[metamorphosis]

{moving day}

2011-07-01T13:42:00.001-04:00

change of address cards- by Jack & Ella Paper Press

i set up a new website an blog with Weebly an I'm moving everything over there, at least temporarily. i think it will be easier to have everything in one place, but i'm keeping this blog up because i may be back.

meanwhile... follow this link

Miró Earrings

2011-06-08T00:26:00.001-04:00

Miró Earrings- sterling silver, copper, enamel

Last week I filled up a punch card at my local bead store and received $50 in store credit. Woohoo! As you can imagine, it was burning a hole in my pocket, so yesterday I stopped by to cash it in. One of the things I picked up was a package of glass threads for enameling. As I laid out the multicolored threads on the white background, i was reminded of the paintings of Joan Miró and got the idea to start a series of jewelry inspired by various artists. I'm very excited about this project, in addition to providing a challenge it will be a great way to refresh and expand my art history knowledge. As they are completed, I will post the pieces along with a brief history and explanation on the blog.

First up Miró:

Joan Miró i Ferrà was a Spanish Catalan surrealist painter and sculptor known for his experimental painting style. Miro's contempt for traditional painting methods, which he felt supported the bourgeois society led him to famously declare an "assassination of painting" and to pioneer his theory of four-dimensional painting. His work is recognized by flat organic shapes and sharp lines.

Et Fixe Les Cheveux D'une Etoile

{sew-sew weekend}

2011-05-30T10:13:00.000-04:00

my studio mate mentioned that Old Navy was having a huge sale this weekend. i was in serious need of some new shirts (thank you pickle solution for burning tiny holes in all my old ones. i'm now wearing an apron in the studio but i was slow to realize the culprit.) i decided to run by on my way home. i had been wanting to make some deconstructed and embellished shirts for a while now but just haven't had the time. having a free weekend and seeing that basic tees were on sale for $3, i decided the time was right to do some experimenting. i was so happy with the results that i went back on saturday and grabbed a few more. here are the results:

it was great to make something other than jewelry for a change, but now i ready to get back to my hammers and torches, where i belong.

{week in pictures}

2011-04-27T00:35:00.000-04:00

last week was nonstop... go-go-go... action packed. starting with a trip to Richmond, Va

Spring Bada-bing on Sunday

lunch with the hubby at Red Bowl on Tuesday

lots of quality time in the studio

Twister Necklaces for Raleigh Tornado Fundraiser

The Handmade Market on Saturday

Banana Bread Beer with friends at Woody's...

the perfect end to a busy week

{handmade market}

2011-04-21T10:52:00.000-04:00

Find me this weekend at The Handmade Market. The event is from 11-5 at Cobblestone Hall downtown in City Market. The Raleigh Easter egg hunt is also going on across the street so its sure to be a great time for the whole family. This is one of my favorite local shows and there is always such a great collection of vendors. I've already started working on my shopping list! I'm bringing new enameled pieces as some new metalwork that I'm really excited about. I'll also have some Twister Necklaces to help raise money for victims of last weekends tornadoes in Raleigh. They retail for $35 and 25% will go to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Meanwhile you can pick one up on Etsy or there are still a few left at Raleigh Tornado Fundraiser.

{surreal}ity

2011-04-20T00:16:00.003-04:00

tornado approaching downtown Raleigh- courtesy of WRAL

This past week powerful tornadoes ripped through the Southeastern United States leaving a path of destruction in their wake. I had watched the storms on the news for two days as they tore through Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia, so by the time the system reached my state of North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, I was sure that they would have started to weaken. Unfortunately this was not the case. In all at least 25 tornadoes broke out across the state and resulted in 23 deaths. (updated to 24 on 4.21) 63 homes in Raleigh were destroyed and over 600 severely damaged. (updated to 138 houses and 8 businesses destroyed, 2,269 homes and businesses severely damaged on 4.21)

downtown raleigh, taken by a friend

It all happened so quickly, I received a phone call from my sister that a tornado touched down in a nearby town and that it was headed towards Raleigh at 50 mph. It had been rainy and windy all day, and I wasn't too terribly worried at this point. A little while later the lights started flickering so I turned on the the news. We don't have cable and could only pickup a signal from one station because of the all the interference. That particular station is located downtown, the area that was hit first and hardest. The clouds were so thick and the rain so heavy, that the footage from the video cameras was almost completely black. The reporter was saying that the tornado was right above them and headed north (our direction), just then the power went out and all the light filtering in the windows started to fade. It got so dark that it almost looked like nighttime and I felt that feeling of dread creep into the pit of my stomach. My husband and I grabbed our two cats and headed to the bathroom to ride out the storm. Rain was pounding, I'm pretty sure there was some large hail, and you could hear the wind ripping past us. And that was it... it was over as quickly as it started. The rain let up then it was gone, I looked outside and other than a few limbs on the ground everything looked fine.

Having no power, no phone signal, and no internet access we really had no idea what had happened. A few hours went by, power was still out and it was dinner time, so we decided to look for an open restaurant. The street lights were out and we saw a tree or two down but not much else out of the ordinary. Then, all of a sudden, we were surrounded by trees that had snapped in half, damaged roofs and a whole bank of power lines lying across the road. In a daze, we just kept driving an another mile up the road, street lights were working and no visible damage at all. We ate at a Mexican restaurant, I can't even remember what I ordered or if it was good or not. I was too busy watching the horror unfold on the television across the room, missing roofs, houses that looked like they exploded and 200 year old trees ripped from the ground. Then it was back home, where our power had been restored and life went pretty much back to normal.

Brass Twister Necklace- Limited Edition

And that's what its like living in Raleigh right now, two different worlds, its completely surreal. Both my home and my studio are about a mile west of the tornadoes path, other than still finicky cell reception, there are no reminders of Saturdays events, you can almost forget that anything happened at all. Then you get in your car and... bam ... the scene is almost post-apocalyptic.
There is much to be thankful for. Somehow all of our friends and relatives in the area escaped with little or no damage to their properties and more importantly none to their persons. While I feel very grateful I also feel very guilty. Its strange to go about my life as normal when so many others have lost so much, and this is where you come in. Several local artists have donated works to help raise money for victims of Saturday's tornado. You can purchase these works, or donate work of your own at www.raleightornadofundraiser.com. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Raleigh.

{tiny pools of color}

2011-04-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

{tiny moon pendants} enameled copper, sterling silver

The Freedom of the Moon

I've tried the new moon tilted in the air
Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster
As you might try a jewel in your hair.
I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,
Alone, or in one ornament combining
With one first-water start almost shining.

I put it shining anywhere I please.
By walking slowly on some evening later,
I've pulled it from a crate of crooked trees,
And brought it over glossy water, greater,
And dropped it in, and seen the image wallow,
The color run, all sorts of wonder follow.      

--Robert Frost

a quick snapshot of some new work.

{Durham Art Walk}

2011-04-11T10:45:00.000-04:00

{rainy Durham}

The Durham Art Walk was this past weekend, and I had a great time. The weather was a little iffy on Saturday, but it didn't seem to keep many people away. I saw lots of familiar faces from prior art walks and met a lot of new ones. My parents were in the area for another event in Chapel Hill, so they were able to stop by on their way back home. It was wonderful to see them and show off my new designs. Later in the day a friend dropped by to keep me company. After the show we went for dinner and sangria at Cuban Revolution. {fried plantains, yum!} It was the perfect end to a great day. The walk there was lovely, dinner was delicious and we got caught in a rainstorm on the way back. Luckily, I don't mind the rain, because as usual, I didn't have an umbrella. In my entire life, I think I've actually had an umbrella during a rainstorm... maybe... twice... and one of those times it was broken and wouldn't open.

{tray of goodies}

I made a point to arrive early on Sunday so I could take a quick look around at the other artists and designers before the crowds arrived. I was happy to find one of my favorite vendors from the holiday show, Sugar Monster Pottery, and I brought home a new friend. Its back to the studio today for the start of a very busy week. Next Sunday I'm off to Richmond for Spring Bada-Bing.

{tapeworm monster}

{fragements}

2011-04-08T20:59:00.001-04:00

details of paintings taken last weekend at the NCMA.

inspiration for textured and enameled surfaces.

