All in or all out

This is a hard post to write. When I retired from the art show circuit in July 2018 I thought I would spend the next year working on the other aspects of my art business.  I would set up a soldering station and play with metal, explore wire work and setting stones, and develop new techniques and new designs. However, I found that without the constant need to replenish my stock for upcoming shows there was nothing driving me to crank out work and new designs. Other interests drew me in different directions. Things like my garden, remodeling projects, travel, and chairing the master gardener plant sale. 

So in December when my friend Hayden Starbuck said to me “you are either all in or all out”, it really resonated with me. It gave me the incentive to look at how I was conducting (or in this case not conducting) my art business. It gave me the encouragement I needed to say it's OK if it's time to be all out. It is still a very hard decision to let go of something you built and invested so much of yourself into. I keep second guessing myself. But I remind myself of those words, all in or all out.

This month I have set up appointments to pull my inventory from my consignment accounts. My existing inventory will remain in my online store for a bit and I may post some of the items I am bringing back from consignment. I will keep my online presence and if I create new work I'll be sure and post it on Facebook and Instagram and let you know. And if I feel inspired to do a studio show or garden art party you will all be invited. 

If you have old work of mine that needs refurbishing please feel free to contact me. I am not dismantling my studio or getting rid of tools or materials. You never know when I will get the urge to  dive in to a box of beads or stones.  

I have much gratitude towards all of you for the support you have shown me during the last 10 years as I took my part time business full time in order to make a living. I couldn't have done it without your support and feedback. Thanks so much! 


Ann

My Two Favorite Things

Last week I combined 2 of my favorite things, gardening and jewelry! I took a fun class out at Old Goat Farm Nursery on using plant parts to create molds that get filled with PMC (polymer metal clay) to create jewelry components.

PMC was created in Japan in the 1990's. The material consists of microscopic particles of metal (copper, bronze, silver or gold) and a water-soluble, non-toxic, organic binder that burns off during firing.

For our class we used sterling silver clay. I was surprised at the weight of the finished pieces. For molds we used sheets of polymer clay that had been created by imprinting various leaves. We evenly pressed our small rounds of PMC onto the molds. Then we carefully removed them from the molds.

The playing card was so that we could transfer our pendants to the drying area.  I used an imprint of  a cedar frond for one side.

They were all laid to dry on a warming tray. At home the artist uses an old toaster oven.

Drying is important. If there is still moisture in the piece then it can explode during the firing process.  Once dry they all go into the kiln, at about 1650 degrees!

After firing they are cooled in water. Then we brushed off the burs with a brass brush. Next step was to apply patina with liver of sulphur.  Surplus patina is removed with a baking soda scrub and a brass brush. Patina is removed from detail areas with steel wool. The last step is to tumble and polish.   

My completed piece.  Not the best design, but when I take a class I focus on learning technique rather than the outcome!

While we waited between steps we had lunch in the garden and toured the nursery. We met the rescue goats, peacocks, donkey and other birds. A very nice way to spend a day. 

Back to the Studio

This spring I have been putting my creative energies into my garden and home. It is time to start getting back into the studio! I find I can not just step back in and expect to be creative. I have to be in the right frame of mind to be creative. 

Recently I wandered into the studio and started to straighten up. I ran across a bag of old necklaces and parts that a friend had given me to repair and remake. It is rewarding to see how well worn some these older designs were. I appreciated getting the chance to improve upon my older work with better materials and techniques. 

 The original necklace circa 2007. The wire was likely 7-11 strand. It had become brittle and broke.

 For the remake I upgraded the wire (I use a 49 strand steel wire now) and restrung all of the beads. I redid the end where the strands and leather come together, making it more secure. The added a small piece of amber to the golden chalcedony. She had lost one of the matching earrings so I was able to find similar beads and remake those.

Circa 2002. I could not find a before of this one. I restrung the glass beads, crystals and pearls with the better/stronger wire, gave it a new dragonfly clasp and gave it a good cleaning. 

The turquoise earrings were circa 2002. My friend had lost one. I no longer had the original large sterling bead, but I found something similar. The other 2 earrings are not my designs, but I was able to remake them using similar materials.

 Thanks to my friend for providing me with a good exercise to ease me back into my studio.

