Tag: Jewelry

We have a winner!

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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!

pick a winner

winner

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

grey

2. Celadon

celadon

3. Cobalt blue

cobalt

4. Olive green

olive

5. Bamboo ( Hey that’s what it’s called…)

bamboo

6. Clear – with underglazes. These are from assorted stamps: Medusa, bat, Tarot cards…

tarot

This was rather fun. Perhaps I will do another give away and contest over the summer! Stay tuned…

A to Z: E is for Excited! Ecstatic!…and Etsy

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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. 

newstand

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: 

desk view

I am listing items on Etsy. It is my job. 

Lunar hare

I get giddy with excitement when I look at that picture of my Lunar hare pendant larger than life! 

mag page

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!

 

Sharing the love – my resin workshop

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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. 

my demo

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. 

Patience

I was making a point on being patient. And posing, for the camera…

student work1

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. 

student work 2

student work 3

student work 4

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 a pod…Beadfest, and BTW

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Pearls pod bracelet

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!

Barbara Lewis

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.)

Shelby and me.

It is overwhelming. The vast amounts of gorgeousness, the gemstones, the one of a kind artisan beads, imports, cabochons…sigh. Bounty! Treasure!

Table of teasures at Bead Dreams of New York. 

Joanne Z

Joanne Zekowski – friendly, funny, and incredibly creative. Her glass beads are both new and unique, yet ancient and mysterious!

Joan MIller owls

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. 

loot 1

loot 2

Green Girl Studio.  ( That is where I lost control of said budget.)

Riverstone Bead Co. – drilled pebbles. 

Joanne Zekowski glass beads

Loot 3

Labradorite, moonstone and garnet were the only things I actually had on my “Need” list… ( Aren’t they always on that list, Jenny?)

loot 4

loot 5

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? 

 

 

 

A to Z: E is for Eclectic

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1: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
     2
: composed of elements drawn from various sources;
Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from ex- out +legein to gatherFirst Known Use: 1683

Its a word I like. Eclectic. There is an artistic air there, a little bit left of center, not the norm. And I really like the synonyms: Magpie, motley… When I was in college, studying art and education, I was already taking a more diverse path than many of my fellow art students. While they were concentrating on mastery in one medium… ( not to get philosophical, but do we ever achieve mastery? Then what else would there be to do, if not grow, learn and evolve…) I was developing proficiency in many mediums. (My words, not the college’s.) I was headed to the classroom – what better breadth of knowledge than a plethora of skills and experiences? Yet being such a Jack-of-all-trades was frowned upon. It was implied that I lacked the requisite focus or skills needed to make it “out there”. The jester, in his bells and motley tunic often juggling many balls – the artist, working in different materials, tending to many projects at once. I like the Jack of all trades metaphor, and while I continue to strive to be  a master… I think I am making progress.
Artsfest booth
( My booth set-up for Artsfest 2010)

This entry was going to be “D is for dilemna” but it is resolved now, and “Eclectic” is a better fit. I recently applied to one of my regular festivals, in the fall, in a city where we used to live. The entry categories, always a dilemma at festival time…Am I a ceramics artist? No. That brings to mind functional wares when seen in the event program. And I am definitely NOT a potter. (No offense meant. I just am not into function.) So I write in “Mixed Media” if it isnt already a listed category. I have tiles to bring, shrines, maybe clay, maybe in tins or boxes. Could bring collages… Then there are the pendants. Clay really is the unifying element in my work. When you see my booth all set up, decaorated, ready for business – clay is 90% of my offeriengs. Many pieces are not purely clay, but incorporate found objects, mini books, collages – hence the Mixed Media moniker. My pendants are clay. They are partnered in motif with my tiles. I work in symbolic images and icons – would you like to wear that raven? Or hang it in your house? 
ravens in kiln
pendants
This show tightened up their guidelines. Unless you are juried into the jewelry category, you may NOT bring any jewelry. I emailed for clarification. And sat with the dilemma for a while. Do I take only tiles and shrines? Or do I apply for jewelry? If I apply for jewelry, the competition is stiff, but I could possible have an opportunity to take earrings, stamped metal, resin, some of my new work. Here is the deal-maker: If accepted for jewelry I CAN bring tiles and shrines as well. (But not the other way around) SO I went for it. And as I write this I haven’t heard back yet if I am accepted. Please think good thoughts for me, lets put the idea out there in the universe  – the first show I ever did will also be the show at which I debut my jewelry officially. There is a karmic balance to that, don’t you think? 
wishing well
I have made a wish. Here’s wishing you well, also!

