Every week I share a book for inspiration. It may be a book you'll want to read, one that will inspire a jewelry design, or both.
Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett
A sequel to Gingerbread Baby, this children's picture book tells the story of Gingerbread Baby who sets out to find friends, but ends up having an adventure instead. The book includes instructions on making gingerbread friends to eat, which I find wonderful and a bit ghoulish at the same time. A beautifully illustrated book by a New York Times bestselling author.
These adorable lampworked gingerbread beads by Jen Zeiger of zbeadz made this a quick earring design. A larger photo is available in the Beads & Books shop.
Design Tips
- If I made a second pair, I'd use another bead above the
gingerbread, maybe a faceted red or black glass round. Another wrapped loop bead would make these earrings slightly longer and add more movement when worn. I especially like the idea of adding black because it would give these simple earrings a touch of sophistication.
- Children's books are fun to use for inspiration: they have
colorful characters (literally) and the illustrations make it easy
to generate ideas.
For this book, the challenge is not in finding gingerbread beads, but in deciding what kind of bead works best for you. In searching for gingerbread beads, I found ones made of sterling silver, enameled pewter, foam, ceramic, and polymer clay. The prices of these beads varies widely and will appeal to different jewelry designers—and customers.
What's inspiring you today?