm expanding my horizons daily. Right now I'm getting into metalsmithing, though I've nothing finished to show or that I want to sell... yet. I'm still learning and trying new (to me) techniques and tools, having a blast and realizing that my style is every growing, evolving and changing.

There's no law out there that says everyone can have only one "style" for the rest of their lives. We can change our hair, our clothes and even our eye color and beautiful one of a kind jewelry is the greatest way to say "We are unique!" So challenge yourself and think out of the box. Try something new, different and unpredictable. Buy a new perfume, try a new food, wear a different type of shoe... and let your jewelry be as spontaneous and unique as you are!

Miki

I've been spending the last few weeks diligently working on redesigning my studio space to fit in the new jeweler's bench I recently purchased. But with my bad back, it's been a slow process. I have to thank, publicly, my new friend, Deborah, who I met through the Yahoo Group, FloridaBeaders. This woman has generously encouraged, cajoled, scolded and pushed me to get this work done. She has unstintingly given of her time to help me physically as well as mentally and emotionally move the garbage and clutter from my home and mind.

You expect this kind of aid from someone you've known for years, or a family member. But for it to come from a woman who was a complete stranger to me less than 3 months ago... well, it touches me and makes my heart swing wide open. Yes, I agreed to teach her what little I know of silver smithing, as I'm just a beginner myself, but it seems so inadequate. So, how do I thank this open hearted person? How do I repay her for the unselfish things she's already done and is still doing? Indeed I want to make her something really special, but how do you show someone how much you appreciate the help they've given you, asking for nothing in return?

I've been living in South Florida for over 30 years now. So, I guess many would consider me a native. I mean, after 30 years, if you're not a native, what are you? But I was born and bred in New York and they do say you can take the girl out of NY but you can't take the NY out of the girl. To this day, I really have no idea what that means.

Anyway, so why I am writing tonight? Good question. I'm trying something different with the blog., Writing not just about my adventures in jewelery design but about me. Along the last years exploration into the mysterious world of jewelery design I learned a lot about the craft; wire wrapping, stringing, beading stitches, the difference between Czech crystals and Swarovskis, how to pierce, saw, and solder silver and other metals, how to make plain jump rings into incredible fabric like works of art and more. But the most important things I learned were about myself.

I learned that I hate to do small beading projects but can sit for hours opening and closing tiny jump rings to make a ring, bracelet, earrings or necklace. I learned I love metal fabrication. Actually taking metal, sawing, piercing, cutting and soldering it into something beautiful. I learned that I love to teach!! And I'm good at it! Even though I am far from being an expert, apparently I have a gift for being able to show others what I've learned and I love sharing my knowledge. It gives me a thrill to hear that.

I've spent the last few weeks in depression because I'm out of work again. But thanks to a few really good friends, one in particular (thanks Deb!), I'm getting over myself and back into doing what I love to do... make jewelry. Slowly we're getting the studio cleaned up and rearranged to make room for a new jeweler's bench where I can comfortably do more with fire and, if I'm real lucky, take on a student to teach what I've learned and hope they won't make the same mistakes as I have. I've learned so much from the professional and amateurs on Orchid Forum at Ganoskin, a lot of it over my head, but much of it very informative that only makes me want to learn more and more and more.

I think the day I stop learning, is the day I will put all my tools down and do no more. But I think that's a very long, long way off. What I'm trying to say is I am a work in progress. As is my jewelry, my blog, my FB pages, my website, my Etsy store and Artfire Studio. I hit high spots where I work like a fiend, and low spots where I don't go near the computer for weeks.

But now I would really like to hear back from people who have gone through these same sort of growing pains. Regardless of your hobby, avocation, passion, craft or job, what do you do to get our of bed in the morning and get working on something you love. You'd think it would be easy, but hey, they don't call me a Master Procrastinator for nothing! What about you!?