Sonoran Living and Terri O

Me and the fab Terri O! She is so darn adorable.

As you might know, I was invited to be on ABC Channel 15 Sonoran Living by the incredible and crafty Terri Ouelette. When she emailed me, she asked if I could come on her show and “be fabulous.” (NOTE: Click the tv link above to watch the segment). Sure, no pressure. I had about 36 hours to make some new art samples and design a stepped out craft project. No worries!

Thursday was a late night — up until midnight getting it done — but the end result was so worth it. Last thing I did before bed was brush on a sealer layer of ICE Resin® for my cold enameling and then 6 hours later woke up to my charms being dry and ready for attachment with some jump rings or ribbon.

My two books, some art samples and Karen Lackey’s handmade bust displaying some jewelry. The table got too crowded for my DVD and magazines too. LOL. You can’t throw it all in.

I arrived on the set by 8 a.m. to set up my little 6-ft display table, listened to bits and pieces of the 15-minute staff meeting where Terri and her camera crew were going over the show, did a few minutes of social media on Facebook and Twitter and then lights, camera, action the segment was live. I followed her lead, answered questions and just tried to enjoy the moment as much as possible.

Iced Enamels™ and Spellbinders® Media Mixage™ with Susan Lenart Kazmer™ blanks that I used to make a charm bracelet an also a cold enameled cuff. I adore this cuff. The design is exactly me – mixed media, colorful and quirky! I’ll be teaching this cuff at the new Charity Wings Art Center in San Marcos in a few weeks.

I had fun making jewelry and home decor samples using the Spellbinders® Media Mixage™ with Susan Lenart Kazmer™ line of blanks, available at Joann Fabric and Crafts, along with some cold enameling techniques. I also brought with me another little friend that’s been sitting in my studio since last summer; an adorable burlap mannequin designed and created by my friend Karen Lackey in Phoenix. These babies are awesome for displaying and photographing your jewelry. She sells them in her Etsy shop and also during vendor day at Art Unraveled. The poor girl has been waiting for me to get her over to the Stampington offices in Southern California, where I’ll be next week. However, I thought she needed a little moment in the spotlight before she leaves me.

Here’s a little wearable journal I made using cold enameling, ICE Resin® and ICE Resin® paper. This design is one of Susan’s originals. Earlier in the year, I needed to step in and teach a class for her where the students made this piece and this is my inspired-by-Susan piece. The wire framework is 100% SLK.

I can honestly tell you that I went into print journalism over television news a long time ago because I just don’t think I have quite what it takes to be a television personality. But you know what? I’m starting to get used to seeing and hearing myself on video and it’s not as bad as I thought.  As a matter of fact, it’s downright entertaining.

Here’s a closer look of the set display.

Crafting on Sonoran Living

Life is good! I’ve been invited to get crafty once again with the supercalifraglious Terri Ouelette on her Arizona morning show Sonoran Living. I’m going to show how to make some fun metal mixed-media charms in minutes. I’ll also be showing how to add some color and texture to metal. These charms can be used for jewelry, home decor, as embellishments for scrapbooks and cards or any myriad of handcrafted goodness. Of course, since the appearance is less than 72 hours away, I’m in my studio right now making samples. But here’s a butterfly charm where I used Iced Enamels so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about.

If you’re an Arizonan, please take a moment to set your DVR for Sonoran Living Live this Friday, May 17th at 9 .m. For those of you who follow me from other parts of the country, the station is really good about getting links up on their website within hours of the show broadcast. I’ll be sure to post a URL when I have one.

Here’s wishing you a truly Artful day!

Found objects in a new light

There was a little glitch with the Interweave store over the weekend and sign ups for my webinar this Thursday were not available. The good news is that it’s been fixed and the link is working. If you have some time Thursday, May 16th at 2 p.m. EST to take my online workshop/webinar on found objects, mold making and casting, I’d love to have you join me. Remember, even if you’re working and not able to join, you can still sign up and watch the webinar at your leisure. Here’s the link: http://www.interweavestore.com/on-the-hunt-for-found-objects-how-to-create-new-and-eclectic-molds

Work in Progress – Art Journal

A student of mine went to my new website the other day and then sent me an email. She wanted to know why I have all jewelry and none of my collage and assemblage on it. It’s a good question. I think it’s because I was feeling the pressure to update my website right before my book came out in January, as well as the  Belle Armoire Jewelry profile in March. Both of these are focused on mixed-media jewelry exclusively, so that’s what drove my website makeover earlier in the year.

She does bring up a good point. I work pretty consistently — and have for many years — in mixed media. To me, there is not a lot of difference in what I do. I use different substrates for different purposes. Collage if I want to hang it on a wall. Assemblage if I want to put it into a niche or have it be a three-dimensional piece that can sit anywhere. Of course, jewelry if I want to wear it.

