summertime

and the living is easy, a few of my favorite things for July heading into August

kayaking down the Neuse

this little sugar fired enameled piece, feels like the beach

new bracelets in the works

sterling version of commission

becoming a favorite bracelet, accompanied with basil which grew like crazy on my deck this summer

the complete set 18 k gold plated over silver  "vermeil"

Drunk bee sucking the life out of cone flower, for some reason I can't get them to grow... though  I try every year.

sugar fired

orchid silhouette

kitchen window with black eyed susan

Scarf I started 25 years ago finishing last block of green

lots of butterflies this year

So been wanting to redo my website, but of course not now! Lost my website, it  expired unnoticed and someone bought it in hopes to resell it to me...Well, I will be  starting over gathering images and info for a new sqaure space design. I am trying to keep the name similar:  bettymckim-jewelry.com

Once in a Blue Moon

one more trip to the beach,			Lots more jewelry to be made, getting ready for a photo shoot of jewelry on models, a first for me.

Australian Boulder opals, simply elegant

better late than never

Loved Boston saw so many great things, saw an old friend hadn't seen in years. Saw fabulous jewelry. Walked and walked, really enjoyed the public transportation, the museums, historical sights, public art, beautiful parks  and quaint neighborhoods. The SNAG conference is always stimulating, thought provoking, and entertaining....  Got right back to an Anne Havel workshop. which was super, Larkspur Show which was great. Lovely weather, big crowds. Then a trip to Manteo's  College of Albremarle and Pocossin. Studying ideas for future of Pullen Art Center. Followed by hosting a workshop with Ben Dyer, doing cold forging, also excellent and well received. A fathers day trip to mountains again visiting with college pals our dear friends Jo and Bill  from Brevard. Now time to get back to work catch up with some commissions and start getting ready for fall shows. I will be doing a show this Fall in Wiiliamsburg called "An Occasion for the Arts" trying to branch out  a bit. My website disappeared, actually expired unnoticed so I'm having to get that redone.  And now its July. Lots of shark attacks in NC. second thinking swimming in ocean for now.  It has been extreamly hot. Heading that way next week so we will see. Plan on spending a good part of holiday weekend working in studio, as I have been distracted. I did get some new work started for Larkspur and those pieces are ready to be  expanded apon.

Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Susway

Swan Boats

Edgar Alan Poe

pop up

pop up

Gallery Walk

Reflections

At The Commons

Neighborhood street Mural

Boston Harbor

Stuart Davis,  this painting is so much better in person than a photo in a book- exquisite

Robin and Betty best buds from way back, Chowan College days:)

this is a brooch selfie K Osgood brooch pin swap (i owe her one0

15th year at Larkspur

Brevard Fathers Day

Tiffany

May, trip to Charlotte, Mint Museum and The Beckler

Recycled necklace by Bob Ebendorf

Charlotte downtown

Book illustration by George Braque

Hand  carved, wood, amazing detail

Mint Museum, jewelry by Miriam Hiller

Jamie Bennett

Bob Ebendorf

 New work by me for Creative Metalsmith &getting ready for Larkspur :)

Gardening has begun

april

George and I judged a show in Rockingham, North Carolina, this was the"best in show" black and white photo,  I love the horse's eye and emotion that comes through in this photo.

First time setting pear shaped stone, John Cogswell's stonesetting book had some helpful tips, very sparkly with star of saphire and tube set diamonds.

I still cant believe my orchid rebloomed, I totally left it alone, I might try the fertilizer for next year and see what it does

George got a painting in the June section of "Carolina's Got Art" the opening will be in charlotte the first friday of May so we will plan to go. Looks like a rather large show.

Ive been getting alot of new work done, I now have my pieces in the Little Art Gallery at Cameron Village.

These are some more pieces that are going  to the "Creative Metalsmith" in Chapel Hill. They will be carrying my work as of May:) I will also have work in the "Artspace" gallery store starting in June. These are all new opportunities, so the challenge is on to be more productive.

Been working in the yard sporadically, finally got the other side of the fence up, Spring has been very welcome here in Raleigh.

this is actually the 20th anniversary of Larkspur, time flies I think I have been doing that show for probably 17 or eighteen years, there will be lots of new "In the Garden "jewelry there first weekend in June.

I'm still inspired by the Pullen Baptist Church Rosette

I see it every morning on the way to the Y

Winter was long, glad spring is here

january brrrrrrr , Feb.. March 1......

