Sunday, December 14, 2008

Great show...new jewelry


my table at the show


jewelry in progress...

more in progress...

Thanks to everyone who came out to support local artists at the Handmade Holiday Craft Show. The venue was packed with shoppers and people were buying!
Some of the new jewelry I made for the show is still available for sale. I will be photographing and posting the items to my Etsy shop by tomorrow afternoon...so look for those!
I'll post here as soon as they're up.
Cheers!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Handmade Holiday (Richmond style)



Pinching pennies this season but still want to get some wonderful gifts for some special people? Come visit me and a whole bunch of talented artists/crafters at the new juried Handmade Holiday Craft Show at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, VA. Friday December 12th is a special ticketed preview. It's a fundraiser and will have wine, snacks, live music and first dibs. Saturday December 13th is open to all. Its free and there will be a lot of great affordable art for sale. If you're going to spend money this season, isn't it better to get something handmade and one of a kind. You'll also be supporting local artists (as we're all based within a 30 mile radius of the river city). I personally know many of the participating artists and can vouch for their creativity and quality. Come see what we have to offer!

Please CLICK HERE for more detailed information.

Happy holidays!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Dias de los Muertos




Take some time to remember your deceased loved ones. Celebrate by sharing stories about them, laughing, eating and being with others who loved them. I will.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Happy birthday Mom



People say "it gets easier" when someone dies. It really doesn't. It gets worse. Sure, the initial shock of it all gets easier to deal with; the bouts of ambush grief that pop out of nowhere (and everywhere) that make you burst into tears. That does lessen a bit. But the missing her never goes away. Today my mom would have been celebrating her 62nd birthday. I saved the last birthday card I gave her. She had it taped to her hospital room wall. I hope she sees that we all miss her so much and wish she could share some cake and hugs with us.
Happy birthday Mom.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Home sweet home


not the best photo...

It's official. We own our first house!! We closed on Tuesday and will begin the painting and renovating this weekend. We'll be moved in by Halloween (officially our favorite holiday) so there's a lot to accomplish by then. I'm super excited for my new studio. I'll take before and after pics to show you all. Now I've gotta get dressed and into my studio today to work on some jewelry.

cheers!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

hey stud



I've been thinking about studs. No, not that kind! I'm talking post earrings here. Are they just for little girls and boys? Do you wear them? I love stud earrings but find myself always wearing hoops. Why is that? I'd love to create a collection of studs as an alternative to the ever present cutesy ones on the market today. Would you wear them? Would your kids?

Where have I been?

I know it's been a LONG while since my last post. So much going on right now. The biggest news is that my hubby and I are buying our first house. It's very exciting and stressful; but in a good way. My new studio is gonna rock! It's already got a two sided porcelain sink in it! I'm also trying to gear up for the upcoming holiday season. So I apologize for my absence. Here's to new beginnings!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Adorn yourself

I just want to bring your attention to New York Adorned's new jewelry site. Lori has been adding images of the independent jewelers she stocks at her shops. I must say, I'm in good company. Go check it out here.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Catching up


I know it's been a while since my last post. I've been at a loss for what to write about. I celebrated my birthday. I'm working extra hours at my day job so we can start house hunting this summer. I've started training for my first full marathon in November. Charlie's coaching me and he's tough. Let's just say, the alarm goes off at 4:45 am...
So basically I've been trying to get used to the new schedule and new level of exhaustion.

Another thing I'm really trying to focus on is a new facet of my jewelry design. Funerary pieces. I really feel like I have something special to offer people in mourning. Since adding the funerary section to my website, I've been getting a lot of inquiries. I feel that people have a real desire for it. I will also be adding a Memorial section to my website. I will be showcasing each special piece of jewelry alongside the lost loved one for whom it was created. I will post photos and text supplied by each client as a loving tribute.

I AM working on new jewelry designs. I have so many to choose from it's hard to know where to start!

Friday, May 16, 2008

The NEW site is up!

My revamped and updated website is finally done and is now live.
You'll notice a bunch of new features including: faq pages, more info on ordering and such, a whole new funerary section and a new model option (to see what a piece of jewelry looks like on).
Please take a moment to browse the new site and let me know what you think.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Twelve questions

This year, as part of the Spring Bada Bing!, the Richmond Craft Mafia sent a 12 question questionnaire to all participating artists. They've been posting the answers a few at a time on their blog. My answers were posted yesterday and you can read them here.
While you're there you should check out the other artists' answers. Enjoy!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Finishing touches

The Spring Bada Bing! this past Sunday was really fun and exhausting. I can't believe how gorgeous the space was. Of course, the ONE thing I forgot was my damn camera! Although it POURED ALL DAY, there was a great turnout. Thank you to everyone who came out to support us. I'd also like to give a HUGE thank you to the Richmond Craft Mafia. They put on such a well organized event every year. Those ladies are awesome!
Now I can spend my time focusing on the final touches of my website. woot woot!
I'll also be adding some new items to my Etsy shop just as soon as I take some photos.
Here's to being productive!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Studio space

I love seeing what adorns other artist's workspaces. I know that the "inspiration board" is fairly common and what's on it rotates with each artist's vision. I also have one. I thought it'd be nice to share mine with you. Some recurring themes for me are: death, spirit and the afterlife, floral, lace, family & friends, and kitties. Humor is always mixed in.




Here's a shot of my workbench. Frankie is my newest helper.


This is above my bench and I add things to it regularly


This is a very special spot for me. I've got some of mom's cremains (in her own little altar) and Izzie's cremains here. I also have a photo portrait of an unknown dead baby girl (I call her Bella). It's so sweet. She's wearing a beautiful white dress with eyelet detail at the hem, a little white cardigan sweater and white booties.


