Francis and John Wedding

I forgot my camera so I used the cell phone. After several attempts we figured out how to get photos from phone to computer. Any way the wedding was absolutely lovely, No sooner than when we arrived we ran into Francis (the bride) in her little black apron. Of course the gardens were all lush with flowers and greenery . It was the first time I had actually seen the lilly pad pond with huge yellow lotus flowers in bloom. When I go back for Larkspur if they are still in bloom I will get a picture of them. Holly made the wedding cake and it was really delicious. The day was a great celebration, the ceremony was sincere and thoughtful. Francis and John looked so happy. Best wishes to them.



Rings


These are some rings I recently completed. I find making rings a interesting way to explore ideas. The last two are quasi production stackable. All of these are highly textured. The prong setting was a new one for me. I have alot of odd gemstone rocks (uncut stones) that need setting. So maybe this will be a possibility for them.

Backyard beauties




George's new Bird house immediately got residents. I'm so excited I actually grew this flower from a seed. It is a columbine. I think it has a jewel like presence. The honeysuckle smells fantastic. The hydrania yet to bloom looks beautiful in the green. Going to Francis Alvarina's Larkspur show always motivates my enthusiasm for gardening.











New Work in progress

Here are some works in progress. The photography is a little off. The enameling diversion is a beginning for a colorful dot ball necklace. At this point no more beginnings I need to start finishing things . There I said it. Maybe documenting it will make me do it. I always enjoy when Kathryn comes with all her colors as really thats about the only time I do much enameling so I kinda go for it. The goal is to get all my work done for summer show deadlines. But Ralph Gabriner will be doing my photos as I need to practice a little more.





Botanical Forms

Weekend workshop with Kathryn Osgood at Pullen called Botanical Forms Enameling, these are some of the samples. Check out Kathryn's website www.kathrynosgoodjewelry.com she teaches a fantastic workshop and will be at Pullen again in August.


Quirk Gallery




Busy weekend. Went to Quirk Gallery in Richmond also to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond formally the Hands Gallery. Saw two interesting Jewelry shows. Topped it off with Tim Lazure Belt Buckle workshop at Pullen. Ill be posting a link for his tube rivet tool set in the next day or so. Waiting for photo of scribe, rivet set and flush setting tool, all made with lovely hand lathed wooden handles.












































Komelia OKIM












"Vow" 2007
Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet

Monterey Sea Relics



Currently we have a photo show at Pullen. A lot of the photos were shot at Monterey Bay Aquarium which reminded me of a trip I took there a couple of years ago. These are some of the things I brought back. Sticks, stones, sea and tree treasures.







From my bench, the fragments of ideas and pieces begin. I prefer accumulating elements and later assembling them. I am excited about doing new work and reevaluating my favorite tried and true designs. First upcoming show will be the Larkspur show in June. More circles, dots, textured sticks, and a few surprises.













































Been away from the blog for awhile. Want to thank all that participated in ring show. We ended up getting 80 rings. The show looked really nice and brought several people to the art center specifically to see the show.
More snow tonight, certainly has been a cold winter. I think we are all ready for spring. March coming in like a lion..





An impressive set of images are posted on Erica Stankowitz Bailey Metalsmith Blog. She records her journey as the artist in resident at the Grand Canyon. Having been to to Grand Canyon I am totally impressed with her independent hiking from the rim to the floor of the canyon. On her blog there is a podcast where she talks about how this experience will influence her work. I hope to have some of this work at the pullen art center for us all to view.















My husband George has a one man show filling the whole gallery at Lee Hansley Gallery on Glenwood Ave. on Raleigh NC. Join us for the opening Sunday, March 14, 2-5.




















Lockets

























I finally finished my locket. This is the 4th one I have made. Lockets seem private and meant for special occasions or remembrances. I will be including the hinge and hydraulic press applications in the next continuing class at Pullen, both suitable for locket making. This locket includes photo transfer as demonstrated in the Marlene True workshop we recently had at Pullen last December, "Tin-spiration" I think the addition of the photo makes the locket even more special. I 'm planning to do another one in silver and further explore the catch possibilities. Marlene does alot of work with tin, using a figurative and narrative sensibility check out her new, updated website at www. marlenetrue.com

SNAG Be sure to buy a raffle ticket this year


Well I guess its official I won't be going to SNAG in Houston TX this year. SNAG www.snagmetalsmith.com is such a great educational, inspiration and social event for the metalsmithing enthusiast. There is something for the jewelry artist, jewelry designer and the jewelry craftsperson. I especially enjoy the professional development seminar. A huge force behind that program is Harriet Estell Berman. She has a site askharriete.typepad.com The site is chock full of marketing information for the artist. She usually updates the site with the information from the SNAG conference so I will be sure to check it out. I recently read an article in American Craft Magazine titled "Thinking about Nothing". It reminded me of the reuse, recycle type work done by Ms. Bermen. As a jewelry artist it is impossible to not view any relic or found object as a potential jewelry /adornment item. The article talks about the trend of simplifying, de-acquisitioning and how the economic trend is affecting this movement towards less is more. I know as I work I am constantly subtracting, and refining so as to find the core of what it is I am making. The quest to mimic the simple movements and patterns in nature has provided a lifetime of ideas and curiosity to artists for generations, myself included. So simple yet so complex. As with jewelry it all begins with a structure and having a plan. Contrary to the idea of de-acquiring and non consuming a typical room of jewelers benches and studios generally are so packed and cluttered with objects and collections, items horded for future use and possibilities.The same American Craft " Hard Core Romance" proclaims Lola Brooks is a self proclaimed hoarder. Her work and jewelry objects seem to be structured ornamentation of her collections. It seems a lot of jewelers fall into this same method of finding materials for expression. So rather than go to SNAG this year I will go to Penland, or on a vacation out west. Something to inspire me. I will find a rock or twig, I will study jewelry, read articles and look forward to SNAG 2011.