134492_pylone

I like being outdoors as much as the next person, but when it comes to my jewelry, I’m gradually realizing that my inspiration comes from a much more urban source.

I feel like I’m supposed to be inspired by images of nature, like these:
fuzzy-pink-flowers

flowers-at-base-of-tree

Here are some photos I’ve snapped of things that catch my eye when I’m out and about. One of the things I notice are little bits and pieces left behind at the playground, when I’m there with the kids. When I see a barrette, or a pencil, or a scrap of ribbon, I wonder who left it? Did they notice it was gone? When did they notice?

ribbon-on-bark-chips

pencil

pen-in-crack

I like how a little piece of a broken toy becomes totally unrecognizable. What is it? Where did it come from? Would I know if I were a kid?

If I were a writer of fiction, maybe I’d write a story about these bits and pieces, but since I’m a Maker of things, specifically metal things, I make things inspired by this urban detritus.

I also make jewelry that’s about every day bits of stuff. Like this necklace in sterling silver made from found objects:

(c) 2009 Elaine Luther  All Rights Reserved

(c) 2009 Elaine Luther All Rights Reserved

These are the things that make up my daily life as a mom of three — bread tabs and lost barrettes and parts of toys.

Here’s another one that caught my eye and made me wonder, what was the story?
couch-in-trash

Sure, it’s just a couch in the trash, but — think of the effort involved. And why? Why did they put it in the dumpster, instead of next to it? The way the couch is sticking straight up like that, it’s funny. See what I mean, urban detritus.

More on the subject of inspiration from the blog carnival crew:

Lora Hart
">Tamra Gentry
">Tonya Davidson
Angela B. Crispin
Lorrene Davis

Photo credits: top photo, Pylons, is from The Stock Exchange. All other photos snapped by me, at the conservatory, in the woods, at the park, and next to the dumpster.

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