Featured Artist: Eastern Wind Glass

Another artisan you will meet at my Fall Art Bash is Dixie with Eastern Wind Glass.

 

One of Dixie's first creative endeavors was studying fashion design. From there she went into retail management. She took her love of color and texture from fabrics to glass. She has been working with stained glass for more than 20 years and fused glass almost as long. She opened her shop in 2008 to share her knowledge of glass and provide a place for other glass makers to find supplies and take classes.

 

Eastern Wind Glass is located in downtown Bremerton near the corner of Callow on Burwell.There you will find an assortment of supplies for glass art making, both stained glass and fused glass. Have a stained glass piece that needs repair? Contact the shop to discuss your needs. Or perhaps you have an idea for a custom piece in mind. They also have glass art from several glass artists for sale. And they offer a wide variety of classes.


There are classes in both stained and fused glass for kids and adults. They provide all the tools.  Classes include beginner and advanced classes. See the full schedule on her website. For those who already have the skills studio and kiln time can be purchased.  Classes also are posted on their Facebook page. Check the website for the store hours and be sure to stop in the next time you are in Bremerton.

Snakeskin Jasper

Last month I used up the last of these pretty snakeskin jasper teardrops. Some of these stones have such intricate patterns.  

One on right is sold.

Snakeskin jasper is a stone of protection and invisibility. 

Always makes me think of Harry Potters cloak!

It guards against negative attitudes and actions. 

Its energy is useful in moving energy and can be helpful during massage. 

It can also be helpful during meditation, bringing one peace of mind. Snakeskin jasper is also thought to bring productivity and abundance to our minds and bodies. 

One on left is sold.

(Note this information is for curiosity only and is not meant to be medical advice.)

Red Creek Jasper

I found the most gorgeous red creek jasper when I was last in Tuscon. Last week I had finally had a chance to create some new necklaces with these stones.  

Sold. Red creek jasper mixed with ocean jasper and fossilized coral.

This jasper is mined in China. It is also known by the names of Cherry Creek or Picasso Jasper. 

Metaphysically it is believed to bring balance and relaxation and, like all jaspers, it is a stone of protection and grounding. 

One on left is sold. Here I have mixed red creek jasper with agate, carnelian and poppy jasper.

As a healing stone, red creek jasper helps with sense of smell and promotes physical energy.

One on left is sold.

 Mystically it helps to bring balance to your life and aids in relaxation, 

as well as eases emotional stresses. 

Sold

 This stone is thought to be lucky for actors.  

It gives one the courage to speak out and be independent. 

  

As always, this information is provided for curiosity only and is not meant to be medical advice. 

Fossilized Coral

Another cool fossil! Found in Indonesia, Florida and Georgia, fossilized coral consists of marine skeletons that have been preserved in stone. The entire process takes place over 20 million years and occurs under very specific geological conditions. During the process the coral remains gradually being replaced with agate. Often the result is flower-like patterns in colors ranging from white and grey to rusty tan and oranges. 

Sold

This fossil is a birthstones for Scorpio, Gemini and Taurus. I love to mix this stone with freshwater pearls. Seems fitting since they both come from water and the result feels very organic.

Sold

 Its healing qualities include healing pancreatic disorders and improving blood circulation. It has also been used for healing illnesses of the eyes, skin and stomach. Some believe it can enhance longevity!

Sold

Mystically it is thought that fossilized coral is a grounding stone that can help to bring about change.In the necklaces below the antiqued brass clasps were so pretty that I decided to make them a feature and move them to the front!

Sold

All are $49. To purchase any of these just shoot me an email: beadware at wavecable dot com

Restocking for Fall

I recently visited the Angeline Spa in the Clearwater Casino in Suquamish to restock their supply of Beadware. You can take advantage on one of their great fall specials shown on their  website and then shop from more than 2 dozen Beadware items chosen specifically for spa customers. The selection includes: 

 The green red creek jasper necklace.

 Turritella agate necklace, earrings and bracelet.

 Snakeskin jasper necklaces.

Amethyst necklaces, bracelet and earrings.

Rose creek jasper necklace.

Ventures Gifts for Good

As you can tell from my hiatus from my blog it has been a busy summer! Yesterday I visited Ventures in Pike Place Market to restock their supply of Beadware. This is a great little shop in Pike Place Market. They are one level down from the market itself. The shop features local small business and artisans. An excellent place to buy gifts.

