Making New Jewelry

Originally posted 1.7.09
I've never thought of myself as a jewelry maker. I dabble in many things....and jewelry making would be one of them. Mostly I like to make things for myself to wear that no one else has. Then Vero at The Naked Art Gallery saw my nesting jewelry series in a blog post and asked if I wanted to sign on at her gallery as a jewelry artist. Right now she carries my paintings and porcelain jewelry line like below. The porcelain has my original paintings embedded into them with a bail glued on. Not really much thought to making those. Like mini paintings on your neck! And ears!

The nesting series I did a few months back was tedious but quite rewarding for me. First, not one piece was alike. I made about 10 pairs of earrings and 2 necklaces from these nest-like beads I found in New York. It took me hours to put them all together. So today I have 3 pairs of earrings left and 3 rings. I hand delivered them to Vero last week and her first reply was, "You are making more?" Well, you see those beads came from NY, and I have no idea where. So today I ventured into etsy and put in...materials....findings....and guess what? I think about 10000000 hits came up. Yikes! I opened the first shop that looked appealing called PatinaQueen. And there I became so inspired that I can't wait to put my new series together. Since I paint mostly birds and their environments I think my jewelry should reflect this as well. Everything I chose was brown, teal, turquoise, amazing greens, and a dab of pink. I already know the line's name, "Nestlings". So be looking for a new post soon with some sweet birds and nests that you can wear similar to those below.

Movie...Paint...Movie...Jewelry....Movie

In junk stores, antique stores and thrifty stores I am VERY drawn to this type of appliqued items:

I have absolutely no idea what the official applique technique is called.  It comes in many forms including pillows, wall hangings, clocks, etc. at very affordable prices.  While cruising through some magazines the other day I saw an idea where the artist took a cross-stitched piece, placed it in a bezel pendant and made a necklace out of it.  AH HA!  And the idea started brewing.  And this is the outcome:

This was not an easy thing to make.  Had I kept the article about how they placed the fabric goody into the bezel I might had faired a little better, but alas, I have no idea what magazine it was in and most likely it's still at Barnes and Noble.  After two failed attempts I was able to snugly fit this little piece of sweet applique into the bezel.  I then chain link connected some peachy beads, added the black chain and voila!  A fun new accessory for my jewelry drawer.  Yep.  I am really bad about making something and wearing it a bit before deciding to mass produce.  Feedback is everything for me when making jewelry.   See below the necklace on the left?

I know, it's really pretty.........still wearing it myself and keeping it in view to remind me that others just might be willing to buy and wear one too!  I'll keep you posted if they find their way to my etsy shop.

BTW, been painting away here.  Normally this is a very busy time for our family (being political and all on an election year).  But we've got a puny kiddo so I got to use that excuse to stay home and catch up!  It has been such a wonderful day......watch a movie, paint, watch a movie, make jewelry, watch a movie, blog.....yep.  Billy just went to get steaks and salad.  So next up....movie, dinner, movie.  How about you?

On Being Brave

Winnie the Pooh said the quote above embedded into my necklace,"you are braver than you think."   Have you ever thought about that?  That inside you, maybe buried somewhere, you are brave?   I think of army men when I think of brave.  But honestly, each of us has snipits of bravery in us that we exhibit everyday.  Maybe not the going off to war type of bravery, but battles right in our own little heads.   Are you brave enough to show your most authentic self with someone other than yourself?  Are you ready to try that new hobby or job?  Are you ready to introduce yourself to someone new?  Are you brave enough to let go of the past and enter the future without the baggage?  Are you brave enough to leave a comment on someone's blog you admire?  Think about how you can be brave ......write it on a sticky note as a gentle reminder that you are braver than you think.  Then watch as your heart opens up to new possibilities.  And that little youcan'tdothat talk in the back of your mind disappears. 

I think I can...I think I can"...

As I posted earlier I am working on a line of jewelry for the Naked Art Gallery and the upcoming "Microlove" show. I do not proclaim to be a jewelry artist, but do love to accessorize myself with handmade goodies. So I set out to make jewelry... thus the title of this blog, "I think I can...I think I can" from the beloved childhood story The Little Engine That Could. It has been that journey for me the past few weeks.

I started with an inspiration search on Etsy. I wanted to make jewelry that was not too far off from what I love to paint; birds, nests, flowers with blues, greens, white, etc. And then I found her...Patina Queen. Her findings inspired my entire collection. The hand patinaed wire, chain, aqua beads, hand tinted owls, birds, caps, oh I could buy her shop out! I also found a wonderful selection of blue and white beads at the mart last weekend to complete the look. Here are a few of my favorites. Check out my flickr site for the entire collection. I have to inventory and pack it all up tomorrow to fly on over to Vero. You can purchase any of the pieces in her online shop starting next week. I just love the hand patinaed wire. I have a nest similar to this in my jewelry box from Valerie. But the darker wire makes the aqua beads really pop. I also love the baby pearls.

These earrings match the necklace below. Not that they have to go together. I LOVE the tarnished caps and have already ordered more!

These bezels were fun to add images to. I also purchased bezels in yellow, turquoise and another white. Each has a bird image. They remind me of a vintage cameo.

I needed more earrings in the collection and decided that by wrapping the hand patinaed wire around at least twice it was strong enough not to bend in shape. The nest charms were hand patinaed with love.

Well, will I be making more? I have a few unfinished pieces here at the house. And I found an amazing branch with bird and nest at Michael's of all places today. So a few more I suppose. Mailey asked me yesterday, "Mommy are you making anything for yourself or just to sell?" Good question my little 6 year old. I imagine at least one will make it back to my over flowing jewelry box soon!