I recently was reviewing a few of my designs and realized that I had, unknowingly, created numerous variations of select items. Now---I prefer to create items from ideas in my head. I rarely sketch them out on paper. I will simply sit down with my choice of carving wax and create. It is really just a form of miniature sculpture. Of course, the over 45 years experience I have, allows me to know and understand just what I CAN create. The correct depth of a setting for a gem or the thickness needed for strength in a ring band, for example, is all information "filed" away----which allows me the freedom to create as I go.
    The "thrill" of designing and creating is watching it, almost magically, appear in my hand. "Conjuring" an idea from my mind into a finished item of jewelry provides that thrill that all artists feel when creating. When I tell someone that a design I have created for them is a "one of a kind", there are times when I am sure they do not completely understand what that means. I have actually had to explain---"There is not another piece of art like this in the world. Never has been and never will be again. Similar? Maybe, but identical? Never!"
   The photo above, of my friend and muse, Gabriella Delgado, shows her wearing a set of South Sea mabe pearl earrings and matching pendant in 14kt yellow gold. The teardrop shaped pearls worked perfectly in the chevron shape I had envisioned. Possibly taken from the logo/symbol for my old favorite classic Citroen DS 21 Pallas? Maybe. I never think about where these ideas come from but DO realize "after the fact" that there, obviously, are "connections."
  And those original pieces shown were first created over 10 years ago. Recently, as mentioned, I created similar items---without really realizing that they were closely connected.

  Though the chevron shape of the original design has been "flipped" over, the idea is still there. I look at these and can see that I was rolling around the idea in my mind---almost trying to find the perfect version. And, of course----there is no "perfect" version. What I feel is the most attractive always has the possibility of being the least favorite of a customer. All in the eye of the beholder, as the old cliche states.
   I have sat and played a song over and over on an instrument, trying different tempos and versions, in much the same way---creating "on the fly." With some forms of art, the idea has to be complete in your mind before you can finalize it. But that is one of the many reasons I love creating jewelry. The fluidity of the creative process allows me to "go with the flow" and alter and change and fine tune as I work on the item---all in the hope of hitting that "sweet spot" of a complete design.
 (hmmmm----just realized I somehow hit on 3 or 4 cliche/phrases in those last 2 paragraphs----not bad!)
  And who knows------maybe there are more of that same style needing to be created to continue trying to find that "one."