I feel like my style, no matter the medium, is pretty clear. I can see my “voice” in everything I do and I think others are able to tell just by looking at a picture when I make something. That feels so good! It’s taken years of being an artist for this to fully emerge.

Today’s Work in Progress is a sneak peek of an art journal I’ve been working on and off for the past month for an upcoming Somerset Memories article. I can’t show any more than this (and am really not supposed to be showing any of it) but here’s one completed page. This journal is about two of the most important elements in my work; texture and color. You will see me exploring and pushing this much further in my work. It’s what I’m most excited about right now and what drives me when I’m in my studio.

In case you’re wondering, the flowers are recycled plastic from a bag of organic baby squash from Trader Joe’s. I cut organic circles and carefully singed the edges with my blowtorch. Yes, it’s a little overkill and I would suggest NOT using a blowtorch unless you’re a professional, but I was moving fast and couldn’t find my trusty candle that I usually use for this technique. If it’s something you wish to try, light a candle and then very carefully and slowly singe the edges. This works with lace and paper and resin paper too. It provides a gorgeous texture to your work! Again, if you give this one a try please take the utmost of care!

Here’s wishing you a truly Artful day!

Whatcha doing May 16th?

Do you have plans next Thursday –May 16th — at 11 a.m. (MST)? I’d love for you to join me for my live webinar with Cloth, Paper, Scissors online editor Cate Prato. We’ll be talking about one of my most favorite subjects — found objects for collage, assemblage and mixed-media jewelry. I’ve been working hard on the powerpoint presentation for this online class. In addition to making a new collage that I’m teaching step-by-step how to create, I’ve been having a blast taking some crazy fun pictures of the all the odd bits and pieces I’ve collected throughout the years for mold making and casting. The webinar will give a small peek into my studio where I show the displays I have of my lovely vintage treasures.

I know I’ve said this before, but I adore casting found objects. My favorite medium for it is a two-part molding putty. Despite the fact that I’m not much into representational art, I really enjoy casting found objects in ICE Resin and then do all kinds of lovely surface designs to recreate the objects so convincingly that it takes a good eye to see the difference between the real object an its reproduction.

As much as I can go on and on about found object, making molds and casting, I must stop right now and save some information for next week. Here is the link to sign up for my webinar Found Objects; Searching For Texture, Style and Relief.

For those of you who work during the day, I’m pretty sure you can sign up for this webinar and get a link to listen to it  later. Also, Interweave is including a discount coupon for my new DVD Breaking Out of the Mold if you purchase the webinar.

Hope to see you there. Have an Artful Day!

CREATE workshops

It’s that time of year when I’m starting to gear up for the next round of teaching and workshops across the country. It’s been nice to be home working in my studio since March, but I find myself getting a little itchy as the days tick by and the retreats draw near. In just a few weeks, I will be in Orange County, California for the Cloth, Paper, Scissors CREATE art retreat. I do love this event, as my fellow instructors are so darn inspiring with their class offerings and the students are radiate with positive energy as they are learning and creating. Talk about being in the flow!

I’m teaching 4 workshops — 2 all day ones and then 2 evening classes. Like always, I’ve packed a lot of instruction into them. We always end the day with a completed project, but I structure my workshops so we begin with basic techniques and build on them as the minutes and hours progress. We work up to things logically, but so quickly, that my students will often say halfway through “Wow, I had no idea we’d be doing so much!” I love it when that happens.

So for all you West Coasters with a little bit of time on your hands and who want to make art, check out the CREATE website and all the incredible class offerings. Not just mine, but also my dear friends Kristen Robinson, Ruth Rae, Elena Lai Etcheverry, Pam Carriker, Kari McKnight Holbrook, and Joanne Sharpe. You can see all their bios here. Remember if you are looking for unique art supplies, handmade art from some of your favorite instructors and unique mixed-media jewelry to wear, the Artist Faire is free and open to the public. I’m working on some pieces from my book to sell, specifically metalwork bangles, rings and earrings.

Here are pics of my classes:

Resin clay, painting, texture, hand building, fiber jewelry, cold connection attachment, making clasps and findings

Cold enamels, texturizing, forging, dapping, doming, disc cutter, cold connection – lots of fundamental metalwork.

Heart’s Desire journal. Resin, resin paper, fabric flowers, doodling, stamping, surface texture, forged wirework. Lots of technique packed into one workshop!

Cold-Enameled Heart Necklace class. Learn all new enameling techniques for adding color to metal and also advanced resin techniques as well, plus metalworking of making forged neck collars and handmade findings.

Found Object Work in Progress

This week I’m pulling together my powerpoint presentation (artwork, photos and text) for my upcoming May 16th webinar with Interweave called “Found Objects: Searching for Texture, Style & Relief”  – More deets on this soon! The webinar inspired me to dig around in my plastic bins filled with found objects. I started picking from my collection of vintage hardware and found oodles of inspiration in this particular drawer pull. I still have to finish off my transformed necklace by making some chain and closures but here’s my Work in Progress pic for now. If you want to see the finished piece, sign up for my webinar. (How’s that for a tease??!)

