Monday, July 2, 2012

Blog Carnival: July 2012

BLOG CARNIVAL
~
July 2012 Topic:
This month we were asked to share
"what is currently going on in our lives!"
***
2012 is a course altering year for me. I have come to the conclusion to make some changes for my future. I recently watched 2 dvd’s, “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead and Forks over Knives”. These 2 innocent little dvd’s have started a domino effect of self-reflection and a new hunger for knowledge. Coincidentally this is happening at a perfect junction of my life. I am going through some physical changes and not feeling so hot, ok maybe “a lot of hot” excuse the pun, these changes are allowing me to open my eyes to seeing beyond my plate. If you feel inclined the first link below is the inspiring joyous dvd of one mans story, but I really highly recommend them all if you're feeling inspired!
Fat Sick and Nearly Dead trailer:
watch the FULL movie here!
Forks over Knives trailer:
The Future of Food trailer:
FOOD Inc. trailer:

***
On the creative front, I have found a new outlet! I discovered the joy of leather this year, and it feels like such a natural addition to my artwork. Both leather and metalwork feel very similar in a hand tool and intuitive forming aspect to me. On the same token I would also assume that if you are a leatherworker that fabricating metal would be just a natural transition for you as well. Ok, now I must confess to you that I am in love with it, ok I said it… Maybe it is really only puppy love, but I just love how a tanned hide smells, I love the sensual feel against my skin, I love its flexibility in my hands, I love its versatility and I do not forget to appreciate, honor and respect all the animals’ lives that it comes from...  I have no idea where this path will take me but I am going to enjoy every minute of the ride.
***
Jewelry news, this last year I got accepted into 3 publications;
All of which are published by Lark Books
and edited by the incredibly diverse Marthe LeVan.
*** 
I have been trying to take all the little thoughts and tid-bits that have been backing up in my brain and setting them free, I am making these pieces just for my Etsyshop. I have been making big earrings lately, and having a lot of pleasure making them so there will be more, I am not finished by any means with this run! So my Etsy goal is to try to be more consistent about listing these new pieces, and I have been a tiny bit better with this lately! I am finding a new clearer focus this year and thinking about where I actually want to go with my artwork. So many ideas so little time! I currently started fabricating a new group of work for Facere Gallery in Seattle that I am pretty excited about too, I am aiming delivery to the gallery for them very soon.
***

On the fur children front, my sweet Winter bear is still a squishy cutie face, Ms. Ebi is just as beautifully as sweet as ever and both are in good health. We have a new addition to the pack as of December 2011. Her name is Yuki. She is a 3yo brown-eyed white female Alaskan Klee Kai wild child! We are thinking about agility training for her as she has such a spritely spirit, we see great things in her future. We love this oh-so-goofy little girl! Go Yuki Go!  Ok well we mean, please slow down Yuki, please!
***
Speaking of babies, I also have a new camera in the family, a Nikon D90. Trying to understand what “F stops, apertures, ISO’s and all the secret settings mean… I will be slowly investigating all the many buttons and dials of this new wonderful toy, so I imagine there will be classes and lots of photos in my near future.
***
Garden front & back! We have added five cute garden boxes to our front yard this year. We are growing bush & snap peas, red & green shiso, mixed beets, curly kale, swiss chard, kohlrabi, tomatoes, lettuce, arugula, and tree collards, basil, mint, parsley, and artichokes. We have planted brussel sprouts & broccoli along the whole front yard that will hopefully make a wonderfully green prehistoric looking fence in front of the house. It is a bit of an fun experiment to see what will happen! And in the back we have loads of elephant garlic and regular garlic, garlic chives, chives, more shiso, and icicle radish. We just cut the  elephant garlic scapes off and have been eating their tasty goodness :) 
***
So this summer will be spent tending the garden, time with my family, playing and training the dogs, making new jewels, tooling lots of leather, sketching on beaches, long walks with my camera, relaxing with books and eating lots of fresh delicious foods while inventing new recipes which I plan on sharing these discoveries with you (here) as well!
Thank you for taking the time to take a peek at what I’ve been up to.
Until next time!
***
Please click here to read other EtsyMetal team members articles.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

EtsyMetal 5th Anniversary Sale!

"new works!"
by Victoria Takahashi

Many EtsyMetal team members have decided to join together and have a "5th Anniversary sale" for this landmark year. So below I compiled a list of all the shops that will be having some kind of special offer, discount, or free shipping, just use the coupon code "ETSYMETAL" at checkout time! 

Have fun looking around!
Event runs Sunday October 16th through Saturday October 22nd
Thanks for visiting!
*all items in my shop will be 10% off.
(*no discount on reserved lisitngs)
***
discomedusa http://discomedusa.etsy.com
metalriot
http://www.metalriot.etsy.com
Inbar Bareket
www.inbarbareket.etsy.com
markaplan
www.markaplan.etsy.com
bcyrjewelry
http://bcyrjewelry.etsy.com http://BethCyrWeddings.etsy.com
Juju By Sarah
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JujuBySarah
Maria Goti
http://mariagotijoyas.etsy.com
wildflowerdegsigns
http://wildflowerdesigns.etsy.com
AdobeSol
http://AdobeSol.etsy.com
Silentgoddess
http://silentgoddess.etsy.com
Shirlee Grund
http://shirleegrund.etsy.com
Lichen and Lychee
http://lichenandlychee.etsy.com
Under Distress Jewelry
http://underdistressjewelry.etsy.com
Hartleystudio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hartleystudio
ReaganHayhurst
http://www.reaganhayhurst.etsy.com
Panicmama Jewelry
http://panicmama.etsy.com
alisa miller
http://alisamiller.etsy.com
LaJoailliere
http://lajoailliere.etsy.com
Cynthia Del Giudice
http://cynthiadelgiudice.etsy.com
L. Sue Szabo
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lsueszabo?ref=si_shop
Erin Austin
www.erinaustin.etsy.com
Jennifer Lawler
www.jenlawlerdesigns.etsy.com
Michele Grady Designs
www.MicheleGradyDesigns.etsy.com
SimplyAdorning
www.simplyadorning.etsy.com
NRjewellerydesign
www.nrjewellerydesign.etsy.com
Karla Wheeler Design
www.KarlaWheelerDesign.etsy.com
Quercus Silver www.QuercusSilver.etsy.com
Kathryn Cole
www.kathryncole.etsy.com
Ashley Akers  www.ashleyjewelry.etsy.com
Ruby Iacuaniello www.etsy.com/shop/iacua
Sarah Hood Jewelry www.sarahhoodjewelry.etsy.com
Rebecca (Lunasa) www.lunasadesigns.etsy.com/
howlindoggie  http://www.etsy.com/shop/howlindoggie
LivelyHood www.LivelyHood.etsy.com

Thursday, June 16, 2011

medallions, tongues and a totem!

"medallions, tongues and a totem"
Here is another handful of goodies I just listed in my Etsy shop :)

As always thank you so much for your support, you all make it possible for me to do what I love to do!
Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you all get to give your poppas big hugs this weekend!
xo

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

rockin' some RAD rings

A new round of RAD rock rings
More from the 2010 Ring-a-Day project finally listed,
 slowly but surely It's happening...
and dang it feels good!
:D

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

gesture rings



 I am releasing more RAD rings today. It's funny as it feels like there is this never ending abundance of these rings in my house, they are hiding in my studio, on my walls as decoration, hiding in spots reserved for inspirational objects, they are looking at me as I look for them to gather for you, they are everywhere. I will be listing them here in my Etsy shop.  Releasing these little oddlet RAD rings are like a big deep breath of fresh air to go with the lovely sunshine around here! Hello Spring!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

groupa coppera

 A new group of dark richly patinaed Copper pieces. I love Copper always have and always will continue to do so until the end of my days. And that is my final answer :)

I have listed 2 articulated crows from the Charm Swap 7, my little articulated bird charm prototype, a big Fight not Flight #3 ring, and my Ring a Day #363 small wing ring in my Etsy shop today.
I can finally free these things from my sweaty fisted death grip. Sometimes I just have to emotionally hang onto items for some mysterious reason. If anyone knows the answer to this phenomena please fill me in, I would love to be enlightened so I can change it. I find it kind of tiresome that I cannot let go and detach faster, especially since I am making them with the intent to share with others, doesn't quite make any sense now does it!?

"Have a great day everyone!"





For the love of a nation

Japan items for donation
I haven't forgotten my promise to myself of trying to continue to help the Japanese people. It is still tearing and ripping at my heart and I want to do what I can however small and insignificant it may seem, it makes a difference I know it can. My friend shared this perfect quote with me today, I think this is exactly what I am trying to say!
 "Even though you can't physically see a tree growing, it doesn't mean it's not."

I have made a few more simple bracelets (4) like the first round, they are on a stretchy cord with freshwater pearls and a center piece of coral. And I will be adding a 1.25" Japan button with a graphic that was specially made and generously donated by Nakisha VanderHoeven.

I also have made a new style of bracelet (6) for the cause. It still has freshwater pearls, but I found a neat crackle resin bead and I also handmade Sterling Silver hook and eye clasps for them. These will also include a 1.25" button with your donation/purchase.

You can access my items for donation with this direct link.
"Thank you!"
xo