articulations

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)

Busy, Busy, Busy...

 

Just popping in so everyone doesn't think I've fallen off the face of the earth. I've been working a lot in the studio these last few weeks, this week in particular. The above "Tweets" are my new obsession. Hand sculpted, antiqued and sealed, they are fun to make, and I think fun to design with. I've received some really lovely focal components in the mail these last two weeks...(pics coming soon) but there is something very satisfying about creating your own. Here's what they are turning into:

 

This "Tweet" available now in my Etsy Shop...

and

 

Lots more in the studio, waiting to become jewelry. My sister and her family are here from the Twin Cities, so I probably won't get back to post until next week...I'll be headed up to Door County for a fun family picnic!!  I just wanted to give you a little sneak peak at some fun new stuff...hope you are all enjoying your summers-light and love-amanda

Back from the show, and I even stayed within my budget...

 

Well Sue, Gary and I survived the bead show without losing our homes. They arrived there before me, and I was off driving around in a residential area looking for the new location. I never said I had any sense of direction. I may need to look into buying one of those GPS devices. The show was great, and I even stayed within my budget, something I rarely do at this event. Those gorgeous beads above are turquoise. I eyed them up the entire time we were there, going back to them time and again. I am not sure what their future holds, but after the initial totaling of my bill, I realized I still had enough cash to buy them. For now, they will keep me company in the studio. My pictures definitely don't do the beads justice, but the light is fading in my studio, and I wanted to post a few....

 

 

I was able to find some really interesting shapes this time around, which is what I was hoping to find. And those bright blue beads-Peruvian Blue Opal... one of my  favorites, and very hard to find. The thing that is great about this show, is there is something for everyone. I saw people checking out with just a few strands, totaling less than $50.00. and those that were checking out with thousands of dollars worth. The staff at this event is always helpful, kind and courteous, and the same goes for their on-line shop. If you haven't ordered from Rings-&-Things  yet, I'd encourage you to give them a try. If you haven't been to their Bead Tour, definitely mark it on your calendar, they'll be back this fall. Well I am off now to go marvel at my spoils. Don't forget to check out Sue's Blog too, I am sure she will be posting about our bead adventure, and maybe you'll get a sneak peak at what she bought. light and love-amanda 

Just a quick hello...

 

Yet again I have been gone for some time...Computer problems, and just life in general has kept me off of the blog for the last few weeks. I just wanted to pop in and say hi, yes I am still here. I am off today to an event that I wait all winter for....the Rings-&-Things Bead Tour. It's a wholesale bead show of gigantic proportions and is the highlight of my spring. Click on the link to find out when and where the tour will be stopping next. It's always a treat, and I am sure I will find plenty of new gemstones to inspire my work. The funny thing is, I thought last week was the big day. I got up early, got ready, and did a quick check on my e-mails...thankfully my friend Sue had the dates right, and e-mailed me that it wasn't until this week. Bitter disappointment. I felt like a child that didn't get her way. I had been thinking it was that date for weeks. So this spring's show is even more anticipated than the last one. I will post pictures of my spoils when I get back.

 

A few new pieces. Very birdy...despite the wet, rainy weather we have endured, the birds are out in full force. I know spring comes late here in Wisconsin, but it is a huge joy to watch all of the birds coming back. Our feeders are constantly busy with activity, and provide an endless supply of inspiration. Yesterday my husband and I watched a male cardinal feeding his mate. It was so sweet. The blue birds are back, geese, and lots of cranes. They all call to each other early in the morning. Our farmhouse has swamp land and farm fields surrounding it, and it provides the perfect habitat for all of this wildlife. Across the road, more swamp , and the cranes call back and forth to one another. The Spring Peepers (a frog) also serenade us day and night. Oh, if it would just stop raining. Today we are supposed to get some sunshine! Hope you are all well. Light and love-amanda