Friday, May 27, 2011

Piece a Week #21 - Tonbo Two

Another dragonfly!

This is before the final 5 hour tumble (rotating drum filled with water, soap and steel shot).

She still looks pretty good!

She has some texturing, fusing, one little granulation ball...there were four, but three came off after the ultra-sound bath.

Boo.

The granulation balls lasted through tripoli and rouge...but I guess the ultrasound was a bit too much. I decided to not go back in to fuse them on...I kinda like the one little ball.

Tondo Two
I have these new ideas of layering shapes so that the top shape looks like it is rising out of the layers below...like something archeological...a fossil type thing.

And now...to pack for the McCollum Studios Tahoe show!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Piece a Week #20 - Tonbo

The Japanese word for dragonfly is "tonbo." I love Japanese art and I love dragonflies. I have done all kinds of dragonflies...and I have purchased many kinds of dragonflies. The deciding factor on the glasses I wear is that there are dragonflies on the frame.

This project actually was going to be something completely different (I love all things Monty Python too!). I wanted to capture the look and feel of a field full of dragonflies. I also wanted to work in sterling silver again. So...I created, what looked GREAT on paper, a cut-out and layered piece that I was going to run through the rolling mill with the silver.

YUCK. What a mess. It didn't make any sense at all. There were no dragonflies to be seen...just a lot of lines and a curve here and there. I found a very light pattern of a dragonfly so I began to saw out the design. I elongated the tail..and...cool...a very nice silver dragonfly.

Now what?

I fused the dragonfly on another piece of silver, and began to saw out shapes...
I then hammered around the border.

Eventually this piece emerged. I am delighted with the results.

Tonbo

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Where Women Create/Where I Create

There is a delicious magazine on the market called "Where Women Create." Every issue is full of amazing female artists in their studios. Studios that make me say, "Really?" I presented the magazine to one of my art teachers and she, after drooling over the studios, slammed shut the magazine and said, "No artists studio looks like THAT..."

Imagine. What if...wow. I would never come up for air! Take a peek for yourself...click and check it out (I receive no monetary anything for sharing this..)


Where Women Create

The studios are magnificent...the articles about the artists, inspiring.

It seems that most women have taken huge risks to be an artist...many left corporate positions, tossed the Master's Degree...OR realized how to blend architecture into jewelry design. Love that!

In the spirit of the magazine, I thought I would share "where I create..."


I was inspired to write this post while sitting on my couch enjoying my clean living room. The mantle is filled with all kinds of shamanic type things. My photography on the wall...calendar with paperwork for shows...the usual cat.
The eclectic bookshelf. Old cameras, a teddy bear, a mask made of hemp, more photography, golden mouse ears and various crystals. Various important books and art magazines.
Really - I work a lot at this table. Catnip or squishy food often lures them away for a few minutes.
...but they always come back.




Here's a sneak peek of the work we are taking to Tahoe this year! The cat is staying at home.

I am beginning to define my space more that I have more time in the studio. Josh began a 40-hour a week job today...now it is my turn to fine tune my skills and "find my voice..." This is gonna be fun!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Piece a Week #19 - Roots

I love roots. The way they protrude from the earth...all scraggly. They inspire me...


This is my rendition...


A cuff bracelet that I am keeping for myself!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Piece a Week #18 - Waterfall

Last week was a "white rapid/going over waterfalls" type of week. Many, many things changed...our beloved cat, Booger, had to be put to sleep...Josh made a decision (more on that later, it's a good one) that will dramatically change our lifestyle...opportunities were added in and other choices were taking out.

All I could really do was to go along with the flow - talk myself into relaxing and just going...sometimes the stream was peaceful, a couple times it felt like I was going down a waterfall...and thus, this piece emerged out of all the white rapids. It is called "Waterfall."

The Waterfall

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Kewish Designs at Rediscover Sutter Street Celebration Saturday, May 7!

Fire and Rain Gallery is opening a second location!! Join us on Saturday, May 7, from 10-2 on Sutter Street for the Rediscover Sutter Street Celebration! We will have a small trunk show out in front of the gallery! I am busy working on some new designs...flowers, hearts, butterflies, dragonflies...and whatever else we may come up with!!
Note - this is not a "street fair" with a lot of vendors. Fire and Rain has asked us specifically to do a small set up in front of the gallery...and to bring in balloons!!! 
Fire and Rain is at the end of the street in the red brick building, a few doors away from Planet Earth Rising and across the street from Chicago Fire Pizza!
Everything begins at 10 a.m. with colorful Chinese Lion Dancers, the WellsFargo Stagecoach and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Attendees have a unique opportunity to be a part of history by participating in a community photo in the 700 block of Sutter Street immediately following the ribbon cutting.

The street will be alive with activity including James Garner's Johnny Cash tribute band on one stage, and more live entertainment on a second stage. A series of 9-foot-tall graphic totems depicting Folsom's fascinating history will be unveiled. Tours and historical re-enactments will be on-going. Vintage cars, the City's antique fire truck and project construction equipment will be on display.

For your convenience, catch a shuttle at the Walmart parking lot (Glenn Drive behind Chevron) between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or ride Light Rail.  There will be limited parking available in the Historic District Parking Garage. 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sunday Coffee .. in the evening

There is a coffee place in San Francisco that is one of my favorites. I recently met up with a friend there....
Cafe Flore. Check it out here.

I would love to be there right now!! Kick back, put my feet up...have a margarita! It has been a busy weekend....and it continues to be busy!!

We have something like 26 days before we begin our weekends at Lake Tahoe!! We pulled some of our work out of The Market Place for Lake Tahoe...that includes the dragonflies! ;)


We are both excited and stressed and...excited! AND there are lots of things happening here in town...

Arareity is having a special earring sale for May...so we are taking additional earrings and bangles there in a couple days...
Fire and Rain is opening a 2nd store on Sutter Street in Folsom...big opening day for Sutter Street is Saturday, May 7 and Fire and Rain will also be open and having champagne...we will be there with a small table out in front...we will have all new jewelry!!!
There is a new store opening on 24th Street in mid-town that we are going to check in to...
And then there is The West Wind up in Grass Valley that has shown an interest, we need to follow up with that as well!

So all of that AND creating new pieces...and getting laundry done and the yard mowed once in a while.

Whew!

Piece a Week #17- A Path With Heart

Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you. (Teachings of Don Juan)


A Path with Heart, Copper and silver, hand fabricated