My Creative Attention Deficit
When it comes to creativity, I confess to having difficulty remaining focused on one technique, and to impulsively buying shiny objects. This attention deficit is obvious if you look at the collection of jewelry I’ve designed over time. Like a frog in a cactus farm, I’ve hopped from one style to another, never staying long in one spot.
I’ve designed jewelry that could be described as rustic, elegant, modern, southwestern, boho, steampunk, minimalist, statement, organic, geometric, you name it. Almost always one-of-a-kind. Rarely in sets that could be worn together or mixed-and-matched. I’ve created delicate chandelier earrings dripping in sparkly crystals, with perfectly wrapped bright sterling silver loops. And big chunky necklaces with irregular cut stones and purposefully messy dark-oxidized copper wire wraps.
Because designing and making jewelry began as a creative outlet, a hobby, that inability to focus and develop a cohesive look to my jewelry collection was not a problem. However, after more than 10 years of hopping here and there, I decided I wanted to develop a cohesive jewelry collection, or collections. Which led to the opening of this, my second Etsy shop.
When I took a hard look at what I had in my first Etsy shop - Paisley Lizard Designs - I quickly saw at least one dividing line. Setting aside styles for a moment, I saw one collection made primarily with earthy stones and rustic artisan components, and another made with sparkly Czech glass and Austrian crystals in brighter, less muted colors.
Here in the Cactus Frog shop is where you will find the most sparkly of my jewelry designs, the ones made with Czech glass and Austrian crystals and other quality glass beads. I use a mix of metals, from sterling and plated silver, to copper and brass. Sometimes I mix metals. As for style, it’s a little bit vintage-inspired, a touch whimsical, a tad romantic, with some goth and steampunk influence.
If you’re looking for my more rustic organic jewelry designs, made with semiprecious gemstones and artisan-made components, please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyLizardDesigns .
One thing that remains the same between my two shops is that I select or make all of my components personally and do not use coral, pearls, shell, ivory, bone, feathers, or other materials harvested or derived from animals.
Each piece of jewelry is handmade by me, in a smoke-free home, with help from my two furry assistants, Design Consultant Cloud and Chief Inspector Mango.
Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design member #3816.
