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!

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!!!!



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!

One-of-a-Kind Show Toronto

Had a fabulous time yesterday in Toronto at the One-of-a-Kind Show with my good friend Trisha.
So many artists with really innovative work! I especially enjoyed the work of Alison Terp, Michele Rose, Rudy Kehkla and Sharon Nowlan along with many others. I came back with a great deal of inspiration and lots of ideas for my own artwork.

Earrings!

Now available at Metalworks in beautiful downtown Kingston!

New Designs

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

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.

Challenge

This was a custom order I completed for a client and just heard back that she loved it. I always hold my breath a little (ok, a lot!). This was mostly her design translated through my hands and a handful of emails and I am so relieved that she liked it!

Custom orders are tricky. I agonize over them but this particular one was a good lesson for me because I had never created a cuff bracelet like this. Definitely a good lesson in problem solving and a confidence-booster in realizing a finished product that the customer is pleased with. 

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.

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.

♥♥♥

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!

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!

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.