Firing up the engines again

I've been so up and down with creative energy, but in an effort to get it back in gear I entered the poster competition for the Art Crawl. This has caused a mix of excitement and "oh crap, what have I done?" Dumb, I know, but the latter should help get me jumpstarted on making things again. In the event that it gets any of the awards - poster, or one of the postcard images - it means my work will be out on the printed media for the Crawl. Even if I don't get any of the awards it's good to be drawing and coming up with things again. Thanks to Natalie for giving me a kick in the butt to update this blog, too.

I still will do the series of containers, though I'm not going to set my goals so high that I feel like a failure. I feel that's been my problem since leaving college - I come up with overly elaborate plans that won't ever happen in the timeframe I want.

I plan on doing some quick and easy (relatively) station necklace variations with gemstone beads and sterling. Possibly will involve a little stone setting on some. Right now these are just in the drawing phase.

I'd like to come up with a few more rings, I rarely see rings that I like out in the world...so clearly that means I should make some that I like. Other people might like them, too.

I also have a plan for some little labradorite smooth briolette beads. A limited edition of necklace/earring sets is in their future. I think each will be unique within the editions, but similar. I'm still not too keen on making a bunch of identical things.

Looking ahead to Summer, the garage is getting sheetrocked and an outlet will be rewired for a KILN. YES! Well, after I actually purchase one (the hard part is done, I have the money sitting in the bank). It is happening, this year, for real.

Only took a month...

I finally have posted the rutilated quartz piece on Etsy. I've been so busy with work and just everyday things around the house that it kept getting put off. Plus I'm still a little attached to it, I'd love for it to sell and be enjoyed by someone. It drew a lot of compliments at the Art Crawl in October, so I truly hope it will find a good home soon!

Here is the final result:



I'm really satisfied with this piece. It's so great when I can honestly say that.

In other news, I'm still drawing up containers for the next series. I bought a great book on boxes and closures a few weeks ago, which will help me remember how to do a hinge among other things. Hopefully I will be successful with the copper mockups I plan to do over the Winter. I have a couple of secret commissions for Christmas presents in progress, which are going well so far. I also am *really* close to getting an enameling kiln, which has me very excited.

Fall 2010 Art Crawl

Well, it's over. Three long days of sitting and interacting with the public. I had a really good time and some great conversations with people. Many compliments on my work - which is always awesome. It's always a good time to talk with the people who come out to see all of the art, I truly appreciate the conversations.

Thanks to the conversations: I am even more interested in visiting enamel work again, know about a bead show that is coming up (those are always a good time!), and am gaining more confidence in myself as an artist. Participating in this event is definitely about more than just selling art, it's about being out there and growing through interaction.

I think my kitties are quite happy to have me home after the long days stuck home alone, every evening they've had extra energy and headbutts for me. I'm looking forward to a quiet Monday to recharge.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Crawl!

Necklace....ASSEMBLED!

I'm pretty happy right now. I have the rutilated quartz necklace completely assembled - I may switch the clasp to a lobster claw but that doesn't count. Switching from oxy-propane to oxy-acetylene has been frustrating to say the least. I really just need to do more soldering at home, to keep the oxy-acetylene skills as strong as oxy-propane. It may also have something to do with the fact that at work I primarily work in gold, which solders like magic compared to sterling.

Next on my to-do list is the re-do of my marriage of metals disaster. Hoping this time around it turns out even better. Further down the list is rebuilding the citrine crown, though I may opt to get a gold mounting if I can find one. I think having a yellow crown would really set off the stone nicely. There's also the station necklace I'd like to work on, and get some designs going for rings and earrings.

I'll be happy if I can just have a few fresh pieces for the Art Crawl, which is rapidly approaching.

A Photo!

Here it is, an in progress shot of the latest attempt. I am ridiculously proud of that bezel. Ridiculously. I luckily have a large amount of fine silver hanging around from a failed school project, and was able to mill out my own bezel wire. I don't want to have to apply too much pressure to the rutilated quartz when doing the final setting, so fine silver is my new best friend. Another reason I am so proud of this bezel, the stone actually snaps in. It's pretty much the best bezel I have ever made, and it's a non-round stone which makes that fact even cooler.

I'm going to solder on the three bars tomorrow when I'm not so tired, and get this thing pre-polished before attaching the hanging elements and chain. I'll have to wait on the final polish until next week at work, but in theory I could have a finished product as soon as Tuesday! I am pretty excited about this.

I have a station-style necklace for my next project. That will likely be something I will make more than one of, or do variations on it so each one will be a little unique. I've started cutting out components, but then realized I was using the wrong metal - nickel instead of sterling. Oh well, it was good practice; also showed me that I need to roll down the metal a bit otherwise these things are going to be boat anchors!

So, I have this rutilated quartz I bought a year ago. I had a design worked up for it last year, but never got around to it. Now with everything still finding its place in the new studio space, I pulled out that stone and the drawing...I don't like it anymore. We're doing something completely different.

So far I have a few of the parts ready to go, and am really liking this new idea. Need to solder the bezel into a continuous loop, then pop that onto some silver sheet, add the structural/design elements, and clean it all up. In theory this won't take very long, but I know better. I made extra parts in case of melting mishaps or other troubles. Hopefully I'll have some in-progress pictures to share soon.

Of course I have "help" from the new furry friends. They are still nameless, but they don't seem to mind. So far they're crazy, friendly, and most importantly healthy. They're quite fun, and I think they really like it here.

Sometimes things don't go as planned

I feel like that could be my motto.

My kitties' stay has been drastically shortened. Today they go back to the shelter, and into a foster home for Feline Leukemia Virus kitties. The last two months have been full of good and bad, but emotionally I cannot keep this up without going off the deep end. They had a great couple of months, in a home full of love.

The studio is nearly set up, it will be good to start working on projects this summer. It will keep me from being down while at home. I'm looking forward to coming up with new designs and trying to find local stores to carry my work.