Earlier Ann Dee wrote about regional trends in jewelry design and how our surroundings can affect our collective choices and trends. And that got me thinking. What I find even more interesting is not how a regional group of people's styles change and influence one another, but more how one specific person's tastes can change so drastically over time.
Picture this. Your entire childhood, asparagus was your mortal enemy. And then one adult day it's sitting in front of you at a formal reception, and your manners force you to try it. Why, it's delicious! How did you never know of this tasty vegetable before? And you realize that asparagus never changed. But something in you must have.
I'm not sure what shifted in me, or when. But I've noticed that I've been gravitating toward gold tones lately in jewelry that I either make or purchase for myself. This wouldn't normally seem odd except that I've always been a "silver girl." Those clean white metals of silver, platinum, steel, and white gold have consistently struck some harmonious chord within me. For as long as I can remember, I've had a slight (forgive me, those of you in the "gold camp") distaste for the yellow shades of metals like gold and brass. They felt obvious, brash, loud, and almost gaudy to me.
But I've watched my tastes change, seemingly on their own. Something clicked within me, and now gold tones are my new-found gourmet asparagus. Though silver's still my favorite, and quite predominant in my jewelry collection, now I can appreciate the subtle warmth of gold. I find myself enjoying the mature, sophisticated side of this yellow metal. And I especially like how well it pairs with my beloved silver, lending a dignified edge to a otherwise possibly casual piece.
So you can see what I mean, I snapped a photo of my new favorite earrings. They're made by Andy Cooperman, and I bought them as a souvenir after I had the pleasure of taking his Master Class at the Bead&Button Show this year. (Those central gold parts within the silver rings are cast from saguaro cactus skeletons!)
I know I'm not the only one to feel a metamorphosis like this. What
do you like now that you never would have even considered before? Is
there a nemesis stitch that you've rediscovered? Or a type of bead that
you can't get enough of now? I'd like to hear your comments. What's
your former "yuck vegetable" of beading?