Year of Jewelry- Week 1

After years of watching the year of jewelry, I decided to join them this year.  One piece of jewelry per week, for a year.  It's not that I don't make jewelry regularly- that's not the challenge for me.  For me- the challenge is to finish and photograph a piece a week.  This will form the habit of finishing/ photographing.  At least I understand that it will form a habit & I'm hoping so!

Organic Rustic Copper Blooms

For week 1- I revisited an old design with a different metal.  These rustic blooms are made of copper with a sterling center- on sterling ear wires.  I wanted to use copper for two reasons- I love the warmth (and it won’t be touching skin) and I wanted to play with a patina.  The patina was to be blue and I still don’t really see blue.  I don't mean a hint of blue- I'm talking about a bright cobalt.  And since they are sealed- I’m not getting the glow from the copper that I love so much- except for around the edges.  I want to play with the process some more.

Ketchup

While sometimes I really feel like I will never be caught up- sometimes, with some focus- I get there.

In keeping with my one word for 2011 (stretch) I have joined the Year of Jewelry.  YOJ 2011 is one piece per week, every week.  I've watched it from the sidelines for years.  I've watched people really grow.  And this year I am going to be one of those people.  Of course I'll have to address two problems that I seem to have with making jewelry:  Finishing and taking photos.  This challenge will help me address both because each week something will have to be both finished and photographed.
I'm excited!

Another year - another word.

Another year has flown almost completely past me.  I won't go into a litany of apologies because I've become such a bad blogger.  And since I don't really *do* new years resolutions, I won't promise that I'll wake up in 2011 and magically become consistent.  But I am wrapping up my year.  Shows are all finished for the year.  This is the time of year when I do a lot of reflection, clean off my bench (hopefully), reface my hammers, spend some time with my family and; friends, and figure out my *one word* for the year to come.  Next year's word, or at least what I think will be next year's word, came very easily to me.  In the past they haven't. 

This year my word was focus.  And I tried.  With some success.  Better than before.  I am grateful that this year new doors opened up for me.  I've had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people.  And I'm sure that it will continue in 2011. 

Unless my mind takes a drastic turn in the next couple of weeks- my word for 2011 is stretch.  It's what I need right now in so many ways.  Well that and a haircut.  But haircut wouldn't work as a word for the year.  LOL.  Stretch.  It suits me.  I think I'll add it to a piece of jewelry as a gentle reminder.  What's your word?  You don't have to comment.....email is fine if you're not quite so ready to share.

Sterling and Tanzanite CZ

This is where I'll be on Sunday!

Time	Sunday, October 17 · 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location	Cinema Paradiso 503 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL
Created By	Indie Craft Bazaar @ Cinema Paradiso, Indie Craft Bazaar
More Info	Come out on Sunday, October 17th 2010 from 1-7 PM for Indie Craft Bazaars "Dawn of the Thread", an indie craft fair for the undead! - Handmade, vintage, repurposed, recycled and vegan goods! - Free hourly raffle prizes (free ticket with entrance)! - DIY "Make a Caramel Apple" booth! - Live Fortune Teller: Tarot card readings, Palm readings, and metaphysical advice! - Cupcakes and festive Fall snacks (for vegans, too!) - Henna Tattoo Stand - Full bar in the lobby! FREE "TRICK-OR-TREAT" SWAG BAGS FOR THE FIRST 100 GUESTS! ***Wear your Halloween Costume for a Free extra Raffle Ticket!*** $3 entry, FREE parking garage! Music, arts and crafts, food, beer and prizes! What more could you ask for?! You don't want to miss this!!

SATeam Blog Carnival- August

Our team has adopted the idea of a blog carnival.  I'm really excited about this.  Various members of the team will give their thoughts on the same question.  You'll be able to follow the links around the blogosphere.  Should be fun & informative.  This months question is:  How does texture play in your work?

You know I love this.  I think that it even goes back to mixed media collage- because I love texture when I paint also.  And layer after layer of paint and marks really give a piece texture and life. There are very few Azoho pieces that I create that don't have texture.  I like my pieces to look old.  Like they've already lived a life and have a story to tell.  Each piece has a different story, but the texture plays a roll.  This is a reflection of myself.  I have more....um....texture than I used to.  But there's good things that come with age- knowledge, patience, understanding, wrinkles.  LOL.  I'm not shiny new and neither is the jewelry that I create.  I suppose in my mind texture equals a life that's lived, and lived well!

"Raspberry Pendant"  Available

As far as the technical aspect of texture...how do I achieve it?  Well I'll share a secret with you- my all time favorite texture is from concrete.  I go outside and put my metal on a sidewalk and proceed to whack it with a rawhide mallet.  I also have a few hammers with various "marks" on their heads that make great texture.  And of course- the rolling mill.  That's like a great big pasta machine for metal.  And I suppose etching makes a great textured surface.  And when I'm patient....reticulation is a great texture that I love to use.  And of course- when I've finished a piece- I like to add a patina to show off all that lovely texture.  Then I polish it again to give it depth and character.  Um...this is where I say...Just like me!

"Molten"  Set with a 4mm CZ:  Private Collection

Click on these links to see what my talented team mates have to say about texture in their own work!

Andrea Robinson*   
Bonnie        
Camilla
Caron      
Julie R      
Kristy*      
Lynn Kvigne   
Nicker       
Nicole Hill
Pam*   
Sylvia*   

* denotes a link to their blog- not the specific post- yet!

Sonora Angel

An angel to watch over you.  This pendant is a sonora sunrise stone and sterling silver.  The stone has both bright & muted blues mixed with a reddish black.  This is a stone that I cut myself.  A rustic angel.  Not quite listed to sell as of yet because I haven't been happy with any of the photos that I've taken of this piece.  I've had months where I've been very camera challenged.  Not quite sure why.  I'll work on it once school starts. 

Dusting it off.

(cough, cough)  My blog seems to be as dusty as the tops of my bookshelves. It's summer and with the kids home from school, I've worn the 'MOM' hat more than any other.  We've been;

Swimming

Playing

At the movies

Hanging out

Enjoying friends

Having sleepovers

Having BBQ's

Bowling

Went on vacation

Just having fun all around.

School starts in about a week & a half and it's time to get into a different routine.  No more running out for milkshakes at 9pm.  But with this new routine, I'll find a quiet house and some creative time.  My shop has had activity all summer, which I appreciate.  My website redesign is sitting dormant on my computer until I can find some time to do what I need to do.  Meanwhile....I still have about 10 days left to enjoy summer vacation, and so I will!  I leave you with a photo of my boys.