immortal beloved . . .

sweet 29 raked in this amazing white cobra snake from the much coveted collection of the lovelies over at loved to death, (take a peek at their new website!) i nearly wept with joy when i pulled him out of his mystery box! the only thing missing is a name. . . . any ideas? 

xo.

darker, my love: prints!

these three paintings are available as affordable prints from my show, 'darker, my love' with danielle vogel at loved to death. this is the last week the show is up and also my last show of paintings until 2012.

i feel very personally attached to these works as they are focused on my idea/obsession of what happens to the relationships we have with loved ones when they die. i used the story of beetlejuice and it's characters to convey this idea/question, taking themes from both the film and cartoon version, the latter of which has lydia and beetlejuice in an intimate friendship. if you haven't done so already, please take a look at the show in it's entirety, danielle vogel's writings are truly amazing and i was honored both to show at loved to death and to show with danielle again.

xo

Silver Prices - The Good and the Bad

by Patty Lakinsmith

First the bad news: The price of silver is through the roof. Many jewelry artists depend on this metal for their work - some exclusively, and others partially. Either way it's not good, as the cost of buying it as a material or a finished product has never been more expensive.

I started out using exclusively sterling silver findings (headpins, ear wires, accent beads), and over the years have used more and more fine (pure) silver as I worked more with precious metal clay. The two materials work well together - you can embed fine silver wire into metal clay to make very functional components.

What are my options? Well, 50 grams of metal clay that cost me around $70 at the beginning of the year now cost close to $100. I could bit the bullet and buy more, or I could consider other materials. Perhaps the key is to just use less silver in my work, and to consider it more of an accent than a main element. Raising prices right now is not something that artists want to do. I've recently been using more alternative metals like brass and copper in my pieces, and liking the results.

One of the bright sides is that maybe this pressure will nourish a spate of creativity in us all as we look for new alternatives. Maybe (I hope) we will come to appreciate more kinds of beauty than just that associated with this one particular metal. Maybe repurposing and recycling itself will become the sought after, instead of some arbitrary, manipulated commodity.

This necklace by Reworkd on Etsy incorporates recycled vintage typewriter keys and steampunk elements, typically consisting of watch parts and other mechanical bits. Typewriter key jewelry is rampant on Etsy.

There are tons of recycled elements found in jewelry these days, from scrabble tiles, bottle caps, license plates, skeleton keys, dominos, plastic shopping bags, bullets, saris, broken china, skateboards, vinyl records, and even recycled sneakers and more.
Kathleen Plate is using recycled wine bottles for jewelry, home decor, and even clothing. This kind of work just makes me feel good inside. You know someone had a good time drinking the wine, she likely loves making things from the bottles, and when you bring one of her pieces home it makes you happy to look at it and for helping the planet.

I doubt that a rubber bracelet will ever convey as much value to its wearer as a silver one, but the other bright side of this is that now is a great time to sell your silver scrap. I'm also taking it as a personal challenge to find more creative elements to use in my jewelry, and I think that's a good thing.

How are you dealing with the price of precious metals these days?

A Winner and the Spotlight...

by MaryAnn Carroll

Due to Thanksgiving falling on the same day that we announce our weekly Call-to-Create Designer Spotlight Winner, we did not select a designer to be shown off on our blog. Today we will be announcing that designer AND announcing our weekly LMAJ Giveaway Winner...... 

Soooooooo....without further ado,
Our Designer Spotlight winner is...

Lu Behrman from Designed by Lu.

~Hidden Forest~

Here is how Lu described this gorgeous necklace...

Deeply etched copper forest pendant (44x34mm) by jenniferstumpf; bronze leaf by summerstudio; glass headpins by GardanneBeads; HUGE (approx. 3/4") lampwork nuggets by twosisters; and the incredible chestnut/indigo chain and toggle clasp by missficklemedia. Measures 24"...

Now...for the winner of this beautiful necklace by our own Mary Jane Dodd......

using the random number generator, the #1 was picked......and that person is...

Carol DeLater.