{on the bench}

2011-04-07T10:00:00.009-04:00


{slightly organized chaos}

the 2011 show schedule is in full swing and i'm loving it. its a little hectic, but i love staying busy and it gives me an excuse to spend extra time in my new studio. in addition to working on some new designs for my own shows, i've been making lots of supply orders so others can get ready for theirs. this means my bench is currently covered with clusters of rings, headpins and partially completed jewelry.

{tiny bud stack}

find me this weekend at the Durham Art Walk. i'll be on the upper level of the Arts Council building, 120 Morris St. 10-5 saturday & 1-5 sunday.

{memories}

2011-04-06T22:22:00.001-04:00

last weekend at JC Raulston Arboretum

The Valley of Unrest

Once it smiled a silent dell
Where the people did not dwell;
They had gone unto the wars,
Trusting to the mild-eyed stars,
Nightly, from their azure towers,
To keep watch above the flowers,
In the midst of which all day
The red sunlight lazily lay.
Now each visitor shall confess
The sad valley's restlessness.
Nothing there is motionless-
Nothing save the airs that brood
Over the magic solitude.
Ah, by no wind are stirred those trees
That palpitate like the chill seas
Around the misty Hebrides!
Ah, by no wind those clouds are driven
That rustle through the unquiet Heaven
Uneasily, from morn till even,
Over the violets there that lie
In myriad types of the human eye-
Over the lilies there that wave
And weep above a nameless grave!
They wave:- from out their fragrant tops
Eternal dews come down in drops.
They weep:- from off their delicate stems
Perennial tears descend in gems.

--Edgar Allen Poe

{grand opening}

2011-04-01T11:09:00.000-04:00

my studio mate Kiona and i are celebrating our fabulous new studio space tonight with a big grand opening bash during the First Friday Artwalk. if you are going to be in the Glenwood South area, stop by and check out the new space. we are each having a raffle for $50 gift cards, you get one entry for coming and additional entries for every $20 you spend. find us in the Carter Building, 14 Glenwood Ave, Studio #24, Raleigh, 6-9 pm. for more information check out our Facebook event page.

{poppies}

2011-03-27T10:39:00.000-04:00

{oxidized poppy earrings}

i've been taking advantage of this last lull before the show season gets in full swing, and used the extra time to create some new designs for the line. you can find them on etsy or drop by the studio friday evening to see them in person. kiona and i are celebrating our beautiful new space with a {grand opening} event for the the first friday art walk. we are having a drawing for two $50 gift certificates, you get one entry just for coming and additional entries for every $20 that you spend.

{enameled poppy ring}

{poppy ring}

{organic buds}

{stores & venues}

2011-03-27T01:40:00.001-04:00

stores

stitch
20 e hargett st
raleigh, nc

design box
323 w martin st
raleigh, nc

circa gallery
150 sunset ave
asheboro, nc

vix emporium
5009 baltimore ave
philadelpia, pa

online venues

etsy

smashing darling

{shows & exhibitions} summer 2011

2011-03-27T00:50:00.002-04:00

5.21- 5.22.11- Artsplosure- Raleigh, NC
http://www.artsplosure.org/

6.4.11- Arts on the Plaza- Durham, NC
http://www.durhamarts.org/artsontheplaza.html

6.10.11- Etsy Craft Party @ Bull City Craft- Durham, NC

6.24- 6.25.11- Bridgeton RiverFest- Bridgeton, NC
http://bridgetonriverfest.weebly.com/

8.27.11- Lazy Daze- Cary, NC
http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/Parks__Recreation___Cultural_Resources/events/festivals/Lazy_Daze_Arts_and_Crafts_Festival.htm

{out the window}

2011-03-19T19:41:00.001-04:00

enjoying the breeze on this warm spring day. various views out the studio window.

2011-03-19T00:23:00.000-04:00

{origami birds}

its been a crazy busy week, preparing for sunday's show in greensboro and moving into my brand new {much bigger} studio. i love the new space so much that i don't want to leave at the end of the day. i've never had this much workspace before and best of all i got to paint,decorate and make it completely my own. i can only imagine how much more productive i'm going to be once i get settled in. we are planning a big grand opening bash on first friday, but until then here is a photo tour.

i even painted my bench to match

new soldering table {loves}

display wall {work in progress}

::you can find me here most weekdays or by appointment::

14 Glenwood Ave

Studio #24

Raleigh, NC 27603

{in bloom}

2011-03-16T22:32:00.000-04:00

i took a few moments to walk around the park after my run the other day and enjoy the spring flowers.

{spring cleaning}

2011-03-08T16:48:00.000-05:00

floral charm bracelet {aqua}

its not quite spring but with my upcoming studio move i'm getting an early start on my spring cleaning. i am discontinuing a few styles in order to make room for the new ones. this will be the final chance for forged squares and vintage bead bangles and wrapped link bracelets. keep checking the {sale} section in my etsy shop, i'll be adding a few more styles as soon as i can get them photographed.

{nomination news}

2011-03-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

enamel stud earrings

last week i was excited to find out that i am a nominee for Best Craftsperson by Durham Magazine. follow this link to cast your vote. voting ends on 3.15. winners will be announced in the June issue.

{trunk show}

2011-02-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

Find me on First Friday from 6-10 pm for a trunk show, at Stitch. I'll have lots of new style with me.

{including...}

enamel studs

brand NEW for 2011

{organic studs}- enameled copper on sterling silver posts

did i mention, i'll have rings also :)

{enamel}

2011-01-24T17:16:00.001-05:00

{cluster drip necklace}

i'm really excited about this new series of organic enameled pieces and spent all weekend in the studio working on them. its refreshing to feel so inspired by a project, so often i find that i get bogged down with production work and begin to loose motivation. i'm making a pact with myself to allow more time for experimentation and new challenges. in the works for next week, are stacking rings and small cluster necklace.

{budding vine necklace}

{enamel cluster necklace}

new year. new start

2011-01-02T11:57:00.000-05:00

photo credits unknown

2011 has arrived! in celebration i'm having a sale in my Etsy shop. us the code NEWYEAR2011 for and 11% discount off your order through jan. 7.

{white christmas}

2010-12-26T22:31:00.001-05:00

i hope you are having an enjoyable holiday season celebrating and spending time with loved ones. i wrapped up the 2010 show season earlier this month and finished my last custom order with one week to spare, leaving me plenty of time to spend much of this week making cookies, wrapping gifts, visiting family and watching my favorite holiday movies.

we rarely get significant snowfall in north carolina, especially in december, but this month brought snow three times, including 8 inches for a lovely white Christmas. the snow started falling last night and by the time we woke up everything was transformed into a magical winter wonderland.

leaving you with a few shots from my holiday adventures and best wishes for the 2011.

{fayetteville st. tree} raleigh, nc

{pipe cleaner angel from the 1940's}

our {cat proof} "tree"

{home} for Christmas

we always eat dinner at this local diner on Christmas. i love the kitschy retro look of it and the staff is super friendly. somehow we always end up with the same table and waitress.

{making snow cream}

{my booth} rock & shop: durham, nc

{custom order} sterling silver, emily dickinson quote

{custom order} sterling silver, vintage typewriter key, freshwater pearls

{black friday} sale

2010-11-26T17:22:00.000-05:00

now is the time to get your holiday shopping knocked out. i'm running a promotion in my {etsy} store through {midnight} monday. use the code THANKS15 and receive 15% off your entire purchase.

NEW {tiny bird silhouette necklace} just listed today

durham art walk

2010-11-22T00:50:00.002-05:00

i had a great time at the durham art walk this weekend, the turnout was better than expected, i met some amazing new customers, and some inspiring artists and designers.
the Arts Council Building currently has an excelletn exhibition of contemporary portraits going on called, People You May Know. my favorite of the show was a group of portraits by Jacob Cooley, which as luck would have it, happened to be right across from my booth giving me plenty of time to ponder them. i found them pleasantly unsettling {if that makes any sense}. the subject in each portrait is wearing a neutral shirt and the background is stark white, forcing you to truly see the person, simply as they appear, with no preconceived notions or distractions.
on saturday, i managed to {sneak} away from my booth for a few minutes and do a bit of Christmas shopping at Miss Maready, my {newest} obsession, and i learned that i really, really, {really} like kettle corn (which i always thought i hated). tonight i enjoyed a delicious dinner (an more importantly garlic fries) with a friend at Tyler's Taproom at American Tobacco Campus. this week is going to be insanely busy as i restock for the Rock & Shop and the Boylan Heights Artwalk in two weeks and get started on a few custom orders.