Samples and work by Jessica Calderwood

Several days of this

outdoor light sculpture by Susan Cannon,

Demo piece from ECU Symposium by Kim Cridder

Two pieces from ECU Symposium that I liked,				Check out Arthur Hash Blog for a great photo documentation of the event http://theartescapeplan.blogspot.com/

Spring has got to be on its way

its really was February.... Had a great time at ECU symposium this year, lost our heat for a week, put up my first official trunk show and now settling into some projected goals for 2015.  Work more on selling the magic, get photos with a model, get photos on white background, make a major neckpiece, add two more shows to my year, fence the other side of yard, These seem doable. Its really cold outside, we may get a snow. planning a fall trip to Vermont. Jessica Calderwood workshop at Pullen and SNAg in Boston.......lots to sort through, better go one at a time. Got snow.  2 snow events later , and now its March.

January on to new adventures.

Pet Portraits for animal cousins Quinn and Runner, done by Keith Norval

Studio visit with potter friend Brad Tucker

Baxter and his new Christmas toy

New Years Eve sparkle, jeweled purse belonging to mother of the bride

My fav photo of bride and groom , reminds me of a Hopper painting

What fun ringing in the new year, with Marion :)

                                                     All decorations put away till next year.

December : Before its over

Baxter and Mitsie got the holidays going early this year by finding a box of ribbons. Glitter everywhere.They are definitely mischief makers.

Finally finished the "jewelry exchange" documentation. I traded with Llyn Strong from Greenville SC.

And the Christmas cactus bloomed

Mary Anne K. Jenkins had a special birthday party, hosted by her two children it was good to see her. And then the shows began ...Piedmont

New display. I like the colorful rug with the predominately, blacks and whites. Alot of new work.

"Heirloom Brooch", Rhodalite garnet, 18 k and oxidized silver

                                          flower necklace with handmade chain. From the series                                                                           "Clouds got in the Way". Things got a little dark

 
                                          and sad, RIP,  MTM Nov 25, 2014 just shy of 91.

                                          I will miss you Mom.

                                         And my cactus bloomed. We walked the beach,

Had thanksgiving, and next thing you know it was Christmas.

It's the eve of Christmas Eve. Ive embraced the season, watched Christmas movies, filled last minute orders, drank alot of Starbucks while out shopping, spent time with friends, somehow I haven't felt as stressed out and crazy as usual, just enjoying the quiet of the night. It's raining and cold outside. Enjoying our little tree with magenta balls.  Peace to all.

Fall Backyard Beauty

Something about this time of year

   

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                                            Lots of new work, getting ready for fall shows

this photo was a happy iphone accident, wish I could actually figure out how to make that happen

My constant evolving display, show season started early this year.

Remembering the fall colors in the canyon

Last bloom of the season, out did it self this year

Finally got the chicken up, I think we worked on that for at least 2 years

                                            Baxter keeping his eye on the Jack o' Lantern

october

Last flowers of the summer

"Morning Glory" that Anne Terry gave to me.

Summer 2014

Steve Winwood and Tom Petty Concert.

I guess this is all old news.  Summer is over, it was good. The coast was delightful, the mountains were beautiful.

Significant birthday:)

Lots of abstract and introspective thinking. I'm ready for fall now.

So glad I took the time to drop in to see the Arboritum in Wilmington

Way overdue to busy to post

Therefore this one may need to be somewhat jumbled. Got off track with my 3 a month challenge and totally fell off my "jeweler I know" for each month . So Ill play catch up.   Spring started with SNAG conference in Minneapolis. I had not been in a couple of years, and really enjoyed seeing people I hadn't seen in a while and meeting new people who are devoted to the field of metalsmithing. Some of the lectures were outstanding my Favorite was Mirjam Hiller, from Germany. Her work and presentation were spell-

bounding. Here is a piece that was purchased by one of the attendes at the conference.  Bob Ebendorf received a well deserved lifetime acheivement award, his acceptance was gracious, sincere and inspirational for up and coming as well as seasoned metalsmiths, jewelers, art jewelers, designers and craftsmen ie. makers.