Congratulations, Carol!  You're one lucky woman :O)  Check out Carol's blog Beads and Birds.

dreamy dolls of doom:

tim walker for vouge uk october 2010.

forget me not.

secret histories and cosmic mysteries tangled up in a braided lock of queen marie antoinette's hair.

FastCompany Magazine

Robert Safian, the editor of FastCompany Magazine, sat next to me during the National Design Award Gala in October. He was warm and humorous, with a good ear for overly-excited moms who don't get out much. Listening more attentively than I imagined that night, I told him about the sadly dwindling numbers of braille readers over the last 50 years; I even taught him "60-second elevator braille," which, even amidst the melee of that crowded, beautiful hall, he got - just under the wire!

He's generously focused this month's Letter from the Editor on the reason for my having designed and made braille jewelry, trying to please as many tastes as possible, over the last 10 years. It's not about jewelry; it's not even about Ethan. It's about literacy...
which leads to independence and freedom we all want for ourselves and our family.

Thank you very much, Bob, for your attention and interest!

Following the Followers.....

by MaryAnn Carroll

One of the great things about being an author on this blog is the freedom to go with whatever I want to write about.  Of course, I need to stay focused and probably shouldn't write about things that are unrelated such as the fact that, at this moment, many birds are flying all around my window and keep coming back and forth to the bird feeder.....or....my blind dog who insists on sitting on my lap while I type on the computer.....Whoops!  ...   losing focus!!  These are my current distrators.....it doesn't take much ;o)

That tends to be a problem for me.  My brain is one of those that just jumps from idea to idea and it has a hard time staying in one place.  When I'm on a mission, however, no matter how big or small, I am able to keep focused for an extended period of time. Today's mission was to find 10 artists who follow Love My Art Jewelry and show off their artwork...

Whether it is finished jewelry or components that you might want to add to your own jewelry designs, check out what some of our followers have been doing in the world of~

~creating handmade with handmade~

Some very cool components by annaleesa...

a finished necklace using handmade ceramic components by designedbylu...

very cool pure silver earrings by dreamsome...

who wouldn't love this embroidered bracelet by hidingplacebeadery...

a lovely resin-filled handmade ring by lucidmoonstudio...

gorgeous raku focal by makustudio...

right in the Christmas spirit with these etched trees by mjalexander386...

fab necklace by scjjewelrydesign...

a very funky pendant by sculptedwindows...

and lastly, this awesome pendant created by urbandon...

How fun is that?  Not only did it keep me focused, but I had a blast shopping in these stores....

Don't forget ... tomorrow we will be drawing for the fabulous necklace made by Mary Jand Dodd.  Also, stay tuned for the winner of our Call-to-Create.  There is still one day left!!!

hand me my leather

i love the juxtaposition of soft white tulle with the black leather straps and hardware of zana bayne's harnesses. elegant and edgy. 

xo

PS thanks to everyone who bought something during my black friday beetlejuice sale. i really appreciate the support! i'll be working on new pieces, antique collage pieces & orders for the rest of the year. 

xoxo

looking forward to -

'each morning sees some task begin,

each evening sees it close;

something attempted,

something done,

has earned a night's repose.'

~ henry wadsworth longfellow

one of the things i love about making my own components is the process... how once one begins, each step progresses until it is done... i enjoy waking up in the morning to pieces ready to be sealed - because i know that soon i will be able to use them... 

i hope to make some necklaces with these today... 

to my delight yesterday, i saw our own barbara lewis in the registration announcement for bead fest wire in philly... her class is on april 10 - the link to register is on her name... 

she is teaching a 7 hr. torch-fired enamels class... congratulations barbara - this is a huge event!

Pink Tourmaline, Green Amethyst and Hydro Quartz Earrings

I've always liked the way that Sheridan Joslin uses unusual color combinations of gems in her jewelry. So even though my first instinct was to use shades of pink with these rose hydro quartz carved circles, I decided to use green amethyst instead. I also added some beautiful little carved pink tourmaline leaves as well as some champagne keishi pearls. I should get out my color wheel more often.

