This Week's Doings

Ah, chipping away at the to-do list! Finally, I shipped this consignment order to OOP! in Rhode Island. Now, I am working on 2 custom orders, more inventory for my next show, and squeezing in a bit of yardwork here and there. Be gone, cursed crabgrass!

A impromptu trip to Peaks Island on Tuesday proved to be a much needed mini adventure for our family. We enjoyed a pleasant ferry ride, a hearty lunch, cold beers, and scenic views of Casco Bay on the veranda at the Inn on Peaks Island.

We hope to explore our Maine some more this month before school starts!

New Work

A few new items that will make their way to my Etsy shop in the next week.

Reclaimed vintage boot buttons and sterling earrings

Upcycled vintage mother of pearl button pendant in sterling silver and 18k

My signature earrings in sterling silver

Upcycled carved antique mother of pearl button pendant in sterling and 18k

Trio of vintage mother of pearl buttons brooch in sterling silver and palladium

Coming Up for Air

Phew! I'm buried in work, making many lovelies for my summer shows and stock for the upcoming holiday. With almost 70 pieces approaching the finish line and a box of castings schedule for delivery tomorrow, the next week promises to be a flurry of filing, hammering, soldering, and oxidizing. A quick glimpse of my works in progress and my cluttered bench.

button bracelet

the mess that I call my bench

bracelet with boot buttons from the 1930's

Pendant, almost complete and my new favorite

pendant with sweet carved button

The Two Quenches

I am amused at the technical differences between my "collections". The earrings below are from the Vintage Collection and, if you have followed this blog, you know that I incorporate vintage buttons and explore hand-pierced filigree. For me, the collection is frustrating....lots of time involved designing and sawing out these intricate patterns, lots of broken buttons from the riveting process, and lots of broken saw blades. As much as I detest the work I devote to this collection, I am repeatedly rewarded with the end product. I see my grandmother and her mother in these pieces. This collection is my homage to embroidery and sewing and I believe that my gram would be proud that I honor this tradition with my collection.

Earrings with vintage buttons

Pendant with sterling and 18k gold dots

The other collection, Dot, is an all out fun fest. The pendant above is the latest addition to Dot. The work involved is remedial...meaning a bit of soldering, a bit of hammering, minimal filing, no fancy patterns, no repetitious sawing and piercing. I form the dots by melting scrap sterling or gold, add a little boric acid while the metal is molten, quench the dots, and hammer flat. The process is a bit crude, but that's the appeal. This collection gives my brain, eyes, and hands the break it needs from my other challenging collection.

In the end, I am both collections (and I didn't even get to dissect my Armor collection!). I'm the consummate metalsmith who fusses over the tiniest blemish; I'm also the experimental artist eager to try create timeless designs. I hope you find a bit of both in my work as well!

Interview with Corybethy

Since joining Etsy, I have "met" and befriended many talented folks from all over the world. I thought that I should start introducing you all to these incredible artists as well. Below is my first blog interview with Corybethy. A dynamic jeweler and regular contributor to Team Metalsmiths in Action, Cory's work is vibrant, fun, and unique. Read on!

Tell me a bit about yourself (name, where you live, age?, zodiac sign, family, pets, etc).

My name is Cory Howard. I live just outside Columbus, Ohio where I've lived my entire life. I'm a 26 year old Scorpio and I live in my house with my sister, her cat, my dog Axel and my parrot Zorba. I love love love animals and would have hundreds if I could afford them and could have time enough to spend with them.

How long have you been making jewelry?

I began making metal-smithed jewelry when I was 20ish where I first took a class at my college (Columbus College of Art and Design). I had a free period and decided I would like to try metal smithing as I had been working with beads since I was a kid. Well, needless to say =) I fell completely in love with it thanks to my wonderful professor and ended up taking 4 more classes.

What is the inspiration behind your work?

Inspiration is a tricky question. I am an artist who loves multiple media outlets. I love crafting anything whether it's painting, drawing, building, sculpting. I pretty much will take anything that holds still and try to make it into something I deem pretty =) I think that's why I like making jewelry so much. It's like tiny pieces of art that you can keep with you and admire all day. I also have a great affinity for toys. I love the ones that have a function especially if it's silly. Noise makers, wind ups, whistles, kaleidoscopes, stacking dolls... I could go on and on. They just make me happy. Bright colors are another love of mine. I love to surround myself with them. It's hard to be sad when you are surrounded by bright cheerful colors!

What is the one technique that you would love to learn.

A technique I really want to learn is enameling! Another outlet for color. Yippee =) And I just love the glassy, mixed hue techniques you can get with enamels. They are beautiful! I'm planning on taking a class at my community center pretty soon. I'm just dreading the thought though because I know how much I'll love it and that can only mean one thing... MORE SUPPLIES! I'll have to fork over my savings on enamels.

Tell about working with epoxy resin. How did you learn this process?

Ahh my history with Epoxy Resin is a funny one. During my second class with my wonderful professor, she said to me, "Cory, I think your work is great but it's just calling out for some color!" She had seen my other forms of art and knew how much I loved color. She really encouraged me to try epoxy resin. Well, I have not looked back since! I love epoxy resin. The color possibilities are endless and it gives me a form of art that's not metal but can be so easily combined with metal. It's really a blast. I come up with new ideas for it everyday it's so versatile.

How did you find Etsy?
A friend of mine found Etsy when it first started and talked me into looking it up. I started an account and shop and browsed around a bit but never really got into it much as I was busy with school. After school when I found my full-time job, my friends at work loved Etsy and would shop there all the time. I had recently gotten a torch for Christmas (thanks mom and dad!) and thought, "what the heck, I'll try it out!" Well, It was so fun to start making metal work again and now I had an excuse to spend countless hours and sleepless nights at my table crafting! I was selling stuff and it was amazing.

