articulations

Lucky Me....

The Three Sisters...

Earlier this week, when I was laying in my stinky and sweaty bed coping with this flu, my husband brought up a package that had come in the mail...It was from one of my sister's. A birthday present. In a beautiful little burlap bag with wonderful terracotta beads attached-(yes I'm quite certain she knew I'd like those too!) were these precious bunnies. They came from a shop called Ten Thousand Villages...a very special non-profit that she is doing some volunteer work for. These little bunnies kept me company next to my bed until today. I finally felt good enough to get out of my jammies and move around a bit. They came down to the studio to keep me company. So sweet...

Yup, today is my birthday. When I asked my daughter yesterday...what today was....she replied...I don't know, I just know that on Thursday it's Crystal's birthday...when I told her it was MY birthday, she replied "well I don't keep track of that kind of stuff!" lol...the truth is, my husband didn't even remember until this week-end that it was my birthday. ..a one A.M. (after 2nd shift) stop at a 24 hour  super-market saved him the wrath of a wife with no cake on her birthday...I didn't feel good enough to eat it at lunch, but he helped himself to a large slice...I'm quite determined to eat some tonight with my daughter...even if I must give up dinner to do so...

When my husband saw this he cracked up...Expand? Why would you want to wear that for jewelry??? The  beautiful  sterling bezel is from Susan Lenart Kazmer's "Objects and Elements" collection. Another piece I have been hording for nearly a year and a half. When I poured resin last night, I decided that I must use it. I always keep a stash of ephemera in a basket nearby. I grabbed it, found some vintage dictionary text, and that was what grabbed me- expand. I snipped it to the right size, and forever embedded it in resin. I think it's a wonderful word, even if it's poetic beauty was lost on my husband. I'm sure that the story of this piece will unfold very soon. I thought immediately that it would be a bracelet, but now, I'm not sure. Possibly a necklace...for another day.

Signs of Spring? It was actually warm enough today, that I sat out on the front porch (ok I was bundled a bit) and enjoyed my first cup of coffee while my daughter waited for the bus. The cranes came back today, as well as the robins, and the red-wing blackbirds...a happy sight!

Tiny little vintage brass book/lockets. I put a tiny little image on them, and encased it in resin. Tricky, but they turned out so cute!

Tiny little connectors too!

And lastly..tiny little drops! 

Ok, my daughter is yelling at me...Ghost Whisperer is on. It's one of the few shows we can watch together, and I don't get embarrassed, or go insane...time for some cake...hope you are all doing well...resin pieces will be listed later this week. They need a day or two more to fully cure..

light and love-amanda
 
 
 
 
 

Back and Catching Up...

The Birder

(mini bottle-caps,resin, brass, gemstones)

 I'm back from my road-trip to Minneapolis...trying to catch up on everything. I'm not a good traveler...I stress out...I pack too much....and then I don't pack what I really need. Then when I get back I'm exhausted. But this trip had a purpose.... I got to meet my niece for the first time, and spend some time with my nephew and help him celebrate his 4th birthday. Today I'm packing and shipping some orders, and trying to get a few things listed on Etsy. I've got my tv spot in the morning, so the next thing on my list is to get my jewelry and displays ready for that....I was able to post a few things on Etsy...some etched pieces, a few resin bezels, and even the bracelet above...I started this piece before I left on my trip, and then was able to finish it this afternoon. It was weird to be away from my studio...even for a few days. I decided not to bring any "work" to do, and instead just brought a few books and magazines. It was both good and bad...for some people work is just that-work...but I really enjoy the process of creating. Even when I have "businessy" stuff to take care of, I often take a break and work on a piece of jewelry. Even if it's just for a few minutes, I find it really relaxing and grounding. If I'm really stressed out, all I want to do is grab my jewelry tools and get busy...forget the bills, and that taxes are due in just a few short weeks...give me some wire, and some odds and ends and a few beautiful gemstones. Ahhh-sounds good doesn't it.

Create Magic

(sterling silver, chalcedony,resin,bezels,brass)

I really loved how these earrings turned out. It's hard to tell in the picture,but the image of the butterfly wings look stunning with that blue chalcedony.

Caged

Etched Copper Pendant

Stand Tall

antiqued brass and resin pendant
 

Ok, that's it for now. I'll check back in after the my big day tomorrow...I'm hoping to have some more elements in my shop by the end of the week. I'll be working on some metalclay pieces mid-week...

light and love-amanda
 

The Day's Bounty...

