Since I mentioned the necklaces of which the charms are derived I decided to post the picture. These were great fun to make. I will hopefully make another group of the metal fused version.
I have had one project after another lately.
My charms are coming along. They are sterling silver with fused nugold. I think they are pretty charming . I'm really liking this little compact object that is full of texture and a touch of whimsy. I can easily see these pieces translating into rings, bracelets, lockets, and earrings. What more can you ask for from a design or idea. Ive been thinking about how difficult it is to consistently make an object of beauty or interest or grandiose awesome appeal. Mediocrity is not the desired place for your creations to be. I make jewelry that is to be worn, and hopefully treasured. I look at and research jewelry all the time. Its amazing how many jewelers their are and how many different approaches there are to jewelry making and the different purposes served, that are connected to this object making field. I know some of my pieces are better than others. Somehow some of the pieces have a quality that just isn't quite as visible in every piece. Honestly I think the more you make, the more successes you are bound to have. These charms are reminiscent of the 35 enamelled dot charm necklaces I made several years ago. The idea and concept are the same, little gems set in frames that consider the back equally as important. They are reversible, or the back can be a place with etched words for only the wearer to enjoy. I like the way they feel. Some how they seem precious without being pretty. They fit nicely in the palm of your hand. Like a little rock or trinket. How can I make them better? How can I make them more interesting? How can I make them more personal? I think Ill just make some more.
Suzanne Krill, Lillian Jones, Megan Clark Week 3
Being committed to doing anything once a week can be challenging. They say it takes 6 weeks to form a habit so I guess we are half way there. If you'd like to see the whole group as it grows you can clik on the side bar which takes you to bettymckimjewelry fan on facebook Its impressive seeing the variety and idea development.
Earring Challenge week 3
This pair of earrings definitely derived from the first two. The important thing I'm finding about this "earring a week"process is it is definitely a challenge not a competition. Each time I finish a pair I see another pair/idea springing from the last one. It is exciting to photograph and post something each week , that camera doesn't hide much as far as craftsmanship and attention to detail are concerned. Having a head in between two ears counteracts some of the discrepancies. I feel like this process is also making me strive even harder for perfection in presentation. Im looking forward to seeing what the other participants have done and where this pair has led me.
Bracelets, charms and lockets
This has been a really nice long weekend. I stayed home all weekend and worked in my studio. I have a few projects that I need to finish before getting started on my move into a larger room. My friend Sandra McEwan is moving her studio out to Cedar Creek Gallery, and that has motivated me to get moving on mine. She's also gotten me excited about actually painting the wall a color. Im leaning towards the yellow family of colors. I am pretty caught up in the earring a week process. But, Im also getting ready to teach a hydraulic press class making lockets. At work I am getting quotes for new jewelry benches for the Pullen jewelry studio. I was invited to be in a show called Charmed II, it is being curated by Sharon Massey in Pittsburg PA. So I have been working on that. 2011 has started out productively and happily. Still working with my camera it has really been nice tool for these posts and documentation. Love finishing pieces it is so gratifying. Perfect way to end this 3 day weekend Two bracelets wrapped and ready to go.
Week 2 Earring Challenge
Megan Clark, Suzanne Krill and Lillian Jones. Im already feeling very excited about this project. It will be so interesting to document all these pieces as well as see the directions each person takes their ideas.
1-9-11
2nd pair for earring challenge. So far this idea has been a good one. Im still trying to decide if I should be spontaneous or set up monthly themes. I tend to use alot of circles. So I would like to force myself to purposely use different shapes. These earrings combined alot of different processes. Hydraulic press, chasing surface embellishment, tube set czs and pierced edge border. All in all they came out ok, they kind of remind me of a flower. On the next pair I would like to simplify and combine the ideas of both the first two earrings, but try to pare down to the structural core of the elements used and maintain the design continuity.
Earring Challenge week 1
1-1-11
Well, I have officially been blogging for 1 year now. Since I don't really consider myself a writer I feel pretty good about sticking with this endeavor. So whats next? For one thing I would like to make my blog more interesting. Since I have been keeping a blog I have also been reading other blogs. I have also joined the facebook network. I guess the next thing to do is connect all of these sites including my web page to Etsy. That's the plan. Also, having gotten the idea from the Etsy challenge "ring a day", I have proposed a challenge of making and documenting a pair of earrings a week. At the end of the year and 52 pairs of earrings later I will display them all in a group show at Pullen Art Center. Two of my jeweler friends have agreed to do the same. It will be interesting to watch the development and will certainly require discipline and commitment to stick with the challenge. Anyone reading this who wants to get in on it let me know. Here's my first pair I did today just to get the ball rolling. HNY.........
