things fall apart.

how many worlds can we live in at once? how many times can we separate ourselves before there is nothing left? sometimes i feel so tangled up in my writing/ reading world or in my internet world or my bloodmilk world that i forget what my real world is all about. winter makes me want to never leave the house and when you work from home, things can get a bit slippery. anyway, i've been really into these glacier paintings by fellow etsy seller jeremy miranda. i've had a weird affinity for glaciers since my parents came home from alaska after a trip one year. my mom took over 1,000 photos of glaciers falling apart and the image of her doing this in such a cold place with her trained eye has stuck with me these past few years and has given me a sort of personal attachment to them. i once even wrote a 300 word autobiography about glaciers on a whim under the influence of spirits for a contest. i was one of a handful of people to win. the prize was having my face enormous and my words tiny on a bus shelter poster for the entire summer, which was also the summer i met my love. something about glaciers, falling apart. a strange world.

xoxo

It took me 30 years to make that one

by Patty Lakinsmith

Have you shown and sold your work at art fairs? If so, you might have a chuckle at this 3.5 minute little animated YouTube video, "Potter at an Art Fair". While the artist in the video is a potter, he could easily represent any kind of artist, even a jewelry maker.

It's easy to laugh at this if you've been through it as an artist. I've personally encountered a few customers like this myself, but fortunately only a few. If it were more it would be very frustrating.

The poor potter in the video tries to do everything right. He emphasizes that the work in his booth is handmade, and tries to convey the value through describing the amount of work that is involved in creating it. He doesn't give in to the shopper's desire to barter, and she moves on. Unfortunately, this customer is only looking for cheap finds, and would be better off at a flea market.

Depending on the venue, I usually assume that the shoppers entering my booth think that I went to the bead store and bought the beads used in my jewelry. Some have even asked me that and I'm quick to tell them that no, I make each and every bead by hand using a propane and oxygen torch, and glass rods imported from Italy. That usually slows their browsing speed immediately, as they take a closer look at my work with new eyes. I watch to see which pieces capture their attention, and then try to engage them a little by explaining the techniques I used to create the piece. Yes, I get questions about whether it comes in another color (blue?), and once I even had someone try to barter with me on the price (it was a very expensive piece), but by then they know that the piece was created by hand, and would not be found in any store.

I also have a digital photo frame I use that shows pictures of myself in the studio making beads, and it helps them to understand the process. I've even shown videos on my laptop before and that can really draw a crowd. Demonstrations are a great way to educate.

By and large nearly all of the shoppers I've encountered have been friendly and polite, and interested in the process I use to create my work, and I love getting out of the solitary confines of the studio and interacting with them. If they leave my booth with a better understanding of the value of handmade jewelry I'm happy.

Have you encountered shoppers like the one in the video? Do you have any special techniques you'd like to share for helping them understand that your work is not comparable to things they might find at a yard sale or flea market?

If you'd like some more laughs, check out this one on art fair neighbors, and this one on translating an artist statement.

Week 8-Peruvian Pendant

This week's theme was godesses, specifically Freya, who is a Norse godess. This pendant is more suitable for an Incan godess though. It consists of a large citrine colored hydro quartz brio wrapped in a sterling silver Peruvian inspired frame. The dangling beads are iolite. I'm not feeling the color combination though. Maybe it's because I graduated from Michigan State and these are U of M colors. LOL Maybe I would like it better with amethyst. Or maybe I should oxidize it. Opinions?

bones dipped in roses.

for weeks now i've been feeling quite ill with rarely a rational lucid moment, but finally it seems i've been adjusting to both quitting soda and the devil high-fructose corn syrup as well as reeling in my animal product consumption. these are choices due in part to health issues as well as becoming more educated on the treatment of animals, which i suppose we all know instinctually, but is quite another thing to see it or read about it in detail all-together. however, i've always been one against preaching or judging people for their lifestyles, likes, dislikes and what have you, so please don't misunderstand my sharing of this new development in my life as either of these. (this comes from developing an aversion to authority due to years at a christian boarding school) it was comforting to hear so many of you struggling with similar issues in your comments on my passion post.

anyway, i just added some new rose gold pieces to my line as it seems that while my writing skills drop tremendously during times of illness, i'm still able to conjure new jewels. go figure.

 so i offer a baby owl skull  and a crow claw, both re-imagined in lovely rose gold plate for your delight in the shoppe, with still more new things to come in anticipation of persephone returning with spring. 

xo

2011 Oscar Jewelry: Afterthoughts and After Parties

Heidi Klum in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Julien McDonald gown

Who can't get enough Oscar night jewelry gawking? Need a cure for your haute couture hangover? That's what I thought, you diamond-starved looky-loos!

