Signature style...?

[Helen]

I was wondering how many of us have a signature style with the work we produce...I am still at the magpie stage where I will have a go at producing anything I see, working out and researching how to do it. The end result is usually very different from the original inspiration but it helps to learn new skills etc. So I suppose my question is more aimed at the more established folk on here...do you consider that you have a 'signature style', if you do, how long did it take to develop it? How important do you think it is? (Sweeps back the curtain and gestures to the rostrum...the stage is yours...).

[Goldsmith]

I am now retired, but I don't think I had a signature style, working for over 50 years within the trade as a goldsmith, I was expected to be able to create many different styles, mostly designed by others, most items were either commissioned by or sold on to well known London shops, who then sold the items to customers from their shops, as their own unique creations.

James

[ajda]

I wonder if the "magpie stage" is a actually a stage or more of a personality trait. I call myself a butterfly perfectionist - working away at something just long enough to get it right, then moving on... which means I never really stick at anything long enough to develop a signature style (and, which frustrates my partner, never really capitalising on all the R & D I've put in). I suppose the closest I've got to a specific signature piece is with glass: borosilicate glass "dragon eggs" are a bit of a speciality of mine - nothing original about making an egg shape, but with some techniques for creating certain colours and effects that I've developed myself.



Alan

[Nick martin]

Although very much an amateur still with vast amounts to learn, I think Ive got my own style. A little bit gothic as I'm inspired by historical / ancient jewellery, and I also like elegant simple designs.

Nick

[Dennis]

I think that within two or three years we all begin to develop a signature style, Influenced by our background and it never quite leaves us.

Others will recognise it by the degree of finish, or deliberate lack of finish, additions of typical detail, plainness or fussiness.

Mine will always be influenced by my first teacher, Barbara Christie, now long gone. I always show it to her in my mind and hear her say on occasion 'no I don't like that at all'.
Dennis.

[joella]

OMG Dennis! Barbara Christie was your first teacher - Wow, I love her jewellery and was gutted that I was unable to get along to the 'light seeping through windows' retrospective in I think it was 2013. Lucky you to have been taught by her.

[Edhelien]

I think I am slowly getting to it, now after 6 years.

[enigma]

I agree with Dennis, I think everybody has a certain style that is their own when it comes to handmade items even if their range is rather eclectic.

[Gemsetterchris]

Everyone's work will have It's own "fingerprint" which maybe noticeable if the same job was performed by 10 different artisans & compared.
Highly unlikely to be noticed otherwise, unless you make really unique things or are famous...

[Lynn.D]

I don’t have a signature style as only being a hobbyist I’m still learning new skills and can only aspire to achieve something like the jewellers on here do and probably never will. However, it doesn’t stop me from one day wanting to produce something I can truly be proud of.

There are so many different styles of jewellery I love so find it difficult as this time to decide where my addiction will lead me.