This is one of four fireplaces. Only one works. I love it none the less


What's on your inspiration board?

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Save the date: April 20th



Just a heads up to let you all know that I'll be participating in Spring Bada Bing!, the 3rd annual indie craft sale organized by the Richmond Craft Mafia.

What: Spring Bada Bing! it's not your average craft sale. this one rocks!
When: Sunday April 20 from 11am - 4pm
Where: Plant Zero located at zero East 4th St in Richmond, VA

There's also going to be a raffle to benefit some great charities (I'm donating jewelry to the gift basket).
Please visit the website for a complete list of vendors and all other information.

See you there!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Sweet berry earrings


In anticipation of spring officially arriving this week, I've made a one of a kind pair of earrings. Inspired by the luscious strawberry, I've used a set of delicious faceted garnets and constructed the rest from sterling silver sheet and wire. They are available for sale at my etsy shop.
Enjoy!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Evening inspiration


This was the view from my studio a few nights ago. I just love the color of the sky and how it looks like lace (a current theme in another new line of work).

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Meet Carra Rose, One of a kind



One of my best friends, Carra Rose, graces the cover of Brick, a weekly paper here in Richmond, VA. She's not just a wonderful person, she's also a talented and sensitive jewelry artist. She cares about the materials she uses in her artwork. She's knowledgeable about how using them affects our environment.
She wants you to connect with her work. They're a treat for the senses; visually beautiful, they beg to be touched.
If you're in town, pick up a copy and read more.
You can also see more at her website: facemetaldesign.com

Way to go Carra!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

For Mom

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of Mom's death. It's still so vivid. All I can say is...Mom, this song's for you. Missing you always.






My sister Carla put together a beautiful slideshow of Mom's last days. See it here.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Gemstone of the month: amethyst


The official birthstone for the month of February is the Amethyst. It's also the talisman for the Zodiac sign of Pisces. All Amethyst is purple (my very favorite color), although it's hue can range from light lilac, lavender to a deep purple. The color has long been associated with passion, royalty and mourning.
It's magical properties include protection against drunkenness, healing, aiding in psychic awareness, enhancing creativity and imagery as well as having a calming effect upon the wearer. It also is believed to protect against nightmares. It's associated with the female energy of the moon.
We should all wear more purple!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Richmond gets crafty


Do you live in or near Richmond, VA? Then come on over to a crafty get together on Sunday February 10th.

Who: sponsored by the Richmond Craft Mafia & the Richmond Etsy Street Team
What: I *heart* craft, a crafter's social
Where: The Camel @ 1621 West Broad St
When: Sunday, February 10th, 4-6 pm
Why: Because you're crafty and want to meet and support other cool folks!

See you there!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Heart Gallery pins


the raw sterling silver castings


mid-production- adding the epoxy resin


the finished product

These are sterling silver and epoxy resin pins I made for the Heart Gallery of NJ. The Heart Gallery is a non-profit organization "dedicated to raising awareness for foster children available for adoption." They just had a photography opening at the Liberty Science Center in NJ consisting of 100 portraits of children waiting to be adopted. As a sister to five adopted siblings, I find this so moving. There are so many kids out there that just want to be loved and to feel secure within a family. Wishing happy homes to all of these amazing kids!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

My Etsy shop is now open!

My new website is SO close to being finished! As part of my goals for this year, I've decided to open an Etsy shop (mypreciousstudio.etsy.com) to complement my website. I will be selling jewelry that is finished and ready to ship as well as my one-of-a-kind pieces.
I will, of course, still be taking orders from mypreciousstudio.com and selling at various shops and boutiques.
Haven't heard of Etsy? Based out of Brooklyn, NY, it's a fabulous place for sellers and buyers of handmade goods. Seriously, support handmade! Visit their website and get lost for a very long time...
I'll let you know as soon as my new site is up and running!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Recycled jewelry


Taking the metal from one piece of jewelry to rework (reuse) into a new piece is just one way to recycle metal. This process happens to be near and dear to me. I've used this process to make some truly sentimental pieces. I've used a ring from a deceased mother to make a pendant for the son. I believe that energy from the wearer lingers in the metal and that can make it even more precious. It can also be cathartic to make something new. Take a wedding ring from a divorce and change it into something new and full of life. The image above is a pendant I made from a ring. It was a diamond engagement ring given to her by her grandmother. We used the diamond for a new engagement ring and I made the keepsake heart pendant from the band.
Seriously, I LOVE this stuff.
On the topic of recycled jewelry...yesterday my dear friend Noah came to my studio to work on a piece for his skull a day blog project. I helped turn a 14k yellow and white gold wedding ring into a fabulous skull ring. He even illustrated the process (nerdy goodness!). See it here. We had a great time!
I hope this has given you some ideas for recycling your old jewelry.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Stone of the month: garnet


The official birthstone for January is the beautiful garnet. It's also the talisman for the sign of Aquarius. Garnets come in every color but blue; although red is the most popular. There are numerous shades of red garnets including rhodolite, hessonite and pyrope. Green varieties include tsavorite, uvarovite and demantoid. Spessartite garnets range from yellow and orange to reddish and dark browns.
Garnet's powers include strength, healing and protection. It's the talisman of warriors. When exchanged as gifts, it represents loyalty and affection. It's also believed to help regulate the heart and blood flow and to fight depression.

New year, new outlook


Well, happy new year everyone. I can only speak for myself, but I'm looking forward to what 2008 holds. I have many goals and dreams; new website, new jewelry, newfound energy. I've rediscovered my creative mojo, so to speak. I wish you all peace and hope you follow your passions this year. Cheers!