Real Life Intrudes

Well, I have made a couple of pieces of jewelry this week,but I haven't had time to photograph or post them.

While I am on vacation I have spent the last week working on my teaching license. It expired in June and I need to get it renewed before school starts in September. So, I have spent the last week logging all the reading and research that I did over the last year and writing about how that impacted my teaching. While I'm always happy that I've done this after the fact, the actual doing it is not fun! I love doing research and am always looking for ways to improve my teaching methods, but writing about it is more of a chore for me. Now, if you ask me about it, I can talk your ear off!

Another artist who has had to put her creativity on hold for the last week for educational purposes is Annette Piper. You can read all about her experience home schooling her son for a week on her blog, as well as check out her beautiful jewelry.

Finding Inspiration

I've been thinking and reading a lot about inspiration this week. I keep a file of different kinds of jewelry that I often look through to inspire me. But I think that sometimes it might be helpful to open my eyes a little wider and see what other artists and artisans are doing.

I was reading my fellow Skwiggaziner Stacy's blog, Busy Mommy Product Review and found out that she is part of an interactive art project called The Grid. I went to their website and found examples of many artists' work. The pictures of each work form a collage which is both beautiful and inspiring. If you are in a creative slump and looking for inspiration, check it out!

Crazy for Copper

I originally started working with copper wire as a way to "practice" before working with more expensive sterling silver wire. I now feel confident enough to work in silver, but along the way I developed quite a crush on copper. I love the freedom of being able to experiment and not worry about the cost. Also, being of Irish heritage, I have very pale skin and copper, either in its shiny state or oxidized, looks much better with my skin tone. Much of what I make in copper I do go on to make in silver, but have come to think of copper as a precious metal, at least precious to me. Here is a sampling of some of my copper pieces.

Fluorite and Copper Pendant

Copper Wrapped Unakite Pendant

These bangles are so fun to make. My friend Paul dismantled an old drill and made me a wire wrapping tool which is clamped to my table. It is great for twisting wire as well as wrapping it around a mandrel. It's made from parts we found in my basement, so it sure isn't pretty, but it works, it was free, and I love it. At some point I'll take some pictures of my work table and post them.

Copper Coiled Bangle

Copper Coiled Bangle with Green Porcelain Beads

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. After my first year of teaching (kindergarten!), I'm getting back on track with my jewelry endeavors. I'm busy stocking up on supplies (fun!) and making jewelry (fun!). I'm taking pictures of my pieces to put up for sale in my Etsy shop. (not so fun). I have a very old digital camera and limited photography and editing skills. I swear this part takes longer than making the jewelry. I'm also starting to reach out and network with other artists. I plan an sharing links to other blogs and sites and look forward to "meeting" people all over the world.

Here are a few photos of some of my newer pieces.


The first is a unakite donut wrapped in twisted copper wire. It hangs from a necklace of unakite buttons and copper spacers.

This necklace is made from labradorite and opal rondells and features chalcedony drops.


This copper swirl pendant wrapped with garnets hangs from a handcrafted copper chain.