How do I get Inspiration?

Over the years I've been doing Goldsmithing I've found that this is certainly amongst the most frequently asked questions. Inspiration can literally come from absolutely anything. I am constantly jotting down ideas that have popped into my head. Whilst working on one job, other new concepts will develop. It's so important to capture these and not let them fade.

Like any artist you have to be patient. Inspiration doesn't always happen immediately. It can take time and sometimes you simply don't have the luxury of time on your side. It's important to account for this when scheduling work and commissions for people. I've always tried to be very honest, if it's not happening you can't force it. Pressure is not ideal when it comes to the design process. You have to like the initial concept, commit to it and let it evolve. I find that once you start bouncing ideas off your customer it quickly rules things in or out. Sometimes your favourite design is one to get cut, but that's ok too. To date, I've never ended up with a design that I dislike or I feel isn't me. If it has been very customer lead, then as long as they're happy, I'm happy. This is so important, after all your style of work is often one of the main reasons why you were chosen by the customer in the first place. The joy of design is that it's endless - that is once you get the ball rolling. Sometimes the hardest thing is knowing when to stop tweeking an idea.

I tend to get a feel for the customers needs early on and if I get an inkling that my style isn't what they're looking for I'm quite happy to recommend another fellow Goldsmith better suited to their brief.

The finished piece....this stunning 7 stone platinum diamond ring!

The video speaks for itself! I am really pleased with this piece and thankfully the customer was absolutely delighted with the finished product.

The design is sympathetic to the use of both old cut and brilliant cut stones. Also the use of rub-over settings means its practical too. And is much loved and much worn. A true bobby-dazzler!

The journey of re-modelling two rings into one Bobby dazzler!

I say Bobby Dazzler because there isn't a shadow of doubt that the final ring is just that!

However the original brief was not to create a bobby dazzler, this is a bonus....It was in fact to combine seven stones from two family rings into one unique but practical ring. Four round brilliant cut diamonds and three old cut diamonds.

On meeting the customer I was immediately inspired by her own individual sense of style. It was fab and I could see why she was investigating re-modelling these very traditional but MUCH loved rings. I was excited by the opportunity given to me and immediately my design brain kicked into action. No matter how many re-modelling commissions I have done, I'm always very grateful when a customer choses me to design and make something bespoke for them. Its a great honour.

Initially I was completely driven by the 'unique' part of the brief. Here was someone who's own personal style was already so fresh and fun. I knew my customer could carry off something very different and so I really went for it in terms of pushing boundaries with my designs.

Some of my initial design work.

These were unquestionably fun and unique design ideas, liked by my customer but 'practical' for everyday wear.....maybe not! So I went back to the drawing board and came up with another much more wearable concept which was then chosen.

Within goldsmithing there are various different methods to go from design to finished piece. This particular design lent itself perfectly to 'Computer Aided Design' or 'CAD' and casting the finished article. One of the clear advantages of the CAD process is a wax or rubber mould of your design can be produced for the customer to try on prior to the final commitment to casting in their desired metal/s.

The pictures below illustrate the journey from the two original rings, to the rubber mould and then the platinum casting prior to being cleaned up and set.

See my next post for the final piece.