Evolution of Design: Marbles

I was playing with a new design for caging some cracked glass marbles the other day and came up with this:

I used that idea to create a necklace and a pair of earrings:

When working with the white marbles, I noticed that the marble was held in place without the addition of the last large ring.  So, with my one yellow marble, I left the last ring off and removed the corresponding ring on the other side, creating a more open effect:

As is often the case, one ideal leads to another, which leads to another, which lead to another..........

A New Bracelet...

Here's a little peek at a bracelet that I've just finished (but haven't listed on the Etsy shop,
yet).

A dozen Helm Orbs with a hook & eye clasp.

"So the days pass, and I ask myself whether one is not hypnotized, as a child by a silver glove, by life, and whether this is living."  - Virginia Woolf

Stainless Steel Jewelry

Lately, I've been using more stainless steel when making my chainmaille.  It's a relatively new material in jewelry but there a lot of positives about it.

It is much more affordable than most precious metals and is resistant to scratching, corrosion, rust and tarnish.

It is durable and can take being worn day in and day out.  It is easy to clean - just use warm water and some dish detergent.  If it's really dirty, use whitening toothpaste (just make sure that it doesn't contain silica).  Remove any water spots and create a shine with a soft dry cloth.

It's more eco-friendly than other metals, creating less waste and using less energy in its production.

Stainless steel doesn't have the light, bright sheen of silver, which can be a positive or a negative - it all depends on what you like and the look you are after.

Personally, I like the deeper tone.

While steel might not be thought of as having the same prestige or cachet as the precious metals, I think the durability and cost outweigh should outweigh that, especially for frequently-worn jewelry.

"My heart is as true as steel." - William Shakespeare

New - Hair Bands

Here is something that I've been thinking about trying for a while, now - chainmaille hairbands.


It took me some time to take the plunge and make one because I don't solder (I'd like to someday, but there are just too many little people underfoot in the house right now to try something that could be so potentially dangerous).  I finally made one for myself and have been wearing it almost daily for weeks to try it out.  I am happy to report that I haven't had a single hair get caught or pulled!

Each hair band has a section of elastic in the back for a good fit.  And, it makes them very comfortable to wear, too.

Feel free to let me know what you think.

"Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts." - Jim Morrison

What's in a Label?

Every so often, in any forum frequented by artistic and/or crafty people, the question "How do you think of yourself - as an artist, an artisan, a crafter, or a craftsman?" comes up.

A look at a dictionary shows that these labels are very similar - in fact, these words often turn up in each other's definitions.

So, I guess it comes down to subjectivity - what do those words make you think of?  I think of an artist as someone skilled in the fine arts, such as painting or sculpting.  To me, a craftsman is more of a tradesman, making things like high-quality furniture or cabinets.  When I hear the term 'crafter,' I think of a hobbyist who dabbles in several crafts rather than specializing in one or two.

The label that resonates best with me is 'artisan,' which dictionary.com defines as "a person or company that makes a high-quality, distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand and using traditional methods."  That very succinctly expresses what I strive to be.

And, I guess that's the good thing about labels we can choose for ourselves - we can select the ones that feel right for who we are right now and inspire us in who we want to be.

"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself.  But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates."  - Thomas Szasz

Everything Old...

Take an ancient technique like chainmaille and add a craft from the 1960s and here's what you might get...





...a cracked marble pendant caged in chain...















...or, a caged cracked marble keychain.

Looking Back

Now, that we're in that temporal "no-man's land" that is the week between Christmas and New Year's Day - when it's technically still 2011 but that year is essentially over and we're just waiting for 2012 to officially begin, it's the perfect time to reflect on the year that was.

Eli, Clara, Jonas

In 2011, the boys started Sunday School (and love it!).  Clara became an active toddler, climbing everywhere, dancing up a storm whenever there is some music playing.  A new cat, Sammy, adopted us late in the summer, and Rain has accepted him into our home quite well.  On the down side of things, we had our 1st trip to the ER (Jonas needed a stitch for a head wound) and we had a miscarriage. But, we are ending 2011 with all 5 of us together, healthy and happy.

scale flower brooch

It was also a busy year with my chainmaille jewelry - with a display in a shop, 5 craft fairs, and lots of custom orders (including jewelry for a wedding!).  I introduced the first 2 pieces of a line that will see half the price donated to the IWK hospital and have been very pleased with the response.  The annual "Adam's Month" IWK promotion went very well, too. The year included experimenting with anodized aluminum scales (such wonderful color!), new designs and shapes, and creating some items - brooches, sweater clips, and silver-plated post earrings - which were all received very well.  I am also beginning 2012 with my sketchbook full of notes and ideas, waiting for me to create the time to work on them.

Now, it's time to focus on the New Year, make some plans, think of some goals, perhaps come up with a resolution or two, keeping in mind that we have to be flexible in life for we never know what's coming around the next bend.

"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things."   ~ John Burroughs

Keep Going - Notes from the Seaside Craft Fair

Last weekend, I took part in a craft fair at the Seaside Centre in Beach Meadows (and, I'm just getting to posting about it now - ah, such is life with small children).

I like doing craft fairs - yes, there's work to get everything ready, to set the table display up, and to pack it all up again when it's over, but I like to watch and listen as people look over my jewelry.  I get to see which pieces people just have to touch, what colors and styles are drawing their eyes, which items get the most attention.  I get to hear what metals they prefer, how dangly they like their earrings, and what items they're looking for - for themselves and for gifts for others.

My Table at Seaside

I always come away from a fair with a list of ideas I've gleaned from the shoppers - both items they've asked about and pieces inspired by some of what I saw them wearing.  At the Seaside fair, I had a few people asking about jewelry for men - something I've been thinking about for a while - so, I guess it's time to work on that.  I had a few people ask if I sold the frame displays I put together for my most popular earrings.  That's something worth thinking about, too.

The Wonderful View

Another great benefit of selling at a craft fair is the encouragement  A number of my latest pieces sold in the first hour of the sale, which is great for the pocketbook but also tells me that people are 'getting' the direction my work is going in.  I had a lovely British gentleman purchase two pairs of earrings as gifts and tell me to 'Keep going; keep at it,' as he walked away.  Encouragement like that makes the whole thing worth it.

Sneak Peek - Adam's Heart Pendants.
50% of the price of these pendants will be donated to the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax.