Retro Rose Design

My Heart with Wings

I made this heart and the wings about 6 months ago.  I have been going through my old jewelry journals in which I sketch all my designs and ideas and notes that come to mind.  Sometimes I color render the sketches and sometimes the thoughts are just scribbles and doodles.  I have a small chest of drawers in my studio that my husband James made for me 2 years ago at Christmas. I use it for all those half finished projects that are ready to be finished when their time comes.  I still haven't finished this piece.  I am trying to decide whether to bead it or just add some thick sterling chain.  I am leaning towards the chain.      

Creative Insomnia

I awoke this morning at 4:02 am and instantly began thinking creatively.   I couldn't go back to sleep but the ideas were flowing like molasses in the summertime.   After about 40 min of my mind just racing with ideas I heard this faint tinny sound like a car radio off in the distance.  I listened more carefully and the sound increased.  I laughed when I realized that it was a song bird. The following picture is the realization of one of the idea's that were coursing through my brain.

Belle Amoire May/June 2008

This is my article in Belle Amoire this month.  I am anxious to read it and see it. 

Branch in a Bottle

I made this bottle last week in my studio.  I have decided to just use a nice silver chain with it, which I don't have in my supplies. 

I got the idea from a store on Etsy.  I was surfing and happened upon a simple branch of coral in a vial type bottle.  The image I saw had just a simple brass finding for a cap .  I instantly saw it in my mind as having a antique looking sterling  cap on the top.  I wish I knew who made the one I spotted so I could give them credit to for this wonderful idea.  I couldn't find any long branch coral in my bead stash so I found a necklace in my jewelry box and yes, I broke a branch off the necklace!  I just had to complete the idea.  Now I need to order some long branch coral so I don't destroy my necklace.

So what inspires you?

R 

Another Day Another Necklace

It seems that after work I can manage to finish a necklace.  So far, so good.  I love how this turned out.  It took quite awhile to knot but I am always happy that I put in the extra effort to add knots between the beads.  It just gives my jewelry a lighter airy feeling.

Goth just in time for Spring!

I found this wonderful old piece of handcrafted repousse metal at a local Flea Market and had to make jewelry out of it.  Since it was a more primitve piece, silver and part of it was St. Andrew slaying a serpant I felt it went well with the dark goth-i-ness of garnets.   

Spun Cotton

This is the spun cotton girl that I made at Art FEst in Michael Jon Petersons Spun Cotton Animal class.   I loved the process and am excited about future creatures and beings.  I have collected the vintage examples of these for a long time and cant wait to make more.  With just a trip off island or an online shopping day will get me the ingrediant to begin making these and maybe even part with a few for my etsy store

Workshops at Westcott Bay

I have decided to teach two workshops at Westcott Bay Art and Nature Institute.   This is a fun new venue for me and am looking forward to teaching people how to play and create with PMC and Tin.

On Aug. 2nd I am teaching PreciousTreasures.  Students will make their own necklace or bracelet with 4 or more charms.   

On Aug. 3rd I will be teaching a Found Object Art Necklace class.  Again, students will be learn many tips and trick about working with tin and found objects. Here is the link for more information

www.wbay.org/Workshops.html

I've been to my studio

The photograph with the black background is of a necklace made by the husband wife team Arthur and Georgina Gaskin.  They were Jewelry Artists in the arts and crafts period.   

After I got home from Artfest I got right to my studio.  I have made some important decisions about my art and my life. Artfest tends to put things into perspective for me.

The Shell necklace came about after visiting our local bead store The Garuda and I, in

Friday

Harbor

.  I bought 2 shells. They were 25cents apiece.  I just love the rocks stuck in the shell that I used.   So, I have a studio full of beads, embellishments and this little shell was what I needed to break my block.  I even have shells that I have found myself, but they didn’t push me to create like this center piece shell did.  I did draw from the Gaskin style of jewelry which is my absolute favorite designers, from one of the most interesting eras of jewelry design.

The pearl necklace is something I have had in mind to make for quite awhile.  I flattened the steel wire on the link of the chain.  I love the contrast of pearls and steel. 

Leave a comment and say Hi.  Has Artfest inspired you to do art this week.  Let me know your blog and I will go and visit it.

Artfest

I was way too excited to sleep in on Thursday morning so I got up and drove done to the beach at Fort Worden..  This the beautiful sight that greeted me. 

Last night I put this doll shrine in the gallery at Artfest.  I don't know if It was quite ready.  It didn't sell so maybe she isn't finished.  I may put her up on Etsy.  She is 120.00with the embellished box .

The window view is from my dorm room. I love the trees at Fort Worden.  Did anyone else notice how loud those little song birds were in the morning.