New Challenge - Let's Sketch
So you may have noticed that in the past year I have posted VERY LITTLE of my own work. There is a fairly good reason for that. One year ago today, I was sicker than a dog and doing nothing more than holding down the couch and attempting to hold down my lunch. HAHA! I had a very difficult pregnancy which led to a very premature baby and a long NICU stay. After bringing my darling baby home, we found out that she is just as much trouble outside the womb as she was in. Talk about HIGH MAINTENANCE!!!!! GOOD GLORY! And that is being polite.
With that said, when I do have an hour to steal away into the studio (as if!) I find that I am creatively stumped. I can't get anything to look remotely decent, I have no ideas flowing, there just isn't anything. When I took a couple of classes at the University of Akron a few years back, our instructor had us keep a sketch book. We were to draw at least 12 sketches per night. Now, you might recall that all this artistic stuff is new to me. It is amazing that I can create jewelry the way I do, but I am HORRIBLE at drawing. I wish I could draw the piece I make, but I can't. At least not at this time. I am not being modest either. I will show you what I mean shortly.
At any rate, I did find that the more I "Sketched" the more ideas I had. One idea spawned another and that led to another and yet another. It is kind of fun to look back through the drawings I was making at that time and see the pieces that have turned into something. Several of the finished pieces have been published and one was even turned into a magazine article. So you never know where these simple ideas will take you.
I posted on my Facebook page about an idea that I had to do a sketching challenge. I invite you all to join with me. Several people have already started and it is so fun to see how others think too. I am going to extend this to my blog, so if you would like to participate but aren't on Facebook, you can just send me a picture of your sketches via email and I will post them here (we don't have to use your name) but I am putting my bad drawings out there in all their awful glory. hahaha
Here is a page out of one of my sketchbooks (I think I have 4 or 5.) See what I mean about very simple? Fun thing about this page, there are at least 5 pieces that were actually made.
With that said, when I do have an hour to steal away into the studio (as if!) I find that I am creatively stumped. I can't get anything to look remotely decent, I have no ideas flowing, there just isn't anything. When I took a couple of classes at the University of Akron a few years back, our instructor had us keep a sketch book. We were to draw at least 12 sketches per night. Now, you might recall that all this artistic stuff is new to me. It is amazing that I can create jewelry the way I do, but I am HORRIBLE at drawing. I wish I could draw the piece I make, but I can't. At least not at this time. I am not being modest either. I will show you what I mean shortly.
At any rate, I did find that the more I "Sketched" the more ideas I had. One idea spawned another and that led to another and yet another. It is kind of fun to look back through the drawings I was making at that time and see the pieces that have turned into something. Several of the finished pieces have been published and one was even turned into a magazine article. So you never know where these simple ideas will take you.
I posted on my Facebook page about an idea that I had to do a sketching challenge. I invite you all to join with me. Several people have already started and it is so fun to see how others think too. I am going to extend this to my blog, so if you would like to participate but aren't on Facebook, you can just send me a picture of your sketches via email and I will post them here (we don't have to use your name) but I am putting my bad drawings out there in all their awful glory. hahaha
Here is a page out of one of my sketchbooks (I think I have 4 or 5.) See what I mean about very simple? Fun thing about this page, there are at least 5 pieces that were actually made.
Okay, so here is the challenge. Take your sketch book/paper/napkin/ whatever. Draw a grid of 9-21+ squares (see pictures below) and draw at least one thing in the box. I will provide a weekly theme (please send suggestions) and then we will all sketch based on that theme. Don't worry if you don't stick with the theme, heaven knows my mind wanders and once you get started, let it go!
You have 7 days (Actually only 4 for this one as we started it on Monday) to take a picture of your page and either post it on my facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/Melissa.Muir.Jewelry.Artist) or email it to me at jewelry@melissamuir.com and I will get it posted for you.
The idea is to take this challenge one step further and choose an item from our sketches and turn it into a finished piece. If you can do one a week, that is great. I know I sometimes don't step foot into my studio in a week's time, so do what you can.