Shout out to B’Sue

 

Detail shot of my Textured Circles necklace from my book Making Metal Jewelry.

Just a quick post today as it’s my mother’s birthday and we have a fun day of lunch, shopping and a movie ahead of us. I wanted to give a public shout out to my friend Brenda Sue Lansdown, the owner of B’Sue Boutiques.

I met Brenda Sue just over two years ago when a friend of mine told me about her fab online jewelry supply store. I was in desperate need of some hard-to-find brass charms and chain for a workshop I was teaching. I was frantic because my supplier went out of business. I called Brenda Sue on the phone and we had the most amazing conversation. Our connection was so instant, it felt like I had rediscovered an old friend after 20 minutes.

I’ve continued to buy from Brenda Sue for my kit supplies. I also took the time to learn about her background in the jewelry making biz and found her story inspiring. She even helped to illustrate a recent business advice column of mine in Belle Armoire Jewelry. She recently bought a signed copy of my book Making Metal Jewelry, and today she did a review of it on her blog. She wrote such a great review that I had to give her a great big shout out for her support!

Here’s the thing about B’Sue. She’s all about her customers and she tells it like it is. If she doesn’t like a new product — even if it’s been developed by a fellow artist friend — she will not recommend it. People know that when she gets behind something, she’s put it through the paces and believes in it. She has a great reputation in the jewelry community. To know that she liked my book and found the advice helpful, honestly, means a lot to me.

Also, this is a good time to tell you about her community of peeps to love to make jewelry and share their experiments, triumphs and failures with their work. If you are new to making jewelry, the B’Sue Boutiques Creative Group on Facebook  is a great online place to connect with other people who are more than happy to answer questions and share. I try to pop in whenever I can.

Sweet Hearts

I was playing in my studio over the weekend and wanted to make a sweet little pair of earrings to wear with a T-shirt and jeans when hubby and I have a casual Friday night date night of sushi and a movie. Here’s a little secret: I love to make jewelry, specifically mixed-media jewelry to wear when I’m at art retreats, but….I hardly wear much in my daily life. Most days you will find me wearing a pair of earrings and my favorite stack of mixed metal bangles that I made from forged wire. These earrings are perfect for casual days at home.

Hearts are definitely a Talisman shape for me. You will see them a lot in my work. I’m on a search for a new shape. I wonder what it will be?

Stampington & Co Freebie

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How fun to open my email and see a project of mine on Stampington & Company’s Postscript newsletter. As I do these kinds of articles, I mark them on my big office calendar, do the work, turn them in and usually forget about them until I happen to open a magazine or an email and there I am. It’s always kind of cool to see the process come together. I really do love working with all the Stampington editors because they know their stuff when it comes to layout and typography. Johanna Love, Stampington’s Director of Photography, has such a gift for taking pictures that I do believe every piece of art sent to her looks better after she’s styled and shot it.

For this Guest Artist piece, I created a little house triptych with lots of surface layers of paint, rubber stamps and color. I had a blast playing with Dina Wakely’s stamps. I know Dina and she’s an awesome artist. Her new stamps are perfectly in line with my own aesthetic; a little  edgy with an urban vibe. I used her circles and random number stamps for this.

Believe it or not, I struggle when it comes to giving my work titles. I have no idea why considering I like to think of myself as a wordsmith. However, as soon as I finished this triptych and looked at the images, the storyline “Ma, Pa and the Cousins visit the Big City” immediately popped into my head. The family is dressed up for a night in the city and the tickets represent an invitation to attend a swanky gallery gala, given to them by a worldly artist they met when he came through their hometown in search of a rural landscape for his paintings.

I had so much fun using these altered vintage photographs that are in Spellbinders® Media Mixage ™ with Susan Lenart Kazmer™ line (Available in the paper crafting section of Joann Fabric and Crafts stores). I’m not sure how many of you know this, but ICE Resin’s Art Director is Karen Michel, an amazing mixed-media artist, author and instructor. As a matter of fact, Susan and Karen became friends 13 years ago when they first started teaching the national mixed-media art retreat events together. Karen is the person who’s responsible for all of our new packaging, our website design, our company blog design, etc. She’s also the artist who created the collage ephemera papers for Susan’s licensed line with Spellbinders® Media Mixage ™ .  Her eye is impeccable! The other reason I like the ephemera packs so much is because it contains so many old papers — all over 100 years old — that we’ve collected on our trips to France’s flea markets. We’re talking the real deal.

All said, I really do like this art piece. It makes me smile. It’s colors are happy and uplifting and there’s just something kind of giddy about it.

Anyway, enough of the “behind the scenes” talk for this piece. Pop on over to Stampington’s website and take a look at my project here. The best part is it’s a freebie!