If you would like to follow the creative journey of these rings read here and here.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The rings have landed...
If you would like to follow the creative journey of these rings read here and here.
Mass production
Here is a little peak into my work world. Last week I posted a photo of some molds I had just made. Someone made a comment that they didn't realize that I made my own molds so I thought I would take a moment to explain my process a little. With the exception of just a few I make all of my own molds from objects I have been collecting for years. I have found that it is really the only way to stay fresh and original and (hopefully) make it a little harder for the copycats to duplicate. You can't stop people from copying your style (unfortunately, it does happen) but you can make it difficult for them to copy your designs (though that happens as well).
Monday, April 28, 2008
What kind of sale??
Friday, April 25, 2008
Business card attention deficit
And that is my business card story. Thank you.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Is Bust a bust? Pet peeve of the day...
For the most part I try to keep my blog on a positive note. There are certainly days when I would love to write a scathing, whining, bitchy post about any number of irritants that I encounter from time to time - and I think today is just that kind of day.
Today's pet peeve comes to you courtesy of the Bust Craftacular Spring Fling craft show. Several months ago Etsy made the announcement of a call for entries for this show. I applied and waited patiently for the email notification that was sent on April 1st. I didn't make it into the show. That was just fine, really. It is a very small show, just 50 vendors, and I am certain they received hundreds of applications, especially after Etsy made the announcement. The fact that I didn't get in didn't ruin my day at all, but I was curious to see who did make it.
Today I looked up the website and discovered that a vendor list had been posted. I started to click on the various vendors and suddenly a pattern emerged. One vendor was from Brooklyn, then another, then another... Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NYC, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn... you get the point. Now, don't get me wrong, not everyone is from Brooklyn or the NYC area - just MOST of them. I realize that this is a Brooklyn based show so it stands to reason that many applicants would be from that area. However, I know with much certainty that many, many talented artists from all over the country applied and were turned down. Now, those familiar with Etsy are used to seeing Brooklyn based artists featured prominently as "Featured Sellers," in the gift guides and in the Storque. That aspect of Esty lost its charm a while ago and it is disheartening, to say the least, to see this type of favoritism carried over into the Bust show. Yes, this is my opinion, and yes, it could just be one big coincidence that the most talented artisans in the country happen to live in Brooklyn (coughs), OR it could be that the majority of the 50 spots in this show were already filled with crafty friends and the good folks at Bust decided to collect thousands of dollars in application fees from unsuspecting artists anyway.
Some food for thought...
Today's pet peeve comes to you courtesy of the Bust Craftacular Spring Fling craft show. Several months ago Etsy made the announcement of a call for entries for this show. I applied and waited patiently for the email notification that was sent on April 1st. I didn't make it into the show. That was just fine, really. It is a very small show, just 50 vendors, and I am certain they received hundreds of applications, especially after Etsy made the announcement. The fact that I didn't get in didn't ruin my day at all, but I was curious to see who did make it.
Today I looked up the website and discovered that a vendor list had been posted. I started to click on the various vendors and suddenly a pattern emerged. One vendor was from Brooklyn, then another, then another... Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NYC, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn... you get the point. Now, don't get me wrong, not everyone is from Brooklyn or the NYC area - just MOST of them. I realize that this is a Brooklyn based show so it stands to reason that many applicants would be from that area. However, I know with much certainty that many, many talented artists from all over the country applied and were turned down. Now, those familiar with Etsy are used to seeing Brooklyn based artists featured prominently as "Featured Sellers," in the gift guides and in the Storque. That aspect of Esty lost its charm a while ago and it is disheartening, to say the least, to see this type of favoritism carried over into the Bust show. Yes, this is my opinion, and yes, it could just be one big coincidence that the most talented artisans in the country happen to live in Brooklyn (coughs), OR it could be that the majority of the 50 spots in this show were already filled with crafty friends and the good folks at Bust decided to collect thousands of dollars in application fees from unsuspecting artists anyway.
Some food for thought...
Shop update - a new series in the works
A few months ago I spent an afternoon in the studio playing around with textures and stamping clay with some vintage rings from my collection. The clown is a ring I have had for years - who knew he would inspire such a goofy necklace?
Both of these items can be found in my Etsy shop. :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Back in the swing...
Then I made a pile of molds I have been putting off for some time. I am always anxious to have new designs and yet I procrastinate when it comes to making the molds. I don't know why, really, it is so easy and goes quickly. I guess it is too easy. If it requires a code to be cracked, a rocket scientist and keys that need to be turned simultaneously then I am all over it, but give me an easy job and I would rather take a nap. :)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ring around the blackberry brandy - part 2
Saturday at the market
I spent my time selling my jewelry, snacking on delicious hydroponic microgreens (above) and local NY state cheese curds and visiting with friends and fellow vendors who are back for the Spring season. My new table cloths worked like a dream and gave my set-up a much lighter feel. Setting up for a Farmers' Market is a little different than for a show or festival. The set-up needs to be quick and easy and it is a bit less formal. I made a sage green burlap skirt to run the perimeter of each table that attaches with Velcro and then I threw a natural linen-like fabric on top - a very quick and easy procedure and the jewelry looks great against it.
Friday, April 11, 2008
100 day cough...
Today my friend Ken and I went to the fabric store and picked out some lovely new fabrics for my display tables. I have been sewing all night in an effort to be ready for the Farmers' Market tomorrow morning. I am done. Well, all but the ironing. I think I will forgo the ironing. I need to wake up at 4:00am. Somehow wrinkly table cloths don't seem to be that important right now.
The silly photo above is from yesterday's Self Portrait Thursday. I am dreaming of a way to bring my Pee-Wee Herman dolls to life. An army of Pee Wees could fight any battle and win.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Fresh Shop Items
Check out the shop and if you make a purchase and mention this blog post I'll give you %15 off your total purchase. Woo-hoo! (just don't pay until I send you a revised invoice)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Vintage Loveliness




Sunday, April 6, 2008
Cropping color...
For years I have looked at a glaze called Metallic Black. I have glazed larger pieces with it - not impressed. I have watched my studio mates glaze gorgeous works in this glaze - not impressed. For some reason it seems to fall flat when used alone on larger pieces and that has been the impression that has stayed with me and caused me to avoid using it on my jewelry. Silly me!
As odd as it may sound sometimes I need to "crop" colors in order to see them in a different way. If you have ever taken a drawing class perhaps you have made a "window" out of paper. This window allows you to see only part of a whole and that focus enables you to see details that normally you would never notice. The same can be done with color.
So I glazed a handful of pieces and was thrilled with the results. On a smaller scale the metallic black glaze looked like polished stone. It had the matte and shiny finish I had spotted on the larger piece but it showed a warmer, bronze color breaking through on the edges - something that was never visible on a larger scale.
Contrary to my usual belief of seeing the whole picture this experiment showed me that sometimes it is better to see only a little. :)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sick day
However, before the nap I thought I would share with you my bag stamping project. As many of you know I sell weekly at a farmers' market and I do larger shows from time to time. One of the many necessities to have on hand is bags and I like to customize mine with some simple rubber stamps.
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