"getting a bit caught up"

"...and having way too much fun in the process..."

Ahhhhhhh... today is beautiful, sunny and hot! a pleasant surprise as I have not been watching much TV if any lately. I have been working hard and making lots of goodies for friends, my Etsy shop and I also just started back up doing a new WOA jewelry challenge with my EtsyMetal street team. I am feeling all charged up a bit lighter and a bit happier today, the sun does wonders for my spirit!

1. N928 , 2. E932, 3. R926 , 4. B927, 5. Not available, 6. B931, 7. E929, 8. B927 B931 shown worn, 9. N930

Above are some new pieces I will be added to my Etsy shop today!

Have a beautiful day my friends!

Blog Carnival: July 2010

"So what is a Blog Carnival you ask?”

It is a group of EtsyMetal members who write an article on the same topic on the first Monday of each month.

July Topic:

"If I couldn't make jewelry, what would I be doing instead?"

("If I wasn't making jewelry, what would I want to do instead?")

I noticed there was the word "couldn't" in there. So this would probably mean I was broken in some way and I don't think this was the exercise intended. So I will think, "If I wasn't making jewelry, what would I want to do instead?"
Ok, so if I had to make a career change now for whatever reason, it would depend on the reason, but lets say its a midlife job/passion change? Well after walking away from my computer just now to think a bit, I've thought about what I was interested in before I started creating jewelry. I was very interested in Graphic Arts. I think ultimately I just want to be a designer. Of what? I do not know. But the fun addicting part to me is coming up with the ideas. When I was around 12 I wanted to use my art to get into possibly the advertising or product development aspect, I was young but thought this might be a way to love what I did for a living. I felt so much pressure and had no idea what I really wanted to do when I grew up, it was actually a really hard place for me to be at and was a big internal battle... Then instead of getting the guidance I should have I became a teenager, everything as I knew it flipped-upside-down-inside-out-and-all-around and here I am now, here I am thinking and reminiscing about where my life might of gone, and where it still can!

I always say half seriously that I would have fully devoted my life to the humane treatment of animals. I feel that my life has taken many turns which did not lead me down that path, but I know in my heart it is something that brings up an emotion that rips my soul out. I think for me it is about all the unnecessary suffering and pain caused by the greed of some humans. I eat meat, I wear leather. I am just as lazy as the next person. I am not perfect by any means. But it still hurts. So I guess I am a bit of a hypocrite, this exercise was the simple question and if I could start over (or had to) I could probably sacrifice my life for this cause.....

Thanks for reading, and please do not comment and debate about animal rights and write any negativity in my post, it will be deleted. I am not writing to open any can of worms on the subject, thanks.

Also please see more blog carnival entries from my fellow EtsyMetal team members below!

Thomasin Durgin/MetalRiot

Ann Hartley/HartleyStudio

Brooke Medlin

Maria/Fluxplay

Stacey Hansen/WildflowerDesigns

Inbar Bareket

Beth Cyr

thank you....

"...you have waited quietly for so long... you teach me very valuable lessons...."

I just want to take a minute to appreciate all the patient, supportive and kind people in my life, as you are teaching me how to be patient, supportive and kind. All the nice things people have done for me, you’re teaching me how to be more giving to others as well. And the ones that are there for me when I really need to talk, (you know who you are) you make me feel emotionally safe and teach me also how to listen when others need to talk.

I am very grateful today for the wonderful people in my life and for all the things the universe has provided me with.
And I really just wanted to say,

"Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful day!"

Blog Carnival: June 2010

"So what is a Blog Carnival you ask?”

It is a group of Etsy Metal members who write an article on the same topic on the first Monday of each month. 

 

June Topic: "Studio Mascots"  

"I am pleased to intoroduce you to some of my closest friends and confidants!"

This months topic wanted us to describe who if we had any studio mascots. Well of course I do...Doesn't everyone? The collection you see above is my view from my bench where I sit, they are on my window sill. There are more scattered about but these little ones I like to keep together as they can be a handful when they get in one of thier moods. They seem to get really excited if I am hammering alot and then they start to cliff dive. It is kinda funny but really annoying as they always get stuck and I have to stop what I'm doing and retrieve them or else they sit and cry! I think they like the attention, sigh.... Now the monkey on the left, boy is he a stinker. He was supposed to be adopted to a friend of mine but they never came to get him so he stayed with me and now I am kind of sorry  that I just didn't go and drop his bannana butt off on thier doorstep late at night. We have come to a manageable relationship now, but sometimes I swear!....

