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!

More New Work!

Hope you all are surviving this heatwave. I've been keeping cool at home in my shop making lots of new jewellery.

Here are a few more pieces that are now for sale at Metalworks in downtown Kingston.

This bracelet at left is sterling silver and faux stone (polymer clay).

Sterling silver and polymer clay bangles

silver and clay pendant

Enjoy your summer and keep cool!!!!



New Work!

I have been busy in the studio this past week coming up with new designs using polymer clay and silver. Polymer clay is how I began my jewellery making adventure and it has been fun getting back to it. I can't tell you how many things went into the discard pile but I think I am well on my way to a beginning of a new line.

Hope you like what I've started with.

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!

Earrings!

Now available at Metalworks in beautiful downtown Kingston!

New Shapes!

Just deciding on colour today for some new pendants and earrings I made yesterday. I've been stuck on greens and blues lately. Hmmm...what to do?

New Designs

These are just a few of the finished Floral designs I've been working on and finally finishing.

Just Another Glamorous Day in the Workshop!

Hard to tell if I'm going in to surgery or actually getting some work done. The cute plastic shower cap is not entirely necessary - just to protect clean hair from tripoli and rouge. So cute - NOT!

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?

Florals for Spring!!

Here is a small preview of my 2011 Spring Collection. Lots of bright, happy florals and there are lots more to come as soon as I finish sanding and buffing. My hands are a mess but my pendants look great!

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.

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!

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.

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.

♥♥♥

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.