Spaces are organized, taxes are done and ideas are rampant. I was doodling last night and came up with some designs that do not fit in at all with my usual work. I have no idea what to do with these ideas. Slowly develop and implement? I don’t know. We have had some critiques that we do not have a cohesive look…no “branding”…and one particular individual ‘could not help us’ because of this lack of look/branding.

I have been caught up in that person’s idea of how an artist should behave. “Have this look that we all can recognize and do videos and join here and raise money there and post here and don’t forget to do these other things… ”

All of these “to-do’s” takes me further and further away from actually designing and MAKING art.

I lost my passion for making art in the pursuit of finding my “look.”

My metal smithing instructor told me that I had the capacity to shoot off in 500 different directions, and be successful at any of them.

And so why not?

By far the most important thing you need in the toolkit is an intense passion

for your cause that can not be hindered by critics or your own shortcomings.

You have to be willing to give it your all, and for a long time with potentially few

rewards. In the short run, few people will notice, but in the long run, everyone will.

Or at least, everyone you need to influence in your campaign will notice.

(Chris Guillebeau)

I get more excited when I envision “Kewish Designs” with different “departments.” There are pieces for the holidays, pieces that reflect the natural world, pieces that are silly, pieces that reflect a world of enchantment, pieces that trigger a spiritual thought… WHY NOT?

I sat down one night and studied the work of a very successful jewelry artist/company. While, yes, there is an overall cohesiveness of her work – due to materials – the theme of her designs are all over the place.

When all is said and done, my favorite moment in the creation process is the participation of the observer/customer. That moment of “the gasp” or the laughter…

The moment of emotional connection.

THAT is the only thing that is really important to me.

I have this Post-It at my desk;

Only I can answer these questions. This is the beginning of inspiration. This is where the heart of the matter lies. There is no one else involved. Except, later, a customer that connects with my work.

And my work just may be all over the place. That just may be my brand.