I seem to aquire alot of little friends, they find me when I go on walks, gifts from friends and strangers, and on my travels I always try and bring a new member home with me and many other mysterious ways they DO come into my like often and I welcome them always with open arms.

They watch over me when I work, they tell me stories, sometimes they even beg to be included in a piece I am working on, who am I to say no to one of my little friends. Sometimes I send them off to a friend in need of a little cheering up, or if they are really bad I will leave them possibly in a bathroom to be picked up by some naughty child at some random business , that will show em! This is thier purpose for me. Inspiration, secrets, smiles and companionship.

Have a great day and if your interested in reading more please see the EtsyMetal members blogs below!

Ann Hartley

2 Roses

Nina Gibson

Stones & Bones Girl

stones ♥ bones

Hi! I just made a tiny batch of Stones & Bones last week. And was barely able to get them listed,  as my grumpy computer is being so difficult! I have been planning new ideas with new treasures and tools, working on my new destash-shop called ExperimeNtal and Spring gardening is here! So I am really excited at being busy! I am picking up lapidary equipment and an extra jewelry bench today (for my friends to come over and play with me) and something also very special that I am going to hold out on from telling anyone just yet!

I started my yearly Shiso (Green Perilla) plants and they are having a very slow start but I am very hopeful they will keep coming up as the conditions become more to thier liking. I may have made a mistake and used my 2008 seeds. I am aiming to have 30 plants this year, enough to share with my family and favorite sushi chefs in town.   If you are interested you can buy the seeds from the Kitazawa Seed Company. If you are in the Pacific Northwest area its not too late to start them still! It's so worth it if you love to eat Shiso. If you want to see my progress from previous years you can peek here. People say it is hard to grow, it is, but I suspect they just need patience and the perfect temperature conditions, and once it starts it grows fast! Also in Seattle you can find the seeds at Uwajimaya in the Spring time.

Bye for now and thank you for reading!

 I am "happily" running off to pick up my new tools and machines today!

"insert jumping for joy movement here!"

somethings old, somethings new, adieu~adieu!

~Adieu Adieu a sweet farewell to you~

As another week goes by another group of goodies are leaving the nest. And I as well am leaving the nest to fly across the country to see a beautiful little place called Elmira.

 I will keep my Etsy shop open, but will stop shipping from May 11th to the 20th and will resume any shipping on the 21st. Thank you so much for your support and happy words!

N908 "I'm So Blue"
Project Runway Challenge
Season 6: Episode 7: "Blue"

"Blue" was created for a EtsyMetal Jewelry Challenge. Our challenge that week in October 2009 was to make a piece of jewelry that incorporated the color blue in it somehow. This is a found blue feather that I bound onto a piece of enamelled cooper with a fine silver scroll design. Then I made a fine Silver bezel and used a piece of slide glass and carefully set it on top to honor the creature who wore this feather. Read more here...

N909 "True Love"
Project Runway

Season 7: Episode 4:

"Design Your Heart Out"

This weeks EtsyMetal jewelry challenge was about The American Heart Association, they asked the designers to design gown to be worn at an AHA and Campbell’s sponsored social function. Therefore, we asked our designers to make a piece of jewelry using "the heart" as inspiration.  I decided to try and make a classic antiqued Valentine style, with a modern twist. I pierced and cut out the base design from the Copper sheet, then I made the heart, I cut and formed its puffy shape. I then torch fired enameled a rough-hewn surface on the entire piece, then placed all the components in their place. Oh and on the back there is a secret Sterling Silver "true love" hand stamped. Read more here...

E910 "Raggedy Ann's"
Project Runway

Season 7: Episode 2:

"It's all about the Burlap"

This challenge was a crazy one for me. I was quite stumped by this material. I managed to squeak out barely in time a small pair of earrings for this challenge and I now affectionately call the Raggedy Ann's. They Burlap is bound in between Sterling discs with thread and the edges were dipped in dye. They hang from simple fabricated Sterling ear wires. Read more here... 

