A Glimpse Into My Creative Process: From Inspiration to Creation

A Glimpse Into My Creative Process: From Inspiration to Creation

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of my handmade jewelry, welcome to the organized chaos of my creative world! My journey as an artist has always been a bit of a rollercoaster – full of new ideas, creative distractions, and a never-ending flow of inspiration. Today, I’m sharing a bit about how I go from idea to finished piece, with plenty of detours along the way!

Step 1: Inspiration Strikes – From Pinterest to Polymer Clay

Inspiration is everywhere. For me, it’s often a random spark from scrolling through Pinterest, watching a TV show, or stumbling upon a beautiful color palette. My popular Flowerettes, for example, started as an idea inspired by AI-generated artwork I found on Pinterest. I fell in love with the soft, delicate look of those digital flowers and wanted to recreate that in a tangible form with polymer clay.

Of course, Pinterest doesn’t just inspire my jewelry; it sometimes steers me off-course too! A few days ago, while searching for new design ideas, I found myself distracted by a picture of a super chunky sweater. Fast forward to yesterday – I spent the entire evening knitting after a package of wool arrived, leaving two Flowerettes unfinished on my work table. This is the reality of my creative process: following inspiration wherever it leads, even if it’s not always in a straight line.

Step 2: Choosing Materials – Staying (Mostly) Focused

Once an idea has me hooked, I gather the materials. My current obsession is polymer clay, and I’m trying my best to stay consistent with it to build a collection of Flowerettes and earrings for my shop. But as a multi-crafter, staying focused can be a challenge. For instance, although I’ve been completely absorbed in clay work lately, a friend recently ordered two amigurumi hamster keychains from me. This means I’ll have to dig out my crochet hooks and yarn again, despite my best efforts to stay committed to clay!

Polymer clay is perfect for my jewelry creations because it allows for intricate details, vibrant colors, and durability. Still, I occasionally find myself daydreaming about other materials or crafts. The struggle is real, but I try to keep my workspace stocked with everything I need to bring each idea to life (and hopefully keep my creative distractions in check).

Step 3: Crafting – Bringing Ideas to Life (Eventually!)

Crafting each piece by hand is both the most satisfying and most challenging part of my process. When I sit down to work with polymer clay, hours can disappear as I shape, refine, and add details. Each Flowerette or charm goes through multiple stages, from forming the initial shape to adding tiny details and textures. This part of the process requires patience, but there’s something magical about seeing a design come together, especially after a few “re-dos.”

Of course, my mind sometimes wanders even while I’m in the middle of crafting. I’ll think about a different design I could try or a completely unrelated project (like finishing that chunky sweater). But despite the occasional distraction, I always come back to finish what I’ve started.

Step 4: Finishing Touches – The Little Details Matter

Once the main piece is shaped, it’s time for the finishing touches. This could mean adding a glossy coat of resin for extra durability, attaching earring hooks, or carefully painting tiny accents. The finishing touches are where each piece truly comes to life, and I love adding those final details that make each item feel complete.

Even at this stage, though, my creative energy sometimes pulls me in a dozen directions. While working on a new necklace, I might be thinking about the next design idea, what I should post on TikTok, or even a completely different craft project. But somehow, every piece makes it through to the end with its own personality intact.

Step 5: Quality Check and Packaging – Sending My Creations Out Into the World

Before a piece leaves my hands, it goes through a thorough quality check to make sure it’s just right. Handmade jewelry is all about the small details, so I inspect each item to ensure it’s ready to be worn and loved. Then comes the packaging, which I try to make as special as the jewelry itself – a little something extra to make the unboxing experience feel like a gift.

When I finally pack up a finished piece, it’s a mix of excitement and pride, knowing that this little part of my creative journey is going to someone who will (hopefully) enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Embracing the Chaos of Creativity

The truth is, my creative process is anything but linear. From juggling different crafts to getting sidetracked by new ideas, every day brings something a little different. I used to think I needed to focus on just one craft, but I’ve come to accept that my process is a bit… all over the place. And that’s okay! Whether I’m working with polymer clay, picking up yarn for a quick crochet project, or getting lost in Pinterest inspiration, it’s all part of what makes my creations unique. If you’re curious about my recent jewelry pieces, check out Blue Flowerette in Pot Necklace to see where this creative chaos leads!

If you’re someone who loves handmade jewelry, I hope this peek behind the scenes gives you a sense of the love, chaos, and fun that go into every piece. Thank you for being part of my creative journey, and stay tuned for more (hopefully finished) pieces as I continue to follow wherever inspiration leads!