So please join in and let's help each other get creative.
Who can join? EVERYONE! You don't have to be a jewelry artist. So if you paint, sew, hit metal, bead, whatever, jump on in and let's see what happens!
Here are my drawings so far for this week. My personal goal is to have at least 20 sketches per week. As you can see, I have far exceeded that this week... and that is a VERY good thing. Set your own goal or match my 20. Do what you can, but do something.
Week 1 - Theme: Dots
I did this at the hotel room just before turning off the lamp to go to sleep. Not my most creative day..... 
I did this page last night (8/3/11) while watching a movie with my girls.
Featured Artist Friday
I need some artists. I am all out. Do you want to be featured? Yes? Please send me an email and I will send you the questions and information. jewelry @ melissamuir . com (remove spaces of course)
You have 7 days (Actually only 4 for this one as we started it on Monday) to take a picture of your page and either post it on my facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/Melissa.Muir.Jewelry.Artist) or email it to me at jewelry@melissamuir.com and I will get it posted for you.
The idea is to take this challenge one step further and choose an item from our sketches and turn it into a finished piece. If you can do one a week, that is great. I know I sometimes don't step foot into my studio in a week's time, so do what you can.
So please join in and let's help each other get creative.
Who can join? EVERYONE! You don't have to be a jewelry artist. So if you paint, sew, hit metal, bead, whatever, jump on in and let's see what happens!
Here are my drawings so far for this week. My personal goal is to have at least 20 sketches per week. As you can see, I have far exceeded that this week... and that is a VERY good thing. Set your own goal or match my 20. Do what you can, but do something.
Week 1 - Theme: Dots
I did this page last night (8/3/11) while watching a movie with my girls.
Featured Artist Friday
I need some artists. I am all out. Do you want to be featured? Yes? Please send me an email and I will send you the questions and information. jewelry @ melissamuir . com (remove spaces of course)
Posted by Melissa Muir at August 4, 2011 9:52 AM 
Categories: Random Thoughts, General Announcements, Sketching Challenge
Tags: Sketching Challenge
Categories: Random Thoughts, General Announcements, Sketching Challenge
Tags: Sketching Challenge
I know I won't take part in this challenge...too much on my hands with almost 7 month old twin boys, but I wanted tocomment. I know you've seen this post before, but reposting because it is relevent to your article...and particularly to you!
http://thewiredquilter.blogspotcom/2008/10/one-melissa-two-melissa.html
I obviously made the piece I sketched...and I even made the little purple sketch too.
I accidentally misplaced this piece for almost 2 years. I was heartsick I had accidentally thrown it out after all that work. I found it when I REALLY cleaned my quilt/jewelry studio (instead of moving stuff around). It had gotten mixed into some quilt fabric scraps I had set aside carelessly. When I found it again I was overjoyed!
Great article and a great way to get the creative juices flowing again!
Melissa
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Ooooh, I do remember that post. CONGRATS on the twins. Looks like you had your boys just a month after I had my baby, so I feel your pain.... sort of. I am so glad I don't have two right now. Kiari is a HANDFUL! I am so glad you found it. I think I may have tossed a Fretz hammer.
Good luck with your boys and staying creative. I am glad you liked the article. Hope to see some pieces from you again soon.
Melissa
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I will see what I can do, Melissa! Great idea. I can't draw (or write) without it looking like a scribbly mess, but I'll give it a shot when I can! Didn't know you were on FB, so will be liking your page, too! FYI - I wear my beautiful heart and ruby pendant OFTEN!! I love it as much as the day I got it and think of you often. So glad you and your family are well and you are getting back into the swing of things! Blessings, Anita
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Oh Anita, you have already seen that i can't draw. I hate that my drawings are so simple. But my ideas are so simple at this stage too. I want to make them more complex, less boxed or confined. I need to find a way to get it all opened up a little more too. Thanks for liking my page.
Melissa
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You did great! I'm hoping to start sketching this week for your next challenge! Love it!
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Thanks Valerie, I am always excited to see what you come up with.
Melissa
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