Wow did we ever have a great day today! Usually when we go out, one of us has some luck finding some goods, but today we both came home happy. The vintage luggage is one of my favorite ways to store ephemera, lace, or pieces and parts. When I have time, I make a beautiful tag to hang from it, to tell me what's inside. My studio is so packed that I have to stack things....to the ceiling in fact. The luggage gives it a fun look, and I can pretend I'm organized. The beautiful red and white trim was all handmade...I only paid a dollar for it. The crusty steamer? What else, I'm going to take it apart and use the panels for wings on my assemblage dolls...

 

The "dreaded cheese dome"...I don't know if your thrift stores  have these...but we have them in every shop....it must be a prerequisite to opening a thrift store in the Dairy State. I recently saw someone use them to keep their resin pieces dust free when they were curing. I wish I could remember if it was on a blog, or a magazine...it's a great idea!

And then a few treats from a local bead shop. Some really great copper trade beads, some Chalcedony, and some Ancient Roman Glass....I've been drooling over that glass for the last two years. I intended on making the leap, and adding a strand to my collection of "best stuff" -( you know, the kind of beads that you don't cut the strand for 6 months because #1 it was pricey, and #2 it's just so pretty on that strand, and #3 what on earth are you going to make with that?) But when I got to the shop and looked at their strands (which were actually half the price they are selling for on-line) I liked the loose pieces better. The strands were gorgeous-don't get me wrong, but they were thinner pieces and a bit irregular. I loved the circle shape of these, and they are nice and thick...

 The pictures don't do them justice at all. Trust me they are absolutely beautiful...and no I don't know what I'm going to do with them, but I know I'm going to keep one piece for myself.  I'll try to get a better picture in the morning with the sun on them...Beautiful!!

And lastly, I must apologize for my grosso hands...My family has informed my I need to hire a hand model for these blog posts...yes I know they look like sausages...I work hard...they are swollen...they are dirty....and yes I did buy artificial nails for my trip next week....maybe I need gloves too...lol

light and love-amanda
  
 
 
 

WOW!

Courage  (sold)

Bronzclay Pendant

Sometimes we just have to leap and have a little faith...sometimes it's scary and we wish we had a little more courage... but usually really wonderful things happen when we finally take those first steps...

I know I've blathered a bit here and on the last few posts about whether I should start adding some of my handmade "elements" to my etsy shop. It's probably a difficult thing for alot of you to understand why I would have such a struggle with it. From a logical, business point of view, one would think it might be a great way to reach a whole different audience. For those of you who are artists, you probably understand the struggle that I have been going through. It's a funny thing. This inside battle I've been going through.  Well I finally decided to take a leap-ok maybe just a tiny step, and list a few "elements" on etsy to see where it might take me...wow...the last two days have been amazing...lots of new people browsing in my shop, and lots of great questions from other artists. ..I must say a huge thank you to Lorelei who no doubt got the word out about my elements in a gigantic way....So thank-you Lorelei- I really appreciate your blog post... and your support...it was entirely unexpected and greatly appreciated. Please stop by her blog  and say hello. She does a wonderful job of supporting other artists, and featuring her finds that she creates into one of a kind jewelry. It's refreshing to find someone who is willing to share all her secrets...especially when it comes to finding great supplies...I know many of us-(myself included)-keep our lips sealed when it comes to that! So thanks so much...it's truly appreciated.

EnLightened

Fire Agate, Steel, Hand Dyed Silk 

So what does this mean for Etsy?  Don't worry, I'm still making jewelry, still at the bench. But it gives me a little more flexibility, and an entirely new perspective. It is a great way to mix things up a bit. I'm still planning on getting some artwork done soon too...It's been far too long. I've been collecting bits and pieces for another round of assemblage dolls that I hope to get done before spring. Should be fun...

Hope you are all having a wonderful week-end. Andy and Hannah took off for a father-daughter day...I haven't heard a peep out of them for hours. Hope they are having fun.

-Light and Love-

amanda

Wings Handmade Microscope Slide Pendants (sold) 

Just a little sneak peek....

I've been working just a bit in the studio. Other things have had my attention this week, including ordering supplies and tools for this coming year, planning,...and pouring over a few new books.  Add to that, my husband and I are addicted to Dexter...and eagerly await the arrival of the next delivery from NetFlix...I don't think I've been this hooked into a TV show since my youthful days of 21 Jump Street...or maybe Moon Lighting....yeah, I know go ahead and laugh. But the truth is, Andy and I rarely agree on what tv shows/movies to watch together....he is more of an action/adventure kinda guy, I like indie flicks and weirder stuff. Dexter seems to fill the gap in our viewing worlds. But I digress, I just wanted to pop in and give you a quick peek at what I've been up to. I promised to add a little more sterling into my work this year, and I've been working on some new (to me) wire-working techniques.  I've always wanted to add rings to my offerings, and wire work is a perfect fit.

