Tag: earrings

Seeing stars… and the November Component of the Month reveal!

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Hello blog. I have been neglecting you. When I last was here it was for the October COM reveal for Art Jewelry Elements. 

Since then I ran away with the faeries: 

Witches and faeries

and retreated to the (frigid) beach to immerse myself in seed beads: 

bead retreat

I promise more on that later! 

Today – I’m actually off at a show as you read this. The holiday show season is in full swing! And the gift making! Oh my. Sprinkle a few custom orders on the top of that – and I hope you understand why I have been neglecting you. Let me show you the eye candy that is the COM. Will that do? 

Kristen selected these versatile beaded circles as her component of the month offering! I have worked with these before and love them. They can go in so many direction, so many applications… 

beaded circles WIP

My pair was in matte black and silver. They asked to be simple, and a bit celestial. Here is the result: 

Nov CoM

Dangles include a sterling spiral, a quartz crystal point and a hematite star on gunmetal chain. They are super light weight – and I think I get to keep them…

Present for me? Hmm. I hope your present making and shopping is going smoothly so far this season! 

Please hop over to the blog at Art Jewelry Elements to see the other COM offerings this month!

Until next time… 

 

 

 

 

June reveal! With my components for the AJE challenge!

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Hello – 

What do you mean June is almost over? I have been in “Clay Camp” – a 2 week pottery intensive class that I teach – and time seems to have flown by without me… 

This month over at Art Jewelry Elements – the Component of the Month was provided by yours truly. There was great team response, and our special guest bloggers who won free charms as well! Please take a look at their offerings!

Here is what we were working with…  

June CoM

As to mine – 

simple. organic. dangles. words. 

My favorite kind of earrings. 

Nature spirit

Mismatched charms stamped from eucalyptus pods. Words stamped with intention into silver. Earthy aqua glaze… 

(With a nod to AJE team mate Diana Ptaszynski for the mismatched inspiration…)

What words would YOU wear dangling from your ears? I would love to hear… 

 

Testing. Testing. Porcelain head pins…

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Monday. So much to do! One task was great fun, and quickly accomplished... Marsha had gifted me with a pair of her new/prototype porcelain shard head pins. We were talking about the use of nichrome wire in jewelry – leave it exposed, cover it… I decided to design a pair of earrings with the wire covered. The nichrome doesnt particularly bother me, I was just being the devil’s advocate, you know?  (Nichrome aparently is an alloy of nickle. I am guessing it will not darken with time. I know when I use  nickel silver sheet – it will not patina with LoS – I use a SHarpie!)

Headpin ideas

The stages of experimentation: (Clockwise from top left)

1.  Cover the nichrome wire with a coil. I used 24 ga Parawire in gunmetal. (Thanks Kerry for the coiling inspiration!)

2. I originally thought a gunmetal link. Seeing it – it was too “the same”. The coil texture was lost in the uniform color. 

3. White Clover Kiln bead caps. Adorable – but I wanted to not go too floral, and decided to vary the colors a bit more. 

4. Testing out a patterned copper chain link, like it! Sadly – these enameled bead caps from Sally Russick were rejected too. Marsha had done some combinations like this and I was striving to be different – not to let that subliminal influence take hold!

the results - 1

The results! I like the simple copper bead cap and the copper link together. These are lightweight, and I like them… but

option A  Option B

Option A: dangles of pearl, hematite, and turquoise – the metal’s palette as gems. 

Option B: One single dangle – a copper pearl. 

I want to hear your opinion! Which option do you prefer? 

 

 

 

You can never have too many earrings! Earring Swap reveal!

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Earrings and a necklace. Daily wear! Whether I am in the studio, teaching, working from home – I am not dressed without them. So – when Diana of Suburban Girl Studio announced an earring swap – sounds good to me!

My first partner is Linda Younkman. Arent these lovely? The blue beads are very detailed. and I love a spiral motif!

earrings1

And then these came from Mary Shannon Hicks! They are a bit heavier, so not every day wear for me, but that owl!  Thank you so much for all the work in that wire wrapping. 

earrings2 earrings2.2

I know you may hop to other blogs, just wanted to post a picture or 2 of what I sent to my partners…

my swap pairs

I enameled these copper washers, and originally had them paired with enameled discs (seen below). They were so uniform in composition, and lacked movement. So – I had to swap them out for pearl and gem dangles. The vintage bells will add a bit of jingle as they dance around. The extra discs? Sent to my partners -a little bonus for them to make into something…

first version extra bonus

Here is the list of participants. Have fun taking a look. I am sure there will be diverse offerings for every style!