The day after the Oscar jewelry bling-fest always brings with it the realization that A: I missed a few important jewels in my Oscar Night jewelry roundup and B: the after parties are where the real bauble action is (where goes Joan Collins so goes the carat count).

Elton John in Chopard

So here are a few key jewelry after thoughts from the red carpet proper that I didn't inlcude in my Oscar Top Ten list last night - and a host of great celebrity jewelry looks from the Vanity Fair party and Elton John's Chopard-hosted viewing soiree. 

AFTER THOUGHTS:

Scarlett Johansson Oscar Jewelry

Loved this statement ring on Scarlett Johansson - an haute couture creation by Anna Hu.

Celine Dion Oscar Jewelry

Love it or hate it, this statement piece from Bulgari made jaws drop in horror and/or amazement.

Cate Blanchett Oscar Jewelry

This lavendar and canary yellow Givenchy number had couture queens crowing and others scratching their heads. I (for one) loved it and couldn't believe she could find jewelry to make the look even better (these yellow diamond earrings are from Van Cleef & Arpels). 
 
VANITY FAIR OSCAR PARTY

What almost upstaged the jewelry gawking at the Vanity Fair Party? The coming out ofThe Biebs and Selena Gomez as an official Hollywood couple! Awwww... Aren't they cute?

From Charlize Theron and Anna Paquin to Taylor Swift and Jessica Biel, the A-list came to Graydon Carter's sandbox in stunning, shimmering jewels.

And Rita Wilson? Less is more, sister.

ELTON JOHN OSCAR VIEWING PARTY HOSTED BY CHOPARD:

Ana Hagopian Jewelry

Paper and fiber jewelry created by
Ana Hagopian is a wondrous feast for the eyes.
Texture and color dominate her work.

It's very easy to recognize the commitment
and talent this artist brings to her work;
one can see the sensitivity and the
delicate skill it takes to create
these pieces.

Over the years, Ana has developed
an astonishing range of jewelry including
pieces that are geometric and architectural
 in style, and those that are more relaxed
and organic in style. Our favorites are her
hand-sculpted floral necklaces featuring
wildly-extravagant profusions of blossoms.
The subtle variations among her
floral pieces lead to a rich, layered
effect that's realistic and idealized
at the same time. The results of all her efforts
combine to create an impressive world
of textural magic.

We'd like to take the liberty of traveling back
and forth among her current and previous
 collections to look at some of our favorites.

These two-tone blooms

are sweet and lively.

We really like these

flowers made from felt.
We're being to feel like
springtime is arriving.

Here's another version of these
particular blooms that are
bright and tender.

Lush and densely-packed together

flowers seem to be filled with

life and vibrancy.

So lush and light.
Delicate and powerful at the same time.

We love the delicate tendrils

in this brightly-colored piece.

The sheer lusciousness of saturated color in this necklace

causes a physical reaction – it makes our hearts beat

faster every time we see it.

This jewelry truly is a celebration of nature

in all her glory.

Some pieces are ethereal
and diaphanous; some are
made with heavy, dense felt.
They're all filled with textural
elements and spectacular color
that just takes our breath away.

We're inspired by all this
beauty.

How are you?

LMAJ Bracelet Giveaway....

This week, we will be giving this very cool bracelet made by me (MaryAnn Carroll).

Lots of Pics....  I know....

My biggest struggle lately is learning to take pictures of completed jewelry.  I've checked other shops..... I've checked in magazines.... I've checked blogs.... but I'm still struggling....

Todays comment request is that you leave a tip (or a struggle) that you have while photographing jewelry.  If you are a buyer ....  and don't sell .... what types of things in the pictures on Etsy, Artfire or elsewhere are appealing to you when you are shopping for jewelry, beads, etc.

As always ....  if you share this post on facebook, twitter, blogs or other places on the internet, leave a separate comment letting us know that!  Thanks a bunch!  Name will be chosen at random on Monday,  March 7th....  WOW!  2011 is flying by!!!

This bracelet was made with my porcelain beads.  The chain (have no idea where I purchased it) was given a light patina effect using a torch (purchased from Barbara Lewis).  The clasp was created using 16 gauge copper wire.

