Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. Georgia O’Keeffe
Yesterday – we made the time. We had been talking about going to Longwood Gardens and sketching since we met – years ago. So we took the time. friends together, to stop and see, and smell the flowers.
Well, I counted. And I counted again to be sure. There were 234 pendants on that plate! And that was from 1 firing. I am itching to get back into the studio to make more! When what I should be doing is settling in for a long Etsy listing session.
The closest guess: Jennifer Boni Ayres guessed 218. Congrats Jen!
And our random winner: Heather Moose!I find it ironic, yet fitting – that both winners are my former students! Isnt that the joy of social networking; that you can keep up with people that otherwise you would have lost? These two were both Ceramics students – now married, successful… Maybe I have pictures of their work somewhere? I will look… I can clearly remember projects they did: Jen’s Emily Dickenson bowl, Heather’s Homage to Keith Haring…
On to the prizes: Here are the more detailed pictures of colors. If my winners would select a color – I will surprise them with the rest.
1. Grey
2. Celadon
3. Cobalt blue
4. Olive green
5. Bamboo ( Hey that’s what it’s called…)
6. Clear – with underglazes. These are from assorted stamps: Medusa, bat, Tarot cards…
This was rather fun. Perhaps I will do another give away and contest over the summer! Stay tuned…
This week I had many pendants in the kiln. Not a few, but an entire shelf. This is precious territory, here. The stars were all aligned: there was enough ware glazed to fill the gas kiln at the studio; there were enough shelves for me to commandeer one for my pieces; I was there to load said pieces; I had enough pieces ready and waiting to be fired. To celebrate this huge pile of beady goodness – and the recent publication of my work in Beads 2011 – lets have a contest!
You have two chances to win:
1. Guess how many pendants/charms are on this plate. It is a standard dinner sized paper plate.
2. Be the lucky name drawn from the proverbial hat!
Winners – I will pick two winners – one who has guessed the number closest to the actual number of pendants. ( I still haven’t counted yet!) and another name chosen from the entries at random. I will count the pendants and draw winners Monday April 25th. The winners will receive either 2 pendants for use in their jewelry creations OR 1 pendant with a gemstone dangle, on silk cord, ready to wear. Winner will get to select color scheme from a detailed photo posted Monday; I will surprise you with the design/motif.
Feel free to repost this, share on Facebook; or reTweet. Sorry it wont get you any extra chances to win. Just share if you feel like sharing the love. People I havent met personally are invited to enter here, or on my FB business page: The Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor. ( All entries go into 1 pool: Twitter, FB, FB biz, blog all together now.)
I have to say, its all rather intriguing – as I have no idea how many are piled there, either! Happy guessing!
We went to Barnes and Noble last night, as we often do, for a coffee, relax, browse a little… There is was. I had seen a copy but it was exciting to see it for real out on the newsstand.
That little yellow butterfly in the center – mine! I had submitted a variety of pieces in January, and received word that pieces were selected. Needless to say I am very excited.
And a little frazzled – to be honest. Are there any components for sale in my Etsy shop? Did I list any after finding out I had been selected – so they would be ready to sell in April at the release of the publication? You can guess the answer. I had it on my to-do list, but it always seemd like there was enough time, do it later…
My view today:
I am listing items on Etsy. It is my job.
I get giddy with excitement when I look at that picture of my Lunar hare pendant larger than life!
Those are also my pieces at #1 on this page. A hi fired stoneware textured heart and an earthenware pendant/charm. Yesterday I loaded a whole small shelf into the reduction glaze kiln at the studio. I didnt count the pendants 100? More? (cue evil laughter) I cant wait til Thursday! More pictures then, I promise!
For now – back to listing on Etsy!
I love the resin. ( I use ICE resin by Susan Lenart Kazmer. I have tried others, and I do like ICE the best.) I love the clarity after it has cured. I love the silky, slightly sexy texture. I like what it does to antique paper. I like embedding things into it. I like its strength. And I haven’t even tried casting it or coloring it…
Last Thursday I taught a resin workshop at my Art Studio. It was an interesting mix of people: potters, beaders, a porcelain pendant maker, a photographer…all willing to give it a go. I don’t think any one had ever done resin prior to class, although many knew of it, and were intrigued.
