Artistic Designs are spinning all around me these days (as possible creations). It’s almost time to sail into my new jewelry design phase, and I’m not sure where to start! I only have a few kitty designs, so maybe that would be a good one? On the other hand, I have had a lot of requests for artistic designs of collie, border terrier and other dog breeds.
Then there’s the platypus. Now if there were ever an artistic design that rarely gets asked for, that would be close to the top of the list. Yes, I have had a few requests for the unique little guy. Like 3 in over 15 years. But wouldn’t a platypus make a great pendant? Does anyone out there think I would get any orders if I designed one?
I have a confession to make. The animals that fascinate me the most are the ones that live in faraway exotic places, like Madagascar and Australia. You know, lemurs, chameleons, marsupials and oviparous mammals. (The ones that lay eggs) Of course I love dogs, cats, guinea pigs and all the rest. But the Scientist in me (didn’t know there was one, did you?) really loves the oddball critters of the earth. Yep, an artistic design of a Tasmanian devil or ring-tailed lemur…now that’s the stuff of which excitement is made. At least for this artist.
But back to reality.
Where should I go from here? What artistic designs are you hankering for? I do have a list, of course. Starting with a redo of my Shih Tzu (I need to make one with a “puppy cut”). I am looking forward to that one. Cute little guys.
And an otter gets asked for a bunch. I’ve had a lot of sad-eyed customers look in my display case at the ferret, and then wistfully ask if I’ve ever considered an artistic design of an otter. When I knowledgeably mention that ferrets and otters are related, and maybe in silver the ferret could pass for an otter, they just give me the “look.” So I better get busy on that one. An otter holding a baby? Holding a sea urchin? Which should it be?
Now I do have two marsupial designs, so maybe I should let well enough alone. Yes, I have a koala and a Virginia Opossum in my line. Both were lots of fun to make, and both relatively popular. The possum more so than the koala, interestingly enough!
Every time I get an email requesting something or other, I add it to my list. And every show has an extra page in the sales book just to list all the animals I get asked for. It’s a tough job, but someone has to come up with all these animal jewelry designs. It’s my burden in life. (Pretty nice burden, actually)
But… I must throw in something different and unexpected this year. Maybe it will be a platypus. I know ONE person who would wear it, and maybe even in 14K gold. Yes, that would be me.
You can go to my new design page and see what I’ve been up to (although we are sometimes a bit behind on photographing the new stuff) or just email me (or better yet, comment on this blog post!
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My 2 cents:
I would probably buy a platypus, esp. if it were clay (I am biased towards the mostly defunct clay designs).
Also, I LOVE otters, and I think if you do an otter design, it should be a SEA otter. Most people I know who love otters like sea otters best, over river otters and such. A sea otter floating on his back would be super cute.
~Gina
HI Gina!
You could order the platypus in clay! It’s not really defunct, just a bit more expensive. If you go to my website, and click on “Merry’s custom designs” it will take you to my polymer custom design page. And thanks so much on the feedback on the otters. I WAS wondering whether to do a sea or river otter! – Merry