Full Schedule

I used to say “I’m so busy” all the time.  Well, it’s still true but I try not to say it anymore.  I prefer to say I have a “full schedule”.  Doesn’t that sound better?  I feel like the phrase “I’m so busy” sends a message.  I don’t have time for this, that, the other thing or (even worse) you.  The word “busy” to me implies a frantic state, somewhat like a running around or even a somewhat “frazzled” state of mind. But when I use the phrase “full schedule” it feels grounded.  It feels like I’m saying my feet are on the ground and I have a calm approach to the things that are going on in my life.  It feels like I’m saying I elect to have a lot on my plate.  It’s my choice because I’m one of those types of people who enjoys and prefers having a lot going on all at the same time.  It makes me feel productive and it makes me feel like the fullness has a lot more to do with my purpose and intention than anything else.  Can you relate?

Bold Bronze and Beautiful

My Happy Place

Me in my happy place, making something.

Little Works of Art

I love drawing and painting as much as I love forging metal jewelry.  I really love creating tiny works of art.  Something like this, which is about 4x6, is something I can make pretty quickly so it satisfies my need to get my creative fix.  The substrate I create is a little hard to explain.   I'm planning on fully explaining in my first creative on-line course, if i can ever get that sucker of the ground.

Working with Silver Plate Platters and Bowls

So let’s talk about the silver plate materials I use when making my jewelry.  As some of you may already know, I’m a huge fan of thrift stores.  I love the idea of taking an object, cast away by another, and turning it into something precious.  Most thrift stores have an abundant supply of silver plate platters and bowls from which to select.  I’m always on the lookout for ones that tarnished.  A bright and shiny piece will rarely, if ever, catch my eye. 

The way the piece feels in my hand has a lot to do with whether or not I buy it.  The lighter it feels (for it’s size) the better.  Cutting these is not easy.  But I have found that the lighter the weight of the piece, the easier it is to manipulate with a blade or metal sheers. 

I used to spend a lot of time etching metal to use in my jewelry.  The process is messy, time consuming and, honestly, a little bit scary to me.  The chemicals required to etch a great piece are pretty nasty.  One day I was looking at a stack of silver plate platters (when shopping at a thrift store of course) and noticed that the embossed design on some were a lot like my etched designs.  Voila.  There it was.  My eyes saw the potential for amazing jewelry right there in this dusty and dull selection of silver plate platters and bowls.

I don’t limit myself to only embossed silver plate objects.  Every now and then I find the perfectly plain platter or bowl.  Great jewelry comes from these objects too.

New Jewelry

I've really been enjoying the process so much lately.  And have been busy preparing for an upcoming spring show, keeping the Atlantic Beach Arts Market full and getting ready to add new work to my on-line shop.  Busy, busy, busy.  

Letting Go

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I've been "letting go".  I'm trying hard to let things go when I feel annoyed.  It definitely takes a bit of effort on my part, but I’m finding that if I can just try to lean into the part of myself that sincerely wants to feel lighter then some sort of magic happens. I’m finding that letting things go really isn’t the hardest thing in the world to do.  The more I do it the easier it seems to be.

I’ve been letting go of a lot of stuff lately too – meaning stuff in the garage, stuff I’m finding in drawers that rarely get opened – just stuff.  It’s everywhere.  Letting go is a good thing.