Textured Painting

Yes, I know I make jewellery, but I wanted to try my hand at Paul Bozzo's cool textured painting technique. See his videos in previous post. I have a long way to go but I have to tell ya - this is really fun!!

I can't wait to experiment with more colours and different textures.

Texturing with joint compound

1st layer of colour

Inspiration

In the midst of  the February doldrums I am trying to imagine, design and fabricate my new Spring 2011 line of jewelry. I am in need of a gallery hop or some fantastic magazines with bold colours and interesting shapes for inspiration. I love reading and getting inspiration from home decor magazines. I find that the colours and design of fabric and furniture really inspires me.

What inspires you?

New Pendants!

Sorry for the delay in between posts but I am recovering from the Nasty flu as I have aptly named it. Hope you didn't have it.
Working on some new Spring-inspired pieces - wishful thinking I'm sure! I am hoping to create some floral and nature-inspired pieces as well as some more bold, colorful jewellery too.

New Year - Learned Lessons and New Beginnings

Well, another year is over and time to send my scrap silver to the refiner's. It has been a busy year, starting with a decision to invest more effort into my jewellery business and really buckle down, buy new equipment and learn some new skills.

After a slow start, I gained some momentum and finished off the year much more successfully than anticipated. I have learned so much in 2010 and am grateful for everyone that was kind enough to give me advice and so much valuable information that I needed.

I have to give a special thank-you to the three newest galleries that are representing me;

   Gallery Art Plus in Belleville,

   Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston and

   Metalworks, also in Kingston

Metalworks, in particular has been instrumental in looking at my work through a finer lens and helping me to become a better metalsmith. I hope to take more classes and continue on the same path this year.

I am very excited to find out what the new year has in store for me and my family and business and I guess the one thing that is constantly in the back of my mind (along with the cobwebs :-) is that nobody is going to come knocking on my door unless I first hit the pavement and knock on a few doors myself first. I don't know why every year that I am so surprised and delighted to find this is true. The trick for me is to get over any insecurities I may have and just be bold and confident and approach new business opportunities as if I had done this 100 times before. Every new business experience this year has been wonderful and unique and has helped me grow as a business woman, artist and person.

Thank-you and Happy New Year!

I'm working on some new resin and crushed glass pieces. It is so much fun to experiment with new materials and find out their possibilities and limitations. As messy as glass is, it does work extremely well. They still have to be sanded and finished but I see a whole new line opening up with lots of possibilities!

Metalworks

If you are planning some downtown Christmas shopping this season, stop by Metalworks for some fabulous one-of-a-kind jewellery including this piece and alot more from moi!

Metalworks is located at 352 King Street in Kingston, across from City Hall.

Exhaust System

I was working in my little studio with no ventilation except for an open window above my soldering area,and now, thanks to my handy Father-in-Law, I have a wonderful exhaust system that removes all the noxious fumes from the air and my lungs!

I am always curious to see other benches, studios and work areas. What does yours look like and what do you do for ventilation

Rings!

I have had so much fun creating these rings for my collection!

There are more to finish and photograph though so I'd better get to it!

Busy Day!

messy bench!

I had a wonderfully busy day today, starting with about 4 hours working at my bench making new jewellery and an afternoon class at Beadapalooza, the local bead store where I teach basic beading, wirework and beadweaving techniques.

Behind the counter is Trina, the owner and good friend.

New Pendants

Working on some new pendants for my shop!

Hammered Silver

I have been working on this hammered fine silver bracelet all afternoon. There is something very organic and satisfying about fusing silver as opposed to soldering. I think I might do a few more of these.

New Bezels!

After having been asked so many times, I am finally offering some sterling silver bezels for sale in my Etsy shop for artists working with resin, concrete, clay or felt and can't find unique bezels or are not sure how to make their own.

I will still be offering different finished jewellery of my own as well. I thought there might be some interest in them. Hope you enjoy them!

Fall Colours

Getting closer to my favorite time of year and working on a new colour pallette for my resin jewellery. I was up late last night coming up with new shades to work with.

These colours all work well together and are much warmer and muted than my summer pallette. Hopefully (fingers crossed!) they will work well with my newest jewellery.

What are your favorite Autumn hues?

Just made up a batch of new Bullseye pendants. they will each be filled with two different colours of resin. Colourful and fun to wear. They should be posted for sale sometime next week.

Welcome to the Neighbourhood!

I am not finished these pendants yet but was excited to show them to you because they are turning out just so darn cute! Doorknobs and little accents need to be finished still - I should have added as the resin was still setting but didn't :o)
This will be a whole new line with many designs to come. We have the Birdhouse, Doghouse, Townhouse and regular House, I can't wait to finish more! O.k....back to work!

Color Story

I love doing a series based on one to three colors. Here is the beginning of a plum/purple color story. I think these colors are great for any season, don't you?

Busy, busy, busy!

As you can see by my messy workbench, I have been in production mode. It is best for me to strike when the iron is hot because inspiration does not always present itself when needed.
Here are some bangles which have been really popular all lined up like little soldiers in a row. The grey stuff is clay which I wrap around the bezels to avoid leakage (in case you were wondering).

Finally done!

These look much better now that they've been sanded. My fingers are bleeding but the pendants look great. It is so nice to see an idea realized and be satisfied with it. Not all pieces go so nicely.

On to the next design! Earrings, I believe.

In Progress

Here are some pendants and bracelets that I am waiting to harden or cure. Very messy and not very attractive - yet! I will have them finished by Monday and then you can see the difference.
Until then, have you seen this Geninne's Art Blog yet? If you haven't, check it out! It is full of inspiration from a very talented illustrator.

Here are a few new items I've been working on. I especially enjoy the Pop-Dots bangles! Lots of fun for the summertime. Thank-you to everyone that has been enquiring about where they can purchase my new silver and resin jewellery. I will be uploading these to my Etsy shop as well as my own website. Thanks everyone!