Mixed Media

I love using different materials to create my jewellery. All right, I confess. I have the attention span of a squirrell and I get bored very easily, which is why my work is always in a state of perpetual motion and constant change. Whether or not it is good for sales, I'm not sure but I certainly know it is good for my soul.

That being said, here are a few new pieces I've been working on that marry silver art clay with sterling silver. I love the oxidised look and will be exploring this further. Hope you like them!

New Series of Work

Here is what I've been working on today - a new line of jewelry made with sterling and fine silver. It's a beautiful combination of materials to work with and here is my first piece finished!

Custom Order

The most nerve-wracking and rewarding part of being a jeweller is definitely making items upon request aka the "custom order".

I recently received a custom order through Made You Look for a lady who wanted a pendant made from a logo of their organization. It was to be a gift for the well-loved and admired recipient, who was retiring after many years of service. Right - no pressure!

I happily accepted hoping that I could rise to the occassion and create something worthy of the recipient and lovely enough so that she could wear it often.

I was given a short window of time to make it as I was also finishing up another custom order, starting my new job and getting jewellery ready to show to Distill Gallery in Toronto for the first time. When it rains - it pours! All good though as everything got finished on time and successfully.

I finished the pendant after many emails and telephone conversations and Fed-Exed it early Thursday morning. I waited patiently, wondering if the piece was a hit or miss. Really nervous as this had been my largest commission to date and I so wanted to hit the mark.

I received the phone call I was waiting for and she was thrilled with the pendant and thanked me over and over. The biggest weight was lifted from my shoulders and I could now look forward to the next one. Happy Days!

Moving Ahead

It`s been awhile since I blogged. Thanks to all of you who have checked back here regularly. I really appreciate it.

I`ve kept busy finishing up my Summer 2011 line and happily started a new job at Metalworks, where my work is also available for sale. Yes, it is very nice to work at the same place that carries your jewellery. It`s fun to learn from everyone who works there and it`s great to bounce off ideas with each other. Being a studio jeweller, doesn`t provide a lot of opportunity to get immediate feedback or helpful suggestions, so that is really great.

I have recently hooked up with Distill Gallery in the historic Distillery District area of Toronto and they are now selling my work as well as Made You Look in Toronto. So, needless to say, my days have been very full.

I have, however been letting certain things in my life get a little left behind such as de-cluttering the garage, finishing painting the downstairs rooms and of course all of the yardwork and deck spruce-up needs to be attended to. So, needless to say, I have no shortage of work.

Design has begun (on paper) of my Fall-Winter Line and it is coming along nicely. As my metalsmithing

skills have improved, I think my designs are getting much better. I love comparing my work today from even a year ago to see how far it`s come.
I might even be collaborating with my son, Patrick, who is an up-and-coming artist for a new line of tribal - inspired jewellery. Can't wait to see what comes of that!

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

Maboue

I am loving this Montreal artist, Soleil Fleming, that specializes in exquisite porcelain jewellery. Her style is simple, elegant and understated - exactly what I like!

She goes by the business name of Maboue and her Flickr and Etsy sites have lots more eye candy to peruse.

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.

Great Jewellery!

Check out Miranda's blog and her stunning jewellery which you can purchase at Metalworks along with mine (plug, plug :).

She is a terrific metalsmith and I hear she will be updating her blog more frequently, so check in with her and see what she's up to!

She also has a flickr site as well.

Lovely Day!

We went for a wonderful drive to Prince Edward County today and stopped in Bloomfield at the fabulous FAD Gallery. Beautiful, functional art, fine art and loads of gorgeous jewellery is what this place is all about! I especially liked the encaustic work by  Tanya Kirouac. Breathtaking, actually. Michael was  a great help!

Definitely stop by if you are in the neighbourhood or need a gift for a special person. So much to choose from and all one-of-a-kind!

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

New Galleries!!

I have been so busy in the last few weeks trying to finish some custom orders and getting ready to show my work to two new galleries.
I am so happy to say that my hard work paid off and my efforts were well received.
I am now being represented in Kingston by Metalworks and by Gallery Art Plus in Belleville, Ontario. I am so pleased and exhausted!
A great big thanks to both galleries for accepting me so warmly and to my understanding husband who has supported me for the last ten years in trying to carve out a little niche for myself to belong.

♥♥♥

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!

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!

Three Houses

house, dog-house, townhouse
sterling silver and resin pendants

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!

Nerves of Silver

It is always nerve wracking to show a new jewellery line to a boutique. But alas, if one wants to sell anything, it is one of those things that must be done. So...I am off tomorrow to Made You Look once again in Toronto and another boutique called Beadle.

Luckily I have already met Sarah, the owner of Made You Look and she is one of those people that puts you automatically at ease as well as being a metalsmith and business owner, she definitely understands the plight and process.

Here are my new business cards that I've just designed this morning (yes, I always leave at least 3 things until the last minute! - I think I love the adrenaline rush :o)

Here are a few things I'm taking along with me:

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).