Among the 2 dozen pieces were: 

Amazonite necklaces and bracelet

Labradorite necklace, earrings and bracelet

Picture jasper necklaces and earrings

Red Creek Jasper choker and black necklace

Recent Work - Quick Peek

Here is a quick peek at some new work that you can find at my upcoming shows as well as a new supply at Angeline Spa in Suquamish.

 African Fire Agate - yum! Also available in copper. 

 Red Creek Jasper

 Red Creek Jasper

 Red Creek Jasper

 Red Creek Jasper and Arizona Turquoise

 Red Creek Jasper

Pink Quartz and Pewter Tree of Life

Recent Work - Lapis Lazuli

This stone is such a pretty color. At Ventures - Gifts for Good in Pike Place market they can not keep necklaces and earrings I make with lapis in stock. I recently made a few new designs for them and these beauties are now available there. 

The name of this stone comes from 'lapis', the Latin word for stone, and 'azula', which is Arabic for blue. This opaque, deep blue gemstone has a grand past. It was among the first gemstones to be worn as jewelry and worked on. At excavations in the ancient centers of culture, archaeologists have again and again found among the grave furnishings decorative chains and figures made of lapis lazuli – clear indications that the deep blue stone was already popular thousands of years ago among the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome.

 Lapis, deep blue matte glass seed beads and pewter accents. SOLD

The golden sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen was richly inlaid with lapis lazuli, as were other burial ornaments of Egyptian kings and queens. It was used extensively in scarabs, pendants and other jewelry, and ground into powder for dyes, eye shadow and medicinal elixirs

Another of its earliest uses was as a pigment for paint. It was ground up into a powder and mixed with binding-agents to produce the intense, but expensive, ultramarine color favored by many early Masters such as Michelangelo. Many pictures of the Madonna, for example, were created using this paint. Unlike all other blue pigments, which tend to pale in the light, it loses none of its radiance. Today the blue pigment obtained from lapis lazuli is mainly used in restoration work and by collectors of historical paints. 

Lapis, labradorite, deep blue cut glass seed beads and pewter accents. SOLD

The highest quality lapis lazui is found in Afghanistan. It is also found in Russia, Chilean Andes, Italy, Mongolia, the USA, Canada, Myanmar and Pakistan

Lapis lazuli is regarded as a stone of friendship and truth. It is said to encourage harmony in relationships and help its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly.

This stone is a powerful crystal for activating the higher mind and enhancing intellectual ability. It stimulates the desire for knowledge, truth and understanding, and aids the process of learning. It is excellent for enhancing memory. 

 Healing : Lapis lazuli is beneficial to the throat, larynx, and vocal chords, and helps regulate the endocrine and thyroid glands. It enhances circulation and improves cardiac rhythm. It reduces vertigo and lowers blood pressure, and is thought to alleviate insomnia . Lapis lazuli is also thought to relieve general pain and inflammations, and is especially effective against migraine headaches. It aids the nervous system and brain disorders, and is believed to help with attention-deficit, autism and Asperger's syndrome. 

Mystical: Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest spiritual stones known to man, used by healers, priests and royalty, for power, wisdom and to stimulate psychic abilities and inner vision. It represents universal truth. It quickly releases stress, allowing for peace and serenity. It permits tapping into personal and spiritual power. 

As always stone information is not meant as medical advice but provided here for curiosity only. 

Recent Work - Snakeskin Jasper

I have never met a snakeskin jasper I did like like. They are gorgeous stones. The patterns and colors are amazing. 

 This one had a cool crystal inclusion. It sold on its first day on display. 

 Blue/grey seed beads and sterling silver tubes with pewter.

Snakeskin jasper is a stone of protection and invisibility. Who doesn't need that! 

It guards against negative attitudes and actions. SOLD

Its energy is useful in moving energy and can be helpful during massage. SOLD

It can also be helpful during meditation, bringing one peace of mind. Snakeskin jasper is also thought to bring productivity and abundance to our minds and bodies. SOLD

Mixed with freshwater pearls and copper.One on right has SOLD.

 

SOLD
(Note this information is for curiosity only and is not meant to be medical advice.)