Skaði

She cupped her hands and gently blew over her palms; the children saw only the snow, falling from her fingers. She was tall, very tall, and slim as an icicle. Her skis flew down the mountain she loved; straight as the path of an arrow, and twice as fast.

She loved winter; she was never cold, never tired of snow and ice. Her mother had known her name in the womb; Skaði, Skaði, Skaði she whispered, sending chills down her mother's spine.

© 2010 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel Glass icicle by Glasswich. Beadwoven from seed beads; embellished with quartz chips, angora rovings and vintage glass.

.. 'twas mere weeks before Christmas..........

'Twas weeks before Christmas, and all through my place,

All creatures were running the Art Jewelry Shows race.

The copper was hammered and laid out with care,

In hopes that the hubby would soon antique it there.

My beads were all nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of bracelets danced in my head.

Barb Lewis enamels, and Miss Fickle too,

Mary Ann ceramics, greens, browns and some blue.

And me with my pliers, and tools in my lap,
I'd just settled in with with silver wire to wrap.
When out in the kitchen, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bench to see what was the matter.


Away to the door, I flew like a flash,
Slid in the hall, and fell on my........"ash".


When what to my wondering eyes should I see,
Steve with the camera, taking jewelry photos with glee,


With his old trigger finger so lively and quick,
I yelled, "No blurries", as the camera click-clicked.


So rapid and speedy, the pictures he took,
And he laughed and shouted, "Hey, no time to look."


"More bracelets, more chokers, more earrings and such,
You're lagging behind, and you must make so much!"


"Back to the studio! Back down the hall!
They don't want jewelry that's sold at the mall!"




"Go saw, file and sand, hammer, dap, wrap and chase,
Fire up that blow torch.... OOH! Watch your face!"

"Pack for the show, and load up your truck,
Sell it all, Honey! Good sales and good luck!! "

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, jewelry hounds. Turkey jewelry doesn't seem like a good idea, but these items just cracked me up.

Be sure to carbo load for that Black Friday blitz tomorrow!

on thanksgiving ~

'feeling gratitude and not expressing it

is like wrapping a present and not giving it.'

~ william arthur ward

my yearly seasonal sadness descends the day after (not even anymore) halloween when commercial christmas appears... what about thanksgiving? i love this holiday...

as a practice, i try to be thankful for things every day - no matter what... it's not a polly anna outlook, but rather a practical one... it shows me that my world is, in fact, balanced...

knowing that you don't read minds and therefore do not hear my private thoughts of gratitude - i would like to thank you for the support you have given this new group... your interest, participation and comments are very much appreciated... time can be short in our crazy days - thank you for taking yours to be with us as we all check in and share...

wishing you good food, great company and lots of laughter & love - mary jane

When Mary Jane first suggested that we each share something for Thanksgiving, I thought, "What a great idea!" Then I thought, "Geez, it's not every day that I take to time to reflect on what I am really thankful for. I thought that I would give it a few hours and that it would eventually come to me. It's not that I'm not thankful for my family, my health, my job as a teacher and everything else that I have in my life because I am, but I won't be talking about that here.

I'm not quite sure how these words will come out so I'm going to just be myself and go with it, like I do with almost every aspect of life. You might have heard the lyrics to a song "I Hope You Dance" by Leean Womack that may have touched you at some time in recent years. This song has special meaning to me for many reasons. When I first heard it, it was on the the radio. The woman that was requesting the song be played was requesting it because the lyrics of the song captured everything that she wanted for her son that was born 9 months after she had been raped. Of course, that had an effect on me. Perhaps, the effect was a little more intense at the time also because I was going through my own very difficult time as were my children. For anyone that may check my shop out on Etsy, you might have noticed that on each listing I ask that you support the fight against dating and domestic violence. That is a topic that is closer to me that seeing it on tv or listening to the horror stories that may result from this in the news.

Although, life is peaceful now, I am thankful for the lyrics of this song. I used to listen to it on a regular basis and took the time to share it with each of my three children letting them know that no matter what, this is what I had hoped for them in their own lives.