R911 "Torri Gate"
This little guy is a special piece. It originated from the Ring-a-Day project. I cannot spill all the beans yet, but this was special prototype. It is made of 12 gauge Sterling Silver band, a 4 gauge Copper rod, and has been oxidized to an antiqued finish. I call it Torri gate as the form reminds me of all the iconic shapes of Asian temples and gates...

N912 "I've got a heart on for you"

This little red enameled heart is on a delicate Sterling chain. It has little glass beads that have been torch fired and fused to the surface. You may have remembered using this slumping technique when you were in summer camp?  

N913 "Meow"

I made kitty jewelry for my veterinarian at one time. I have never worn it, but saved it in my keeps box. I do not have a kitty anymore, so I was hoping she could be adopted to a good home and get the love she deserves. She is made from black frosted seed beads on beadalon wire with a handmade Sterling clasp. The Sterling pendant has a domed back with a sitting kitty silhouette.

E914 "Flowered"
I was just playing like I like to do and made these upside down Sterling Silver flowers. They will simply swing and shimmer lightly from your luscious lobular lobes.
Tee hee hee ok I am being silly now, but you get the idea!

E915 "Slinky"
These earrings have 5 delicate rings soldered to each side. They have a shiny gunmetal finish on the Sterling Silver. There are 2 generous drops of clear Quartz hanging from each.

E916 "Cluster"
More drops of the clear Quartz that I love so much, they remind me of liquid and I just love how they can illuminate and feel so watery! These have chain bits w rings on the ends to add fun and bunchiness to them.
They have a shiny gunmetal finish on the Sterling Silver.

 N917 "A Bird in the Hand"
I love birds. I love the proverb that is associated with this piece. It is basically saying, be happy with what you already have.
I am forever grateful for my life and the special people in it. This is a great reminder for me to be thankful. It is a Copper bird with 2 leaves that stand for "2 birds in a bush"  on a oxidized Sterling Silver chain.

N918 "Wings"
To  fly with to be free to walk as light as air...These are my favorites this week. The chunkiness of shape, the blend of silver added with the Turquoise just make me very happy. These are Sterling Silver and Turquoise. 

N919 "Not Your Ordinary Doily"

This piece I would have to say is my antonym-interpretation of something feminine, delicate and clean otherwise known as a doily. It is fabricated of Copper and Sterling Silver which has been oxidized for this lovely ancient antiqued look.

Blog Carnival: May 2010

"So what is a Blog Carnival you ask?”
It is a group of Etsy Metal members who write an article on the same topic on the first Monday of each month.

May Topic: "Motivation"
This is a huge topic. Not as innocent as it seemed to be when I said, oh, this will be an easy one... not.
I will be attacking this with a who what and where approach.
Ok, let the soul searching begin!

1. Who:  I think about the question of who, I come to the realization it is not only me and my inner need to make things, conquer design puzzles and to find an appealing solution to find visual balance. It is also to receive validation from my family and friends from a job well done; the people who's opinions mean so much to me. This is "the who” that I work for besides myself.

2. Why: Because it is the only thing that I love to actually do, my art. I love to make things, to create. It is my only real passion. The feeling when I make something I love is priceless to me, and then to have someone else love it too is just an amazing feeling and emotion to experience.

3. Where: I used to think I needed to be alone, the quiet, no drama, and perhaps I was tired of driving back and forth to my former studios.... And maybe the grass is greener on the other side. However, this year I am feeling reminiscent and I think I miss being around other creative spirits. I miss the unusual energy in my soul it used to give me... maybe it was a subtle form of being accountable, I cannot really explain, but I can compare, being in both situations on and off for many years I can appreciate "BOTH" situations. Today I long for the company of other artists physically around me. Working online only now changes the atmosphere a lot and it is a brand new playing field, I am slowly adapting and reevaluating my new life and my current needs.

4. When: I think I am most motivated to work in the evening. BUT. I am currently trying to change this habit. See ramblings here...

5. How: The obvious is personal fulfillment and then you have the ol’ pesky financial needs, the need to survive really makes a great motivator to work at times!

Below are more member's thoughts on motivation!

Nina Gibson

Stacey Hansen
Danielle Miller-Gilliam
Maria Whetman
Ann Hartley / HartleyStudio
Beth Cyr
 2Roses
 Brooke Medllin