I know, I know...this is something that I should have been doing all along. However, we have been really busy around here and something had to give. Unfortunantly it was my blog. That is all about to change. I am now devoted to posting new information each week. So i hope that you enjoy my rantings.

I plan to use my blog to talk about tips and tricks that I have found, probplems and trends that I see developing, new work that i like talking about, and just about anything else that i think will be helpful. I also plan to use my blog to answer any of your questions, so if you have one email it to me at jim.mcintosh@macjewels.com and I will do my best to answer it.

So what do I want to talk about today? Here's something. In the June issue of Jewelry Artist Magazine an artist wrote to them to complain about a project that they recently published that the artist felt was a "rip off" of one of there original designs. The artist expressed how difficult it is to come up with new and interesting designs.

I can completely sypathize with the artist. Coming up with a new and interesting design that will catch the eye of collectors is extremely difficult. As artists we need to always be looking for ways to change some of the current designs that are out there to come up with something new. So how can artists come up with new and exciting designs? Here are a few suggestions-

1. Doodle. I am always scribbling shapes and designs. I fill up page after page of designs in my sketch book. These designs may never be used...actually many of them are virtually inpossible to do using wirewrapping or wiresmithing techniques. However, when I find a new look or design that I like, it immediatly becomes a new work of art.

2. Magazines. I love to look at fashion magazines. I am not looking to copy the work of other artists, I am looking for inspiration. I look at the shapes, the stones, and patterns. I use these to inspire my own work.

3. Take a class. I love to look at how other artists create. I recently taught a class in Kansas City Missouri and one of the students in the class had some of his work there. He had read both of my books and was inspired to create his own designs that looked nothing like the ones outlined in the book. He did fabulous work and even passed on a few of his own suggestions on wire art that I thought were wonderful. So the lesson here is, always be willing to learn from everyone you come in contact with.

These are only a few things that I use to inspire my work. I hope that they will help you as you explore your own wire creations.

'til next time,

Jim McIntosh