Nest ring in silver. 

This was fun. I've made nests for the last few years, but I recently found a great tutorial on making them into rings. I couldn't resist doing one up in sterling silver. This one ended up being big (lucky for me it fits!) but I still really love it.

Some more gemstone and silver rings.

These too were really fun to make. I just listed this Freshwater Pearl one on Etsy tonight. 

 

Eclipse Ring-Size 7 on Etsy..

I'll be back again soon with more updates. We are moving things around in my studio again. I haven't even gotten used to the new set-up, and we are changing it already. I need more counter space for some new equipment, and I need an addition. Since the addition won't be happening, I'm going to have to get creative with storage. Meaning, up, down, under and anywhere in between...maybe it's time to get rid of some stuff....we'll see. light and love-amanda

Carved Rose in Rhodonite

Amazonite (sold)

 Amethyst 
 
 

Happy Holidays....and some sage advice from my husband....

I'm back...once again. We have finally wrapped up the Holiday Sale, with just a few small things to finish up. The Holiday Sale has kept me busier than I thought, and then I came down with a serious case of yuck-so I just haven't been feeling myself. I'm on the mend, and feeling re-energized to get back into the studio and start making a giant mess again. I've been taking some huge mark-downs in my Etsy shop, and also adding a few new pieces here and there. Look for silver to play a new role in more of my designs in this coming year. I'm crossing my fingers that I will be able to get a small kiln at the beginning of 2010, and that will add a whole new dimension to my work...not to mention a whole new course of study for me...xo

After a particularly ugly rant this afternoon, my husband interrupted me with a phrase I really needed to hear...and luckily for me, I was able to hear it..."LET IT GO..." I was really upset about another artist copying one of my designs...I won't go any further than that, but I was not happy, and feeling pretty ugly about the whole thing....which wasn't doing me any good...he then opened up his jacket and presented me with a box from my favorite local bead shop-Rocks of Ages....

Inside the box, this beautiful strand of Aquamarine gemstones....I've looked at this strand several times....I've dreamed  of this strand of lovely blue...my birthstone...I certainly didn't deserve this gift, especially today...which is what made it so special. Even after listening to me say such rotten things about another person, he let me say it, let me get it out of my system, and still gave me this gift...wow....I'm feeling lucky, and a bit ashamed. But I will let it go...thank you honey...for knowing what I needed to hear, for letting me say what I needed to say, and loving me in-spite of it. wow.

And lastly I wanted to share with you the amazing talents of another etsy artist...Ellen Dooley...

 

I'm amazed at the beauty she captures in each of her beads. They are tiny pieces of artwork, rivaling any fancy cut gemstone. I've started to incorporate several of her beads in some of my new sterling silver pieces, but please check out her shop, her photography is amazing too! Whenever I receive one of her packages, I feel like a small child on Christmas morning. I know what's inside will be grand, but I'm always delighted at  the beauty of her work...

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, no matter how or what you celebrate. May you be surrounded with those you love, and safe in your travels. I hope you all have a little bit of handmade in your holidays too! light and love-amanda xo

Dragonfly Meditation Bracelet
 

Bead Tour Today!!!

Pathfinder Garden Stake from GlassEtc on Etsy. She has many beautiful glass pieces!

Just a quick note this morning to say Yahoo! The Rings & Things  Bead Tour is in town today!! What's a Bead Tour? Well it's just what it sounds like. They tour all over the US with thousands of beads and other goodies. They set up "shop" for a few hours in each location, and then move on to the next city. Today they are in Green Bay at the Suamico Ale House.  2310 Lineville Rd. from 12-4. Wednesday Milwaukee, and Thursday the Chicago Area. I'll post some pictures of my haul when I get back this afternoon. I'm meeting my mom there today for her first ever "Bead Tour" I can't wait to see her reaction. I know I about died when I first saw all those beautiful beads and gemstones laying out on the tables. Maybe she will get the jewelry bug too....light and love-amanda

A Bit Scattered...

I didn't even peek at the date of my last post. I know it has been too long. Things have been crazy at our house these last few weeks of summer. My daughter went back to school last week. All of us were looking forward to getting back into the routine, Hannah because she missed her friends, me because I really need to get some time in the studio, and Andy, I'm sure, because he is sick of me whining that there aren't enough hours in the day to get done everything on my to do list. But for all the anticipation back to school time creates, we got the day wrong. We were all sitting in our pj's when the school called last Tuesday, wondering where my daughter was....sad, but true. We thought school started on Wednesday, not Tuesday. Needless to say, she did make it there...2 hours late, but I felt terrible, and completely embarrassed...so embarrassed, that I made my husband take her because I couldn't stand to face the women in the office who probably already think I'm off my rocker...so that's kind of how last week went for us. A horrible trip to the vet with my little chihuahua/doxie mix rounded it out to be a week I'd rather forget. This week is turning out to be more promising...we were all sick over the week-end, including the dog, but things are looking up this afternoon...

