Embroidered Flowers with Vintage Buttons
I'm longing for spring. Not that California weather is anything to complain about, but, still, I miss the flowers and the leaves and the longer days. I've been wanting to post photos of these stockings I made, but just missed the window of opportunity this Christmas because I started this blog in January. Since I can't wait till next December, I'm posting photos of the details, which are more springtime than Christmastime, anyway.
I was inspired by an artist, Linda Solovic, that I found in a Mary Engelbreit magazine (yes, a guilty pleasure of mine). I'm beginning to wonder if I can have any original ideas. I seem to stagnate until I see something someone else has done, then go off and do my interpretation of it. Now, though, as I look back at her work, I can see there is more difference than I thought. I made these a year ago, so it has been awhile since I'd seen Linda's work. The question is: Will I ever pull ahead and create my own ideas/look/style, leaving behind any fears of copycatism?
More detail photos at Flickr.
I was inspired by an artist, Linda Solovic, that I found in a Mary Engelbreit magazine (yes, a guilty pleasure of mine). I'm beginning to wonder if I can have any original ideas. I seem to stagnate until I see something someone else has done, then go off and do my interpretation of it. Now, though, as I look back at her work, I can see there is more difference than I thought. I made these a year ago, so it has been awhile since I'd seen Linda's work. The question is: Will I ever pull ahead and create my own ideas/look/style, leaving behind any fears of copycatism?
More detail photos at Flickr.
Labels: embroidery, felt, vintage
29 Comments:
These are absolutely -positively - beautiful!!! I really admire them! good job!
I was so excited by the images of your work I didn't respond to what you said...Hey, everyone gets inspired by things they see! Just keep making things and your own "voice" will get stronger! I think we all begin learning something new by copying--it is when we incorporate ourselves- our particular likes- dislikes and our own imprint and interpretation into what we see they become distinctly ours...mho
these are beautiful, I favourited them all in Flickr. I think yours are very different from the picture you were inspired by. I love everything about them, the colours, the buttons!
incredibly charming... i'm pining for spring too... thanks for the visit/comment on my blog!
Hey, these are lovely! Makes me yearn for spring!
Your embroidered button flowers make me smile with their cheery colors. Such whimsical style you have! I clicked on the link you included to Linda Solovic's work, and while I can see how her creations may have inspired you, I don't think anyone could call yours a copy.
I think all artists throughout history--writers, poets, painters, sculptors--must have been inspired by other artists. I read somewhere that some of today's young film-makers take pride in not knowing the movie classics; anything before 1975 is a useless antique to them. How sad. I say, explore the world, learn from everything, and grow your beautiful art by combining what comes from without and what grows within you!
oooh, these are fantastic. I love photos, too. thanks for the inspiration.
Stunning!!! Just lovely. I struggle with the "copying" creativity thing too..I know what you mean about doing your own interpretation!
These are so so so so lovely.
Ditto what Brenda says about just continuing to work--that's how you learn! And eventually it just comes naturally, I think, to work in your own style (whatever that is).
But these are just gorgeous.
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i LOVE your photography.
with regards to the copying issue - i was/am grappling with that myself. not in terms of copying but finding a style for my work. i think you are wanting to forge ahead and find your own style?
the advice i got when i was musing about this issue on my blogs was - create, create and create more. your style should shine through!
oh and my art teacher once quoted picasso, 'artists don't copy ideas, they steal them.'
at least you give credit to your inspirational sources!!
(sorry i had to delete the comment, i wanted to edit my comment but i don't know how after it's posted!)
Absolutely beautiful - and I think they are quite different to the creations in the links. I really admire your handiwork & choices of stitches and colours.
I love these, they are great. I agree with what everyone here said here about the copy thing.
Those are fantastic!
I have similar questions about copying style and when the style becomes your own. I agree that you have to keep working at it and you will find your own voice... I have a feeling you are getting there already.
You just used the same materials but you made it your own. Everyone's inspired by someone/thing. Great job!
Gorgeous. These are so pretty! What beautiful colors and handiwork.
So so pretty! I love how you incorporated the vintage buttons into your gorgeous embroidery! You are a talent unto yourself :)
Beautiful! And immaculately made, just wow.
We all get inspired by others...even the 'others' were inspired by other 'others'...or by nature, movies, art...as long as you give it an unique twist to make it your own...take the original idea a step further and don't make an exact copy you are fine. And these are absolutely stunning!
Hello! I think we all struggle with the 'was it my idea' or 'part of the great collective unconscious' or 'something I musta seen somewhere' problem. My thought is, if you're looking for your own style, think about the things that have inspired you for a long time ... your alltime favourite flower / colour / animal etc
Wow! I didn't expect this much response! Thank you all so much for your kind words. I really had fun making these stockings. It's a great way to showcase some of those really special buttons. And, the buttons really drove the design. I would start with a color palette and a favorite starter/anchor button. Then, I'd move along the piece from one end to the other--one flower at a time--choosing a button and flower style that worked with the one next to it. It was fun to rediscover embroidery. I was surprised at how few stitches I actually used.
I'm glad the photos made y'all smile. --M
These are beautiful (I especially am drawn to the second.) I can relate to so much of what you've said here. Sometimes it paralyzes me, which isn't a good thing. Better to "copy" and be working than doing nothing at all. Because are there really any original ideas anyway? C.S. Lewis (a favorite author of mine) once said something about how nearly all of his good ideas had been taken from someone else. It's humbling, but can maybe keep us from that paralysis. Just put as much of yourself as you can into it and I suspect over time what you make will become more and more yours.
What can I say that hasn't been said by others here? Hey, 22 comments so far, it shows you you're on the right track. Borrowed or inspired by others has and always will go on. In fact, I think I'll be doing a bit of borrowing (from you) myself! Thankyou for the inspiration and excellent photo!
These are Gorgeous!! Just beautiful.
Your work is perfect.
Truly wonderful!
I truly think that these are some of the most beautiful stitchery I've ever seen.
Your work is amazing.
these are spectacular! i love to stop by every now and then to admire them. you are very talented and original in your work. copying someone else's work is one thing, to be inspired by another's work is something else altogether - you obviously are a member of the latter group. just beautiful....
You have gotten so much good input here about your quandry, makes me want to "steal" the topic and post it on my own blog! Heheeee. I have been thinking about this ever since I started really taking crafting seriously a few months ago... I just have to say I agree very much with Brenda, Happy D and Anke. And also a little quote I can't remember where I saw it:
"Originality is the art of concealing your sources well!"
Honestly, I think just about everything's been done before, only we're all individuals who put our own touch on what we do. I think it's about how you feel when you've made something with your own hands that makes me feel the best, even if it were strongly "inspired" by another!
Thank you for posting this topic, I hope to see it around more, it's a big one!
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