time wasting

0029 by provax

Thanks to Etsy's new circles and activity feed features I just discovered this amazing project by provax via erin from the atlantic treefox. As a designer I can relate to every single one of these documents of time wasting. Spending so much time inside my own head trying to figure out if I'm on the right track, if what I want to do is even possible, if anyone will listen to my reasoning, if I'm just rehashing old ideas, if I have enough time to do all of the drawings I need, and on and on. I wonder if I had one of these prints above my desk if it would help me stay focused on the task at hand or if I would be better served keeping it around as a reminder that such thoughts and moments are part of the creative process. At least, they're a big part of my creative process. One hour and thirty-two minutes of comparing nearly identical options. Yup, sounds very familiar.

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my messy desk

Since I'm stuck at school on a Sunday morning (well, afternoon really) I thought I'd share a few of the things that I keep at my desk as inspiration. First of all, my desk is a disaster zone, but if it isn't it's because I either a) haven't been working or b) have just cleaned it up because it has finally gotten to a point where the mess is preventing me from working. So, as you can see from this gross picture, messy desk = I've been doing something. Not sure how useful those things I've been doing will prove to be, but I've been doing them nonetheless. Oh, I should also mention that this is my school desk, not the desk I make jewelry at. That would be my dining room table at home.

First, I have this awesome vintage bird cut out that my friend Rebecka gave to me. I think she might have given everyone in our class one while she was here on exchange. Studio just hasn't been the same without her, and neither was the legion last night! I'm really hoping to meet up with her again in Sweden some day soon.

Second, a spirograph drawing that Jeff made for me. Remember spirographs? Turns out that the occasional awesome dollar store (or, here in Vancouver, Yokoyaya123) still has these things kicking around. 

Now, this last thing is just ridiculous. My friend Mary sent me this porcelain cat face, obviously painted by an amateur, likely a child, that she found. With the help of my friend Lara I added gemstone eyes. What really makes this thing an inspiration for my design work is the note Mary included. You can read it for yourself above. So true.

Incidentally, those of us who are in studio today witnessed quite a dramatic break-up then reconciliation outside of our building this morning. Two pretty young people doing some screaming, crying, hugging, and making out. They walked away together but it looked like they might have rough times ahead. Good luck to them! Also glad that they moved their drama to somewhere other than right outside my window. Now back to work...

about sadie designs

Sadie Designs is based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Each piece is inspired by the cities I've lived in and visited, the outdoors, and the materials that I collect on my travels. Every piece is made by hand and is a labour of love. Take a look at our first line of baltic birch and 14k gold filled or sterling silver pieces.

The pieces shown above are: little leaves with 14k gold studs, geometrics with 14k gold, and helvetica ampersands with 14k gold studs.