What inspires my jewelry

I am a jeweler who designs and sells my work primarily through Renaissance Festivals. I work in silver and gold, and have a variety of designs both whimsical and fantastic, as well as Celtic knot and Art Nouveau designs. I specialize in wedding rings and sets. My website is jewelrybydaoud.com

I usually get special orders from people, and that defines where I go with my creativity. Want a winged monkey earring? Send me in that direction and I research it, and develop and sculpt a wax model, cast it up, refine it, and then mold the best in the series for my final piece.  The process of casting is documented on my website at the following address: http://jewelrybydaoud.com/waxcasting.asp

I'm inspired by nature and the grand chaotic fractal world of vines, leaves, flowers and branches. I frequently make the prongs to hold stones secure out of these design elements. I use animals, birds, reptiles and such in the same way. The beak of a bird may hold in a side of a stone, or the tongue of a gecko and his padded feet to secure a stone, such as in the Gecko ring.  For an example of the Gecko ring in gold, check here: http://jewelrybydaoud.com/detail.asp?ProductID=149&cat=3&subcat=36

Because I'm sometimes trying to meet the needs of a customer for their special project, and then they allow me to add this new design to my zoo, I'm open to the wide world of possibilities. I'm listing some directions I'd like to go, should anyone like to commission me for something in that direction.

Ideas for future projects:

    American Indian pictographs on rings or necklaces
    large pectoral necklaces with gemstones and floral or art deco themes
    Ancient Coin jewelry, already in the works, more on this later...
    Luckenbooth broaches and rings, I have a few right now, but no photos as yet.