Pieces for Week 26: Leafs, Twirls, Roses and not quite matching earrings

I actually have a whole new set of ideas that I am going to work on...eventually - until then I am "practicing" my ideas on these pieces...some seem to be more of the same, when in reality I am trying new and different techniques.

One of my leaves...more layers of hand fabricated silver and copper wire. Tried to place some silver granulation on it...didn't work very well. Photo really does not capture the detail. I'm not going to paint this leaf...leaving it all silver shimmery.
SOLD!

Another leaf. Again, detail is missing. I used a piece of copper scrap to make the large swirl on top. This one has a bail in the back. This may be one of my favorites!

More use of copper scrap to make little roses. I was so pleased with how this came out that I made...

a crescent moon...with a single rose and silver swirls. The rose kinda fell apart when I got the torch going...but I learned from my mistake, and...

This is the result. A single rose made from a thick gauge of copper scrap...silver twirls...I LOVE this piece.

Love this piece so much I put it on...will wear it today while out and about in the world!

Attempt at earrings using this same technique. It is SO VERY DIFFICULT to get earrings to match. I thought that maybe I would just turn these into little pendants, but Josh insisted, "No...they are earrings!"

While I am excited about heading off to Tahoe for a 17-day art and craft show, I am bummed about not having studio time for half a month. That part bugs me... I DID realize that I can take some copper scrap, tools and shears with me to sit and form some shapes...this is a good thing.

Have a fantastic 4th of July! Peace!

Pieces for Week 25: of myths and legends...and rebirth

I love old things. Old falling apart buildings, rusty junk, legends, myths and treasure chests.
This week's pieces reflect my love of old...AND have a sense of opening up, tearing away, new growth spiraling out...little seeds tucked away. Because, that's where I'm at in my life.

I just had fun. I either had A Perfect Circle or goth belly dance tunes blaring. I was HOT in the studio this week! (and you can take that in any direction!!!!)

I remembered to take a "before" pic this time! Here are the pieces. All hand fabricated, silver on copper, twisted, bent and fused. 

And then...I hand-painted each of them!

 "Bacchus", or "The Scream"....actually looks more like "Oh!"
SOLD!

"Old Tapes"

"Persephone"
SOLD!

"Poseidon"

"Torn by the Stag King" update: SOLD

"Torn by the Stag King" has already received many ooohs and aaaaahs even before it was completed.
Yes...there will be lots more in this style. I snuck in the studio and made two more this morning (sneeking because I don't usually work in the studio the day before a show...)

I still need to make leather cords for these pieces to hang off of (I am preferring leather over silver chains), but they should be good and ready to be sold this weekend up at Lake Tahoe!

Pieces for Week 24: about 210 in fact

I believe that every artist should take a break from their usual medium and so something completely different.

For example:
Painters should try beading, bead artists take up paper mache, sculptures take up embroidery and metalsmiths take up painting. Or some sort of combination. The point is to step away from your usual tool/creative toy box and do something totally different.

Don't say to me:
OH NO!!!! I could never do that.

Yes, you can. You may choose NOT TO do something different...but you CAN do something different.
It's good for you. Makes you younger, more interesting and sexy.

That being said...last week, at the last minute, I tried something different. After hours in the studio my creative brain, while still very active, needed a break. While wandering around I discovered some interesting components and my very active creative brain screamed "WHAT IF????"

And so I ran with it. I hand painted some acrylic components, put earring findings on them and took the results up to Tahoe...

AND SOLD OUT!

Every artist who vends has to have that balance between their "art" and the "bread and butter" work. The trick is to find the "bread and butter" work...and still be true to "art." Low materials cost, quick to make, low price point, grab and go, but still quality and hand-made....and holds the attention of the public. More than holds the attention... CHARMS the public. Delights the public. Never seen before and, WOW, it's HAND-PAINTED? For only this much money? (don't worry, materials, time etc...was all factored in...)

I had stumbled across the charm+delight+novel+wow-factor+hand-painted+silly low cost= SELL OUT! formula!

We have a three day weekend up at Tahoe coming up. Three days and a huge carnaval in the parking lot behind us. This type of crowd draw does not lend to people making big purchases, but they WILL make small token/momento purchaes...this is what we are ready for.

We spent $60 in materials and spent ten hours hand painting 210 pieces (all day Monday*). This will make 105 pairs of earrings that we are selling at $10 a pair...the math is good.

The pictures I took are purposefully not the best. These must be seen in person...with light shining through them...but I at least wanted to document this week's "Pieces."

And yes...it's only Tuesday. I'm gonna take Wednesday and Thursday OFF, and then Friday at 5am we are off to Tahoe!

 

the smaller painted pieces with have beads and chain incorporated

*Yesterday I was all poised and primed to take myself out on an adventure, but was so excited about making these, that I cut the date with myself short, came home and started painting. This is what PASSION is about.

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.