Reflecting on my past I have to admit that it has always been a part of me to ‘create’ something. As a child there was never a dull moment, because something would come up in my mind and off I was for hours to create a piece of art. Looking back, I do not understand why I never took the opportunity to make ‘art’ a part of my life before. It took me nearly 40 years to realize that I was able to ‘create’ something nice.
I guess that the idea of earning money with ‘art’ was something I thought of as only for the very talented artists. Schools in the Netherlands did not encourage students using their ability to be creative because science, language, math etc. are more important in life than something untouchable as being creative.
So a part of my life went by without being aware of my unconscious need to create. Once my children grew up and I got more time for myself I started again on the creative path taking drawing- and painting lessons. These kept me busy for a couple of years but never really gratified my desires.
Inspired by my sister, who took jewelry classes in the Netherlands and attracted by the possibilities at the Glassell School of Arts in Houston , I started taking jewelry classes in 2002. The medium ‘metal’ opened a new world for me. While making drawings and paintings I learned to see three-dimensional. Now I was able to create three-dimensional objects myself. In 2005 I started taking enamel lessons. Using enamels with my silver jewelry added color to my work. My ‘tie’ project started as a wild idea. Of course I had to use very thin copper since the ties had to be ‘wearable’. Adding felt to the back of the ties made them flexible as well. Once ready the feedback on these enamel ties is very good. I started with the ‘stained glass tie’, followed by the ‘black and white tie’. In the mean time I made a lot of other tie-designs and can also make custom made enamel ties. You name it, I make it!
Sometimes I dream about my designs and when I wake up I go straight to my studio to start a new project. Always looking at everything that surrounds me, I get my ideas from nature as well as shapes of buildings or shadows on the ground. Most of my designs have a contemporary look, but I feel drawn by Art Deco and Art Nouveau as well. New ideas also come to me while talking about the different techniques and skills of making jewelry. Can creativity be a 6th sense? Working on my pieces I feel like I can do everything I want. I still see no limitation in working with metal and hope this will go on for a while.
Isn’t it nice to create something and see your loved ones wear your jewelry or to proudly show and wear your own jewelry?
Ingrid Irene van der Meer-Groen in ’t Woud
Double Eye Design
Houston
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