Creativity Corner Creative Projects

learning the art of patience

February 18, 2012

In another lifetime, (sometimes it really feels like it) i decided to do a part-time jewellery course. I suppose after studying graphic design i realised that being creative has many outlets and it would be fun to explore some of them.

I remember the first time the teacher told us to get a solid piece of silver. Going to the jewellery making suppliers in hatton garden was really exciting but when i bought the silver i wondered how on earth i would make a product out of it. Of course, with the help of the lovely teacher, i soon discovered the laborious task of beating a piece of silver into a bracelet, ring or other object. It took me a few weeks to make a hairpin, my very first piece of jewellery.

With time i got to know about casts and precious and semi-precious stones and a whole new world opened up.

What did i learn from this? Well, i soon discovered that long-term jewellery making was not for me. It did not ignite my fire or get me that excited. I think i simply enjoyed learning how to make it, the intricate methods and the end result. Ironically, now i hardly wear any jewellery at all.

There was an invaluable lesson though: learning the art of patience. I went into jewellery making a pretty inpatient and fiery young woman. Out came someone, who understood that things take time, they have their own cycle and we cannot force or control them. Patience is a virtue and i’ve become a master at it.

Where do you fare on the patience barometer? Any anecdotes or lessons to share?

Here is a selection of some of the jewellery pieces i made. I also really got into beadmaking, which i still enjoy today. I predominantly use japanese delica beads.

 

 

 

 

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23 Comments

  • Reply Holly February 19, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    Hi Tina! So happy to be stopping by here 🙂 Always good stuff to absorb!

    Unfortunately, I am not a patience master yet – but I work on it, I try. I am much, much better than ten years ago. Thank goodness – when I look back at that time I sometimes can’t believe that was me – I was also impatient and fiery – an overly passionate young lady with a quick hot temper, lol! (I blame it on hormones! – somehow I never felt right in that role – as a child I was ultra quiet and introverted. Without self awareness, it could have become me, I’m sure – either extreme actually). I’m so happy I matured from that and have been successful at attaining some balance. Dance, yoga/meditation, oil painting, running scientific experiments and meeting my husband Paul were all contributors to helping me become a more grounded, balanced, honest and patient human being. As happy as I am to have evolved, I will always cherish the process.

    Your jewellery pieces are so awesome – I love the locket! What a multi talented lady you are!

    Happy Sunday Xx.

    • Reply tina February 19, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      Awww. So happy you’re back. I did miss you not posting all week. Really loved your ‘Ambiente’ round up!

      Well, I did not become a patience master through my jewellery making alone. Long-term therapy and other stuff contributed:)
      I can just imagine you as a hot tempered and overly passionate young lady.

      I know what you mean by cherishing the process. I also enjoy looking back and seeing where I’ve come from. There is something very real and human about the various life stages.

      Oil painting, hmmm, will we see some on your blog?

      Can’t wait to meet you x

  • Reply Chi @ Carousel February 19, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    I wholeheartedly agree with Holly – there seems to be no end to your talents! 😀
    I, too, struggle with making decisions on which creative outlets to explore (I sometimes feel that I would like to try/do it all!) so I know exactly how you feel.

    Whenever someone tells me that they make their own jewellery, I brace myself for something that looks distinctly, well …. self-made, if you know what I mean. Yours wouldn’t look out of place in a shop – expertly done and pleasingly chunky: my favourite kind! 😀
    The bracelet with the square links and the rings are just fabulous.

    Becoming a parent and meeting my husband (who has the patience of a saint!) made me more patient than I ever thought I could be. I used to want everything yesterday and couldn’t understand why the rest of the world didn’t move at my pace! 😀

    • Reply tina February 19, 2012 at 5:13 pm

      @ Chi Thank you for understanding. It seems great, but actually can be a curse and a struggle. I think when I was younger it was more of a problem. These days I know more how to channel my talents. Blogging, I must admit has fulfilled many of my urges as I can write, make things, photograph and interact with people. What took me so long? Oh, yes, I know, my bloody perfectionism! So happy I stumbled across BYW:)

      Thank you for your kind comment regarding my jewellery making. I also love chunky stuff so we are in agreement there:)

      “I used to want everything yesterday and couldn’t understand why the rest of the world didn’t move at my pace!” So true, me too!

      @ Toni

      I cannot even tell you how long it takes…. I am so surprised I went there….. strangely it can also be very therapeutic. I am happy I did them quite some time ago. Not sure, I could do it now. Funnily enough, I started a big mosaic piece for my terrace. That was in 2007. I did 10 days and I haven’t touched it since. I must try and continue or admit defeat and give up:)

      You impatient, no? It’s written all over you, especially in your eyes. That’s what makes you so youthfull my love.

  • Reply Toni February 19, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Always enjoy reading your posts! Being Danish I’m influenced by the Greenlandic culture especially as both my parents spent time there. Both brought home amazing jewellery made from beads, and I’ve been told how many hours of work that goes in to making them, so well done!
    As for patience, I”m the most impatient person I know!

  • Reply Lauren February 20, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Gorgeous jewelry, Tina! I do not have the fine motor skills or the patience for work like this, but I am a big appreciator of such gorgeous work! Beautiful, beautiful gems. I am so impressed with your talent!

    • Reply tina February 20, 2012 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks Lauren. I bet you would have those skills if you tried. However, I don’t have the patience no longer and my heart wasn’t in it, which doesn’t help!