 

Bead Table Wednesday…

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(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. 

BTW overview

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. 

mixed media saucer

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…)

Book of fate

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)

Mojo necklaces

And let me leave you with a glimpse of the work in progress from the ceramic studio: 

Labyrinth detail

More on that later! Perhaps my new Wednesday’s will be “Work-in-progress” Wednesdays… Hmm. I like the sound of that…

Spring is bringing many new things…

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It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens

spring daffodils

Today was such a day. The daffodils are teased with the chill wind. The dogs are sunbathing, recharging their solar cells. And I was in the studio…. I try to do a seasonal newsletter, yet I find myself liking the weekly blog entries better. So please feel free to follow this blog, if you are interested in updates and musings, and work in progress. But on to the news of the season…

The Spring season was ushered in by the magical wonderful Mythic Faire. Held in Baltimore, this is the little sister show to the autumn extravaganza that is FaerieCon. The weekend is a medley of talks, panels, music, artwork, and meeting and chatting with creative people. It was great to see old friends and make new! More on Mythic Faire can be had here: Mythic Faire website and my blog entry…

Immediately after returning from the Realm, as Mythic Faire is often called… I had to get back into the studio! I had a new exhibit going up in days at the Music School of Delaware.  My dear friend and talented artist Betsy Mortenson and I are revisiting our ImagoDea – Envisioning the Feminine Divine show with new work. The show is open now, and will remain up until May 20th. Our opening reception is in tandem with one of the schools concert series – Music : Ritual and Healing – held on Sunday April 3rd. If you are in the area and interested please stop by! More information at their website.  They are located at 4101 Washington St in Wilmington DE. 

ImagoDea postcard

A sneak peak into some of the new collages, you ask? ok – here is a teaser. This is from the series of 9 small collages – The Muses, as I was still working on them. 

Muses in progress

But there is clay on my hands as well as paper fibers and glue! I am trying to achieve balance between areas of my life – arent we all? So time spent in the clay studio and ever increasingly in the jewelry studio rounds out my days. I have a fantastic new mold awaiting clay – from a detailed original carving – a split tailed mermaid, a sexy one at that! Cant wait to have a batch of tiles to glaze… I will post pictures as soon as I have some…

I also have new shrine tiles. I made the empty shrines, cast them, and from the mold can make multiples. Each one is different, but related. I like this new way of working in a series, yet still creating one of a kind pieces. 

rough shrine tiles

Here they are very rough, straight from the mold. And after adding elements and glazing…

shrine tiles

Working in a series this way is how I do my ceramic pendants, and it seemed the next logical evolution to work on tiles this way as well. I have been working in the jewelry studio quite a bit lately, and may have news about my jewelry offerings in the future… For now I leave you with a few pictures of new work. (Some of which will soon be making its way to my Etsy shop, naturally…)

pendants

Along with the clay, I have been working in resin and in metals. Getting reacquainted with some of the skills I learned in metal smithing classes as an under grad!

resin

mojo talisman

So here is hoping spring finds you healthy and happy! And may it be a productive, creative and fruitful season!

Upcoming events: 

I am teaching two workshops at through The Art Studio.  Mixed Media Jewelry: Collage in Resin in resin will be held Thursday April 14th from 6-9pm. We will create small collages, inset into bezels and seal them with resin. It is simpler than it seems and highly addictive!