{Giving Trees} sponsored by Bert's Bees were made by local artists from recycled materials raised money for The Scrap Exchange

{Jacob Cooley} portraits, view from my booth

my {booth}

{holiday lights} at American Tobacco

{fall} fun

2010-11-15T23:45:00.000-05:00

its november and fall is in full swing. i'm trying to fully enjoy my favorite season before its completely eclipsed by the madness of the holidays next week. weather wise, it has been quite mild so far, but we've gotten a few cool days and even had our first frost of the season and the leaves have finally changed colors. i picked up a few of my favorite vegetables the other day and tried out a few new recipes, butternut squash with sage & shallots and pumpkin cupcakes... both successes {pumpkin oatmeal cookies... not so much}.

fall foliage in the back yard

pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese icing {loves}

i'm kicking off the holiday show season this weekend at {The Durham Artwalk} i'll be in the Arts Council building from 10-5 on saturday and 1-5 on sunday.

{fall festivals}

2010-10-31T23:31:00.001-04:00

{boo}

{mini donuts} yum!

{old fashioned peach ice cream}

silliness

random shots from my recent exploits at Cooke St. Carnival and the Pittsboro Fall Street Fair. catch up with on the 5th in my new studio for {first friday} 14 glenwood ave, suite 18-A, raleigh.

side project

2010-10-07T23:32:00.000-04:00

old... mismatched... table and chairs. refinished and placed in the breakfast nook.

{before} pealing white paint, green metal, scratched wood table top

{after} chairs & table top painted rust, table base painted bronze

settling in

2010-10-03T23:42:00.000-04:00

we moved into our new studio space this past week and i am slowly getting settled in. we're still in The Carter Building but we moved to the second floor {14 Glenwood Ave, Suite 18-A}. its MUCH smaller than our old space {kiona says its "cozy"} i can't remember where any of my tools now reside, and when the AC is on its freezing up there! {yes, i know i spent all summer complaining about how hot it was in the old space} its always a bit of an adjustment when you move workspaces but, once i get used to the setup i think its going to be more efficient than my previous set up. i've got a window by my bench that i can open for ventilation {and people watch from, when i'm bored}, i have lots of wall space which i LOVE, more room to keep my finished work on display. i've met most of the artists on the hall and everyone is really friendly and welcoming and i get to look at {these} in the hallway everyday. i got everything unpacked and setup with relative ease, caught up on my Etsy orders and even managed to open the studio for First Friday. well, its off to bed, i've got an early morning tomorrow and a busy week ahead of me, preparing for the Cooke St Carnival on the 16th, finishing a custom order and restocking Stitch with new work.

its fall {sort of}

2010-09-22T10:12:00.001-04:00

{yellow crater ring} available on etsy

fall arrived today! well, its technically fall, with a predicted high of 92 today it doesn't really feel like it. but its a start... right? i absolutely adore the fall, and the fact that it follows my least favorite season {summer} always makes it even better. i can't wait to make trips to the farmers market on those perfect crisp, cool mornings to pick out my favorite fall vegetables. i've been collecting delicious looking squash and pumpkin recipes {like this one} over the summer in preparation. {yum}

{enamel necklace no.1: yellow & grey} available on etsy

{tiny owl necklace} available on etsy

{yellow & white bracelet} available from etsy

September

2010-09-20T18:18:00.000-04:00

horray! its almost fall {my favorite season} and my show schedule is starting to get packed. this month has been crazy with two shows so far, another one this weekend, preparing for my studio move at the end of the month {more details to follow}, and filling an order for metamorphosis metals' new home at Foundry in Asheville, NC.

two weeks ago, i participated in the wilmington art walk, and was lucky enough to spend the rest of the weekend relaxing at the beach with the lovely and talented "Boo" Reynolds of Bijou Savvy. it was a fun show and a great weekend, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. i'm looking forward to next year. and once i get beach combing finds cleaned up, i'm going to have some great new photography props and jewelry components.

this past weekend was bazaarSPARK, which is part of SPARKcon, a great local event that showcases all kinds of creativity {music, fashion, poetry, dance, craft, etc} in the Triangle area. at the last moment the bazaar was extended for a second day and it turned out to be a really great show. this week i'm playing catch up and preparing for Designers Downtown Market on saturday. i plan to have jewelry as well as handmade supplies and destash there.

last month i added a new design to the metamorphosis line, custom initial necklaces, which debuted last month at Lazy Daze and finally made it to Etsy shop today.

nc aquarium at pine knoll shores

2010-08-30T00:58:00.000-04:00

on the way to visit some dear friends at the beach last week, i stopped to check out the remodeled aquarium at pine knoll shores.

destashing for First Friday

2010-08-06T12:51:00.000-04:00

First Friday is tonight! Come see me from 6-9 at our studio on Glenwood. I will have tons of new work, destash beads, and for the first time ever, I'll be selling my handmade supplies in person. If your in the area its the perfect chance to pick up some new jewelry making goodies and save on shipping.

its about time

2010-08-02T23:11:00.000-04:00

after, i'm embarrassed to say it, several years of procrastination, i {Finally} got around to making a banner for my booth display! other than one slight road bump in the form of a crooked "t", the process went smoothly and i am really happy with how it turned out. i finished just in time for Raleigh Wide Open and even had a enough extra fabric left over to accent the new display pieces, an amazing vintage mirror and a beat up old wooden frame, that i picked up at Suzanna's Antiques (love this place, thanks Johanna and Kristen for telling me about it). while i was at Joann's picking up the fabric for the banner i stumbled across a book i have some pieces published in on the shelves. yay!

i also spent some time last week working on a prototype for a new bracelet design. its a wide cuff bracelet with a lovely, organic look. the wire i used is too thin so this one doesn't hold its shape very well, but i have some thicker gauge wire on order and hope to refine the design and incorporate it into the Metamorphosis Metals late summer/ early fall collection.

in·spi·ra·tion

2010-07-25T10:52:00.000-04:00

n. stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

people often ask me where my ideas come from. i never quite no how to answer that question, and usually end up stuttering and stammering around, trying to sidestep it, because truth is, there is no easy answer and the process is deeply personal. whenever i see, feel or hear something that inspires me, i file the impression away for later. this inspiration can come from anywhere, the texture of peeling paint or rusted metal, the way a leaf moves when it falls from a tree, the feeling of electricity in the air when lightning strikes nearby. i probably have a million partially formed ideas or impressions swirling around in the back of my mind and fighting their way to the front for a chance to be seen. i spend most of my time trying to dig them out of my subconscious so i can zero in on one and develop it into something concrete. sometimes this process is quick, sometimes it takes months or years and most of these wisps will never develop into anymore than a fleeting impression.

here is a quick peak at the inspiration board in my studio. its packed with layers of photographs, cards, natural and found objects that inspire me.what inspires you?

the big crafty

2010-07-25T00:14:00.005-04:00

we had a great time visiting asheville a couple of weeks ago for The Big Crafty. the show was a lot of fun and the city is absolutely amazing, the downtown area is filled with fun boutiques, galleries and specialty stores, you can even buy coffee from a stand built inside of an old double decker bus.. since it was mainly a business trip we didn't get to do a lot of exploring and the rain (which prevented our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and made the trip home long and nerve wracking) didn't help either. we did manage to eat a couple of delicious dinners and listened to an impromptu performance by a bluegrass band (complete with a washtub bass!) in front of out hotel. the first night we dined outside at The Noodle Shop where we were entertained by a street performer, after the show, we went to Suwana's Thai Orchid where i got the pineapple fried rice, which was so good that i already have eating it again on my itinerary for my next visit.