We still have a few things blooming in the garden, and for that I am grateful. I think I will take some cuttings this afternoon before the last of the summer flowers fade.The weather here is definitely showing signs of fall. I've seen lots of trees starting to turn color, and the nights having been cooling off.  Fall is my favorite time of the year. Bug season has passed, and the woods smell like heaven to me. I'm looking forward to slowing down my work schedule a bit, and getting outside with my family on a few hiking adventures.  

Despite the craziness here, and sick people and animals, I did manage to get some new things made and put up in my little etsy shop.

Crossroads available now on Etsy.

I've been playing with sterling silver again. Dangerous I know. With my new studio set up, it's a little easier to use my torch set up. Unfortunately two trips into town, on two different occasions yielded two different empty oxygen tanks. I'm not kidding...wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else? My husband has been a welder for most of his adult life, and he can't remember ever buying an empty tank...don't know if it's the supplier, or just tanks sitting on the shelf too long...but I'm sitting here this afternoon with 5 full propane tanks and 3 empty oxygen tanks. I'm going to try my mini butane torch, but it's not too useful for what I want to do. Hope last week's bad luck isn't running into this week.

Elemental available now on Etsy

Ok, this has turned into a much longer post than I had intended. I will do some book reviews very soon. Hopefully things will be in better sync for me. I hope you had a beautiful holiday week-end...light and love-amanda

 

Some new work...

 

Nature as Sanctuary available on ETSY...

When I first started selling on Etsy, these copper necklaces were some of the first things I sold. I've had a few requests to make them again, so I thought I'd share the first two I completed this week. I've played with the design a bit, and have been pretty happy with the results.

 

Pace of Nature available on ETSY...

I'll be back later today...light and love-amanda

Back from Washington Island...

 

(Field Notes available now on ETSY)

Wow, I know it's been a long time. I am back from my trunk show on Washington Island, and boy did I have a great time! The drive that I stressed out about, the ferry ride, it was all very easy, and absolutely beautiful. I stayed with my friend Jeanne, and had a wonderful time peaking at her creative home. I came back very tired, and had to jump right into getting more work together for The Flying Pig, but I also felt great, and almost transformed. I was proud of myself (which I know sounds silly) for doing it "by myself." I have huge travel anxiety, and often opt out of fun things just because I don't want to go or drive somewhere I don't know. Maybe this was a step in putting some of my anxiety behind me!!  The Red Cup Coffee House was even better than I had imagined. Ann and Mike (the owners) really have created a wonderful, welcoming environment. I was comfortable the moment I walked in, and they had other super cool art and antiques all over. Not to mention they kept us in coffee and killer Mocha smoothies all week-end. So a huge thank you to both of them, and their beautiful daughter for hosting the trunk show!

Here's a few pictures of that week-end...

 

From the Ferry

-you park down below, and then you can get out of your car and sit up top. It was a little cold, but what a wonderful way to see Lake Michigan!

 

Seriously, is that all of my artwork back there? It was surreal to see it all hung up.

(PS-the large painting on the right is NOT mine)

Jeanne's Jackets! Wow were they beautiful. Jeanne is a master at sewing and design. I know the Islander's were waiting for that trunk show to open...

Here are her "Little People" sweaters. These are so special, and really an heirloom piece. Jeanne spends a lot of time on each piece, getting every detail perfect. Beading, crochet/knitting, all the little details make these sweaters a treasure.

 

  

Inside the Red Cup-so cool!

 

Me and Jeanne!! xo

Now I'm back in the studio, getting some new work completed and posted in my Etsy shop. In the upcoming weeks, we have decided to make a few room changes in our house. We are swapping out rooms, and I will be moving my studio downstairs, our bedroom will move upstairs, and my daughter will get my old studio for her bedroom. It's going to be hazardous, as we can't seem to agree on colors, and some of the rooms haven't been painted in 12 years. I'm having a really difficult time deciding what color to paint the studio. I have always stuck to neutral colors for the walls, and this time I really want something colorful and bright. The Red Cup was such an inspiration with it's colorful walls, I'd love to take some of that back with me into the studio. I'm thinking a warm orange, or even a lime green, but I'd love to hear from all of you what color your studio is, or what color you wish it was...??? I'll keep you posted on our progress....light and love-amanda

 

Stepping Stones-Bracelet (available on Etsy)