Creative Life- Week 31

So.. yeah. I may have missed so studio time in the past few weeks. I was traveling for work again and I actually had to close the shop on two Wednesdays because of it. I got back on track last week and I made some new pieces. :)
I'm also getting ready for some great classes coming up at both the MBG and BMB designs and my calendar is so full starting this weekend through December, I'm not sure what to do with myself!

We went to Frankstown, MS and hunted for sharks teeth last weekend and that was SO MUCH FUN! it was great to wade through the water, hunt for teeth and fossil shells and watch the minnows in the slow moving creek. I have the hunting bug now and am looking forward to opportunities to look for more rocks and fossils in unusual places.

Since I have shows coming up- starting with the Crosstown Clectic show August 26th and 27th, I have been busy making. Here are some of the new pieces I've been adding to my stock.

Creative Life 2016 - Week 19

I missed weeks 17 and 18. and by missed, I don't mean to say I wasn't making- thankfully this time. I just missed posting. And sure i could go back date a post, but that kind of feels like cheating.. so I'll just say that I made some awesome stuff last week (because I did- I made three epic bracelets as a custom order for someone) and I traveled last week (to Greensboro NC) and the week before that I was just pretty overwhelmed.

I went to an amazing Full Moon sacred woman's circle on the 22nd- it was epic- and it actually coincided with the full moon in Scorpio. I got some guidance from the experience and it gave me the nudge to start working on it. The Navigating Negativity group meeting the following Monday (25th) drove the point home even more. I have to let go of the habit of comparing myself to everyone else- as an artist, as a friend, as a person. I constantly berate myself because so-and-so is a better metalsmith than me, so why do I bother? Or this person is better at putting their words to paper or that person is more energetic. I have to stop tearing myself down. It doesn't help me, and it doesn't help the people thatI'mm supposed to be helping. Because i really do feel like my path in life is to help people, to teach people, to be kind to people and protect those without voices. (and to help/protect critters and nature)

So i spent week 17 working on that- and i guess technically, it's still part of my Creative Life journey- not everything i do, everything i achieve, has to have a physical result to show off.

I created my samples for my class coming up in June at the MBG- I'm going to teach folks how to make spiculums and stuff! it's pretty neat to take a flat piece of metal and have some pod, flower, weird things at the end of a few minutes of hammering. (the lotus took more than a few minutes...) i can't wait to add enamel to this stuff.. whole new level awesome.

Creative Life - Week 5 & 6

It's been a busy year. At least on the "Main Stream Job" front. i have been trying to be the artist also, but time has been scarce. I am proud to say i completed my piece for the Halstead Kinetic Challenge and went to the opening of the Collaborations show at MJCC that i am a part of (along with a slew of talented Tennessee artists)

I haven't been able to keep up with my blog because nothing wants to post from the mobile app anymore- something broke on the last update, which is just silly since i have a google phone and this is a google app...I had week 5 written and ready to go last week, but anyways- it's about the spirit of the blog more than the letter of the posts.

i have been treading water (in life) mostly- work is busy, creativity scant, weather weird. I keep pushing on because i know the life i want is within reach. I sourced some neat old silverware from the early 1900's for my next project- i'm going to make molds of parts of them and use them in other pieces- there's too much of a historian in me to cut them up and use them. i picked up two lovely floral pieces from an antique store in Galveston- they'll have a fun story at least. :) And i'll have some great samples to show off at my Mold Making for Metal Clay class that is happening March 12th at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. :)

Creative life - Week 2

This year has started out much busier than i thought it was going to be. I've only been in the studio 3 times in the first 15 days of the year, and that's not good for my sanity or the safety of the people around me, lol. I did manage to get into the studio for a little bit in week 2. While i do not have any finished work to show for my endeavors, i do have a solid foundation for lots of finished pieces and i got to play with all of my hammers and make fun textures. Which makes me pretty happy :)

Weekly Challenge catch-up - Weeks 46 and 47

I promise I was working the last two weeks! (the dark circles under my eyes from the late nights at the Studio corroborate my story!)

My last show of the season is this weekend at the Brooks Museum and honestly, I'm thrilled. I have a pile of commissions to work on before Christmas and then I can take a break for a couple of weeks before I have to get back to it for classes and spring shows. If I sound like I'm complaining, trust me, I'm not, I just need to make myself a working time turner and maybe make a clone or two of myself! Lots of work is a good problem to have and it is one of the things that I made sure to be thankful for this past holiday.

I'm working out my schedule for classes next year with the Botanic Garden and the Metal Museum. I'm very excited to have opportunities at both locations and am thrilled about the added reach I'll have to get other people addicted to... I mean interested in, metal working!

I've been busy making fresh new things and a few classics. My artistic ADD doesn't allow me to do too many of the same thing without being uncomfortable and a bit whiney. :) But I think I have a good system down for pseudo-production line work that isn't all the same. It can be difficult to create a body of work that is cohesive yet varied enough to be engaging. I am finding that just changing the pattern or the accent stone isn't' enough to keep me feeling like I'm growing and moving, so I have to push myself a bit more. A dear and respected friend said I needed to go a bit further with my work- to not play it safe and to be a little less of a perfectionist. so I'm trying to get a little more dimensional. I'm adding some dapped and swaged shapes to my standard designs and I'm finding they bridge the gap nicely between my fold formed pieces and my air chased pieces. they're not quite ready for the spot light, but watch for them to be showcased in Week 48 as I'll be debuting them at the show this weekend :)

New earrings made for the upcoming show

A shot of my booth at the Crafts & Drafts show on 11/14

Weekly Challenge - week 45

It's hard to believe the year is rapidly coming to a close. I have been trying to create new work for this Saturday's Crafts & Drafts show at Crosstown. Last night's creative haul was pretty good- i took a photo of all the stuff that has been completed this week for debut on Saturday and i like how it is all pretty cohesive. I really have the mixed metals thing going and everything has a sort of down to earth, warm feel that i like. :)

Tonight's goal is to get some more silver work finished. I have like 4 pair of silver earrings, one silver fold formed necklace and a handful of Infinite Love pieces left- everything else sold out at River Arts festival (YAY!)

