Tales from the Toolbox

There is much news from my corner of the world...and I need to update everyone!  First of all, I have added a couple events this month.  This coming weekend the Delavan Center where I have my studio is having an open house.  Thirty-six artists will have their studios open to the public.  I have lots of new work that I've been saving for the show, so I hope some of you will stop by and join me for a glass of wine and to browse!

Two weekends from now you can find me in Buffalo, NY.   Wildthings Artisan Gallery invited me to do a trunk show and I will be there with a new collection of jewelry in tow November 17 & 18.

However, the most exciting news from this month is the release of "Tales from the Toolbox", a beautiful publication of art jewelry edited by Mark Fenn of England, published by Schiffer publishing, and released this past weekend.  About a year and a half ago I was invited to submit work for this publication.  Three of my projects are included in the book.  The release date was October 28, so I am happily awaiting my copy of the book in the mail.  I am very appreciative of Mark for including me in this beautiful collection!  Below is the book cover.  It is currently available on Amazon or directly from Schiffer publishing, if you want a copy all to yourself:)

Book cover: cover piece is a brooch by artist Dauvit Alexander.

"Courage":  antique Joan of Arc medal, stealing silver, onyx, black spinel, bobcat claw.  This piece is one of mine featured in "Tales from the Toolbox".

Heading to Rochester

Tomorrow I will be packing up my jewelry and heading to Rochester for the Clothesline Festival this Saturday and Sunday. I've done this show for several years now, and very much appreciate my customers who return every year to support my work! This has been one of the busiest summers ever, and my lack of blog posts is a reflection of that. So... rather than a lengthy post, I thought I would just share some photos of recent work that is available right now, and coming with me to Rochester.  I hope to see you there!!

Poppy jasper, sunstone, 14k gold & silver necklace, azurite necklace, and jasper necklace with cast branch.

Earrings, druzy, and Indonesian opal

Silver and 18k gold rings, ruby and chrysoprase.

"Moody blues" necklace: gem silica and sapphire, handmade chain.

"Sky blue sky", plume agate over turquoise earrings.

Poppies

This summer has been super busy and I've fallen behind in my blog!  The truth is that I am behind on many things.....the result of a combination of family commitments and just basic over-commitment!  Anyhow, next week you can find me at the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival, downtown in Columbus Circle.  This year my booth will be in the central section of the festival.  

Ocean jasper "Crown of Poppies".

This necklace was inspired by my time living in Arizona in the 90's.  I fell in love with the landscape of the high desert. The ocean jasper cabochon makes me think of the orange poppy flowers that bloom there every spring.  For a time I was riding my bicycle as my primary transportation, and living in a camper that we parked near a vast rock formation called the Granite Dells (photo below). Everyday I would ride 5 miles to school and go by a field that bloomed full of orange poppies once a year.  I don't have a photo of that field, but I do have this photo of my son at the Dells from our trip in 2016.  It's outside of Prescott, AZ.  Go there if you ever have the chance!

Bumblebee jasper and citrine pendant.

Sunshine, at Long Last

Hello friends!  I am on my way to Buffalo, NY this weekend for the Allentown Arts Festival.  Last year was my fist year in Buffalo and it was a great time so I've been looking forward to returning. The weather forecast for the weekend is (finally) looking really awesome. Central New York has had one of our rainiest springs on record, and I am feeling super blessed that the sun is finally coming out for this show:)  I will have a big collection of new work with me and I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.  My booth will be in the same location as last year, booth A-97. Hope to see you there!!

"Blooms" necklace with pink sapphire, tourmaline, and peridot

Yellow jasper, imperial jasper, chrysoprase, and Kingman turquoise earrings

Rhyolite "Desert Poppy" sterling necklace

Heading to Philadelphia!!

Bracelet, necklace, and ring in sterling silver with labradorite.

I am hard at work preparing for the Rittenhouse Square Fine Craft Show in Philadelphia two weekends from now.  Right in the center of Philadelphia, this show is one of my favorites, and it is full of excellent and highly skilled artisans.  I am happy to be among them!  I have been stockpiling new work for the past few months in preparation for this summer's show season and I am looking forward to seeing some returning customers and meeting some new ones as well.  If you're in the area, definitely come by the show in Rittenhouse Square, you won't be disappointed:)

Fusion

Phases of the Moon cuff with rose quartz and a forest cuff, hand pierced and fused.

Over the past two years I have continued to work primarily in Argentium silver. I love the process of fusing this alloy. The two cuffs above were both hand pierced (sawn) in two layers and then the layers were fused using my torch. Argentium silver is sterling silver that is alloyed with germanium instead of copper. It has a higher fine silver content than traditional sterling silver. The majority of metals used in jewelry are alloyed (combined with other metals) to create greater strength, hardness, and durability. Pure silver and pure gold are not hard enough on their own to be made into durable jewelry, so for centuries metals have been alloyed. Silver alloyed with germanium has two primary advantages: the reduction of fire scale (stain produced by heating) and greater capacity to fuse. Argentium silver has a greater temperature range between its fusing point and it's melting point, thus making it conducive to fusion. I love the fusion process because it is gorgeous and magical! When two pieces of metal are heated to the point of fusion, they become luminescent and shiny. There is a fine point at which the metals begin to glow and appear almost liquid. This point lasts for just a few seconds as fusion occurs. When it is done carefully, and not overheated, the fusion of metal perfectly joins two pieces, without either changing form. The process is delicate though, because if heated a fraction of a second too long the metal will begin to melt and the pieces will lose form and reticulate, creating misshapen pieces and uneven surfaces.  Fusion is magic:)

Spinning band rings in sterling and 14k gold

"Pinned"

I thought I'd share a couple new pieces from my "pinned" collection.  The top pendant is an orthoceras fossil cabochon, tab-set is silver.  The earrings are Montana agate.   This pair has a wonderful translucent landscape quality.   The "pins" in these pieces are made by balling silver wire at both ends using a torch.  I love the industrial effect this technique gives to the pieces.  The pins are still moveable, but the balls hold them in place.

I'm working hard to produce a new body of work for my upcoming summer shows!  I will be updating the show list on the right of the page as I firm up plans.  Here's hoping for a wonderful summer.  I can't wait!!

A Sign of Spring

Sterling bumble bee with rose quartz

I've been thinking lately about the arts, and the immense benefit of having a vital art community.   Today I spent the afternoon in my studio.  My studio is in a building full of multiple artist's studios. Among them are painters, jewelers, photographers, clothing designers, architects, etc.. I've talked with my fellow artists lately and many of us have the same experience of our studios as being a refuge from the chaos of the outer world, a place for creativity, energy, and reflection.  When the world around us is in a state of conflict, creating provides a means to channel the frustrations we carry around and in turn create something that we give back to the world, whether it is work that reflects the conflict around us, or work that reminds us of more peaceful times.

There's no denying that our country is in a divided state, and these are challenging times for many. Rumors abound that our current administration may drastically reduce funding for arts programs, including the NEA. I haven't ventured to tackle political themes here in my blog, but it is my sincere hope that moving forward our country does not forget the vital importance of a thriving art community.  It is in creating, music, song, dance, performance, and the visual arts, that we come together, build relationships, and reflect. The arts can provide a venue for people to join and share experience.  The arts can be a starting point for community dialogue.  The arts are a nonviolent means to explore conflict, to release struggles that otherwise may never find an outlet.   The arts remind us of beauty and joy at times when we may only see anger and frustration around us. These are my thoughts today, and as always, thanks for reading!