Need something? Make it. Want something? Make it happen!

Since everyone seems to find their creative bones this time of year thought it be the perfect chance to share the headless mannequin I made in July to be my assistant. Yes she's wearing a mini Halloween hat and yes she has on a sports bra! Not just for looks though the sports bra really did help to proportion her chest and fill in some areas if you know what I mean. 

Now you are probably wondering why about now... I already have a studio buddy 

And she is 10 times more cute and better company.... But not very helpful especially when sitting on my lap kissing my nose :) 

So I made Quin because I needed her! I was designing a detailed necklace for my  friends wedding that required a lot of draping chain and perfect placement and symmetry. After holding the pieces up to my neck in a mirror and dropping things continuously I realized I needed something else. Something else I didn't have was time to go buy one or money!! 

So when you need something, Make it! 

I headed into the kitchen and dug through the recycling and started taping boxes and bottles together. Gatorade bottles for arms of course and another to stand her up while working! 

Newspaper, duct tape and a sports bra came next to fill her in! The sports bra also helped to visualize where a dress line would be on a person which is very important when designing jewelry! 

The moral of  this creative solution is that you can always make something you need or want. There's always another way  and you don't always need the best looking item as long as its functional and suits your needs! 

Everyone gets so creative on Halloween with the unique costumes and decorating, carving pumpkins  and baking! Carry on that confidence and creativity to the rest of the year and your daily lives! 

Happy Making! Happy Halloween! 

Have Faith. Everything else will fall into place!

Got the Mondays? Normally Id be just like everyone else getting up early and getting my self prepared for the first day of another long week at work. The weekend went by too fast and there just never seems to be enough time to really enjoy it fully. Especially Sunday, you end up spending the whole afternoon thinking about the Monday and all the things you have to do that week.

A week ago I was doing the same thing, I was working for Jared The Galleria of Jewelry as a Clerical/ Apprentice Jeweler. Id been working there since February less than two months after I graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metal/Jewelry Design. I always thought once I graduated I would have all the time in the world to create what i wanted rather than what i was assigned to make. In fact it was the total opposite. Once you are out in the real world, with a full time job, coming home to have a creative moment isn't even in the picture.

The past month has been pretty hectic. pacing in my mind whether I should leave my job and just go for my dreams. If I should try to find another job to have a steady income before I just up and leave. I battled back and forth and looked into many other options.

Thanks for everything Jared!

My situation became even more confusing when I got a promotion at work. I had been waiting for a while for this, I was being promoted to a full time Jeweler rather than just an apprentice /clerical. This was my chance to sit on the bench and work on jewelry every day and really get some hands on experience with the fine jewelry at Jared's. Strangely enough I was ready to put my two weeks in the same morning that my boss called me with the "good news." Don't get me wrong it was good news and I was very excited and proud of myself but at the same time I knew it wasn't what I wanted in the end. Once I had the opportunity to move up in the company I knew I needed to get out and make something real happen. Something that was not defined by a constraints of a huge million dollar corporation.

Kendall's new work space - where the creativity happens

3 days after my promotion I turned down the offer and put my two weeks notice in.I feared that everyone would be upset with me and Id be escorted out that day (after hearing other horror stories). Needless to say, everyone was very happy for the opportunities that lie ahead of me and I finished my two weeks on great terms. I also know that I left behind some very talented people and I can only hope that someday they too will be able to leave and pursue their dreams as well.

Now don't get me know, It is still Monday and I didn't quit my job to just sit around at home. I have a passion and a dream to follow and someone else to work with towards our goals. Every day will be a set of new challenges, a long list of things to do to get where we want to be. The one way you will never get there is by sitting back and letting your life pass you by. Take control of your future, have faith in your talents and your determination and do what your heart tells you. Everything else will fall into place.