Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival this Weekend!!

This weekend is one of my very favorite shows to be in, and also my final show of the year!  It is the Plowshares show at Nottingham High School, put on by the Syracuse Peace Council.  This show has great energy, and lots of friends and neighbors participating in various ways.  In addition to artisans there are several community groups at the event, plus fabulous Mexican food by the Mission.  It runs all day Saturday and Sunday.  Follow the link on the right of this page.
Here is a sneak peek of some new work.

Sterling, ocean jasper, and dendritic agate necklace with a hand-made chain.
These stones are truly one-of-a-kind.

Sterling earrings

The Delavan Center Open House and Holiday Sale

Two tourmaline rings.

Hello!  I have been neglecting to update my blog lately, but nevertheless, my work continues!  This weekend is my first year participating in the Delavan Center Open House.  I have had a studio there since March, which is be my semi-permanent work space until my husband and I build a studio for me at our new home (hopefully not too long from now!)  My Delavan studio is warm and sunny with two large windows for light and ventilation and ample space to spread out my work.  The Open House is a yearly event during which all the artists (there are many!) have their studios open to the public and their work for sale as well.  I will be exhibiting in room 246, which is not really my studio……My actual studio is swell, but in an awkward-to-find part to the building, so I will temporarily relocate to room 246 for this event.  The show runs 5-8 on Friday and 10-4 on Saturday.  Stop by for a visit!!

"The Trickster":  Sterling raven with labradorite and antique playing card button.

Beauty in Simplicity

This piece was inspired by a tiny, and beautifully simple chapel in New Brunswick Canada.  The locket was handcrafted in copper and sterling with a sapphire.

This piece was sold at the recent Clothesline Show in Rochester.  My next show is the Open House at the Delavan Center in Syracuse the first weekend in November.  I plan to spend October working on some new pieces for the show.  It will be a special event with many of the Delavan artitsts present with their work.

Chain of Poppies

For three years during the 90's I lived in Northern Arizona while attending Prescott College.  One of my most vivid visual memories from that time is the fields of blooming wild orange poppy flowers.  I wish I had a photo to post of them for anyone who has never seen them!  Alas, I don't.  However, here is my own version created today in sterling silver. 

I think everyone can remember making flower chains at some point as a child.  It is one of those archetypal childhood memories.  I have made several versions of this necklace, and here's the latest!

Today I finally updated my show schedule for the remainder of 2014.  This weekend I will be in Rochester for the Clothesline Festival.  This is one of the largest shows that I do, with over 400 vendors.  I've worked hard this year to upgrade my booth and produce new work.  I will be in a new location this year and have upgraded to a corner booth.  My booth will be in the paved area to the right of the main entrance.  Stop by and check out my new work…. plus new banners, printed last week.  I am hoping they will help my booth stand out a bit and attract some new folks!!  Wish me luck, and stop by for a visit if you can:)  

The Four Directions

This bracelet began with three pieces of earthy, boulder turquoise, and developed into a study of symbols. I often ponder direction as an abstract concept.  Historically I have been a person with a shockingly poor sense of direction.  I couldn't tell you why, that's just the way it is.  My lack of practical way-finding abilities has pushed me towards a fascination with all things symbolizing direction, way-finding, and it's metaphorical equivalent in decision-making.  The spiral and the cross are symbols that can be found in many cultures and spiritual traditions, both symbolizing in part the finding of the center.  In some way we are all eternally seeking balance, the center, and how to find our way in this universe.  Instead of prescribing a specific meaning to this piece, I offer it as a reflection of search for direction, whatever the beliefs and traditions of the wearer.  In seeking direction and balance we are searching for answers, the process of which is perhaps more important than the end result:)

Something Old, Something New

Lately I have revived a couple favorite designs, plus experimented with some new ones.  It has been a busy season, and the summer will once again be topped off with the Clothesline Show in Rochester, September 6 & 7.  Between now and then I plan to work like a mad-woman, with the exception of next week, during which I will be in Cape Cod for some much needed R & R.

This first design is the "something new".  This summer I started making the "framed nature" series.  This necklace is hand-fabricated using cast sterling twigs framed in sterling rectangular wire.  I like the contrast of the organic twigs with the angular frame.

The dragonfly is an old favorite.  Customers have been asking for them, so I decided to oblige.  These are lots of fun to make…..formed, textured, hammered, and carved.   This one has a pink tourmaline body.

Another old favorite is the tree design.  The other side has the stone in a modern tab-bezel.  The pendant is reversible.  This one has a carnelian agate, which is beautifully translucent on the other side so the tree silhouette shows through!

The Forest for the Trees

One of the challenges of being an artist/ craftsperson is learning the tools for communicating, and presenting work to others.  In the modern world, it seems almost imperative that an artist have a digital presence……a website, a blog, etc..  That being said, some of us, myself included, are challenged by learning the tools necessary for such things!  I love the immediate satisfaction of creating something with my hands.  By contrast, I seem to lack the patience necessary to learn technical/ digital media.  So……where am I going with this?  I bought a new camera.  I have no clue how to use it!  The camera came with a disk containing a 350-page digital book explaining all the features.  Egads!!!!  That is a lot of pages to read about something so boring.  I will soon be calling my photographer brother and begging for help!  

  

Here are my first photographic attempts with the new camera, and a glimpse of two bracelets that will be included in the First Friday opening at Gallery 54 this week!

