I am experiencing some difficulty in regaining a bit of focus regarding jewelry designs. I have not done anything unique for months. 
I have been thinking about previous designs, scanning my supply sources, and surveying all the lovely stones I have in my trove.
I want my designs to be unique, touchable, beautiful to see and comfortable to wear. I want designs that endure the current fashion colors and styles so that it will not end up under a pile of newer things by the end of the year. Finally, I want each piece to have an owner out there unknown when I make it but who will ultimately find it and love it. In the case of commissions I really try to get a sense of the person so that the piece I make is uniquely her own.
I prefer organic and natures contributions to components such as the carnelian rondelle beads in this piece. I make some components from metal clay, polymer clay, and silver. I purchase most of the findings and of course the beads and cabochons. I also include odd items that I find in my travels. Sometimes I take apart jewelry pieces and reuse the components in new designs.
I do not draw well (actually my drawing is awful and I need to take a course) so most of my designs are developed by rumaging through my supplies or a catalog or supply store along with mental activity in the shower or the driver’s seat. Then I layout pieces and work with them. Sometimes I use substitute items to do mockups and sometimes I just start all over.
When I do wire work I frequently use inexpensive art wire to work out the design on a cabochon or other item that I might be wrapping. I use clay to mock up some pieces before using the fast-drying expensive silver clay. I also wear jewelry to make certain it wears well, hangs properly, and is comfortable. Sometimes I simply have to wait for a stone or other item to speak to me so that I can understand what it wants to become. Yeah, who knew I could be so woo woo.
Anyway, I need some critical feedback and direction. So this is your opportunity to weigh in. The piece in this post is inspired by a piece I bought years ago when I lived in Guam. That piece was lapis, multi-strand, no accent beads and a square pendant that was oriented similar to this one. In fact that necklace was uncomfortable because of the spacers that had been used to align the strands so I took it apart and used all the components in my own designs.
Back to this piece. It was one of the first necklaces I sold at White Mist of Cotter. The person who bought it took it to Tennessee or Georgia and based on her feedback to Julia it is one of her favorite necklaces and a staple in her business wardrobe. I love hearing that. I reworked this piece several times. I am not a fan of symmetry and avoid it when I can thus the design does not have matching accents but I do give a nod to symmetry with the placement of the accents. I also do not feel it necessary to use only one metal. I used brass, silver, and pewter in this. I loved the colors. They are warm and reflect light. Carnelian is one of my favorite stones to work with.
I do not expect you to give raves about this piece. What I am looking for is some critical design feedback. What does this piece tell you. Did I hit the mark based on my design goals?
