articulations

When it rains....it pours....

BronzClay Harpy Pendant (sold)

Just happens like that sometimes. This week has been interesting to say the least. We have had some technical difficulties....and I'm not so technical which leads to alot of difficulties. We have been trying to switch over to a different service provider, and we just purchased a different computer for upstairs. My main computer has been dying a slow and painful death. 73 viruses and counting. My daughter was unable to even use her drawing programs or get on-line, so we took the plunge and got something small, and suitable for her usage, and then decided to switch providers at the same time.... that lead to a slew of headaches and confusion on my part. It's difficult and maybe a little humiliating when you don't really know how to hook all of this stuff up, and you don't even know the correct lingo to use to ask for help. Well I finally got the new computer up, then the internet working, and then my printer and my camera died. Well technically my printer still works, but the wireless connection to my laptop is not working. So, I'm leaving that for another week, and am struggling to learn the new software for a different camera. In the meantime, I was able to get a few pictures off and two new pieces listed on Etsy. The above piece is a pendant made from Bronzclay. I've been toying with the idea of putting a few "components" for sale in my shop. It's a difficult decision for me, but I thought I might give it a shot. I also made a bracelet, but photos for that will have to wait. My parents are traveling this week, and my Mom wanted to take the bracelet to show my Aunt...One more photo for today...

Wild Iris Earrings...Sterling Silver

 

Our thaw is over, and it's back to frigid temperatures. Just makes me ache for Spring-time even more.

Light and Love-amanda
 

Remnants...and tools

We have had some rain here over the week-end, it's what we Wisconsinite's refer to as the January Thaw. It offers some relief from the bitter cold winter, but uncovers alot of ugly, brown, dirty messes. And if you have dogs, it's serious...Peeking out of the snow and mud, I spotted this yellow pansy. A remnant from this past summer, just sitting there saying hello to me. So although it's been a bit gloomy out, there's always a spot of sunshine..if you look. I had to go out and pick this little treasure, then I started looking around and noticed how beautiful my orchids looked in this winter light...

Mind you, I do have a green thumb for some things, Orchids are not one of them. It's almost unnatural that these two plants haven't died in my care. The lovely purple one has been with  me for over a year, this is it's second blooming, and the other, has only been here  6 months or so.

They are a treat during these winter months.

My Love (sold)

-Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Handmade Copprclay Heart-

 Andy picked up a hood vent for my kiln a few days ago. He was determined to get it in today before he left for work...With some major effort, he was able to get it installed, and eat lunch before he started 2nd shift.  Our house is of the vintage variety. It's a log home that was covered with several layers of siding, and plastered at one time on the inside. Anytime we have to cut a hole in the wall, it's kind of a big deal. I'll post a picture later of the drill bit that did the damage.  So he's off to work, and I've got a dusty mess to clean up. I'm really enjoying the Copprclay and the kiln. I've just made a handful of things, but I can see how artists could just focus on this one medium. The possibilities are endless. I just ordered a few DVD's on Copprclay/Bronzclay specifically. I've watched one of Sherri Haab's PMC videos-it was wonderful. I don't know if I will be able to take any classes this year, so I figured the DVD's are a really good investment...and for those of us with less then stellar memories, I can go back and watch it again. Gotta sign off-the dog's are calling...I'll be back soon with a few more pictures..light and love-amanda

 
 

Ode to March

handmade copprclay pendant, sterling silver, aquamarine
 

Ok just a few quick pictures, then my daughter will be off the bus. Here is the hole that we had to drill...

Here's part of the chunk that came out of the log...maybe I will save it for some assemblage doll?

And here's the tool to get the job done...well, it might need my husband behind it...there's no way I could have done that...

If you know anyone who owns an old log house, or is purchasing a country home...this drill bit would make a lovely gift. It has saved us countless times...lol...when we first got internet service, we told our provider that they would have to drill through logs to get the cable through. They still came unprepared, and Andy ended up running the wire and drilling the holes for them.

-have a great night-
 
 
 

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
 

Total Randomness...