july 4th

2010-07-07T15:47:00.009-04:00

we decided to celebrate the 4th by heading to the fairgrounds to watch the fireworks. at the last moment we decided to watch them from the side of the road a little bit away to avoid fighting for a parking space. we found a great location, set up our chairs by the car and played with sparklers while waiting for the main event. after the show was over, we loaded up the car and took off and were home within 15 min. this is definitely the plan from now on.

this weekend, we are heading up to Asheville for The Big Crafty and i can't wait! if your in the Asheville area make sure to stop by on Sunday from 12-6 at the Asheville Art Museum in Pack Place.

june news

2010-06-23T00:05:00.005-04:00

i can't believe june is almost over! this year is really flying by at an alarming speed and summer is in full swing. so far june has been a hot one, and tomorrow it might make it to 100 degrees. yikes! i think 100 is too hot to even go to the pool. our air conditioning has been on the fritz, but the ac guy was back out here today and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that its finally back up and running at 100%.

in other news, i heard back from the fire marshal's office and was able to get my "big" torch set up in the new studio. i'm so excited to break it out again and can't wait to start soldering with her.
i finally finished my wholesale linesheet thanks to Trunkt. if you haven't checked out the new Trunkt, you should. they recently revamped the site to a wholesale focus and are a great online host for linesheets. they have made several big improvements to the site and are in the process of adding even more features. i think its going to make it easier to manage the wholesale side of my business, which i am prone to neglecting. i made a few new designs yesterday, organic two tone hoops in oxidized brass and copper. i plan to debut these this weekend at the Greensprings Summer Arts Jam in greenville, nc. if you are in the greenville area you should stop by, its going to be a fun family event with music and art. i'll be there saturday, june 26, selling my jewelry and making beaded bracelets with the kids from 11 am until...
then next week its nose to the grindstone as i prepare for asheville and The
Big Crafty.

passage of time

2010-05-26T15:37:00.005-04:00

its been a stressful week of ups and downs and several trips to the auto mechanic. i got my car out of the shop monday afternoon, just in time to have jackey's car towed in on wednesday after it started overheating on the way out of town. ugh.
i am however, caught up on my orders, so tuesday was a free day in the studio. yippie! i've been holding on to this watch case for the past year, trying to come up with the perfect design and i finally decided to tackle the task. i'm not sure if its 100% finished yet, but i'm pretty happy so far.

Passage of Time

sterling silver, american standard 19k rolled gold plated watch case and movement, key, vintage watch crystal, tintype, freshwater pearls

its a crazy, wonderful life

2010-05-22T10:35:00.006-04:00

phew, its been a crazy, crazy, non-stop couple of weeks. however, today i have found myself stuck at home, forced to relax and catch up on much needed rest. my car is in the shop for the second time this week so i can't make it to the studio. since its rainy and overcast out, i've decided to spend the day eating popcorn and watching old movies. so far in the que is An Affair to Remember and An American in Paris. any ideas for what i should watch next?

the craziness started late last wednesday afternoon when i got a phone call from Artsplosure. someone had to drop out at the last moment and i had to decide ASAP if i wanted to take the spot with only two days to prepare. i made a call to work and managed to find someone to cover my shifts and spent the next 48 hours frantically trying to get ready. i don't think i've ever made that much jewelry in such a short period of time, and i had the blisters to prove it. somehow i managed to get everything finished and even got a few hours of sleep.

yesterday, we finally made it out to the newly renovated and expanded NC Museum of Art. it was sort of a belated birthday celebration since i was at Artsplosure last weekend and happy to be too busy on saturday to even think about my birthday. the new building is amazing, so bright and open. my favorite part is the Rodin garden which is so peaceful and beautiful and best of all filled with Rodin's. while i hated that the museum has been closed these past few months, it was definitely well worth the wait.

in addition to rushing around like mad, i did a bit of contemplation. the 19th was exactly 3 months from the day i received this in my fortune cookie.
the day i received this was during a very stressful and uncertain time in my life. so much has happened since that day, i've grown so much, and realized that i have so much to be thankful for. i'm glad i taped this little reminder to the calender, so i remembered to stop, look back and reflect.

for now... its back to the old movies.

studio tour

2010-05-06T23:51:00.003-04:00

wow, it has been one crazy week, and its not over yet. last saturday was The Handmade Market, which was amazing as always. unfortunately, i don't have any pictures. we got new phones on sunday and i forgot to transfer the photos before wiping the memory.

on monday i finished moving into my new studio space at Found Studios. there was a minor setback in the form of a car accident on the way there, but lucky for me, the majority of the impact was absorbed by the guy behind us and my workbenches made it to their new home in one piece. fortunately no one was seriously injured, though i can not say the same for the vehicles.
i spent the rest of the week settling into my new space and preparing for this weekends shows. Found Studio's is open to the public and i will be available by chance or appointment. we are located at 16 glenwood ave, downtown raleigh, nc (look for the bright pink door). we will be open tomorrow evening for First Friday tomorrow from 6 until 9, stop by and check out my new (and still clean) area, some new designs and browse my talented studio mates amazing work.

if you can't make it tomorrow, you can catch up with me on saturday at Designer's Downtown Market. it looks like its going to be a bit cooler and that the rain is going to hold off until late in the afternoon.
then on sunday... i am catching up on much missed sleep.

Durham Art Walk

2010-04-15T14:23:00.004-04:00

you can find me this weekend at the Durham Art Walk. this is my first year as a vendor at this show and i'm very excited. the weather is going to be perfect and there are sites spread throughout downtown durham. most are within a 5 min walk of each other.
in addition to around 200 artists there will be food, music and a scavenger hunt. there is also a shuttle that runs from the parking areas to the main sites in the walk. i will be in the Durham Arts Council building on Morris St. the show runs saturday from 10-5 and sunday from 1-5. for map and list of artist locations check the art walk website or this pdf.
hope to see you there!

The Art of Fashion

2010-03-25T19:04:00.008-04:00

image © Hathir Pfau of WestenraRising Studios

A big thank you to everyone who came out Monday night to the Art of Fashion. The fashion marketing students from The Art Institute of Raleigh/ Durham put in a lot of hard work and did an excellent job organizing the event. The show was a lot of fun, there was a great turn out, and together we raised over $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. There were ten local jewelry designers, working in a variety of styles and using a various materials. Everything from metalwork, to found objects, to vintage textiles. We each had our own booth to display our work and a model to show off our designs (and keep us company.) You can see my lovely model, Danielle, above.
The show was held at Marigold Parlour, which in addition to talented stylists, boasts amazing decor. The salon is right up my alley, a combination of both modern and antique elements. My favorite part is probably the installation of vintage hair dryers hanging from the ceiling.
I also love the ceramic deer head mounted behind the front desk and the fabulously creepy image of the woman with the marigolds protruding from the top of her head.Somehow I managed to fit almost everything on a small table. I saved a lot of space by using these ring trays. I wasn't able to use the large shipping tags that I normally use on the rings but I do like the streamlined look and may stick with it go forward.
Your next chance to catch up with me is April 17 & 18 at the Durham Art Walk. My booth will be located in Adaron Hall in the Durham Arts Council building. For more information on parking, shuttle service, and art walk sites, go here.

tonight

2010-03-22T12:28:00.004-04:00

Come out and see me tonight at The Art of Fashion. Presented by the fashion marketing students of the Art Institute of Raleigh/ Durham, the show features 10 local jewelry designers and a silent charity auction. Tickets are $10 in advance/ $15 at the door and go to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 6-9 pm at Marigold Parlour in Seaboard Station, 10 West Franklin St. Raleigh, NC.

designers downtown market

2010-03-12T10:25:00.009-05:00

designer's downtown market is tomorrow. the weather forecast was a little scary yesterday but is looking much better this morning and i am keeping my fingers crossed that the majority of the rain and thunderstorms will decide to stay away.
if you haven't been to this show you should definitely check it out. its a fun outdoor market in downtown raleigh with tons of local designers. i was happy to see that Knockabout will be there with her Peculiar Pets. i bought one of the night owls at Brand Fandango over the holidays and i absolutely love it.
there will also be a popcorn vendor! yum!!! popcorn is my favorite snack food and i foresee a repeat of the time i was next to a funnel cake stand and had funnel cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
today, its busy, busy, busy, work, work, work, as i finish some last minute designs for the show and attempt to dig my tent and then rest of my show display stuff out of the storage closet. earlier this week, before the rains came, i managed to get a few photographs of some of the new pieces that will be for sale at the show.

