Hello everyone
I've read lots of posts on here saying that after a while of lampworking, you tend to "find your style" and develop your own unique lampworky approach.
I have been lampworking 3 months now, and as far as I'm aware, I haven't got anywhere near to "finding my style" yet. So I'm wondering:
1) Does everyone have one? If so, how long did it take you to "find" it?
2) How do you know you've found it anyway? lol
3) Is your "style" mainly made up of stuff you like doing or are good at? If so, I feel I'm destined to have a dotty style, oh dear!.....
Just wondering ;D ;D
Helen x
Well my style is very organic.
Thats what i made at the beginning and have gone on to make the stuff like dots and bits out of Passing the flame just so that i can...and know that my style is organic.
Corrina says that u need to be able make the stuff thats normal looking so that u can say the organic thing is your style and not...the only thing u can do! I totally get what she means.
I dont do symmetry..never have..and dots and stuff dont do it for me either.
I think you might still be looking for it ..or you just love it all and enjoy experimenting...you dont need a style...u just need to get lost in it and love it..like we all do.
dont fret none...just love it.xxxx
I still ask myself that question now, and I've been lamping for around 5 years now, LOL
I've been making jewellery for thirtysomething years but it's only in the past year or two that I even realised I had a style at all, let alone what it actually was! ::)
I think these things are better left to your subconscious - just keep on enjoying the creative process and see where it takes you!
I think it's a zen-type thing. Only others can 'see' your style. If you look at your work, you will not find a style.
Its definitely zen :) I don't know if I even have a style, but what I do know is that I have almost totally stopped trying to make anything similar to anyone else - I'm much more likely to find an inspiration somewhere wierd and pull it around, these days. I did used to look at other people's work and want to be able to do that, and I found that very frustrating on the whole. Doing my own thing and pulling in ideas where needed (ie if I want to know how to make lizard eyes to put on something, or how to make a particular glass shape) works much better.
I think once you've got the basic techniques you should just go with what makes you happy when you do it, because your enjoyment will show in your work. :)
Maybe ones style is found in 'not' having a style ?
Im with Les on this, but you will find YOUR way of dooign things after lots of hrs infront of your torch!
I am quite relieved by the zen comments, as I am (after 1.5 years) just ambling happily about like a pig in mud.....that's zen as good as any, isn't it? ;D ;D
sure is Julie ;D
I believe "style" is best evolved and should reflect ones life and beliefs to be realistic. There is a big difference between that and a "fad". Understanding ones "life-style" is a good starting point. Important not to be fickle and be true to yourself. Dont worry, be happy.
Ian
Wot he said ;D
I'm with the zen side of things too - and Ian has put it very well.
My advice would be to experiment as much as you can, learn new techniques, try using them in different ways, have fun and don't worry about disasters. Learning what doesn't work is as good for you as learning what does.
Sarah
xxx
it usually works for me :D
Quote from: Hazer on January 06, 2010, 10:22:25 PM
I think it's a zen-type thing. Only others can 'see' your style. If you look at your work, you will not find a style.
This is soo true!
I have been tormenting myself with the "how do I find and develop my style"-thing for years! Others said I had one, but I couldn't see it and sometimes still cannot see it. So just relax and keep on doing what you like!
I don't think I have a style. I make what I want, when I want and seem to go through prolonged phases of stuff. At the moment I'm into frit and silver wire, not necessarily together :) , a little while ago it was all hand shaped round beads and I wondered if I'd ever use a press again :o
I think I'm just too easily led astray to develop a style of my own ;D
Quote from: dinah46 on January 07, 2010, 01:01:38 PM
I don't think I have a style. I make what I want, when I want and seem to go through prolonged phases of stuff. At the moment I'm into frit and silver wire, not necessarily together :) , a little while ago it was all hand shaped round beads and I wondered if I'd ever use a press again :o
I think I'm just too easily led astray to develop a style of my own ;D
Me too!
xx
There have been some very reassuring responses to my question! Thank you all ! ;D
Think I'm going to take all your advice, stop worrying about it, and just play!!
I think I'm more clear about what isn't my thing than what is. I think I have rather an eclectic style a bit like my tastes in music. A lot depends on my mood most of the time. There are things that I think I'm good at but I don't think they are my style, I've sort of done a bit of everything so I can sort of tick the box and say been there tried that but it really does depend on whats around me for inspiration etc as to what I make. I'm not very inspired by the colours I have right now. I would say that I err on the side of organic though. My style of scrapbooking is very Basic Grey if that helps.
Quote from: helbels on January 07, 2010, 01:12:34 PM
Think I'm going to take all your advice, stop worrying about it, and just play!!
Best way to go about it! In painting and drawing I think I might have a 'style' - there are certainly ways that I do things despite being happy to play around with all kinds of stuff. But I've been doing that off and on in a hobbyist manner for most of my life! I'm not really expecting one to suddenly appear when I can start making beadies ;D
All I know is that plenty of colour will be involved. It always is, eventually 8)
I think I'm with Katie actually... I know things I DON'T like and which DON'T appeal to me. I'm almost opposite to one of the earlier posters - I LOVE symmetry, and don't like wonky funny shaped looking beads. This is not surprising as I am a complete control freak in real life, and have always said that if I ever I have a big garden, all you will find it it is Capability Brown style box hedges and well manicured bonsai trees!!!
Nearly 2 and a half years after starting lampworking I still have no definite signature style. I feel like I'm still learning the basics, so how can I?
However, I also know what I don't like to make - organic beads. I too much prefer symmetry - had loads of fun with dotting last weekend thanks to my new creation station.
I wish I new ::) I still like doing the whisper beads, but love to do anything that involves encasing. These are more techniques rather than styles.
One day I am hoping my style will arrive, but until then I will have fun playing around with glass :)
I find that what beads I decide to make depends what mood I'm in, and as that is so variable ;) so is the style of the beads. I spent quite a while thinking about just the same thing, and worried about it too for a bit. I agree, have fun, experiment and allow your work to evolve, worrying about finding a 'style' could actually hold you back.
Sending you playful vibes and lots of fairy dust Kate xx :)