Trying to fit in

We all go through it in our lives, wanting to be accepted as part of the group.  And even in my mid 30's I still sometimes have the urge to want to be accepted into certain groups.  I realized this when I applied to be part of an exclusive jewelry collective.  I was rejected and as I wrote back I had a revelation; that I didn't know at the time that I was trying to fit into 'art jewelry'.  And that I've been in a bit of a limbo, applying for perhaps the wrong shows because I wanted to be accepted into art jewelry.

See for the general public, and the average consumer they don't put jewelry into categories but in our field there are many.   While I was in school I was taught by 'art jewelers' (I put these in quotes because I do feel that it is an internal definition) and I learned all sorts of methods of jewelry making; enameling, casting, fabricating, stone setting etc.  In the academic environment there is a high placement on quality and creativity, I think I excelled somewhat at these but looking back I could've worked harder at being more creative. 

My personality and characteristic is that I love immediacy and am a bit impatient, I think that is why I work better doing small collections twice a year.  Thus, in conclusion of this post and from being rejected from certain shows that perhaps I don't fit into that niche of art jewelry but more of fashion jewelry.  Really I do hate these categories and part of me wants to just throw them out the window and focus on making jewelry that I love aesthetically and that pleases my eye. 

I'm learning more and more about my style and where it fits, sometimes it's so hard to gauge the right audience but I think I'll get there.  Thank you for reading!

Deer antler brooch, 2010.  Cast from a starfish, tube set cz's, sterling silver. 

Ring, 2010.  Cuttlefish cast shank, tagua nut and black coral from Panama.

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