My New Studio

I moved into my new studio space over the holidays with the help of my husband and kids. I made the move in two days, which is why it looks the way it does.  I had been in a 10' x 10' room, and was extremely crowded, I have no clue how I fit everything in there.  My husband will turn that room into an office/man cave  space.  What is now my studio was once our family room, it was a great space for tv watching, thanks to the dark walls.  Now the dark walls are not so great for my studio.  I will paint the walls over the summer, buy some colorful rugs and ad a few more tables.  We removed the water damaged (another story) carpet and found that someone, at some point, wrote the name "Roger" on the floor.  Ugh.
I have a vision of what I want my studio to look like when it is all said and done, I just have to be patient and slowly work my way towards my vision.
I can't wait to show you the end results.
Another plus to this space is that not only will I be able to create my jewelry, but I now have enough space to create my paintings without having to put things away.
This was the best gift ever!

Happy New Year!  I don't know about you, but 2011 flew by for me.  I can't believe how quickly time is going by.  Does this happen the older we become?  I can't believe that I am now the mother of two adult children, and my baby is three years away from graduating from high school.  I wish I could make the years go by a bit slower.  I resolve to enjoy my children more this year, soon my husband and I will find ourselves as empty nesters.  I also resolve to grow my business more.  I had a great year with new ventures, but it is time to spread my wings a bit wider.  I have a meeting tomorrow for a new shop opportunity, we'll see how that goes.  I also resolve to take better care of myself, it is off to the gym tomorrow morning! 
The piece shown above is a new addition to my etsy shop.
 Hope your holidays have been as wonderful as mine. 

I went to sell at the downtown art market yesterday morning, but even with all of the advertising from the city, the weather kept people and vendors away.  It was too cold and wet for people.  It started to snow the second we arrived and didn't stop all day.  We left after a short while, went home to mom's and made tamales for dinner.  We had breakfast here at home and opened up gifts with friends and family.  I hope your are having a very Merry Christmas too.

I created these pieces just yesterday in preparation for a private party where several artists were invited to show their work.  We had a wonderful time, until the temperature started to dip that is.  My husband came along and helped me to pass the time while we watched the festivities go on around us. 
I always enjoy meeting new people and what I enjoyed more was meeting people that have bought my work at one of the shops where my work is sold. 

Now it is back to the studio, I am still trying to replenish all of the pieces I sold a couple of weeks ago in Galveston.  I have two more shows coming up and we are still selling at the El Paso Artist Market.  The market is a bit slow going, the temperature does not help.  Starting the market in the winter time is not an easy task.  There have been weekends when their is great attendance and then we have a weekend like this one.  Very low attendance.  Still met some great people and my work is always well received. 

Til next time!

moon series

I don't know why I like creating "series" of pieces, but I do.  The name "moon series" came to mind for my new jewelry pieces.  Although I'm not really sure it fits my new pieces I did enjoy making them and have a few more coming soon.  I imprinted some words on the back, but forgot to take a picture of them. 
I participated in a new venture this past weekend.  The city of El Paso now has an artist market down town.  It was long over due and I sure am glad I have another outlet for my work.  I sold out of my jewelry two weeks ago in Galveston and so I am frantically trying to make more pieces.  Very difficult to do when I have a full time job, am the director for our city UIL visual art event and am the founder of a female artist group.  Whew!  I need more hours in the day.
This is why I love creating art and making my jewelry, it is my therapy, my saving grace.  Along with my kids, of course.
Hope your week is going well.

I spent a few days at Galveston, TX for the annual TAEA conventions.  Art Educators from around the state gather and give workshops and share ideas.  It is such a rush to be surrounded by such talented people.  I love it!  This year TAEA had its very first artist market.  I participated and sold my jewelry on Fri.  I had a wonderful response to my work and quickly sold my pieces, with the exception of just a few.  I also made many new acquaintances. 

While in Galveston I visited many great attractions, but my favorite place was the Antique Market.  Oh, I was in heaven.  So many great things to see, I think I might have giggled a bit.  If you are ever in the area, the Antique Market is a must to see.

I saw this in a blog recently (sorry, can't remember the name of the blog) and I just had to look for the video.  I really needed the boost.  I know there are times when I feel just like that....I know what I want to do, but it is taking me a long time to get there.  Sometimes I feel like I am calling out there and asking, "Hello, is anyone out there?" 
When does everyone get a piece of the pie?  I won't give up, it is not in my nature, but there are times when I slow down considerably and the doubt starts to settle in...

Day of the Dead Festival

I spent the weekend selling my work at the Day of the Dead Festival in Old Mesilla,  NM.  Day of the Dead celebrations are a pretty big deal in the Southwest, people dress up like "La Catrina" and get out their best skeleton outfits.  I regret not dressing up, but I was in such a rush making the hour drive on Sat. morning that I did not have time to prepare.  I shared a booth with three of my dearest friends.  We all had great sales and had a great time seeing all of the festivities.   Altars were also set up around the plaza, some of them were quite elaborate. 
It is hard to believe that my neighbors to the north are under severe freezing conditions, here I am in a t-shirt enjoying the nice weather.
I hope you are keeping warm.

This is a variation to a piece I made last Feb.  They were very popular and I decided to make some for next weekends art show.  I am extremely behind, I don't think I will be able to finish all of the pieces I had wanted to make.  I also want to make new displays, but I'm not sure if that will happen either.  Too much going on this week. 

I am looking forward to this show.  After taking a brief hiatus from art shows, I have decided it is time to get back to them.  When you sell to shops, you miss the connection you make with shoppers.  I have missed it.  I hope they have missed me to :)

Soldered Necklace

I made this piece from an old Loteria came gard.  The mermaid is my favorite game piece and I always made it a point to get a Loteria game card with her on it when I was a child.

She really takes me back to my childhood.