 
I've spent alot of time Home lately...I'm not sure why, although we have had alot of things going on with our family, work, life...you know how that goes. I've cut way back on my work schedule these last few weeks, but I still don't feel caught up on "rest."  I haven't done a whole lot in the studio, and oddly I only feel a small sense of guilt...But now, I'm getting back into the swing of things, and getting energized about this coming year. I've spent alot of time researching some new tools to add to my studio, and still have more research to do. I'd really like to add a kiln, but I still have some fact finding to do (and some money to save) before I take that leap.

We spent the week-end celebrating my daughter's 12th birthday. She had a few friends over on Friday. Saturday we took all the girls bowling and out for pizza- I think everyone had a great time. I couldn't remember when the last time I had been bowling...it had to be at least 16 years ago...but it was kinda fun. Something to keep in mind when my daughter complains about being bored.

...New wire-wrapped bangles...

I've really enjoyed making these new bangle bracelets. I stumbled upon a wonderful web-site called JewelryLessons.com by Eni Oken and friends. It's a great resource for all things jewelry related and has wonderful tutorials that you can buy and download for just a few dollars. Some of the tutorials are even free. These bangles were made using techniques I learned  from a tutorial by Tadaosgirl. The tutorial was called "Robin's Egg Bracelet."  There is a wealth of information and knowledge on that website, I'm looking forward to heading back over there to try some more tutorials.

I've also been working on some more resin/bezel pendants. I just listed "Ode to Poe" today.

Ode to Poe on Etsy

 Well that's about it for today. My husband just came in to yell at me that the sun is out, and it's not freezing cold. I think that's a hint it's time to take a walk...hope you have had a wonderful week-end. light and love-amanda

 

Friend and Fiber Artist Jeanne Shay....Published in Belle Armoire this Month!!!

 

I Just wanted to say congratulations to my dear friend Jeanne Shay! Jeanne called me this week to let me know she heard that her beautiful felted wool collar would be in this month's (Sep/Oct) Belle Armoire (page 77) magazine. So please pick up a copy and check out her inspiring work. Jeanne is one of the most talented women I know and I'm so excited for her. I met Jeanne a few years ago at a friend's holiday show. She mentioned that she might be looking for a companion -of the furry sort-and me being the dog magnet of the area, set out to find a good match...we've been friends ever since....and yes I did find a dog for her-a lovely border collie cross who had been abandon by her owner..."Maggie" couldn't have found a better home with Jeanne and her husband. I'm going to call Jeanne today and see if I can get her permission to show a few photos of her other work. I've been lucky enough to receive several beautiful pieces of her work as gifts, and I'd love to show them to you...light and love-amanda

P.S. Jeanne's fiber art can be found at the Red Cup Coffeehouse on Washington Island, WI.

Isn't it lovely!

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

 

How do you like your coffee? with two donkeys, a horse and one goat please...

I've never claimed my life is calm and serene...even when I try to take a few moments, something usually happens to interrupt my moment...lol

My daughter left this afternoon to go on a trip with my folks. She's been bored out of her mind these last few weeks before school, and driving me insane. My folks take her, and I get the dogs. It's a pretty sweet deal. Andy had just left for work, and I poured myself a wonderful cup of iced coffee. The dogs had all settled in, and I was going to have a moment...Minutes after Andy left, I get a phone call that there are two donkeys, an ancient horse, and a goat on the highway...I need to get my buns down the road and help get them back home ASAP. Luckily I know where they belong, but no one is home. I get back to animal central, and tell my husband to stop in up the road where the owner's husband works. He calls back to tell me the neighbors are on vacation, but help is coming....I proceed to try and coerce these animals back to the field where they belong...I was totally unprepared for trekking through the field. I had my Birki's on, no socks and a field of thistle to get through. Help arrived, and luckily he knew how to turn off the electric fence. All of the animals got back to their pasture, but I got that look from the goat... I'm sure as soon as we drove away he was hatching another escape plan. Gotta love living in the country...

If you need a moment, try making this wonderful iced coffee...it's so easy. I got the recipe from a friend, and it couldn't be simpler to make...

Make one pot (12 cups) of double strength coffee.

 It's better if you use the flavored kind-even if you don't normally drink it, trust me it will be delicious. I prefer Hazelnut or something Chocolaty.

One can of sweetened condensed milk.