show season begins next week

2010-03-06T23:55:00.005-05:00

the 2010 show season is about to begin! my first show of the year will be the Designer's Downtown Market this saturday, march 13 in downtown raleigh. stop by after the st. patty's day parade, say hi and check out the new designs i've been working on.

sterling silver, steel rifle cartridge, vintage glass bead

bullet jewelry

2010-01-29T15:21:00.008-05:00

motivated by how well the bullet ring turned out, i spent this week working on some new bullet jewelry designs. more designs to come, for now you can find these in my etsy store.1. bullet earrings- silver, 9mm brass bullet casings
2. bullet necklace- silver, .45 caliber brass bullet casing
3. mens bullet bracelet- silver, 10k gold, .45 caliber brass bullet casing, ruby
4. bullet tie tack- silver, 9mm brass bullet casing

new this week

2010-01-21T01:24:00.007-05:00

normally, i'm not a big fan of purple, but something about the light lavender color of these vintage rings really struck me. it seemed that they would be the perfect extension of my eternity necklace designs. i was really pleased with the results and have decided to begun a hunt for more vintage rings in other colors and materials. depending on my success, you may see more of these guys pop up in the store soon. for now you can find this design and the rest of the eternity collection on etsy.
i re-listed the final pair of spearmint strip earrings this morning. it is quite sad to see the end of these beads; they have such a great graphic quality to them, are the perfect weight and i just love the shape and color. i suppose this is the catch 22 or working with vintage materials. the older beads have a rarity and a quality that new beads just can't capture, but eventually, the supply will run out. however, i just ordered a big batch of new beads last month which means now is the time to put them to good use and to find some new favorites. also listed today, silver double hoops. these are not a new design but are new to etsy. simple and organic the double hoops are available in either a bright silver or oxidized finish.

love & a .45

2010-01-16T14:40:00.005-05:00

it seems that much of my family, actually more like everyone except myself, has gotten on a handgun kick and has begun making frequent trips to the shooting range. while i really don't have any interest or experience in shooting, i have profited from their exploits in the form of spent bullet casings. i asked my sister to rescue a few for me on her last visit to the range. while i didn't have any specific design plans for them, i knew these spent bullet casings were destined for jewelry. this is my first attempt at incorporating the casings and i was really excited with how it turned out. it also gave me a chance to practice setting small faceted gems, something i hardly ever do. i already have a list of new stones to order and plan to expand this concept into an entire line that will include some great new designs for guys. silver, 10k gold, diamond, .45 caliber spent bullet casing

ring in the new year

2009-12-27T19:47:00.004-05:00

new rings
Originally uploaded by [metamorphosis]

this week marks the start of a new year and a new decade. which means that once again its time for new years resolutions. i have quite a few resolutions this year:
1. keep up with my bookkeeping monthly (instead of throwing all my paperwork and receipts into file folders and putting it off until the end of the year- scary!)
2. list at least one new design on etsy each week.
3. start a mailing list
4. build a larger backstock of supplies and components
5. keep my desk and work bench clean (this one probably won't happen but i give it an attempt each year)
6. make a schedule each week and stick to it
7. take some small business workshops at the local community college
8. update my blog and website more often
9. put my work in a few new stores.
#2 is the first one i plan to tackle, so be on the lookout for lots of new styles arriving in my etsy store over the next few weeks. here is a sneak peak of a few new ring designs.

holiday hoopla

2009-12-14T10:51:00.008-05:00

well, the 2009 holiday season is in full swing and as busy as ever. this past weekend i participated in {holiday hoopla} hosted by {circa gallery}, one of my amazing stockists, in asheboro, nc. i went up a little early and turned the trip into a much needed mini getaway.
if you've never been to asheboro, i highly recommend making the drive and spending the day or the weekend. in addition to the nc zoo, which makes for an amazing day trip, there are several great antique stores and other fun shops in the downtown area. i loved the antique mall. its huge (don't forget the upstairs) and the staff is super friendly. i stocked up on supplies for some new designs as well as picking up some amazing christmas gifts for friends and family. i've already made plans to go back in the new year when i have more time to spend searching for treasures.
i made the trek to seagrove, which is just a few miles away, and is a major hub of traditional and contemporary potters. i have been wanting to make it up there for some time and this trip was the perfect opportunity to do so. the area has a long tradition of pottery making that began over 200 years ago. there are two small museums the exhibit regional work, historical pieces, and educational exhibits. you can just pick up a map at the nc pottery center and spend the day visiting your favorite potters studios. while i was out, i stopped at the pisgah covered bridge. it was cold so i didn't stay long but if the weather is nice this would be a great place to stop for a picnic or a hike along the walking trails.friday night was {christmas on sunset} in downtown asheboro, so i went down to check it out and to scout out the area for the following day (my sense of direction is not very good at 6:30 in the morning). it was a fun event and put me in a festive mood, there were carolers, horse pulled wagon rides, cider & gingerbread stands, and of course santa was there. it was a quite cold so i went back to the hotel to relax in the hot tub and attempt to get to bed at a reasonable hour.
after a fun and relaxing day it was time to get to work. saturday was a cold and we were outside, so everyone was bundled, gathered around the heaters and drinking tons of coffee, cocoa, & cider to stay warm. there were some great vendors and i was able to finish the last of my christmas shopping. some of my favorites were paintings and collage by {cori cagle}, jewelry by {bSIDES metal}, ceramic tile panels by {jessica capps} and pottery by {michael kim burroughs}. thanks to amy and mandy at {circa gallery} for all their hard work putting the show together. make sure you stop by and visit their lovely shop if you're in the area.
this week i'm getting ready for the {rock & shop} on december 19, at all saints chapel in downtown raleigh. come out and finish your holiday shopping, enjoy live performances by {schooner}, {starmount} and {dj melissa york}, and grab lunch or a beer which will be provided by {only burger} and {aviator brewing co.} if you can't make it out there is still time to catch {brand fandango} at {design box} until it closes on the 23rd and to grab a coffee or bakery treat from {shot box}.

button love

2009-11-16T23:10:00.003-05:00

i made a trip to the flea market and my favorite local antique store over the weekend. i picked up five mason jars (among other things) which are now housing various collections around the house. while reorganizing my button collection i came across this beautiful faceted, clear glass button and was inspired to make this ring. its quite different than my normal style and provided a nice challenge and change of pace. i'm very happy with how it turned out, and am quite tempted to keep it for myself, however i had the forethought to know this would happen and went ahead and made it one size too big. since the rain finally decided to move on and the sun made an appearance today, i was able take some pictures and get it listed on etsy.

november news

2009-11-08T19:55:00.012-05:00

:: so far november is shaping up to be quite a busy month. yesterday was The Handmade Market which is always a fun but exhausting day. i was lucky enough to have two helpers this time which allowed me to walk around, enjoy the market and to do a bit of shopping. i got this amazing print, "Tengu" from Jamie Zollars which is going to hang beside the reading chair in our bedroom as soon as i get a frame for it.below is a picture of my booth and a montage of shoppers (i appologized for the poor quality of the photos, as usual, in the mad rush to get everything packed i forgot my camera and had to resort to using my phone)

:: be sure to come out tuesday evening for Handmade on the Hill. get a start on your holiday shopping or a treat for yourself and help support a great cause, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. Shoppers are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the Food Bank or to make a monetary donation and each vendor is donating a portion of their sales. The show runs from 6:30 until 8:00 and each guest will receive a glass of wine compliments of the West End Wine Bar.