This was the first time my husband George experience a SNAG conference. He had a great time touring around the art museums and biking the greenways. The gallery night took us all over the city my favorite show was in a bookstore in "uptown" the show was about art with words and featured a piece by a "jeweler I know" Adrienne Grafton.  Be sure to check out her website.   

	the famous cherry by Claus Oldenburg at the Walker and a Frank Gerry Building "The Wiseman" at the University of Minnesota. Needless to say we saw lots of art. Got back to a fabulous work- shop with Tim Lazure another "Jeweler I know"He is currentlty teaching a ring making workshop at Penland with Jen Townsend. His work is exquisite, he is a master craftsmen and makes wonderful tools, as well. Did I mention puppies and pears and flowers. "Larkspur", "Artsplosure" and today is the first day of summer, summer solstice.. Another season to embrace. Lisa Oakley pears at Larkspur Georgia O'Keefe Azealeas "in the garden" series The cat mural complete this year at "Artsplosure." Edward Hopper.

March Month Jeweler Sandra McEwen

HAPPY SPRING, LOVE THIS FUNNY BUNNY

Sandra designing, her drawings and use of color reflect her RISD		illustration background

Her patience and skill are amazing, she creates interesting and unique jewelry at her artspace studio.
Sandras' Blog shows several of her processes for cloisonne and champleve pieces at sandramcewen.blogspot.com   She will be teaching a May workshop at pullen.

this was february somehow it didnt post. Feb & March blurred long winter.

River dwelling delux

College of the Albemarle Professional Arts Bldg Barber Shop in Columbia NC

Beautiful Gallery at COA

Laura Wood piece in Chroma Show at COA

Sunny day Turtles everywhere

my first trip to Pocosin

puppy classmate Lily Devins first meeting with Baxter Baxters first long car trip

puppy classmate MAX

puppy classmate little Lily

Devin's new cat Bean

Cameron Village

the snow the cat in the box more snow a necklace completed for the Chroma Show

February Jeweler I know - Tara Locklear

Tara's new hoops

retail show at Baltimore

wholesale at Baltimore

Tara and Ashley Buchanan

featured artist for acc show(that's her necklace)

conversations

I met Tara through Sarah West, they were both in the Metals program at ECU, at the same time. Though I had known Tara's work, before meeting her. She is savvy at marketing and promoting her work through excellent photographic images, and social media networking. I'm not sure how she does all the things she does. Lots of traveling, invitational shows, curating as well as participating. She teaches workshops and is very involved with SNAG.  The work I've featured is all made from recycled SkateBoards. She is a very passionate, positive, energetic, and artistic force who is connected and devoted to the growth and future of the metals and jewelry community. Im glad she is in Raleigh and has acquainted herself with me and the Pullen Art Center.

January Jeweler I know Marlene True

Marlene is a jeweler I've known for atleast 10 years. This type of ring, made of tin, was something she was making and teaching when I first met her.				She wears many hats, and is one of the busiest people I know. Later her work in tin used alot of multiple componets, combined with steel.

These are new pieces inspired by her new residence in Columbia NC. Marlene makes studio art jewelry, she teaches, is in numerous galleries and invitational shows, works for the Society of North American Goldsmiths, and is most recently the Executive Director of Pocosin Art Center.

Marlene is a classy lady, always pleasant and fun to be around. Check out her website, as well as all the classes and workshops she hosts at Pocosin, Every so often she comes to Raleigh and teaches a workshop at Pullen, The next one we are hoping for is locket making.

ECU Symposium 2014

Started out the day with a salt water etching demo with Arthur Hash, got some good tips from his Demo which barely scratched the surface to his high tech jewelry making techniques. I look forward to checking out his Blog.

50/50 Show Piece by Laura Wood

Tools of the trade, hinge workshop by Kappy Counard

Samples by Charity Hall

More samples, her talk was about her discovery of glow chemicals to add to enamels, below is part of her insect collection of which parts of them are set in her jewelry.

Enjoyed the work at the Art Avenue Gallery on 5th street

Cup by Rob Jackson

One of my favorites by Julia Turner

Stacie and I came together and met Kathryn Osgood. It was so much fun seeing alot of the former grad students and ECU Alum and Faculty plus meeting new Jewelry and Metal artists.

January 1, 2014

One of the "Best of 2013 photos"

Cruised through the holidays mostly interested in wrapping, ribbon and sleeping by the fire.

over the river and thru the woods visiting the grandmothers

No snow, mostly rain and drizzly.

"Ludger", the New Years Eve, beautiful white horse we met.

Choices

Selfie photo bomb

What does the fox say?

November: Link a day

December : Link a day  Done!!

New January puppy "Baxter"

Reflecting on, grateful for, and wishing you a Happy New Year!