Artsy Bracelets

Sometimes a new product comes along that I fall in LovE with.  This go around it's these artsy bracelets.  At first I was not too thrilled with their look.  And the chains were freaky small.  So I emailed the seller and she sent me some photos of them all finished with the beads on each side.  And voila...the love affair began.  Now, they were extremely time consuming to finish.  But super worth it.  I've priced them at just $25 so thinking they'll fly off my PVC pipe display and onto lots of wrists this weekend.  (I know, my PVC pipe display idea is so awesome.  Even the Home Depot guy was giving me high fives.)

So are you coming to see me?  At The Marist School this weekend?  Oh I hope so!!  The show is 9-4PM.  I'm in the old LAIRD gym.  This is a new place for vendors because they tore down the gym I'm usually in.  There are 3 places for vendors so be sure to find me (the arcade outside, Laird Gym and Centennial Gym).  I'm on a corner.  Hope to see you!!

Leather Cuffs and Breaking the Rule

I adopted a policy in my studio.....about a year ago.  When I had the great yard sale clean out and made like $1000.  Yeah.  That was cool.  The policy goes a little something like this:  Use the supplies you've got and then you can buy more.  See what you really miss making and then buy more.  Now this rule does not apply to painting.  I always need new boards and fresh paint.  This rules applies more to my jewelry making and sewing addictions.  Yes, addictions.

I love to make myself jewelry.  Which usually leads to people liking it and me getting the light bulb idea that maybe if I made more people would buy it and I could make money and...and...and it might be the next big thing, right? Right.  So in other words, I start making stuff, make a batch, then move on.  When it comes to jewelry making that is.

 I found a source for leather cuffs at the mart years ago and started making simple little cuffs with hand stamped messages, beads and charms on them as an addition to the gentle reminder bracelets.  Which BTW are quite dainty.  And sell like hot cakes wherever I take them.  But leather cuffs seem to be popular so I added them into the mix.  Although I wasn't skilled enough to figure out how to add the stamped pieces with ease.  Until I took and enameling class of all things and she taught me how!  That was in Portland, OR in October of 2011. 

 I tell you all this because it amazes me how even in jewelry making how my skills and creativity have evolved.  One night when I should have been working on paintings I got the wild hair brain idea to emboss on the leather with my scrapbook embossing powder.  Yes, that pixie dust stuff that gets everywhere it shouldn't and lingers for years after.  And it worked.  And I love it.  And reading your comments on my insta and FB feed I am thinking I might need to go out a buy more cuffs.  Because these were the last of my stash.  A part of the rule:  don't buy more until you find out what you really love making and then go buy more.  I've used every last one of the 100's of leather cuffs I bought (Yes, that was a pricey purchase years ago because I do that, buy in bulk for fear of never seeing it again and then have stuff for years which leads to the issue of art supply hoarding and borders on an issue I might really need therapy for.  Yeah.)

The rack above photoed at the Country Living Fair are the original cuffs.  They were actually watch leather cuffs.  That way I could hide all the jerry-rigging wire.  Hahaha  now that I have the snappy things I don't have to worry so much about that issue.  Honestly I love some of the cuffs with just the embossing.  I really can't wait to try more.  Vero at Naked Art gallery in Birmingham, AL is very excited to be getting them for the holiday season.  Look for posts about how and when you can purchase then there or here in Atlanta at upcoming shows.

Well...gotta get going.  I'm working on a rather BIG project with Clementine the Bunny.  A project that is scaring the poo outta me.  That doesn't happen much.  But it is right now.  Basically she and I have to put on our big girl panties and get busy.  See ya on the downside of the week!

Playing with Wax Again

I realized last week I didn't post one thing really...well except that I wasn't feeling well.  Thus why I didn't post anything.  Duh Jenni.  Still not up to par.  Which kinda freaks me out since there are miles to be run.  No really, miles.  Anyhoo....while under house arrest I was able to finish up the encaustic pendants I started!  Yeah!!

At least once a year I get ants in my pants to create with encaustic.  It's a technique that I learned in an R&F Paints workshop with my friend Valerie (AKA Gillyweed on FB) many moons ago.  She actually instructs waxy workshops at Corner Arts in downtown Newnan if you are ever interested in learning about the medium.

A few years back while in the middle of creating encaustic paintings I had a thought that maybe I could fill tiny bezels with the wax and make jewelry out of them.  I'm always seeking that unique item to sell at shows that won't break your pocketbook (or mine in the making!).  And it worked!  I made a ton, sold a ton and that was it.  Fast forward two years or so and I decided it was time to try again.  You see, I've two holiday shows this year I want to be really successful.  Plus to be honest I want to get that dreadful Etsy shop back up to snuff.  It's just pitiful the attention I pay it.  And after a nice little run with Ebay I've got a little itch to get back.  Little.   