  • Reply Theresa February 21, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Well, for someone who took one course and didn’t take a liking to it, you created some really beautiful pieces. I have to concur with Chi, my kids have made me more patient (not zen patient, but patient). It takes lots of practice, for certain. By any chance, are you a Sagittarius? 😉

    • Reply tina February 21, 2012 at 7:17 am

      Ta. Morning. For you it’s bedtime.

      I can imagine that having kids helps with the patience level but can be equally challenging. I very much enjoy my role as aunt but that’s so different to being a parent.

      Good guess, not Sagittarius but Leo. Both fire signs. What are you?

  • Reply ursula (room to bloom) February 21, 2012 at 9:53 am

    I have lots of patience, but I have so many things that interest me and so little time, I find it difficult to commit large chunks of time to one thing. I think you get more out of things when you do though – mindful living ring a bell? Jewellery wise it has to 1950s costume bracelets and necklaces for me – I have a huge collection and I keep wanting to go on a jewellery repair course so I can restore some of the damaged pieces… Anyone let me know if you know a good course!

    • Reply tina February 21, 2012 at 12:06 pm

      I can imagine you having lots of patience:) Boy, am I with you on “I have so many things that interest me and so little time” but am getting better at it.

      These days I reserve chunks of time to various projects in my diary. It’s the only way I know how to multi-task.

      Your jewellery collection sounds amazing. Wow, will look out for a jewellery repair course. Alternatively, I am sure you can find someone who restores vintage costume jewellery. Will let you know my findings!

  • Reply rooth February 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    Hi Tina – thanks for stopping by my blog and so kindly offering to buy me stamps. I am trying to minimize clutter so I will just admire the stamps from afar but thank you all the same! Sometimes, it is fun and challenging to learn things just for the sake of learning. My patience is TERRIBLE but I still consciously try. When I was a child, I played two instruments and I think that has helped me with where I am today, or else I’d be a total short-tempered ogre

    • Reply tina February 21, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      Hi. Thanks for your reply. I know they are very sought after and probably a pain to order and have send across the pond.

      I also stopped collecting stamps because of the clutter:)

      That’s so interesting about playing instruments and that helping with patience. It is always a life long learning curve and I am happy to say I am an eternal student.

  • Reply design elements February 21, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    beautiful jewelry!

    • Reply tina February 21, 2012 at 4:59 pm

      Well, thank you so much. Nice of you to stop over. Tschüß

  • Reply Sophie February 22, 2012 at 12:13 am

    What varied but beautiful work Tina! I agree with Chi, these would not look out of place in a shop – very accomplished!
    I am in awe of anyone who does have the patience to complete projects such as this – I’m still learning the art. I think the reason I still haven’t started sewing is that I worry I’ll start something but not finish it. Of course the ‘too many projects, too little time concept’ applies here too.
    I’ve found that if I really want to test my patience I try to cook something. Joe does most of the cooking in our house as I tend to be too hot tempered in the kitchen, but when I really try and work on something, it’s quite therapeutic and so satisfying to have a tasty end result. x

    • Reply tina February 22, 2012 at 12:26 am

      Thank you Sophie and congratulations on your blogging for mydeco.com

      Believe me I do understand that dilemma. The fear of not starting. I suffered from that for many years and then one day I decided to just do and see what outcome I get. Some things I finish, some I don’t but the satisfaction is still there and I commend myself for trying.

      I like that Joe cooks. You don’t seem that hot tempered to me:)

      It’s like de-cluttering for me. When I actually manage do it it’s so therapeutic and satisfying and I feel a weight has lifted.

  • Reply Erin February 22, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Patience isn’t something I have a lot of, and it’s my biggest fault. I’m not used to having to practice it, and obviously that proves problematic when situations call for it. Delayed subway? I go from zero to rage. And zero to panic since I’m claustrophobic and am always certain I’m going to get trapped underground or in an elevator or something. Just last night I stopped by my makeup store to pick up a new lotion for nighttime, and they were out of stock. They were unpacking a large shipment and said some more might be in there, but they wouldn’t know until this morning and could I please come back then? I think my eyes popped out of my head. I wanted it NOW.

    So. All that to say that I’m in awe of your jewelry making abilities, especially being able to hand-bead those bracelets. That must have taken ages and there’s no way I could’ve done it. Well done! They’re all beautiful pieces, Tina.

    • Reply tina February 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm

      Ha. We found something you’re not good at:) but then Lisbeth is inpatient always wanting everything now. You’re true to your character.

      I am claustrophobic too so don’t take the subway:) at least you do!!!

      The makeup store story is different though. That’s not about being patient. That’s about your valuable time, you knowing that they actually have it in boxes but are just too damn lazy to look for it. What you displayed is total right as a customer to expect good customer service!!! That’s being pro-active rather than passive:)

      Thank you for complimenting my jewellery, lovely.

  • Reply Christine Martin February 22, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    Hi there,
    I enjoyed this post. My sister is a jewelry designer so I understand the time and effort and love placed in each piece. It is something to admire for sure. Look forward to reading more. 🙂

    • Reply tina February 22, 2012 at 11:33 pm

      Hi. thank you for stopping by. Thank you for your kind comments. Your sister has the patience of a saint!

  • Reply annie February 23, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Seriously you made all that jewellery? Amazing. It looks so professional! Must admit it’s not something I’ve ever really wanted to do but I’m always really impressed when someone does this. Beautiful photos too.

    • Reply tina February 23, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Can you believe I actually made this? It’s a bit like an out of body experience. Something from another era:)
      Go figure! Thanks for noticing my photos:)

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