The second workshop is a ceramics workshop – Creating a Floral Mirror Frame. We will work in clay one week, and glaze the next.  Students will design and sculpt a floral ceramic tile, which will become the mirror’s frame.

Information on my classes can be found at the Art Studio website, or by calling 302-995-7661 – if you are interested!

My next festival/art show of the year is in June – seems like so far away as I write this! The Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival is near and dear to my heart, as I was a jewelry instructor there for two summers. The day long music festival is a regional tradition, and draws great musical talent, as well as a stellar arts festival. Please do check it out, and see the line-up at their website. 



 



Hibernation…

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Forgive me blog readers, for it has been 7 days since my last posting…

I was really getting into the swing of my new schedule. Clearly it wasnt routine yet, though. Last week I had  head cold, and after my latte post I pretty much retreated. Hibernated. Withdrew. Holed up. I was foggy, and lethargic, and didnt have a thing to say…

So the A to Z post for “B” is missing. And I will sneak it in there some time in the near future. Look for the first of the 2 “B” entries tomorrow. 

Since I was last here – we have gone from this: 

Oscar's tree

to this: Oscar in snow

And I have been loving the time housebound – spending it in the studio. I have many items to list on Etsy tomorrow morning…

Tray of hearts

And thats just a few! My favorite is the far left: dark brown and teal on the ceramic heart, apatite, smokey quartz above. It says “Amor”.

 I will be listing necklaces and ceramic components. First time listing the pieces as materials – as opposed to finished pieces. 

I look forward to next week. I dont mean to wish the weekend away, but I will be glad to be back in the studio, back to reality. Between my cold and the snow – I have had a chance to retreat, now its time to get out there again…  I leave you with one more snowy image…

Dryad - snow cloaked

 

 

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!

 

Amulet from Amanda…

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Amanda Davie – that is. 

Before Christmas I was doing my usual coffee drinking, blog reading and posting routine – and I left a comment on Amanda Davie’s blog. Now I had followed her work for a while – innovative mixed media pieces, unique bezels with resin, often incorporating vintage text, a sense of the sacred, a reverance for the natural world… These are things I am drawn to, and recognized a kindred spirit in her work. She is a artist/mother/blogger/creative soul in Wisconsin. 

How thrilled was I to win the giveaway!?! And recieve a gift certificate to her shop? Ha! I am going to treat myself! So I window shopped, and browsed, and was tempted… and didnt commit. To many things I liked. I went back – they were gone… But thats ok. I found an even better piece. A talisman for the new year. An amulet for myself. ( Enough already, show them a picture…)

The packaging. Gorgeous. What attention to detail!

Davie package

Inside – what? More gorgeous-ness! A bonus! Hand made treasure pouch withe silk ribbon and sea glass button. You are too much, Amanda!

Davie pouch

Butterflies inside? Now its getting too serendipitous. My favorite symbol – the embodiment of transformation, a sylph of grace and beauty…

pouch interior

And the necklace itself…

The necklace A. Davie

The pendant is a cluster of charms, first and foremost a small brass screw-top vial. A charm of Inanna, a turquoise wand… My plan is to put a message to myself in the vial. A message for the year. Not goals per se, but an affirmation, a reminder, a few powerful words… And as I have “written” it, so it shall come to be. I am still thinking this over, knowing that the right words will come at the right time. 

necklace detail   

Gemstones – pearls, coral, turquoise, wood, hand crafted bronze charms. A plethora. A delight to the senses – touch, sight, sound…

necklace detail2

Thank you Amanda! Thank you so much!

 

In our emails back and forth we have begun a fledgling blogging friendship – and I sent Amanda some of my ceramic pendants. I can’t wait to hear and see how she puts them to good use. Its nice to make a connection across the miles with a kindred creative spirit. Shame we are to far apart to meet for a coffee…