The only thing is the pendants I made 2 years ago I never sealed with anything.  And after the melted painting in the van episode I decided to take drastic measures.  These now have a layer of resin on top. The above one is prior to resin.  It worked great, the pendants are now safe and will not melt hot wax down your cleavage.  Score right?  Unless hot wax down the cleavage is your type of thing.  NO judging.  Ha. 

This one is of course my favorite.  I didn't stamp on too many, but kinda wishing I did looking at this now.  It looks like my tattoo right?  Hmmm...maybe I should add a word when I go to Portland in April?  Oh yeah....BTW I'm teaching at Art and Soul in Portland, OR in April!!  Super excited.  It's April 7th and 8th.  Check out the site:  Art and Soul Retreat.  If you are nearby maybe you can come!!  Mailey will be my side kick.  So if you are going be sure to let me know so we can all hook up for dinner!

The Partay Give-Away!

Every fun party leaves its' guests with a treat of some sort.  I've been known to give fake mustaches before!  (of course it was for a Spy Party when William turned 9)  This etsy kick-off party was an idea I decided to just roll with.  A little cheesy, yes.  A little unexpected, yes.  But for some reason I am slap happy these days!  I suppose it has something to do with, but certainly not limited to finding a rhythm finally in this new lifestyle.   So happiness I've been told is contagious.  I hope it sticks around for a spell.  Yep.

Anyways, the give-away is this new necklace style:

It was one of those laying in bed trying to figure out what the heck to do with the 100 clay birds I bought on etsy months ago that have just been sitting in egg cartons waiting for their moment "a-ha!" moment.  Love those.  So quickly I ran downstairs and tried it first with a thicker brass strip.  This was a little more complicated than I had wanted (there are 100 birds peeps, I was not kidding).  So I decided to whip out the 500 ft coil of copper wire and make more of a hanging nest!  (I tend to buy in bulk I've noticed.) And so it began.  And many birds now have sweet cages to dangle from.  And make you oh so happy to wear.  Right?

Now the good part....unfortunately I can't party favor you all.  Wish I could!  But one lucky person who leaves a comment below telling me what they are over the MOON happy about right now gets their name in the pot to win one of the birdcage hoops.  (it could be as simple as eating a yummy cupcake)  You get to the choose bird color.  We can get to that later.  Right now, you guys need to get to commenting below!!

Oh....and the drawing will be FRIDAY......happy commenting.

While Visions Of Jewelry Making Danced in Her Head....

Friday I headed up to the July Gift show at Americas' Mart.  Natalie of Grit and Grace, whom I share a booth with at the Flea, joined me for the very FULL day of shopping fun.  I had the best time helping her choose clothes and other goodies for her booth and fall shows.  We have very similar tastes....and binge buying habits!!  We were alll over that darn mart shopping.  And eating....and drinking Corona any showroom that had it!  Hehehehe...Yes, on Friday and Saturday night it's like a giant party in the big showrooms upstairs.  So much fun. 

Anyhoo, I did get many items to sell, not just put on my own body.  (Although I did get some amazing clothes!!!)  So I have not slept good since that night because of this find:

My head is just dancing with ideas to add to these yummy leather straps.  They were a total binge buy, and of course I bought 3x what you see here.  But I've always wanted to add my stamping to leather, even bought the leather stuff at Michael's a year ago.  It's of course in the famous to-do pile.  But these straps, well they are already made up.  All I have to add is the Jennisms to them.

I'm thinking about finding a way to add my newest shipment of cabochons to them.  I was careful in choosing the colors and have the most amazing color palette.  Can't you picture it?  The dreamy leather with the dainty flowers?  Love.  Speaking of love, I ordered several of these hearts below.  Of course they are bigger than I expected.  But talk about a statement piece!  Especially if I can configure them onto the wide leather straps!

So, when am I planning to get started on ALL of these new ideas you ask?  Well, our little house is once again purged and clean.  Yard looks amazing(you see my post?).  We've found a new house to make an offer.   Art camp is ready to go this week.  I just have one little, I mean rather large, custom painting to finish.  And then I can open the visions that are dancing in my head!!

Off I go!!!!!!!!  See you later in the week with some color on this bike.  It's going to be PINK!