Sterling and fine silver "forest" cuff with blue moonstone and peridot

Sterling link bracelet with plume agate, boulder opal, ammonite, and dry head agate.

This weekend's opening is titled "The Forest for the Trees".  My work is featured with the work of my friend, fiber artist Sharon Bottle-Souva. Here is a sampling of her recent quilt panels.

                    

Being that this is a Holiday weekend I realize folks may have plans, but if you are free, stop by between 5 and 9 for wine, snacks, and music by singer-songwriter Jane Zell. Our new work can be seen all month at Gallery 54 in Skaneateles.  Happy 4th!!!

Bird Songs

We are all moved into our new house!  Our new home is a hundred year-old Spanish colonial stucco house.  It has a terra-cotta ceramic roof, that is, sadly, in need of repair.  However, one entertaining part of the roof is that it literally sings.  There are so many birds living in the nooks in the tiles that it seems to come alive with bird songs every morning!  I hope that all the baby birds will have left their nests by the time our roof is renovated later this summer:)

I enjoy treasure hunting.  This piece includes a cabochon from an antique treasure: a Chinese brooch that was broken.  I was able to remove this beautiful scrimshaw bone cabochon and set it in a modern silver prong setting with an orange garnet.  I love the result!  

Another recent project is this silver dragonfly cuff bracelet.  I really struggled to get a good photograph of this one (still thinking about purchasing a new camera!)  The dragonfly is 14k gold with blue topaz, amethyst, and peridot.  Below are trilobite earrings with turquoise.  Happy Summer!!

 

Fossilized

I am always quite fascinated by fossilized rock.  They have so many centuries encapsulated in stone.  If I was a geologist, I suppose I would look at all rock material that way.  Below is a piece completed recently.  I love the contrast of the patterns in these two materials: purple tiffany stone which appears to have dendrites in it, and ammonite.

Happy May 1!!!

Celebration of the Arts

This coming Friday is the opening of the Celebration of the Arts show at St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt.  The Gallery is open from 8 to 10pm Friday evening, and will have hours the following 2 weeks (see their website for specifics).  I enjoy seeing the work at this show as it includes pieces from several of the finest local artists: sculpture, painting, fiber, and ceramics, with just a few metal artists as well.  Here is one of the pieces I will have in the show.  It is titled "What Was Once Lost is Found".  I had fun creating the distressed, oxidized finish to highlight the rust and imperfections of my found objects.  The glass is a piece I found on the beach in Aruba this past winter.  The antique compass still works!

"What Was Once Lost is Found":  Sterling silver, brass, fossil ammonite, antique found objects.

Polychrome jasper and oxidized sterling silver.  Love this stone!

Change is in the Air

Spring has arrived and many changes are happening.  We are preparing to move to a new home (very exciting!) in three weeks.  As part of this transition I have already moved my studio to a new space at the Delavan Center in Syracuse.  The Delavan is well known to artists in the area and houses about 100 studio spaces.  It was originally a John Deere factory and was converted to studio space many years ago by Bill Delavan.  I am loving it!  I have huge windows and fabulous lighting!  I plan to hold an open house before too long so folks can come check it out.  Here is a sampling of what's coming out of the studio.

Turquoise with chrysoprase and antique scrimshaw bone (left) and turquoise with coral (right)

The Lover's Eye

I have long been fascinated by Victorian "lover's eye" jewelry.  In the 1800's there was a trend that lasted a short while of wearing tiny paintings of the eye of one's lover in a piece of jewelry.  They were often framed by gems, or in a simple gold frame.  As part of the current show at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse, I made a small collection inspired by these antique pieces.  The collection includes rings, pendants, earrings, and a brooch.

Many of these pieces are still available at Edgewood Gallery and the link is to the right.  Stop in for a look if you have the chance!

Studio Collage

My husband created this collage using snapshots he took of my workspace this weekend.  He was having fun capturing what my studio really looks like…….dog, coffee, and general mess!  In it are a couple progress shots of pieces going in the show at Edgewood that opens Friday evening.  Come by for a glass of wine and check it out!

New Work and an Upcoming Show

I'm back from my trip to the Caribbean, working hard and trying to stay warm!  The days are getting longer though, so the end of winter is in sight.  I am excited to announce the opening of the show "Introspections" at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse.  The show opens Friday February 28 and runs through April 11.

Below is a preview of one of the pieces I will have in the show.  The title is "Forget Me Not" and is a locket created especially for a Veteran.  The image is my Grandfather who served in World War II.  Included in the locket are WWII era military medals and links from a "Forget Me Not" bracelet of the same vintage.  The construction of the locket features a hinged door that opens from the back and allows the photograph to be changed.   The amethyst at the bottom represents the purple heart medal received by soldiers wounded in combat.

Another piece recently completed and headed for Gallery 54 is this necklace of larimar and aquamarine.    I have lots of work in progress and hope some of you can check out the show to see the end results!

Destination Bound

Winter is in rare form this year in Upstate New York.  This week it warmed up to 27 degrees, if that can be called warm!  We have been in a deep freeze for much of the season.  Some folks love the cold, but my answer is to go South.  On Sunday I will be flying to Aruba for 10 days. I can't wait!!

Coincidentally, the custom order I just finished is also heading South, to Puerto Vallarta.

These bracelets were custom made for a family wedding.  The design includes a silhouette of Skaneateles Lake where their family home is located and on the underside of the bracelets is their family motto. I wish them well on their travels!

Happy New Year everyone!