Adrift. . .

I'm feeling a little lost lately. Spiritually, artistically, geographically. I was productive this week in that I got a lot of paperwork done, made two big trips to the post office, took down my show and accomplished a lot in the little time I did spend in the studio. But I did manage to screw up the third enamel in a row I'm making for a brooch. And I'm not nearly finished with all the paperwork/mailing/thank you notes I need to do. Also, I'm putting off something I really need to do, because I don't want to do it, because I'm afraid. I'm more afraid that it will work out, than I am of it not working out. Which is the far more likely scenario.

Most of my friends are at SNAG this weekend. Or Penland. Or abroad. I'm desparately missing Italy these days, but I'm really ready to go anywhere. I've never been so ready to leave a place, yet so sad about how much I'll miss it. I love North Carolina, but Greenville is no longer a good place for me to be, and hasn't been for some time. It'll be good to get away for a while, I'm just afraid I won't make it back.

But I'm headed to Arrowmont shortly. I finally got my classes a few weeks ago and after some mixed feelings (What the heck am I going to do in a plastics class? Monotypes, ok, guess I have to take my printmaking stuff. YES!!! The Enameled Image with Jessica Caulderwood!!! Awesome!) I decided that I'm ready for it all. Ready to suck up what ever experience I can. I've even got some ideas, which I'll blog about later.

I did a travel journal/sketchbook in Italy last summer that I'm really proud of. And I realized that there's no reason why I can't do a similar thing this summer at Arrowmont. It won't be exactly the same, but why not approach it with that kind of single mindedness of capturing EVERYTHING?

I never do well in these "in between times". I'm better if I have a focus and a goal and a routine. But I think my only goal for today may be to go enjoy the Aurora Fossil Festival.

Happy weekend, where ever you are.

More Art!!!

Here's a few more pieces I've recently acquired:
This is a brooch I traded for from Laura Wood's Tangled and Twisted series, which was part of her thesis. Laura and I are also trading for some custom work. She's making me a silver and abacca paper brooch and I'm working on a necklace for her. One of my favorite things about grad school has been the opportunity to get to know Laura and watch her work evolve. I'm so lucky to own so much of her work!


Laura and I even collaborated with the third member of our MFA trio, Marissa Saneholtz to make a set of Wonder Triplet Power Rings! Each one of us made a separate part of the rings: Marissa made the bands, I made the enamels and Laura made the settings. A little funky, a little outer spacish, we each have a reminder of our grad school awesomeness.


This ring was given to me as a graduation gift by a dear friend. I've been eyeing Charity Hall's work since I lost her piece to Linda Darty at Bob's scholarship auction in the fall. I found this ring at Emerge Gallery and immediately fell in love with it. It was such a pleasant surprise when if was gifted to me! It's a painted enamel Southern Green Stink Bug. I love the detailing on the ring band.

As I said before, I've got more trades in the works, so stay turned for more great art!

Bob Necklace

So I think I mentioned the other week that I had a trade in the works with Bob Ebendorf. I asked Bob if he would make me a chain, thinking of something simple that I could put all my charms on. But I told Bob he had free rein, my only other input was on length. Well. Yesterday I received this fantastic piece of work. I love it. I love wearing it. I love the neutrals and little splashes of color.
Love this pearl.
Love this bone.
Bob said he put this rock on there just for me! How sweet! I don't think I could have asked for a better piece!

Just in case you're wondering, Bob will be getting a selection of wall brooches in return.

Thanks for reading!

So. . . .

So I've been thinking about a new series I want to start working on. Not the Homesick Series of brooches, those are just for my own amusement. It's been several weeks since my thesis have been finished, in fact the show comes down tomorrow, and I'm ready to devote myself to some sort of cause again. I'm thinking long, extreme rosaries for starters. At least two. One white, one red. With lava beads, and not much metal. I have titles but not exact looks yet. I guess I have to decide if I want to use electroforms or not, and make them quick. Guess I'd better start sketching.

New Tool!

Recently I was gifted a new toy, I mean tool. Some time ago I was looking at the back of one of Ken Bova's brooches and there was a rabbit stamped on the back. Needless to say, I was intrigued and asked him about it. I went looking for my own rabbit stamp, and discovered that you have to buy an entire set of stamps from Rio Grande, you can't buy individual stamps. I was a bit disappointed since I wasn't about to shell out $220 for a set of 33 stamps, most of which I would never, ever use. But I went about my business making rocks and writing my thesis and forgot about the rabbit stamp.

Until this week, when I came into the studio and found this on my bench. Ken Bova gifted me his rabbit stamp and that is why he is THE COOLEST GUY I KNOW!!!!!!!! I finally got a chance to play around with it today, and made myself a tiny rabbit charm. The note he left me said to use it as frequently as possible and I intend to.

RABBITS ON EVERYTHING!!!!!

Awesome Jewelry that I Own!

I'm really very fortunate that I know so many talented and giving people who are willing to gift or trade me their fantastic work. Here are a few recent adds to my personal collection I've aquired over the past few months. (This is just a start, I've got some more awesome pieces to add to this later, including my "Wonder Triplet Power Ring".)

Spray painted costume jewelry and silver earrings by Tara Locklear.

Steel and silver earrings by Leia Zumbro.

Silver with steel and enamel "balls" by Jennifer Wells.

Copper and enamel heart brooch by Ken Bova, and cast silver and enamel brooch by Sarah West.

I'm excited because I've got other trades in the works with Laura Wood, Marlene True, Autumn Brown, Jennifer Wells and even Bob Ebendorf!

Charms!!!!!!

I know I'm behind on posting a lot of things, but I'm WAY behind on posting about our charm swaps. Here are all the charms I've gotten in the swaps and a few I traded for, since last fall.
Paper creation by Josh Craig.
Gold powder coated lady by Marissa Saneholtz, silver and steel double crystal charm by Sarah West, pierced coin with tin by Bob Ebendorf.
Silver and dried paint "Create" charm by Kendall Booth (back)
Honeycomb by Sarah west, black coral by Lisette Fee and wood and brass figure by sculpture major Dudders.

I've been real bad about taking pictures of the charms I've put into the swaps. Sorry. They've all been different. I've been making myself my own collection of charms as well. I'll post about them later. As always, anyone can participate in our swaps. Just contact me and I'll put you in touch with Tara. Want to jump start your collection? Check out the "Chams" section in my Etsy shop!

Beach

Life Advise

Ready to go to the beach!!!!!

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