Larkspur is here!
Larkspur is a beautiful garden show on Litchford Rd. Hosted by Francis Alvarino. I always look forward to hanging out with all my craftsmen buddies. Alot of the friendships began at Cedar Creek Gallery almost 20 years ago. Anyone who reads this post and signs up to follow my blog, comes to the show and mention that they signed up will receive a 10% discount on any bettymckimjewelry purchase.
the show is saturday and sunday 10-5.
Repitition and Patterns
week 22 Earrings
Saturday Post
Started the morning with a Jewelry Forging Workshop taught by Ben Dyer, from Hillsborough NC. His work is elegantly and masterfully created using classic forging techniques. Ended the day picking my first tomatoe off off our vine. Had to get it before the squirrel did.
Memorial Day 2011
Lillian gave me this plant well over a year ago it thrives on very little dirt. She has a whole wall of them which she hybrids different colors, and petal types. For me the trick was finding the right window.
Spent the day working in the studio getting ready for Larkspur. Made a patriotic pair of earrings red, white and blue.
Earring Challenge Week 21
Week 20
This is Artsplosure weekend in Raleigh. The unveiling of Art on the Move was part of Artsplosure festivities. This is Lillian Jone's Bus design, featuring the Pullen Park Carousel animals breaking free. I really like it . Lillian is very talented.
Earring challenge this weeks order;
A Weekend in Charleston SC
Week 19
Week 18,
Megan Clark, on a busy show circuit right now. Check out her booth at Artspolsure.
Lillian calls this her paper clip earring she had alot going on and just had to move on.
Suzanne hardware store series.
Happy Mothers Day
May 1, Week 17. Although these really belong to the last week of April
pullen new digs
Heres a shot of the old tables
, replaced with 7 workbenches from Rio. We covered the tops for protection and got the bench pins cut. The steel blocks from the old bench pins will remain at each bench for hammering. We are grinding and finishing them so they will be good for forging. Julie and Keith did a great job assembling the benches. The parks crew and Melvin got them off the truck .. It was an exciting day at Pullen Art Center. More to come as we are decluttering, brightening the walls and adding a new cutter and more flex shafts. Right now we arestill waiting for the worktable that will house the new equipment.

This new arrangement utilizes our space much better than before, so hopefully less crowded. We have 2 workshops coming up Ben Dyer :Forging and Tim Lazure :Rings. We will see how that goes with the new space. Julie has been rearranging the enamel area and working on a sample board, she has initiated a monthly enamelling club. Check it out.

Jewelers that inspire me.
Happy Easter
Week 16 Lillian Jones, S.Krill, J.Brooks, Megan Clark, and Betty
Slowly adding earrings. Lillians earrings have a africanmask feel about them using the ancient technique of granulation. I call mine pretty in pink, little lab grown pink sapphires, simple. Megans little studs are mokume. She has been off doing shows in atlanta. Julies hoops are spectacular she forms them on special anvil they are anticlastic forms, really nice. Hope she makes more. I think May will be my hoop month as I love making hoops. Suzanne is staying consistent with her shape exploration and oxidized surfaces. I think this is her best pair in that series. Feels like Saturday, but its Good Friday, so I had the day off. Dog Sophie got sick so we cancelled our Easter Trip. Rainy day . Lots of exciting things going on. The Pullen Jewelry studio will very soon have a huge upgrade. Ill post more next week.
Week 15 Crazy weekend NCTornado Betty, Suzanne, Megan, ,Julie &Lillian
week 14
Week 13 Earring Challenge (finally)
Suzanne is using some interesting textures, and patinas,
Megan titanium, Wings.
Julie "Mr. T's" feather earrings and Lillian Classic cloisonne.