Metalwork

Here are a few things I've been working on lately. I seriously have the metalwork bug lately. So much fun to create an object out of sheet silver and wire. Amazing and very satisfying. I'm sure my results will improve over time but I am pretty happy this week. I will be making more of the individual flowers for necklaces. Love them!

New Year - Fresh ideas!

A new year, a fresh start and a world full of new and exciting possibilities!

This year the focus will be branding and style and some new product lines.

I have invested in a kiln (which should arrive today, with any luck!) and have been experimenting with Silver Art Clay and it has been coming along quite nicely.

Currently my workspace is filled with polymer clay as I have been trying out a new technique (new to me) that the helpful and most talented Leila graciously shared with me. It is a faux fabric or textile technique that is loads of fun and a bit time consuming if you don't have alot of old canes on hand. I still need some practice to improve the design but I am really happy with the concept. Thanks Leila!

I also have three boxes of clay (pottery - porcelain, stoneware and paperclay) that will make it's way into the kiln in the form of jewelry at some point. Hopefully, I will have lots of exciting new things to blog about. I just haven't been very good at it in the last few months. I want to make time at least once a week to update. I must write it into my calendar or it won't happen!

Art Clay Silver

I know I don't blog often enough but lately it is only because I have been having so much fun with my new Art Clay Silver Kit that my Sweetie got me for Christmas! No Mr. Scrooge here as I even got it a month early :o)

Anyway, here are a few of the things I've made with it. There are lots more and there are so many different possibilities with this stuff, it should keep me busy for awhile.

Dead on Her Feet

This pic explains exactly how I felt last week. It is my son, Patrick's interpretation of the saying "Dead on Her Feet", which was assigned as one of his projects for second year Graphic Design. He gave it to me this weekend and I love it!

Big Day!

I haven't blogged for about a week or so because I have been getting ready to show some new pieces to Sarah Hamel from Made You Look Jewellery Studio and Gallery. Not a very big deal to most, but a very big deal to me because although I've sold in boutiques around Kingston, I haven't sold in Toronto, and Made You Look is definitely one of the hottest places to be featured in for a jewelry designer in Toronto.

Sooo, I packed up my wares and off to Toronto we went, hoping every km of the way that they would like my pendants. Because my medium is polymer clay and not the traditional silver, gold or beads, it is always difficult to say whether or not it will be accepted among those circles.

To make a long story short, I met with Sarah at Made You Look and she loved my pendants! She took a whole collection to sell in her store and tripled the asking price that I had suggested for retail!!! I have never had someone appreciate the quality or the value of my work as she did. It was such a huge validation for me. I have been making this stuff for so long that I sometimes wonder if it is worth it and after yesterday, I feel completely validated. She also gave me some great pointers about selling my jewelry and approaching galleries and shops - invaluable!

As I said to my husband Scott, "everyone needs a victory" and my day at Made You Look was certainly one of mine.

Thank-you Sarah and Scott for all your support!

Outstanding Artist - Revonav

This artist has definitely given me something to aspire to. Revonav, a.k.a. David, is a genius when it comes to marrying polymer clay and sterling silver. What a match! It makes me want to work on my metalsmithing skills much, much more. His interpretations of my favorite medium are unique and innovative. Bravo!





Revonav's Flickr

New Items finished - Finally!

Some days it is difficult to get focused but finally I've been able to finish off a few things for my Etsy shop. I'm having fun trying out new techniques so bear with me if my forthcoming designs don't always mesh together. What can I say? I like variety :o)