2015

 

I always begin the year with renewed efforts, a burst of energy.  At times this burst of energy makes it through the first month of the year and then slowly turns into a trickle.  I renew my efforts throughout the year, but, it seems that my efforts are not always enough.

Like many, I jumped ship and put all of my efforts on Facebook and Instagram.  I admire those artists that have remained steadfast on blogging, it does take great effort.

I've continued with my jewelry making and it has gone through many transformations.  At the moment I'm focusing on earrings!

I'm playing with color and texture and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

Here's to 2015!

This is how it all started,  so many years ago.  Every once in a while I make them again.   I enjoy the hunt for the special word that is going to be encased, it depends on my mood and what it is I want to say at that moment.

I spent a glorious week in my art studio, creating, allowing my mind to get lost in the zen of creating.  I'm down to one day of rest and it is back to work and away from my studio.  I won't dwell on that, I will enjoy my last day of spring break!

Metal and Resin Necklaces

I've been enjoying working with metal and resin.  It had been since my college days that I last worked with these materials. 
Pictured on the bottom is one of my favorite artists, Friday Khalo.

Rio Grande Winter Workshop

I took Rio Grande's Winter Workshop this past week in Albuquerque, NM.  I took the PMC+ pendant class and it was an amazing experience.  I learned so many new techniques, met some wonderful artists and I am more inspired than ever.
We worked for two days on creating frame pendants for our images and created a "branch" to hang them from.  We used a kiln to fire our pieces, but did get a demo on how to torch fire the material.
I am pleased of my results and I can't wait to experiment on some new designs.
I believe I can incorporate this material with materials I work with now, hopefully, this will take me into new territory.
I also managed to buy a few things from their warehouse; such an amazing place.  I was lucky enough to take a tour of their business, it is such a modern facility with modern technology in place.  Now I know how my order and materials are processed.
I can't wait to get into my studio, I'm so excited of the new possibilities.
Till next time...

 

I tried to keep up, I promise I did.  But, like many of you, I have been trying to balance work, life, business and family. 

Something had to give.

I am going to do my best to keep up, now that most of the art festivals are behind me.  I do want to take my jewelry business to the next level, which means I must make a greater effort to post and keep myself visible on line.

I finally decided to add bracelets to my line of jewelry.  I enjoyed making them and found them easy to make.  I don't know why I didn't take the plunge earlier. 

On another note, as I had last written, my father battled cancer this year and I am happy to report that his health continues to improve and he is slowly gaining back the quality of life he once enjoyed.

So, as you can imagine, I had so much to be thankful for this past Thanksgiving.  I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

Till next time.

 

 

 

Blue and green stained glass earrings

Blue and green stained glass earrings

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted, I did have the best of intentions, I promise.  But, life has a way of changing one's plans.  Unfortunately, my family has struggled with health issues and I find myself in a very new position. 
I continue to work in my studio, which I consider my sanctuary.  I am able to escape for a while, my mind wanders and I allow myself to think freely and feel freely, whatever that might be.
Hopefully, I will be able to check in from time to time and hopefully things will get better on my side of the screen...

Busy doesn't even begin to explaiin my time away from the blogging world.  Some very good things and some very distressing things came my way.  My dad was diagnosed with cancer recently and I have to say that it has turned his life upside down.  Throughout all of this turmoil we have continued to go on life as usual.  Luckily (if you can say there is anything to feel lucky about) his cancer was found early and his prognosis is good.  Right now, we are just playing the waiting game.  Waiting to see if the radiation will do its job.  I have faith it will.
It took me a while to return to my studio, but when I did I was able to work through my emotions and keeping busy eased much of my tension.  I entered a few competitions, and won a few of them.  Now, I am working and getting prepared for some upcoming shows in a few galleries.  I love having a goal, it keeps you focused on something, which is what I need at the moment.
I've also enjoyed a few online workshops and am planning on one more. 
So now, I am two weeks away from the school year being over and I can concentrate on my own work over the summer.  I can't wait!
 I think I will relax tonight, look through all of the blogs and see what it is I have missed.
Oh, and can someone tell me what are all those weight loss adds appearing on my dashboard doing there and how do I get rid of them?
I hope you are warm and safe with your loved ones, and prayers for all of our military families.

My, how time flies!  I didn't think my life could get any busier, boy was I wrong.  With work, student competitions and jewelry making, very little time left to do much else.  Let's not forget family either.  Whew! 
These earrings are just a few examples of the work I have been creating lately.  I am relatively new to polymer clay and I am spending more and more time trying to learn this wonderful medium.  I still do soldered work, but I am slowly branching off to a few other mediums to add to my portfolio. 
Hopefully once school lets out I will be able to spend more time on my jewelry and posting on my blog.
At the moment I am trying to decide which online jewelry workshops to take, there are a few good ones being offered at this time.  It will be difficult to make the time to do them, but I love learning new techniques.  We'll see what I decide. 
As soon as I can catch my breath, I will share several pictures of my new polymer clay pieces.  It will be fun to chronicle my growth with polymer clay. 

I hope you are having a wonderful night.