Major Etsy Update

I've only a few goals this summer.  With the kiddos out of school and Mom duty in full swing (pool time in full swing I should say), I have to set weekly goals that are attainable.  I get really wound up about "not working".  Ummm...actually I get a little crazy when I am not working.  When the momentum gets out of whack, well I am not so pleasant to be around.  It's me.  I know that.  So, to ward of the crazy Mom syndrome I set goals.  Week 1......ETSY update in the metal category.  WOOOHOOO.......It's done.  And just in the nick of time.   

 The necklace above is similar to the ones featured in Belle Amoire this month!!

Next week's goal:  ETSY update in paint.  Yep.  Real paint.  Not prints.  Well, doorbell is ringing.  Day of play here we come!!!

Little Spring Blooms

I just love springtime.  Over the 15 years we've lived in our home I've planted many, many flowering plants in our yard.  I learned quickly that our soil LOVES plants and actually accelerates their growth patterns.  I'd like to think it's the love planted right in with the bulbs, and there may be a little truth to this statement, but mostly it's just amazing soil.  Anyhoo....this time of year little blooms start appearing all over the yard that have been sleeping quietly throughout the winter.  One of my favorites is the candy tuff.  At least I think that's it's name.  It comes back every year with little white cotton candy like blooms.  It's low to the ground with deep green fern-like foliage.  It makes me happy seeing it everyday from now until winter calls it back to the ground.  These blooms play a huge role in my art.  They do.  The innocence of their existence inspires many a "Spring Bloom" painting in the studio.  Just like this one below:

And now they inspire some new jewelry.  I, like many of you out there, are smitten with these tiny flower cabochons.  I can not quit buying them on etsy.  I have hundreds(seriously). But figuring out what to do with them, now that was the trick.  Until I made the birdcage and mattie bird necklace for my Solo Show Opening outfits the flowers were all nestled in a divided plastic container.  I guess a bit like flowers in winter waiting to bloom.  And then it just sorta hit me.....why can't I do this with these?

Well, spring has sprung in the studio FULL force.  I am a bit overwhelmed with myself to be honest, the ideas are spilling out so fast I can't slow down.  What is going on right now in this little sunroom studio is quite special.  And I can not wait to share it with you all once they are finished.  I'm growing guys!!!! 

Energy in The Studio

I am loving the jewelry making energy right now.  The juices are in overdrive with texture, color and combining elements together!  Love it.  So here are some of the end results.  All of which I really wanted to keep in my own jewelry box.  :)

These last two have my original paintings reduced and printed onto porcelain tiles as the focal point.  I love infusing my jewelry pieces with little paintings.  I think it's a technique that sets my pieces apart from the rest.  And I am pretty sure one of a kind. 

These can be found in my booth at The Vintage-Flea in downtown Newnan.

The Statement Necklaces

Since childhood I've ALWAYS loved jewelry.  Not the fancy diamondy stuff either.  Costume pieces that make a statement.  I remember rummaging my Grandmother Sissy's jewelry box and being so mesmerized by the combination of colors and beads.  They had the coolest jewelry back then.  If you were to watch my outfits for one week you'd literally see 7 different jewelry looks.  My clothes, well recently in cleaning them out realized that I am a solid person....literally I wear jeans and some solid top daily.  I've decided this is because wearing patterns would certainly clash with the statement jewelry.  Yep.   

So, onto the jewelry making.  I guess my obsession with jewelry has crossed into making my own pieces to wear.  I love trying new techniques.....love.  For sometime I've wanted to continue the thread of my paintings into more wearable pieces.  I have a printing technique that can literally take my paintings and transfer the images onto tiny porcelain pieces.  Unfortunately the company has decided to discontinue most of the blanks I use, and I am down to the last handful of the pendants.  sigh.  Like I said though, I'm always on the hunt for a new idea to get the creative juices into overdrive.  So I pulled out Stephanie Lee's book one more time.  My past attempts at her techniques have failed.  This time I bought all the right materials and tools and with more than enough determination finished a few pieces.  And yes, I'm a widdle excited about the potential here!!!

This past weekend was my show in Birmingham.  With two opening receptions there had to be two statement necklaces.  Oh yes there did.  All the components of the pendants were hand cut and soldered together.  Even the little birdie I cut from a piece of sheet metal!  And yes, I hand wired the beads together.  I've got a nice little system for putting the bead chain together.  I love the way the metal and the beads compliment each other.

Last but not least, the pieces were texture hammered and stamped with sentiments. 

I've also made the main portions for a flower and a nest pendant.  Just like my paintings.  I hope to have some uploaded soon into Etsy.  I'll be sure to keep you posted!!  Hope you've had a creative week!