Let the coffee cool a bit, then whisk in the entire can of sweetened  condensed milk. That's it! Put it in the fridge, and when it's cold, pour it over some ice, or blend it with ice in your blender. Superb! It won't last long, but we've kept ours for a few days and it still tastes great.

It's been a busy summer for me. I've worked more than I would like, and plan on shifting gears a bit once my daughter gets back in school. I  need a new perspective, and I need to find some balance between work and play...hopefully finding some more time for play. I've got a library of wonderful books I've been perusing, and I'm very excited about Sheri Gaynor's new book "Creative Awakenings." I plan on working through the book over the next 12 months. It's definitely worth buying if you have it on your wish list!  I think this book and Sheri's process will help a lot of people, whether you are an artist or not- so check it out!!  I'll keep you posted on my progress...

(Never too Late available in my Etsy Shop)

The last thing I wanted to share with you today...

I was recently invited to consign some of my jewelry at a gallery in Rome, Georgia. The gallery is called the Rome Area Council for the Arts. (or RACA) . I've heard some wonderful things about Rome, but I'd love to hear from any of you who have been to the gallery!

Ok, that's enough for today. Hope you are all enjoying your summer! light and love-amanda

What I've been up to these last few weeks...

 

Wall O' Jewelry/Metal-Smithing Stuff

I know it is a serious mess...we finally moved my studio from upstairs to downstairs. Like most projects in an old farmhouse, this one has taken far longer than we anticipated. We (ok Andy) had to repair some major water damage on the walls, and come up with some practical (and free) shelving for me. Many coats of primer went on, and then a paint color that wasn't exactly what we were hoping for, I finally got most of my stuff moved in. It has been a challenge to contain my "stuff". Upstairs I had the convenience of a "box room" that no one ever went into, and a closet that only the cats dared venture into as extra storage...(or hiding space.) Down here, out in the open, I am limited to having everything out and on the shelf. I am hoping after a few weeks I will have this new space cleaned up and in serious art mode. When we first talked about me moving down stairs, I had visions of a lovely day bed, an antique side table, and a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me when I needed a break...well needless to say, there isn't a spare inch left in this room, let alone room for a day bed... so I will just have to settle with taking my break on the dog hair filled couch in the living room. 

 

Shipping/Printing and Sewing Area

As crowded as it is, I am really happy with the space. Andy works second shift, and now with our bedroom moved upstairs, I'm hoping my early morning work habits won't wake him up. Next project is a new room for Hannah. She will be moving into my old studio space...the best room in the whole house-lucky girl. We've got lots of prep work to do in there too. The floors will have to be painted, so we have to figure out how to get that done, and keep the cats out of the room until it's dry. She choose a really great green color for the walls, I can't wait to see how it looks when it's on.

 

So I'm going to sign off for tonight, but I'll try to get back again soon. I've got some new things in the works and new friends that I'd like to introduce you too. (and no, they aren't the furry kind). Have a great week-end...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)

Just wanted to share...

I took these pictures a few weeks ago, when our lilacs were in full bloom. this cute little guy or gal visited with us daily...

 

this little friend was with us for some time too. she loved to flutter about the lilacs and landed briefly so i could snap a photo...

 

last picture of the morning, not the best one, but a new necklace I had worked on...

 

this is the second elephant inspired piece I've made this year. my grandmother loved elephants and collected them for as long as i can remember. when she passed away, I was lucky enough to receive a few of her pieces. I've got them tucked in little spots around my house and studio...I found this beautifully carved Jasper elephant on-line, and knew I wanted to make another piece. the little copper tag reads "Family" I made this piece for my show, but I've worn it several times, and am not sure I want to give it up. It's extra long so you can wear it at full length, or double wrap it around your neck. I hope to get at least one more post in this afternoon. my husband has been working on some framing for a few collages that I've got done for the show. One in particular, I'd like to share with you...so check back later...

PPS...Happy Anniversary Andy!! It was our 15th yesterday...we didn't get to do much celebrating, but I hope to do something special with him this week-end. Even if it's just a nice supper at home. He's my rock, and he's always there when I feel like I've just got too much on my plate. We all need a voice of reason, he's mine!! I love you

Have a great day-light and love-amanda