I did not realize Marsha was taking this picture – I had started the demo, and if you have ever met me you know I talk with my hands…Quickly it would seem.
I was making a point on being patient. And posing, for the camera…
The students started with closed bezels. ( I really like the Patera findings from Nunn Design.) We had National Geographic magazines, decorative origami paper, and the like – but the vintage postage stamps may have been the best! Such clear, colorful images at just the right scale.
The last picture shows you a few of our open back bezels. I love the transparency of resined paper when it is not sealed. Charms, shells, micro beads – a plethora of inclusions, including a dear departed canine best friend’s teeth. We had one or two leaks on the open bezels, but the resin all came out perfectly! Some of the women were showing off their creations in the ceramics studio today. I was so proud! We are already talking about having another session in the fall. Join us if you can!
Pearls in pod slices. With a ceramic focal, made by… me. Gee – who would have guessed? That was on my bead table for the weekly Bead Table Wednesday Flickr group. Then it was on my wrist after that.
OK – lets get to the eye candy…Last Friday – I took a day off, a field trip, and a business trip all rolled into one. Marsha (of Marsha Neal Studios) and I headed to Beadfest outside Philly. My furry kids were in daycare, as where Marsha’s flesh and blood children…I had a budget. (Please dont ask how THAT went. )
As soon as we arrived we saw Barbara Lewis doing a great demo – enameled beads. Its magic, and fire, and instant gratification!
Thriiled to run into Shelby of SunDown Bead Designs, a friend from last years ArtBliss retreat! Chatted a bit about the DE Etsy street team, and them commenced the shopping. (Her blog entry on Beadfest is here.)
It is overwhelming. The vast amounts of gorgeousness, the gemstones, the one of a kind artisan beads, imports, cabochons…sigh. 
Table of teasures at Bead Dreams of New York.
Joanne Zekowski – friendly, funny, and incredibly creative. Her glass beads are both new and unique, yet ancient and mysterious!
Porcelain owls by Joan Miller. Even as a ceramics person, I am amazed by what this woman can accomplish in the medium!
And in my hands, and on my work table: Briolettes and drops for earrings.
Green Girl Studio. ( That is where I lost control of said budget.)
Riverstone Bead Co. – drilled pebbles.
Joanne Zekowski glass beads
Labradorite, moonstone and garnet were the only things I actually had on my “Need” list… ( Aren’t they always on that list, Jenny?)
Small stamps in lowercase! Thank you PJ Tools! And I didnt have to pay an arm for the set! Since you do need both arms if you are stamping the metal…
Alright, I better get to work. The Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival is in early June. See you there?
(I was procrastinating doing a blog entry because I am behind on my A to Z entries. Well, that’s silly. I am so far off the original schedule! I will do them, I will, but not today.)
Today is Wednesday – Bead Table Wednesday – a Flickr group devoted to whats currently on your table, in all it’s mess – or glory. First – the overview. I have a dozen or so vintage mix-matched saucers, often stacked up with the equally vintage muffin tins. There is a tray of finished work, awaiting photos and Etsy. There are seed pod slices/beads on my sketchbook, I think they are headed to a bracelet, myself.
Next, a detail of a saucer. I have been experimenting with enameled components on brass mixed media lockets. I haven’t done any collages inside yet. To the left are resin samples for the class I am teaching next week.
Here is a piece I am falling in love with. I have half a dozen or so of these brass book lockets. This one has the word “Fate” tube riveted on, and a key – stitched on with linen thread. (Sorry it is so dark…)
And last – but not least – a quartet of “Mojo” necklaces. These are a bit collage-like, a bit gypsy, a bit eclectic. I love them! They will be finished with copper chain – since the pendant has enough going on in it already… (From top left: Gypsy Spirit, Weave enchantments, Fae Maid, and Sea Siren)
And let me leave you with a glimpse of the work in progress from the ceramic studio:
More on that later! Perhaps my new Wednesday’s will be “Work-in-progress” Wednesdays… Hmm. I like the sound of that…
Jenny Davies-Reazor 