**The bracelet can be sized for the individual winner**

2011 Oscar Jewelry Roundup: The Trends & Top Ten from Tinseltown

Oscar jewelry fashion at the 2011 Academy Awards was a smattering of surprises paired with the usual classic diamond deluge. Fasten your seatbelts, jewelry hounds. Here's my glittering recap to the red carpet Super Bowl. 

Red-hued frocks with elegant diamond looks were a big trend (Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Hudson), along with emerald jewels (Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon, Annette Bening), knock-out necklaces (Nicole Kidman, Helen Mirren), and colorful earrings in surprising silhouettes (Marisa Tomei, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman).

While there was a very real fear that the 'less is more' trend would dominate the night - (Michelle Williams, Mandy Moore and Jennifer Lawrence all opted for minimal jewels - among many others), Oscar always brings out the best in some of our go-to fashion divas.

Here are my top ten looks of the night, but be sure to visit Jewelry.com on Facebook for my complete album with rants and raves capturing all the Oscar looks. And better yet? Check in with JewelClub Monday morning to get all the hot 2011 Oscar jewels at prices that don't need their own body guard.


1. Anne Hathaway Oscar Jewelry

Some might say Tiffany diamonds and a red dress are safe Oscar bets. I say - that's the kind of red carpet fashion we jewelry hounds are looking for (and dare I say) expect from the A-list. And Annie's jewelry looks just kept on coming throughout the show (I'll be tracking down pics and credits for all - so stay tuned!)

2. Nicole Kidman Oscar Jewelry

How can you make a stunning 150-carat Fred Leighton diamond necklace look even more beautiful? Put it on Nicole Kidman and have it DRAPE DOWN HER BACK! Win!

3. Marisa Tomei Oscar Jewelry

Van Cleef & Arpels is responsible for these sapphire, diamond and emerald statement stunners. And her Charles James dress from 1950 almost made Tim Gunn hyperventilate, bless his heart. She's never looked better.

4. Natalie Portman Oscar Jewelry

The sensational Live Twitter Chat gang (some of the best minds in jewelry and fashion participated - click here for more!) were either in LOVE with these Tiffany ruby tassels or thought them to be, um, pedestrian. I love the pomegranate color - not the silhouette so much. It just wasn't the knock-out moment the belle of the Oscar ball needed to bring (a la Gwyneth in Cathy Waterman and Ralph Lauren when she won back in the day).

5. Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar Jewelry

Speaking of G-Pal - only she could pull off this Calvin Klein silvery sensation of a dress paired with these unique Louis Vuitton gemstone (bird?) earrings from their L’Ame du Voyage collection. A bold choice and a big win!

6. Helen Mirren Oscar Jewelry

Dame Mirren reigned over the red carpet in a pearl, diamond and platinum necklace from 1907 and a diamond bracelet from Cartier’s Archive Museum Collection. This woman always looks lovely - although the length of her necklace is a bit long here for my taste.

7. Reese Witherspoon Oscar Jewelry

This year's Angelina Jolie-emerald-earring copycat award goes to...Reese Witherspoon, who looked lovely in 35-carat emerald drops by Neil Lane (her jewelry totaled $1 million). Annette Bening? You come in second place...

8. Jennifer Hudson Oscar Jewelry

Jaws dropped when this dream girl stepped on the red carpet in a 'tangerine/red' Versace number and Neil Lane diamonds. And I am telling you. You don't have to go anywhere, sister.

9. Mandy Moore Oscar Jewelry

The 'less is more' win of the night for me went to this pretty diamond cluster earring on Mandy Moore. The overall look is the perfect example of how to wear jewelry with a sparkly dress. Just lovely.

10. Amy Adams Oscar Jewelry
 

Such a bold choice to wear navy, no neck line and this Cartier emerald and diamond wrap necklace and a 30.75-carat carved emerald and diamond bracelet-watch worth $1.025 million. Everyone is talking about her jewelry - despite the fact that it belonged with a different ensemble.

Whew! So what do you guys think of my Top Ten Oscar jewels for 2011? Who did I miss? Weigh in - and be sure to double back tomorrow for my 'after party' jewelry gawk-fest. Hoping for an Angelina sighting at the Vanity Fair party. Stay tuned!

(By request, a close-up of Amy Adams' Cartier wrist bling. Wow!)