:: in other news i have a few pieces in Garth Johnson's new book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse which is out this month. i already got my copy and its beautiful and filled with tons of inspiring pieces. i am numbers 330, 378, 379, & 385, you can check them out below.

happy halloween

2009-10-30T21:04:00.004-04:00

just a few more hours and its officially halloween... my very favorite holiday. unfortunately we don't have any exciting plans this year because jackey has to work. i think i will stay in, hand out candy, watch a scary movie or two (any suggestions?) and enjoy the last of my roasted pumpkin seeds.
we picked out our pumpkin the other day and i couldn't wait to carve it and to roast the seeds (most of which are already gone). i found so many delicious sounding recipes for roasted pumpkin seeds that it was difficult to settle on just one. in the end i choose simple and basic: coat seeds with 2 tbls of melted butter, add a little salt and some garlic. spread on a cookie sheet and roast at 300 deg F for 20-25 min.
this years pumpkin carving was based on "the scream" by edvard munch.

Rock & Shop Vintage Market this Saturday!

2009-10-12T11:53:00.002-04:00

The Rock & Shop Vintage Market is almost here and I'm so excited! The Rock & Shop is one of my favorite local shows to do and this one will be so much fun because it has a vintage twist. There will be around 50 vendors selling vintage goods or handmade goodies from repurposed materials and vintage embellishments. The show is held in Durham and will take place from 1-5 in the Cotton Room at Golden Belt. In addition to great shopping there will be live music from local bands Lonnie Walker and Mount Weather as well as a fashion show featuring local clothing and accessory designers. Its sure to be a fun and action filled day. Hope to see you there.

yum... sushi

2009-09-17T23:10:00.012-04:00

i love, love, love sushi! especially spicy octopus rolls, and volcano rolls, and philly rolls, and tako sashimi... the list goes on and on. i would probably eat it everyday if i could. with so many varieties to choose from i think its highly probable that one could eat sushi every day and never tire of it. so, as often happens, my mind began to wander tonight, and i soon found myself daydreaming about sushi. since its too late to fulfill my craving (reason no. 1 that first thing i will do when i become rich and famous is hire a full time sushi chef) i decided to do a quick search and see what turned up on Etsy.
i am lusting after... Ladybird and Rooster Sushi Plates by heartlayla. so beautiful.
receiving a note on Sushi Splash letterhead by wevegotpaper will surely brighten anyone's day.
this Nigri Bracelet by Carolyn Tillie is amazing.
Tuna Sushi Panel by thisartlife painted on old a collage of old sewing patterns.
Felt Veggie Rolls by feltedchicken. how fun!
knit your own sushi with this pattern from NeedleNoodles. if knitting is not your thing, buy the finished Amigurumi Sushi Set in her store.
bath time is fun with Ikura Sushi vegan soap from DirtyAssSoaps

my adventure at lazy daze

2009-08-23T12:42:00.007-04:00

yesterday, i participated in the 33rd annual lazy daze in cary, nc. i've never attended the show before, as a vendor or a shopper, but plan to make it an annual tradition from now on. they had rotating musical performances throughout the day, pirate sword fighting (which, in my opinion, makes any event worth attending), a great selection of arts and crafts, and of course funnel cakes. i did not get see as much of the show as i would have liked to since i was there to work, but i was very impressed by the vendors that were in my immediate area, and i got two amazing necklaces from katie sasser, a jeweler, who was visiting from tennessee. the event was very well organized, i was most impressed by the ease of the setting up and breaking down processes, and they were able to keep all 300+ of us artists in line, a daunting task to say the least.

we had an early start in the morning, arriving to set up at the ungodly hour of 6:00 am, meaning i had to wake up at 5:00 (an hour that i'm convinced should rarely be seen, and then only on your way to bed from the night before, and absolutely never as the start of your day). as i stated earlier, the set up process went smoothly, the only setback my brains refusal to cooperate at such an early hour, resulting in the inability to accurately read a map.

despite ominous weather forecasts the morning started off beautifully. a little muggy, but not too hot and bright and sunny. around lunch time the dark clouds began rolling in and then the rains came. there was a quick downpour in which we frantically tried to get the tent walls hung up, and harbored several soaked shoppers under our tent. since we have never had to use the tent walls before, this process did not go as smoothly as one would have hoped, but we eventually got everything line up even managed to get most everything off the ground before the river of water started rushing though the the back section of the tent. that was the most chaotic part of the day, but things quickly calmed down. it was still showers off and on the rest of the afternoon but traffic remained fairly steady.

we had a great time, met some great people, bought some great items, and then... 12 hours after it all began, still a bit damp and quite exhausted, we were packed and ready to head home for the comfort of home and a nice long nap.

updated!!!

2009-08-18T23:44:00.005-04:00

after several weeks and a lot of trial and error, my website update is finally complete. as always it was a learning experience and once again reaffirmed my need to take a few classes to refresh my html/ dreamweaver knowledge. i think those are definitely going to be on my agenda for 2010. meanwhile, i'm happy with the way the site turned out, photographs and information have been updated and all my current collections are featured, including my new "relic" collection. relic is a new direction i'm trying, the designs are aimed at men but are also appropriate for women who enjoy bolder more industrial pieces. please check out the site and let me know what you think, and especially let me know if you find any typos. :)

back to school

2009-06-22T22:57:00.002-04:00

indieNC is now offering classes craft, design, and business classes. i will be teaching a couple metals courses. the first one is beginning soldering on Thursday, July 22 from 7-9 pm. all classes are held in downtown Raleigh. sign up here. register for any class by July 1st and receive a 10% discount. more classes to be announced.

old work ... new photos

2009-06-22T10:41:00.006-04:00

the weather finally cooperated and i was able to get some new photos taken of a couple of my feather pieces.

new for the Rock & Shop

2009-06-19T16:11:00.005-04:00

horray, The Rock & Shop is tomorrow! and i've been working hard to get ready. maybe even a bit too hard, as i've gone overboard in making pieces for the show and am not sure there will be enough space to display all of them. opps! however, that means there will be tons of new designs for you to check out, and of course all the old favorites will be there too. some of the higlights, found object necklaces (courtesy of all my great antique store finds last week), vintage flower and hardware earrings, and after much procrastination, i've added some new enamels to my collection. i am especially excited to debut my new Crater Ring collection.
if you've never been to the Rock & Shop before be sure to get down to Tir Na Nog between 1 and 5 tomorrow, grab a drink, listen to some great music, do a little shopping (or better yet, a lot of shopping). if you have been then you know you don't want to miss out.

treausre hunt

2009-06-09T18:33:00.003-04:00

The Rock & Shop market is less than two weeks away, and i have a lot to do before then in order to be prepared. i was feeling a bit burned out, so i decided to step out of the studio this afternoon and make a quick trip to the antique store and see what new treasures they had in stock. i found tons of great supplies; old keys and estruscans, vintage medals, cuff links, buttons and sequins, a pair of tiny dice, and a great old mason jar, among others. first thing i did when i got home was dump everything out on the table for inspiration, and i couldn't resist snapping a few photos. i have so many ideas for new designs now and i can't wait to start creating with my new finds. be sure to stop by Tir Na Nog for The Rock & Shop on June 20th to see the results in person.

buttoned up

2009-04-29T13:04:00.003-04:00

i have a bit of an obsession with vintage buttons, and am constantly scouring antique stores, flea markets and yard sales searching for new additions to my collection. i justify this obsession because i use them in my jewelry designs, but that is not my real motivation. in fact i would be content to just sit for hours (and i often do) just looking at and sorting said buttons, thinking about their past owners and what their lives may have been like.
vintage buttons are not just lovely to look at, but they have a deeply personal quality. who were the people who owned these buttons? what was their life like? what memories do these tiny bits of glass, shell, and metal hold? weddings, first dates, funerals, a new dress for easter, grandmother's sewing room. each one is like a single word, a fragment of a history, part of a story. a glass jar containing shards of memories, not quite lost.

a quick search on Etsy led me to some beautiful designs made with vintage buttons.

1. clover ring: IdleHandsDesigns 2. back side of clover ring: IdleHandsDesigns 3. buttons on wire: lorelei1141 4. earrings with 3 buttons: QuenchMetalWorks 5. lattice bracelet: PreciousMeshes 6. mirror flower charm: CleverEndeavor 7. midnight flower necklace: KiraFerrer 8. cuff with vintage buttons: NinaGibsonDesigns 9. calico button ring: PetalMetal

tag...your it!