Then, one day, it occurred to me that this would be something that my Mom (who passed when I was 25) would have also wanted this for my life. I gradually decided that I also needed to want this for me too. Today, I'm thankful that I made that choice. For each of you who may be struggling in your own lives, I also hope that when you are given the choice to sit it out or dance, that you choose to dance.
Happy Thanksgiving. MaryAnn

Barbara here ... I'm in St. Pete, watching the Miami Heat play the Orlando Magic, best friends of 35 years are sitting with me, yawning and drinking champagne, my daughter is here with her roommate and my son, who turns 25 in a few days, is singing ... he's a minstrel, what can I say.

Three Amigos ... My two on the right, Laura and David, and Jenny, Laura's roommate, have just finished decorating the tree.

Three Amigos II ... from left to right, Oscar, Jenny's little friend, Annie and Donnie, our devoted companions

These are special moments ... just everyday life with people who love each other, have good health, and everything they need. Not only have I been blessed with good friends and kids that still want to be around me, but my blogging friends have enriched my life beyond measure. As the days have turned into months, I have come to realize how much I appreciate you ... generous and talented artists I have never met but who have given so freely of yourselves. I give thanks for all the times you visited my blog and left a message letting me know that you connected with something I said, for sharing your love of art with me, for your words of encouragement as we navigate together this world of creation with its joys and disappointments.

Hi all and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Thank you all for your time and attention to this wonderful site. I have so very, very much to be thankful for, I hardly know where to start........... (and the eyes are starting to well up..........) My faith and family would have to be first and foremost. I am blessed to have two wonderful parents, 78 and 81, still married , going strong and very much in love. Today, I will get to be with them and the wonderful meal they still insist on preparing. My incredible, loving and supportive husband Steve..... wow......so much to be thankful for with him. God truly blessed me when he put Steve in my path. Health. Happiness. A home.. a job... a jewelry business I love, that lets me be creative......... My incredible friends...... my list is simply endless. I hope everyone reading this can find joy today, and be thankful for the meaningful people in your life. It's not the "things" we have or can accumulate in life that make life special, it's the people, the special moments, and what we each do with the gifts we've been given. It's the laughter and the joy, and to quote Mary Jane, the "infinite moments" . May you all make infinite moments today. Happy Thanksgiving! Kelli

Hi there, it's Patty, chiming in to say that I'm thankful for...

the love and support of my family,
the freedom to express myself in word and action,
brave friends who are willing to defend my freedom even when our political views clash,
the encouragement I receive from so many friends in far away places whom I've not even met yet,
and finally, I am very thankful for a small bit of greenery to hide my bruised nose and ego behind after a little mishap with a door.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

Darkness into light

She rolled over and squinted at the clock. 3: 04. Wide awake, she'd hoped it was later than that. The light from the neighbor's yard made it look like dawn in her bedroom, even through her shades.

Groaning, she turned her face resolutely to the wall and tried to go back to sleep. It's not morning, she told herself; not even close. If I get up now, I'll be ready for bed at 7:00 tonight.

Click. The light turned itself off automatically. It was night again.

At least until the next raccoon wandered by.

© 2010 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel
Time Machine Beaded Bead Pattern by Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour of beAd Infinitum.

Reflecting

by Barbara Lewis

A lot of us, at this time of year, reflect on the past ... all that we've been given ... all that we've done.  This led me to stroll through I-Photo to look at some of my old work, which goes back to August 2008. Many of them show my former life as a potter, my love of knotted thread, leather cording.

Knotted bead clusters and turquoise

Ceramic pendants with etched and stamped brass, and one of my first enameled things

Ceramic pendant with African clay and glass beads, an amber bead from a flea market

Pit-fired ceramic beads and turquoise

Sea glass from Chesapeake Bay on a leather and chain bracelet.

The aqua and pink metal is the former steel siding of an old beach house we bought, which is riveted to the front.

Sterling tube rivets

If I don't get a chance to talk to you tomorrow, have a wonderful Thanksgiving ... and beware of the sedative effects of turkey ... or could it really be the copious amounts of food we'll all be eating!