As you scroll through these posts, you might come across a photo that looks like an emotional marriage proposal at first glance. And in a way, it is—but not for the reasons you’d expect. Instead of a diamond, the ring is topped with… an onion, and the woman wiping her eyes? That’s Débora Silva, and Bored Panda reached out to her to learn more about the creative story behind this idea.
Débora is a Lisbon-based artist who works in sculpture and jewelry design, known for her unconventional creations on social media. “My journey into jewelry wasn’t straightforward,” she shares. “I originally studied sculpture, specializing in ceramics. After moving to London, I dove into digital art and soon began 3D-printing my sculptures, which eventually led me to create jewelry. At the moment, I am interested in creating playful pieces by blending traditional materials, such as silver and gold, with everyday objects.”
The onion ring, as unassuming as it is clever, came about during a spontaneous moment in the kitchen.
“It’s not uncommon to scroll on social media and see many pictures of newly engaged couples where someone is crying,” Débora says. “Honestly, it was during a time when my partner and I were starting to discuss the idea of marrying, and for some reason, I couldn’t stop wondering if either of us would cry. Funnily enough, I was cooking, specifically cutting onions, and the idea of the onion ring just clicked in my head.”
“In case any of you are curious, none of us cried. Instead, we hysterically laughed.”
Débora’s imagination doesn’t end at tear-inducing vegetable rings; she’s also designed pieces with candles, sparklers, and flowers. And her artistic vision isn’t limited to jewelry either—her feed is full of eye-catching visuals, like thorn-covered fingernails that could easily pass as accessories.
Impressed by her work, Bored Panda asked Débora where she finds her inspiration. “Everywhere and in everything,” she says. “Including cutting onions.”
Having a knack for creativity is admirable, but you don’t need to be an artist to be inspired by your surroundings and become a creative person. In fact, research suggests that practicing small acts of creativity in daily life can significantly boost our sense of well-being.
If you’re looking for ways to nurture your creative spirit without diving headfirst into a new hobby, graphic artist and designer Anthony Burrill, author of Make It Now!, has some practical tips.
Start with something as simple as changing your daily habits. Try exploring a new neighborhood or take a short weekend trip to gain a new perspective on the world. “Seeing new things helps to spark off new ideas,” says Burrill.
Document the interesting things you observe. Take photographs, collect items, and keep mementos. When Burrill was young, he gathered keepsakes from family travels in scrapbooks, including museum leaflets, tickets to plays, and photos of everyday landscapes and road signs. Over time, he built a stash of unique finds that continues to inspire his work.
Burrill believes that “soaking up new influences is an important part of forming your creative DNA.”
Say ‘yes’ more often than ‘no.’ It’s easy to shy away from new tasks, meet unfamiliar people, or step out of your comfort zone, but that’s where new avenues for creative thinking arise. “Sometimes opportunities come along disguised as something else, you need to learn to look beyond the obvious,” Burrill says.