2009-03-05T23:02:00.006-05:00

a few months ago i was tagged by an amazing metalsmith danielle embry who makes, among other things, these beautiful seed pods. after quite a long while procrastinating, i decided it was finally time to take my turn. anyway the rules are you have to write seven random facts about yourself then tag seven others to do the same.

so seven random facts about myself.
1. i think the octopus is the most amazing animal on the planet. i watched a documentary about them a few years ago and have been fascinated ever since.

2. if i could choose anyone in history to meet, it would definitely be leonardo da vinci.

3. i hate science but love looking at anatomy books and models. i love going to science museums to look at the skeletons.

4. when i was in 3rd grade we read an article in school, about how we were going to colonize the moon by2010. for years my plan for the future involved volunteering to go with the first group of colonists. i was very disappointed when i finally realized this was not going to happen.

5. i love patterned or colored socks but i don't like for them to match my outfit

6. i am terrified of birds, but love using their feathers in my jewelry.

7. i have a collection of random items that i found on the ground. i keep thinking i will make something with them but never do. i like to take them out from time to time and look at them.

tag... your it:
1. sara westermark
2. erica stankwytch bailey
3. lori flanders
4. betsy carr
5. johanna ely
6. ellie snow
7. michelle smith

THE RULES AND REGS: *Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.* Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

grand opening [metamorph supplies]

2009-02-21T17:34:00.004-05:00

i am moving all of my handmade supplies from my metamorph Etsy shope next door to metamorphSupplies. i have expanded my line of supplies and felt that my original shop was starting to feel a bit crowded. the move will take place gradually over the next few weeks. during that time supplies will be available in both locations, and i am more than happy to combine shipping costs. keep and eye on the new store for new styles of links and earwires, and for larger quantities of old favorites.

seed pods

2009-02-17T14:52:00.003-05:00

seed pods come in so many amazing shapes and intriguing shapes. my favorite are chinese lantern pods, i have some hanging in my studio for inspiration. this weeks finds are all inspired by various kinds of pods. all available on Etsy.

1. ArtGarden 2. lulubugjewelry 3. lindayeargintaylor 4. TiffanyTeske 5. aliherrmann 6. tamara

- - - stitched - - -

2009-02-06T11:38:00.004-05:00

while browsing through the pages of Etsy, i discovered several sellers who are combining traditional sewing techniques, like embroidery, smocking, and cross stitch, with metal design and jewelry techniques. the results are modern, fresh and beautiful. i love the fact that these sellers are preserving tradition while at the same time updating the techniques and making them their own.

- - -a few of my favorites- - -

1. nectar 2. nina gibson designs 3. asymmetery 4. tinctory 5. neawear

1000markets

2008-12-31T10:52:00.002-05:00

there are so many new handmade websites popping up lately. as an artisan this growing support of the handmade community is very encouraging. so far etsy has continued to stand out above the rest and has remained my favorite, but i just learned about 1000markets which just might give etsy a run for its money. this is a great site for buying and selling handmade goods, its only been up an running a few months, but i predict that its going to be quite successful.
the layout is crisp and clean and visually pleasing. the interface is very user friendly and the selection of merchants is outstanding. browsing for products is a little challenging as there is no way to search categories, you can only view random shops or search by keyword. since this is such a young website, and they are working very diligently at making improvements on many aspects, including searching products, we should let them slide on this one for the time being.
i joined last week and set up shop. so far i have been very pleased and am excited about finding this new venue, which has so much potential. i definitely recommend checking it out if you love handmade products. its another great way to buy directly from independent artisans.

recycled fur jewelry

2008-11-29T20:46:00.004-05:00

winter has finally arrived. time for hot chocolate, crackling fires, scarves, mittens and all things warm and cozy. while doing some christmas shopping on Etsy, i came across some beautiful jewelry made from reclaimed fur. perfect for a crisp winter day.

caterpillar earrings by Sara Lagacé, saralagace

poofda mink ring by Rebecca Sefcovic Uglem, beckaboodle

creamy mink brooch by Art Jewelry Online

recycled mink fur bracelet by Karine Eyamie, Mizdragonfly

spinning recycled deer fur necklace by Tessa Rickard, dolldisasterdesign

handmade market

2008-11-12T16:01:00.002-05:00

last saturday, november 8, i was a vendor at The Handmade Market in raleigh, nc. i always enjoy this show, but this time was particularly enjoyable because of the great new venue that The Handmaidens choose. we were at Marbles Kids Museum, in a nice size, well lit room. as a bonus there was a huge wall of windows so we could see outside. i had a great time and got to meet some amazing artists as well as catching up with some i had met at prior shows. this show always draws a crowd, so i did not have time to look around at all the wares as much as i would have liked, but i did manage to find time for a delicious lemongrass cupcake from Sweet T Cakery. i can always find time for cupcakes.

you can check out a picture of my table below, as well as work from a few of my favorite vendors from the show.

frances post earrings by betsy carr of foundling

kristen townsend from mood swing makes beautiful but edgy jewelry using vintage components. i especially love these new cuffs.

mikel robinson creates amazing mixed media pieces and fine art prints

sara westermark's organic designs are a personal favorite

happy halloween

2008-10-31T16:05:00.003-04:00

horray, halloween is finally here! my favorite holiday. unfortunately i have to work tonoight so i don't have any exciting halloween plans. we will probably watch a horror movie tonight after work, my vote will be for for Nightmare on Elm St. its one of my favorite scary movies, not to mention johnny depp has a bit part, which makes almost any movie worth watching (well any movie other than secret window or the astronauts wife).
its only 3pm and i have already had my first halloween fright while unloading groceries from my car. as i was getting the bags from the trunk, i glanced at the van beside me and saw a head sticking out from the space between the tire and the fender. it startled me so much that i actually dropped one of my bags on the ground (luckily i dropped the bag with the boxes and toilet paper, so i did not break anything). i find mannequin heads super creepy to begin with, and especially when they are sticking out of a car. i did not have my camera with me, and by the time i had a chance to go back down to the parking lot someone had moved it. i wonder what other eerie events the day has in store.
in honor of holiday, i decided to showcase some of my favorite examples of handmade spookiness. all available on etsy.
i love this "black scraggy cat print" from elle j. wilson

"darla the devil girl" is just one of the many amazing dolls by Colleen Downs of Loopy Boopy

i would hang this "catch me if you can" plate by Re Jin Lee of bailey doesn't bark on my wall year round.

"tabby girl" necklace from Maid of Clay

an awesome "skull and cross-utensils fruit cup" by folded pigs

this "black kitty ring" by studio.halo is definitely on my wish list.

i wish my cats would wear this adorable tutu by jiniaj. but since i can't even get them to wear their collars, i know they will never go for it.

pumpkin!

2008-10-26T00:56:00.000-04:00

i found this recipe for Saskatchewan Mashed Pumpkin on Pumpkin Nook and thought it sounded delicious. the recipe, contributed by Christina Mader from Saskatchewan, Canada, is as follows:

ingredients:
3-4 cups pumpkin, cooked, mashed
1 onion
2 tbs olive oil
1 bell pepper
salt
pepper

directions:
1. To cook pumpkin, clean one pumpkin and peel it. Cook until soft. Then, mash it with a mixer.
2. Re-heat mashed pumpkin in a large saucepan.
3. Thinly slice an onion.
4. Fry the onion in olive oil till brown.
5. Add browned onions to pumpkins. Mix in.
6. Add coarse salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

we decided to give it a try. never having attempted to crack open a pie pumpkin before it turned out to be quite an adventure. who would have thought something so small would be so hard to open. after several unsuccessful attempts using 4 different knifes i decided to bring out the heavy artillery.
making progress
the guts
cooking
mashing
ready to eat!
although it was a lot of work the results were delicious, and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. not to mention, i got roasted pumpkin seeds with old bay as a bonus.

schmap

2008-10-17T20:19:00.000-04:00

i was just informed that on of my photographs from the Historic Voodoo Museum in New Orleans was included in the 5th edition of the Schmap New Orleans interactive travel guide. you can see it here in the tour du French section. this is perfect timing as we returning to New Orleans for vacation next week. New Orleans is my favorite city to visit and i am counting down the days, almost hours, until our super early (6:00 am, eek) flight out on monday. i can't wait to get back to the French Quarter. i love its sense of history and charm and of course the food. i'm already planning meals, crawfish etouffee for dinner the first night and beignets at cafe du monde every day for breakfast.

my included photo

and another photo from the museum.

jackson square

statue of joan of arc

wings

2008-09-11T16:29:00.000-04:00

i stumbled across a great find recently, WWII era brass military plaques. these were leftover stock which never had pin backs soldered onto them. they are so detailed and made from such nice heavy stock, and have inspired some new steampunk designs which i am incorporating into my line. a few are already available in my etsy store. the rest will debut on saturday at the Designer's Downtown Market in raleigh, nc.

top picture- "fraction wings"- sterling silver, brass wings, typewriter key

"submariner bracelet"- hand forged sterling silver chain, brass submariner plaque

"icarus necklace"- sterling silver, brass wings, antique tintype photograph

hello japan!