Diana Ptaszynski     http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com
Patti Vanderbloemen        http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/
Lesley Watt        http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies Reazor      http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Melinda Orr      http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins      http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Stephanie Haussler       http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Sally Russick     http://www.thestudiosublime.com
Susan Kennedy       http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Cheryl Brown    www.dragonflybeads.ca

 

 

Treasures delivered…

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Over the last few weeks the postman has been steadily delivering magical packages to my door. Well, my mail box anyway. Thought today was a good day for “Show and Tell”. 

First up – Staci Smith. Her shop is chocked full of goodness. She works in a variety of materials: fabricating components and jewelry, sculpting in polymer and bronze clay, silks, sea glass… but thoughout maintains her sense of style. It’s gypsy/folk/tribal/boho if you ask me. And I quite like it! We had a chance to trade…so I selected the “Moon Baby” focal and she selected other treasures to surpirise me. (Sorry for the pix. The moon baby and discs on the lower left are a dark peacock patina that is gorgeous in person. )

trade from Staci

Then there arrived a sweet package from Australia! I have followed the blog and shop of Penny at Sparrow Salvage for years. She has a finesse at upcycling materials that never ceases to amaze. Her style is very gypsy/tribal/boho and I have wanted a piece forever. Recently Penny had a series of traumatic events in her life and I was happy to help out with a purchase, however small. Check out her shop, make a purchase, show some support for a fellow self-employed jewelry artist!

Sparrow Salvage earrings

They are definitely shoulder dusters! I look forward to wearing them at my next festival!

Sparrow Salvage earrings2

Imagine my luck – when I won a give away. You know the type – like our FB page… Secret Scents is line of perfume lockets by Mystic Memories. I was familiar with them because my friend Brigid Ashwood is one of their featured artists. So I left a comment, and Fortune smiled… Its really a lovely piece and smells fantastic. I like the idea of wearing it choker length on velvet ribbon. Suits the locket well. And great packaging too!

Secret Scents locket

And last – but definitely not least: BUTTONS! Cindy Wimmer (Sweet Bead Studio and ArtBliss) is hosting a button challenge blog hop. I am partnered with Sandi Volpe – who treated me to this lovely package…

sandi buttons1

and this treasure trove of possibility. Vintage buttton covers, tiny antique buttons, lovely earthy colors, and the sculptural button bottom right? She cast that one. I see a female form in there. Its calling my name. 

detail buttons1

The hop reveal will happen here and on my colleagues blogs on May 13th. Stay tuned. I have ideas flitting around my head. The possibilities are endless, really. 

detail buttons2

 

There IS one more thing I wanted to mention in this epic post. Sandi and I have nearly met… We both attended ArtBliss workshops last year, hosted by Jeannette Ryan and Cindy Wimmer. (Yes, the button hop Cindy.) This weekend long art/jewelry retreat is held in Northern Virginia/DC in late September.  This will be its third year. It is a great weekend of learning, sharing, immersion, socializing, creating, and camaraderie. I have made great friends there that I look forward to see every September. If you are interested in lampworking, metal smithing, polymer… check out the classes. Registration is open!

Art Bliss badge

 

 

You can never have too many earrings. Earring Swap reveal…

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Good morning – are you ready for the earring swap? Well, go get a coffee or brew some tea. If you are in the mood for Bead Soup – it is still simmering, here.)

A few weeks ago my friend Diana of Suburban Girl Studio organized an earring swap. I wear jeans and tees to the studio most days, so this is great…You can never have too many earrings!And featurign artist beads/ Even better! I was thrilled my partner was Diana herself! She does lovely raku components. 

Here is what arrived. Happy Day!

Ear swap pkg

There they are! Dramatic, yet gypsy boho as well, which is very me. I can see them dressed up with a little black dress, and adding some spark to a mundane tee and jeans outfit. They are super long for me, and very light; a good thing. I think the crystals are a great partner for Diana’s raku pieces – shell/spirals that I adore. I will confess I had seen similar pieces in her Etsy shop and loved them!

earring reveal!

I love that they dangle below my hair. Great visibility. (Well – did you want my whole face, or the earrings? I figured – earrings!)

my earrings!