Happy New Years
December 30th, 2010
As the years end draws near I am hoping to put into words something meaningful to tie up this passing of time in a a nice neat way that suggests closure on so many attempts, ideas and projects pursued. 2010 was a very intense and busy year. I feel like I was pulled in so many directions. There were alot of transitional adjustments to be made. Somehow I managed to reach some of my goals. Im sure I grew in ways still to be realized. I made jewelry. Something about Christmas and the beginning of a new year sets us up for self evaluation and critical realization of whats what and whats been. Im ready to move into the new year, still on my journey of making things as a way to express and understand my place in this universe. Each year the pieces I make leave a trail of what Ive been thinking and doing. I have appreciated how this blog has helped me zone in and document some of the travels. Some of my unfinished tasks will carry on others will be forgotten. The elephant above is the beginning of a project I developed at Pullen Art Center. The animal imagery outline was done by Keith Norval, the mosaic work a group effort by community children and employees and participants at Pullen. Hopefully you will see this project grow onto the out side walls of our building. It will be done in tile and mortar to become a permanent public art piece. This preliminary piece was done out of recycled cardboard, that was spray painted with old cans of paint that were to be discarded but needed to be emptied first. I am so thankful to work in an environment where my ideas are nourished and supported and I am able to pursue my passion in my daily work. Not every one is so lucky.
New Point and Shoot Camera
For Christmas I got my very own point and shoot camera with a macro lens. Previously I have always had to depend on others to take photos for me. So I am thrilled to have this tool to help me keep my jewelry documented. These are my first 3 attempts. I think this will really be beneficial for blogging, and that etsy sight I plan on having up in January. These pieces are enameled. The first one is fine silver champleve' on pearls, next, raised textured dot on coral and the last one is a pierced dome, prong set on a strand of freshwater pearls. Enamelling remains very experimental for me. Basically I try to blend the technique and use of color with designs and pieces I already do in silver such as the rosette and dot pattern. I think the dot pattern is the most sucsessful. I have made several necklaces, varying in size. With my new camera I will soon have them on line. They were actually a favorite at the shows I did this year.
Snow Walk
Snow!
Christmas cards are done. Couldn't get Woodstock (the cat) to partake in christmas attire. No bows or santa hats for her. Though she does like sitting and sleeping under the tree. She's really a sweet cat. So tomorrow is Christmas Eve, possibly snow on the way. Did a little in the studio today and visited with a friend here from the west coast. Next will be the family dinners and gatherings. Im really enjoying taking one day at a time this holiday season.
Sparkly candy cane sugar cookies.
Well here they are, my sugar cookies! I had fun making them. I think I am done with specialty christmas stuff. Tomorrow night it will be riding around looking at Christmas lights. The cookie idea was inspired by knowing Jennifer Mecca and family were stopping by on their christmas trip. She has 3 kids and they liked the cookies. It was a nice visit. They even brought Sophie (our dog) a christmas present. Sophie did her dog tricks and enjoyed the visit. Tomorrow Ill spend some time in the studio. Since the shows Ive mostly been organizing and regrouping. I have major studio renovation plans on my mind for 2011. So little by little I have been getting things ready for that.
Still working on the cat
We had our photo shoot but the animals weren't up for it. Christmas carolers came by. Still working on christmas cards, nice fire going. Planning to make some cookies with cutters and red sprinkles. I will document that. Enjoying the season.
week before Christmas
Christmas is coming the holidays are here. Its been fun hustling about with winters chill in the air. Shopping, decorating, visiting and gathering with family and friends. Tomorrow we will attempt a family and pet photo. Most of the gifts are bought, I did appreciate the ease of online shopping this year. I also experienced my first lost/non-trackable fed ex package.Makes me a little nervous about mail orders. Looking forward to a new year and new work. For the first time Im taking the week before Christmas off. George and I planning to relax and enjoy being at home, taking in nature and just doing whatever.
Boylan Art Walk
Last show for 2010. It was a pretty tough season for craftspeople this year. There is alot of competition and the dollars being spent can only be spread so far. Its great that people are truly concentrating on shopping locally. I definitely noticed that most of my customers were someone who knew me or had previously purchased jewelry from me. I really appreciate all those customers because their purchases keep me able to continue making jewelry, simple as that. The shows probably give me the most exposure for my new jewelry, and the feedback helps me regroup and get ready for the next designing and selling season. Im always trying to tweak and improve my display. This season I did try new things and will keep trying till Im satisfied I've found the best way to show and display my jewelry. Right now I am intrigued with the idea of using cast paper heads and body parts.
Im very lucky to have my husband George for a helper. As any one who does shows will agree the prep, set up and take down can be stressful. The other thing I set out to do this show season and year was to complete all my unfinished projects. I did a pretty good job. I really want to have a new direction for 2011, less clutter. This Dec and Jan Im determined to get my studio moved into a larger space, organized and redesigned. Now that the shows are over I can focus on that.
december
December starting off with the big cold front coming through. Seems a lot of congratulations are in store. The Block Gallery, City of Raleigh arts council, gave out awards today for a show which represents anyone working for city. Lillian Jones got first place for her bracelet which was also featured on the cover of Art Jewelry Magazine. Leslie Pruneau got a honorable mention for her painting and Eliza Kiser, Pullen Art Center director received Best in Show. Keith Norval sold his first painting from his NYC Brooklyn Gallery. Melissa Manley was also featured on the cover of a national jewelry magazine. Its so nice to get recognition.
