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!

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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).

New Work

My new bench will sure come in handy for making these new bezels I've come up with. Hmmm...wonder what will go in them?
Is that polymer clay beside them?

New Jewelry Bench!

As an early birthday gift, my wonderful husband gave me this beautiful jeweller's bench. I cannot wait to actually use it. I have to get a taller chair because it is high. It will probably never be as organized and as neat as it is now so the pictures are for posterity.

Winter Carnival

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Montessori school Winter carnival by my friend Trish, which also was a big fundraiser for Help Tammy Help Haiti, which I have been a supporter of for the last few months. I was also asked to donate an auction piece which I painstakingly fretted over for the last few weeks and eventually came up with this:
It is my interpretation of the picture that Tammy sent me of the image that the residents of Cite' Soleil, Port-au-Prince painted on the water tower that Tammy and her colleagues built. The woman, I believe is Tammy and her hair represents the clean water they will now have to sustain themselves. It is sterling silver, hand pierced and polished. The edges are hammered to create a rustic diamond-edge effect. The lucky winner of this auction piece, Debby Doom, who was one of the leading organizers of the event, is presenting this to Tammy as a gift.
I am honored.

My sons' girlfriend, Jess, was a great help and organized my display for me. Here she is, ready to sell some work for me. Thanks so much Jess!

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!

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!