And what did I send her? I will give you a hint…

earring mania

I call that earring mania – I was getting ready for Art on the Ave in Alexandria. You will have to tune in to her blog to see what else I added to my ceramic charms to complete her custom pieces! Take a look at the other offerings, and leave comments! We love that! And thanks to Diana! This was fun, pure fun, and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

 

Jenny Davies-Reazor  http://www.jdaviesreazor.com (thats me…)
Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp  http://www.skyejewels.blogspot.com
 

 

Meditation, music, and mayhem?

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fairy door with dahliasTaking a break from gardening – hoping to finish mulching the newly planted little floral offerings before the inevitable rain. I wanted to update you readers out there about a few upcoming events. 

Meditation:

ceramic labyrinths

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? If not – please do! No matter what your religious or spiritual bent, it is a wonderful active/walking meditation. My first experience was very profound, and I have a meaningful experience every time. The process leads you inwards, to your center… one one path, your path to the center and then guides your steps back out into the world.  ( Try the Labyrinth locator to find one near you…) Later this month I will be partnering up with Carol Maurer to teach a ceramic finger labyrinth class. Held at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington – we will meet first to create, and 2 weeks later for a social gathering to walk the labyrinth and collect our finished pieces. The facts: May 31st and June 14th. 7 – 9pm. $65. To register: email – spiritedplay(at)hotmail(dot)com. 

Music: The 22nd Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival is fast approaching! 

Appel Farm

I will be there with tiles – new mermaids! Earrings – all new designs! Shrines, pendants, clay offerings galore! Its exciting to me when I can bring sculpture/ceramics AND jewelry! Hurrah!

earrings!

And if you are going to be in Lewes over Fourth of July weekend – make sure to mark your calendar –St. Peter’s  45th Annual Fine Art Show, on July 2nd. Should be a great day! And where is the mayhem, you ask? Isn’t there  a little mayhem everywhere to keep things interesting? 

 

I heart…

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Just a simple post today…

latte heart

A gorgeous latte, a worn wooden table, a seat in the sun at the local coffee shop, friends…

hearts glaze

an afternoon in the studio, colorful underglaze, unlimited potential…

 

And one more shot – sans Instragram filters… I do heart the Instagram app as well – 

many hearts

Big focal hearts, milagro hearts, small hearts… Missing from the pix are the paired earring hearts. Into the kiln today. Firing either today or tomorrow. More pix soon!

 

The fire is SO delightful…

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The weather outside IS frightful – in the 30’s with wind chills in the teens at certain parts of the day. Blustery, breath-stealing wind gusts. And today – the fire was so delightful: 

kiln burner

Kiln

 

And to finish the song reference – Let is snow, Let it snow, Let it snow…

Now this kiln load is eagerly anticipated. (SPOILER ALERT if you are my sibling, or in-law!) I have many gifts inside, firing away to the neighborhood of 2400 degrees. I wont go into more detail, as I know some of my siblings read my blog. ( As well they should, ahem.) Since FaerieCOn, all thoughts have been geared toward the holidays. J and I are heading west, to Austin for the family festivities. We are driving – who doesnt love a road trip? And I can pack anything I want! since I dont have shipping concerns or airline restrictions. That helped inspire my gift-giving and gift-making this year! Now you get a sense why I havent posted too much lately? 

One thing I do want to share with you out there…

The Ceramics studio where I work and teach has an annual pottery sale. It is a diverse offering, featuring the work of novices, hobbists, experienced craftsepople and talented artists. ( I know that categorization treads on dangerous ground. Art vs. craft? What makes someone an artist?  Yadda Yadda Yadda. Thats another blog post, or a whole series.) There will be functional pottery, sculptural pottery, fused glass, jewelry, perhaps some fiber art. Diverse offerings, indeed. If you are in the area – please stop by: Monday to Wednesday, Dec 13-15 10am to 8pm, and Thursday, Dec 16, 10 am to 5 pm. It’s at the Art Studio, Ab Jones Bldg, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington DE 19804.

earrings in progress

packaging

These earrings are brand new, never before seen wee ceramic charms, with gemstones. The necklaces are simple, everyday pieces. Pendants and stones, as well. These will end up on Etsy sooner or later, if not this batch , then the next. They are fun to do…

This Sunday I also put together a box-o-treasures – ceramic pendants, that is…for the Shepherdess. I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of “Twas the Art before Christmas” open house/trunk show event this Friday. So if San Diego is where you call home – check it out. I am in amazing company there…