***(click on links below to go to jewelry and listen to songs)***
“Eclectic” is a word that has been used to describe me and I have to admit that it’s very fitting. My tastes and styles vary greatly in just about every way possible and the music I choose to listen to is one of those areas. I enjoy almost every genre from classical to head-banging rock and roll. The different styles in my jewelry designs are also what could be called ‘eclectic’. As I look at the pieces in my collection I can almost ‘hear’ the music that might have been playing as I designed them.
One type of music I enjoy is the soft, ballad sounds of artists like Nora Jones, Natalie Merchant or Sarah McLachlan. Many of their songs are about love, and the feelings those songs evoke may lead me to create more ‘romantic’ pieces of jewelry, or at least ones that feel that way to me. I find that these designs often have pearls in them and use warm-toned vintage metals.
Romantic Pearl Necklace (click for more info)
“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones (click to listen to song)
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Country music can inspire more rustic designs possibly with antique copper or ones that use components with a bit of a Southwest flair. I have certain gems that just ‘feel’ country to me…Autumn Jasper or Blue Sky Jasper. I often find myself singing along with the more familiar country songs. (Being able to do that is one advantage to working at home.)
Rustic Blue Sky Jasper Necklace (click for more info)
“She’s Country” by Jason Aldean (click to listen to song)
As I’ve designed more Celtic pieces, I’ve also developed an appreciation for Celtic music. There are many types of Celtic music from very traditional style which is very melodious and serene to a very edgy style that is predominantly drums—like the group Albannach.
Traditional Celtic Knot Necklace (click for more info)
Traditional Celtic Music (click to listen to song)
Sexy Celtic Byzantine Anklet (click for more info)
“Alexander’s Welcome” by Albannach (click to listen to song)
(you MUST listen to the entire song to get the full Albannach experience.)
( I first heard this group at the Celtic Fling and I LOVE THEM!!!)
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I also have a deep love and appreciation for piano music–Michele McLaughlin, David Lanz, Joe Bongiorno and others. This music can stir up strong emotions which then flow into whatever I am designing. This type of music can sometimes make me more aware of the feel of the stones I’m working with or make the colors seem more vibrant to me. The jewelry designs created while listening to this type of music definitely have bits of my ‘heart’ worked in to them. (Even a few tears at times)
Cluster of Treasures Necklace (click for more info)
“Christofori’s Dream” by David Lanz (click to listen to song)
(see comment below You Tube video to see how I feel about this song. It is truly an amazingly emotional arrangement.)
There are other days when I’m more in the mood for some serious Rock & Roll music—Aerosmith, Led Zeplin, Def Leppard…… That’s probably when my more edgy pieces are created—ones with lots of metal worked in to them.. I have to admit that when some of these songs start to play I can’t help but get a smile on my face and begin to ‘dance’ a bit in my chair. There have even been times when a certain song comes on and I have to put my pliers down and simply get up and dance to the music. (Another advantage of working at home…..it’s usually not acceptable to get up and dance around in a cubicle.)
Sexy Summer Anklet (click for more info)
“Walk This Way” by Aerosmith (click to listen to song)
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard (click to listen to song)
These 2 songs definitely get me up and dancing—how about you?
(I got to dance to Def Leppard at one of their concerts this past summer. Yes, I can still have fun at a rock concert at 50 years old. 🙂
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- I’ve often said that music is the key to my soul. I enjoy the way it can tap in to some of the feelings inside of me and I’m also grateful that I’m able to express those emotions through my jewelry.
Now…………..what do I feel like listening to next?………………….
Very enjoyable to read/hear the connection between your lovely jewelry pieces and the music that inspired them.