Happy New Year! New Beginnings and Celebrations

It has been a year of changes - creative growth, artistic collaboration, achieved goals, and new goal setting. There is no doubt that the studio has been a catalyst for me with my work ethic and and what can happen through daily collaboration and monthly meetings. The studio has become a place of calm and possibilities. I celebrate that!

Presently, I am working on getting a body of work together submit to Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin. I am making 'themed' pendants. So far, I have a series of three Egyptian, three Aboriginal, and two botanical. They are substantial in weight, and include sterling silver, 14k gold, hand engraving, and flush set gemstones. Above are the beginnings of pieces that are inspired by Albrecht Durer's "Large Piece of Turf", 1503. It is a 'slice of nature' with all that is imperfect and wild. Durer's artwork goes straight to my heart. The pendants above are in process and I will post an image when they are complete.

My goals for 2010 are to update my website with current designs, blog more often, get to the studio almost every day, and perhaps find one more gallery - one in the Twin Cities. I would like to continue with themed work, inspired by my favorite art worlds and designs. I will still be making chains and working with acid etching... a new-found appropriate technique for my pieces.

So, here's to 2010! It will be a GREAT year!

Precision at Each Step

I have finally entered into a VERY creative avenue! I am the happiest I have ever been making jewelry - for a couple of reasons. First, I am making individual pieces that are not necessarily designed to be reproduced over and over. This allows me to spend extra time at each step to ensure that the finished piece will be precise and accurate. Also, it opens up endless ideas for me regarding design and craftsmanship; a fantastic creative challenge!! Secondly, I have a 'home' to send them to when I have finished: Seasons on St. Croix Art Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin. These two facts are extremely motivating and have sparked me. I will be in design and fabrication mode this winter. Great timing!! Let that snow fly folks.

My new pieces are a marriage of techniques that I have been working with independently; hand engraving, flush stone setting, and more advanced soldering techniques enabling me to make more detailed designs. I will blog soon about my artistic influences (I have some definite ideas about series, etc.) I will continue making chain components, but will expand on original ideas to get more 3-D; soldering components and forging these pieces. I will be learning new forging techniques at the studio with a little help from my studio-mates... so great to share brains and equipment!

Forgot to post in October!! Will blog soon!

Exploring New Ideas

It seems that I have spent a lot of time seeking out my niche... or niches. Trying to combine interests, skills, and appeal can be challenging. Before I started selling my pieces, I simply made jewelry that I wanted to wear. I have been collecting jewelry since I was little, and own a lot of variety. Usually things I have made have been different, and represent things that I like ~ not necessarily what anyone else likes ~ or would buy.

New directions (and fun times in the studio) include hand engraving, flush stone setting, and art influences that, until now, have not been allowed in! My art teaching has exposed me to other art worlds and I am touched by them. Botanicals are ALWAYS on my mind, and will continue to find their way into my designs.

The Baramundi Fish pendant was influenced by Aboriginal artwork. The inclusion of gold has added a touch of color, and the hand engraving adds some rich texture that is evident in Aboriginal artwork; dots, lines, and the x-ray view.

I am gearing up for the Spirit of the St. Croix Days art festival on September 26th and 27th in Hudson, Wisconsin. I will have several new designs to offer, and plenty of hand made chains.

Next on my bench: Botanical designs using hand engraving and flush set stones.

Hope to see you in Hudson!

Improve and Enhance

I am fond of some of my original thoughts about jewelry. They are designs that are part of me and will continue - either in their original form, or the beginning of another. A few of these will not change, as they are now a separate and complete entity - Vining Leaf, Keepsake Heart, and Ingots are a few of these designs.

Moving forward will mean integrating some of the techniques I presently use, combining them to make new and unique pieces.

Watch for flush set stones combined with surface decoration such as acid etching and hand engraving. Discovering new themes for pendants and earrings will be my path this fall, pulling in a touch of color. Presently, I am sparked by lessons in the elementary art classroom - Aboriginal artwork, tessellations, and abstract compositions. I think it's time to start a new sketchbook! 

Front End of that Learning Curve...

Several things have happened in my studio since the beginning of the summer.

First, I have noticed that I can get markedly better at the finishing of my pieces; details! I am developing a more critical eye for craftsmanship and can improve my work. This is an overall goal for all that I work on.

Second, I absolutely need accurate gravers to do fine hand engraving. I have an order in for these, and need to move forward with this.

Third, in order to complete new designs, I will be adding precious and semi precious stones. I will not try to learn this technique... I WILL learn this technique. I am determined. There is a definite learning curve for this, and practice is key.

So, off to the studio to get my projects in order and plenty of practice pieces lined up!

Cutting

Cutting into wax is like cutting into butter... so easy and satisfying. The cuts in wax can be deep and angled easily. Cutting into metal takes a lot of pressure and does not go as deep.

Direct cuts into metal or cast wax pieces provide reflective edges; the hand engraved cuts into metal are more exact and provide very shiny edges.

The Ingot Pendants remind me of less polished and exact pieces - like old Roman jewelry. They are smooth and substantive. The best thing about these pendants is that they can hold any image!

TIME TO FOCUS THEN EDIT!

This is an interesting moment in the creative process! Getting ready for a sale; pulling a body of work together to get feedback and to sell, involves a lot of pulling together of loose ends and polishing final details. It is an important moment and one which will help guide my next stretch of time in the studio.

The Botanical Artworld is, and will continue to be, my focus. The design opportunities inspired by nature are exciting and endless and have my full attention!

After the Hopkins Arts Festival, look for changes in my website. I am inspired to focus on my work that I love to make and explore new ways to represent nature. Look for new designs and improved existing pieces!

I hope to see you this weekend!