Weekly Challenge- Week 41

Pink Palace Craft fair was AMAZING!!!! it was so much fun to get to demonstrate, hang with my metalsmith BFF Virginia and interact with people that *loved* our work! I was in the studio each night after the show making new stock to fill in all the stuff we sold. It was a wonderful validation of what i've been doing and i am beyond thrilled.

Here's some of the stuff i made this weekend that went into the booth. My next show is going to be River Arts and i'll be demonstrating in the Artists @ Work tent and my work will be for sale in the Artist Marketplace there where the demonstrations are. I'll be doing some air chasing demos for sure, most likely cuffs and 6x6 wall pieces.

Weekly challenge - Week 40 continued

I had a busy night last night! I got 4 spinner rings completed (smaller sizes both in width and ring size for those of you with dainty fingers!!) and 2 wider ones almost finished. These are all sterling silver (and gold- the bottom one in the pic has rose gold filled and yellow gold filled spinners). I need to get busy on some copper ones too so i'll have plenty for this weekend!

I also made some fancier stacking copper rings- the heavy gauge wire is great for adding texture- i love all these and am going to have to make myself a set when i have some down time (HAHAHAH!!!).

Weekly challenge - week 35 part 2

Here's what i finished up Wednesday at Open Studio. i think the smaller air chased pieces will be pendants, the two fold formed pieces are sealed with jewelers lacquer to protect their lovely patinas and the cuff at the bottom has been formed into shape and will have a blue patina added to the recesses and a dark brown patina on the rest (fingers crossed it look like it does in my head)

I've got to buckle down and get making! Cooper young is in 2 weeks, then i have Pink Palace 3 weeks after that, and my inventory is low. I need to get all these UFOs off my bench!

I'm going to do a UFO lock-in at the Studio once the weather gets less than desirable (no point in being inside for 24 hours during the lovely fall weather that is soon coming) where you'll pay a fee to reserve your spot at the table for 12 or 24 hours, meals will be provided (you bring your own wine or beer) and we'll have contests for who completes the most UFOs, most unusual way to complete a UFO, etc (UFO for those that don't know are UnFinished Objects-- pieces of whatever medium that have not made it to the completed state for whatever reason) I think it will be a lot of fun, a great way for people to learn some new techniques, get some input from others and get some work completed!

Weekly Challenge- Week 19

I misplaced my sample for my upcoming Jeweler's saw class at the Botanic Gardens, so i had to make another one :) This piece was designed, pierced and cleaned up in 2 hours, using only one sawblade and my beloved Knew Concepts saw. Those super tight cuts were all made using the saw, not notched with a file.

Here's the class description if you're interested:

Sawing sheet metal or: How i learned to love my jeweler's saw May 30th 10am - 5pm

In this workshop class you will learn all the ins and outs of one of the most basic and useful of jeweler's tools, which incidentally, is also one of the most hated. 

 

You'll learn about proper blade loading, which saw blades to use for what, how different materials respond, how to mark your material for sawing, inside cuts and more. I'll have a variety of saws on hand for you to try, including the Knew Concepts saw, which has helped turn many an anti-jewelers saw person into a sawing master!

 

Our projects for the class will be mostly about learning how to use the saw and will be technique based, however, there will be a small pendant project that you can complete in class or at home, depending on the speed at which you work, and your practice pieces can be turned into charms. 

 

If you do NOT have a jewelers saw and bench pin, PLEASE let us know when you sign up for the class. Neither tool is required to take this class, but I need an accurate count of how many to bring. I will assume you have both if nothing is noted, so for everyone's enjoyment, please provide this information. Sharing is caring, but I would rather everyone have dedicated tools :) 

 

Blades, practice pieces, and templates are provided and you will have a reference handout to take home chock full of useful information. We will be using twist drill bits, center punches, scribers, sharpies, burlife/beeswax, and adhesive in class. (You are welcome to bring your own if you have these- some will be shared in class) Some tools and extra materials will be available for purchase at class as well. 

Please contact Laurie at the Memphis Botanic Garden to register : 901.636.4128

Weekly challenge- week 9

I posted 4 times before I was out of town for a week so technically, I don't think I should be penalized for missing week 8. :)
Here are the rings I made during today's snow day. :) I had some requests for smaller rings so I've been making some in the 3.5 to 5.5 range. They also work as great midi rings.

Weekly Challenge- Week 6.75

I tried out some new techniques this weekend while i was supposed to be making stock for my upcoming show. i needed the creative boost of trying something new, because while i love making spinner rings, and stacking rings, and antique button pendants and fold formed earrings, i can get a little stagnant with my designs and my execution without a little injection from something different... so i played with some larger scale (wall jewelry size) air chasing and some enameling techniques that i had set aside many years ago and never quite gotten back around to exploring further.

No finished work yet, but here are the preview pics. :)

air chased copper with wood, art glass and paper. still working on the layout.

  

Graphite on enamel. 2 layers of opaque enamel were laid down and fired, then stoned smooth so i could draw on it. Then i doodled :) this is before firing.

 this is after firing. :) 

Weekly jewelry- week 6.5

I'm to be completely out of pocket for a week with out the ability to make jewelry so i am getting a little ahead (I don't want to fall behind like I did last year)

these earrings are textured copper with sterling silver bezel cups and posts with onyx set in the bezels.