Where Do Artists Find Inspiration?

Where does an artist find inspiration,or does it find you? I guess that fits in the same category as which came first the chicken or the egg? It is all a matter of an individuals perspective. Is your glass half empty or half full?

My glass is usually full and overflowing. I get my designs from my dreams while I am sleeping, even daydreaming can yield some cool art. This  is a sleeping dream design, I am like the Madhatter when I run to grab paper and pen. I have a real compulsion to sketch my thoughts before they are lost in everyday things. I later develop them in wire and stone, metal, or even canvas. The nice part is I may get 3-4 sketches from each dream so I end up with more than one piece of art! This link will lead you back to my Handmade Artists Shop where this piece is now available to add to your collection.Wild Tree of Life Cross Tree

Hey! Would you like to see a daydream piece?

I was tidying up in my  studio, and I happened to pick up ,this salvaged Fleur De li. It would not let go of my hand, lol, next thing you know, I am cutting, filing and making a back plate to mount that pretty piece of brass that nearly found it's way to the scrap box for recycling!
Absent-minded daydreams can reap unexpected inspiration. Next time your mind starts to wonder, just go ahead and let it. No telling what might wait at the end of the your rainbow:)
This link will take you to my Shop if you are interested in adding this piece to your collection:) Fleur De Li Pendant
Thank you so much for reading my ramblings, I hope I have entertained or better yet inspired you to step off the beaten path a while and dream.......
Nancy 

Folk Art Belt Buckle for my Guy Steve:)

Hello! I have not had a free standing blog in a while and I find I am missing it, so here I am again!
I had a brainstorm about a Valentines day gift for my sweetie. And as usual just decided I could do it, never mind I had never done this before or I had no clue how to do it . Things like that never stop me, when you are fearless, and clueless,you don't stop to think about what a huge task you are taking on,you just go for it!

I wanted to make Steve a belt buckle, he is not the kind of guy who wears jewelry, he is a hunter and fisherman though, so the Camouflage Jasper stone I had was perfect. It was large enough for a buckle so I plowed ahead in my own make-do style.What do you think about my first effort? Steve was really surprised and pleased, just what I was going for:)
I thought you might like to see both front and back views. I had a lot of fun figuring out the mechanics and fabricating this piece. I cut, hammered, ground down edges, filed, soldered and added patina to achieve my goal, and I am pleased with my art:) It is not perfect it's Folk Art!
I will finish adding things like links to my blog over the next couple of days, but for now I am going to go with publish it as is.
Thanks!  Please remember to follow me?
Nancy Pace