2008-09-09T22:45:00.000-04:00

its been a while, but i have returned to my long neglected blog. its been a busy summer. i have attended some wonderful local craft fairs, added some new designs to my line, and collected supplies for some great new fall pieces which are arriving in my etsy store as we speak (many, many more to come in the next few weeks).
the most exciting thing that has happened to me this summer was my interview with the japanese web magazine flashfilm.com. flashfilm is a lovely online magazine showcasing designers from around the world. i am very honored to have been selected as a featured designer. to see my debut into the world of japanese fashion, check out my interview here (english version).

nostalgia

2008-05-06T13:15:00.000-04:00

when i got out of my car after work today, i noticed my favorite spring scent was hanging in the air. honeysuckle! i took a look around and found the source. i think they have been blooming for a couple of days already but i have been sick so i had not noticed. i have always associated the lovely scent of honeysuckle with the start of summer. as a child, my sister and i would eat nectar from the inside of the flower. you pull of the blossom and then grab the bottom and pull out the stamen. a drop of sweet nectar follows. that sweet taste and lovely aroma always take be back to those lazy summer days of childhood.

gearing up for a show

2008-04-28T23:13:00.000-04:00

this weekend i will be at one of my favorite local shows, the handmade market. if you are in the raleigh area stop by, they always have a wonderful group of truly amazing vendors. the show is held on saturday, may 3 from 11-5 pm in downtown raleigh @ vintage 21.

the last few weeks i have been quite busy as most every free moment has been spent building up my inventory. most recently my day was dedicated to making stackable bangles. i've been working on some new designs that incorporate reclaimed watch parts and vintage tintype photographs. i addition i will be introducing a new concept ring at the show, that i am very excited about. more information about the rings will come in a later post.

silver, freshwater pearls, watch case, tintype

silver, steel watch movement, bloodstone, freshwater pearl

today in picutures

2008-04-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

i broke one of my favorite antique sake cups today. i knocked two of them off the shelf but one landed in the pages of a catalog and survived the fall. i think i will make a bracelet or pendants out of the shards.

a new bangle design. bright yellow and just in time for summer. oxidized silver, copper, vintage glass beads. available in my etsy store.

oxidized brass earwires. these are now available as part of my handmade supplies section on etsy.

todays find

2008-04-14T17:32:00.000-04:00

i had a bit of free time today so i decided to check out A&B Supply Fixtures in raleigh. i just learned about it a few weeks ago, and today i realized i've really been missing out. its a huge warehouse of new and used retail display items. they have pretty much anything you could possibly want. used display cases, shelving, vintage cash registers, mannequins, a giant hot dog holding a sign. hiding in one dusty corner was this amazing bust form. it was the only one there, brown leatherette on a black wooden base. it has a sort of vintage feel to it, and is going to be a great addition to my craft fair display, and an interesting conversation piece in my apartment in the meantime. i was able to snap a quick picture just before it started to rain, you can see the dark clouds rolling in, in the background.

new button rings

2008-02-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

i just added two new button rings to my etsy shop. more comming soon.

oxidized silver, vintage glass button
i really love this new version of my button rings. its great for those who like the style of my other button rings but do not like wearing large jewelry. the smaller button give this ring a delicate and romantic look. i think i would look great stacked with plain oxidized silver bands.

oxidized silver, vintage glass button
the blue paint on the top of this button has partially worn away, leaving this lovely textured surface.

organic photography

2008-02-04T23:20:00.001-05:00

i found this beautiful weathered shell and was inspired to retake some photographs of my work. i love the suede-like texture, the sculptural feel, and the beautiful color variations of it.

bud bangle
silver, copper, vintage glass and acrylic beads

fossil necklace
silver, iron, ammonite fossil, freshwater pearls

Etsy poster contest

2007-08-17T06:51:00.000-04:00

Woohoo! After a long week of waiting, the results for the Etsy poster contest are finally in. The winning posters are absolutely amazing. You can see them all here. My submission won an honorable mention.

And Neawear's submission featuring my feather lariat was a winner.

great end to a great week

2007-08-04T18:56:00.000-04:00

this has been a great etsy week for me. i was lucky enough to be featured on a front page treasury twice this week. thanks to jorgenstudio for featuring my feather cocktail ring in her museum pieces treasury.

my april showers bracelet was also featured on the smashing darling blog, earlier this week.

Etsy front page

2007-07-31T20:45:00.001-04:00

thanks to neawear for including my feather lariat in her beautiful Etsy treasury poster contest submission. not only is it an honor to be part of such an amazing list, but it was my first time appearing on the Etsy front page.

handcrafted supplies

2007-07-05T22:54:00.000-04:00

i started listing some handmade supplies on etsy. more to come soon.

flea market finds

2007-07-01T14:40:00.000-04:00

i got these great vintage buttons, and these old letter punches today at the flea market. all in all, it was a profitable trip.

look for new button rings, coming soon!

modern cocktail ring

2007-06-12T12:55:00.000-04:00

a modern take on the diamond cocktail ring, made popular in the mid 20th century. this is the first in a series that examines the almost ridiculous nature of these rings, gaudy, ostentatious, and a blatant show of wealth.

materials: silver, polymer clay, feathers

available for purchase on smashing darling

a hundred types of glue

2007-06-11T12:25:00.000-04:00

and no epoxy. go figure.

featured on smashing darling

2007-06-05T21:51:00.000-04:00

i found a nice surprise today, my button ring was featured on the smashing darling front page.

vintage glass!!!

2007-06-05T17:56:00.000-04:00

i am in love with these vintage glass components that i recently found. i love the idea that these have a past history, maybe they were once part of a treasured piece of jewelry, maybe they sat in a box in a factory unloved for the past 5o years. they are so unique and i am excited to give them new life and a new look. available for purchase at my etsy store, or my store on smashing darling.

silent auction donation

2007-06-02T19:09:00.001-04:00

tomorrow, i am participating in Bazaar there will be a silent auction with proceeds going to benefit the Autism Society. after much debate i finally came up with a design for my donation. this lovely delicate necklace is made of oxidized sterling silver, coral, and freshwater pearls. Bazaar will showcase local artists, craftspeople, musicians, and of course wine. it is taking place on Sunday, June 3 from 12-5pm at Mosaic Wine Lounge. located at the intersection of W Jones and Glenwood ave in Raleigh, NC.

Handmade Market

2007-05-10T10:06:00.000-04:00

I participated in the 3rd semi-annual Handmade Market this past Saturday. It was held from 11-5 at Vintage 21 on Oberlin Rd (between Cameron Village and Hillsborough St). There was a great turn out, the weather was good, and some really amazing vendors, about 40 in all. They also had a soft pretzel stand and free chair massages, I was too busy to take advantage of this service, but Jackey could not pass it up. I took some pictures of our booth before the event started. You can catch a glimpse of Jackey, and my coffee cup, which I forgot to move out of view, in the background.

For more information on the market visit thehandmademarket.com.

I also got this truly amazing ring from Ashley Brodie Jewelry, as an early birthday present. Its made from an old key and piano ivory. Check out her website at ashleybrodie.com.