Do you sell anywhere else besides Etsy, either online or offline?

Recently, a friend's wife has started a shop in a small town outside of Columbus and they thought my jewelry would make a good addition. I'm so excited to be able to display my work in a gallery setting! I'm working on that project as we speak. I also do occasional craft shows but I find it hard to stay at my booth instead of wandering around seeing what goodies there are to be had.

Is CoryBethy your full time job? If not, are you working towards that?

CoryBethy is not my full time unfortunately. I work as a graphic designer from 9-5 weekdays. Someday I think it would be wonderful to open my own little shop with lots and lots of local lovelies to sell.

What is the most beneficial aspect of Etsy?

I love that Etsy is global. So far I've had the privilege of selling items to such countries as Canada, Ireland, Australia and Denmark! It's so cool to think of my items being worn in such far away places! That never never never would have been possible, or at least as easy, without Etsy.

Team MSIA Seek n' Find!!

I belong to two villages...one being Etsy Maine Team (which I am now co-leading with my peep, Kellie, but that is for another post) and Team Metalsmiths in Action. My MSIA village is having another Seek and Find contest with gads of prizes to be won! Above is just a small sampling of the fine jewelry items up for grabs! Below is the official announcement.

MOTHERS DAY SEEK N FIND CONTEST STARTING MAY 1st!

The Metalsmiths In Action Etsy Team is having a Seek, Find & Win Contest, starting this Friday, May 1st and going through May 10th (or when all prizes have been given away, whichever comes first)! Find the THREE hidden Rose images in participating stores. No purchase necessary!For details click here for more information!

Have fun and good luck!

Works in Progress

I arranged this small sampling of items on my steel block to summarize my design direction...completely scattered! I'm having tons of fun creating pieces that have been bouncing around in my mind. They all relate to my 3 different collections, and, maybe in some way, relate to each other as well.

I just listed this pair of earrings in my Etsy shop the other day. I'm in LOVE with these pearls I picked up while in Florida. Lots of pearl items with oxidized sterling and 18k gold on the way!!

New Work

Some new, some old, some reworked. All to be listed in my Etsy shop within the next week. Stay tuned for updates on the big studio move...oh, my aching back!

Contest Reminder, New Listings, and Thankings

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the kick-off for the Etsy Metalsmiths in Action Team's "Seek, Find, and Win" Holiday Contest. Please check out rules here and prize photos here! If you happened to miss my first blog about the contest, you can find it here. Good luck and have fun!

A few new listings today in my shop.

hollow nickel silver and 18k ring with sapphire

sterling silver 'snowfall' rivet pendant

sterling silver 'snowman' pendant

I had a blast making this little silver stack. It's weight is impressive and could easily become a favorite pendant. To create one in gold would be a DREAM! I'm hoping that the gold price continues to fall...$400/ troy ounce would be excellent!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! With a belly full of turkey, squash, and stuffing (AND brussel sprouts AND mashed potatoes AND cranberry sauce AND monkey bread) I present to you the 5 things I'm thankful for this evening:

1. My good health and the good health of my loved ones.
2. My family and friends
3. Sunny, warm places to visit in February
4. My husband who did ALL the dishes and kitchen chores today...you rock, babe!
5. My loyal blog followers!

'Tis the Season Preview

A cold and quiet evening here in Maine. I'm avoiding the studio and blogging instead! The temperature is 20 degrees and falling. Yikes! Winter will soon arrive. The pics below are a few winter/holiday themed items I'm creating for the Etsy Maine Team Holiday Challenge. I'm not sure why its called a 'challenge'...its more of a promotional tool.

That little 3 tiered guy is my minimalistic snowman.

Red coral and pearl cluster, the best colors for the season.

My version of snowfall...sorry for the yellow tint. This is a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L piece.

Italian wool cowl

When I'm not working in metal, I am knitting. This has been an on again, off again hobby of mine for 7 years. I have a shameful amount of fine Italian yarn stashed in all corners of our home. This funky, colorful Italian wool will be a shaggy cowl when finished (I have unraveled it twice...don't ask).

5 Helpful Items from my week:

1. hand lotion

2. mouse traps

3. hats

4. chamomile tea with honey

5. my flex-shaft

How about you?

New Listings

New items added to my shop. The photo studio seems to be worth the investment. I'm still tweaking the lighting and backgrounds. More jewelry to make and list in the next few days!

It Has Come to This

I have this romantic notion that a messy bench is a productive bench. A place where mere sketches transform into tangible objects, where problems are conquered, where the imagination knows no boundaries. All that changed 2 days ago.


After feverishly working on commissions and inventory, my bench resembled a demolition site! With tools strewn about, filings amounting to small anthills, and projects scattered nither tither, I lost organization and found chaos. I forced myself to stop making and start cleaning. Now, I have a simply lovely, clean, organized work space. All my projects have there own little work in progress tray (left over from my art education days). I prioritized all projects and felt the burden of disorganization lift!

Here's a preview of new work to be listed in my quench metalworks shop in the next few days. I invested in a photo studio so I can now take pictures INSIDE my home, ANY time of the day! I'm giving the studio a test run today. Wish me luck!

Pardon me as I crawl out from this messy pile of work to blog a bit. Wow! Busy week...good busy. Friday, my daughter and I drove to Maine's jewel of a coastal city, Portland, to stock up on some jewelry essentials. When in town, one must make a stop at JS Ritter Jewelers Supply. From mallets to mandrels, beads to burnishers, they have what this jeweler needed (which was medium flow silver solder, sandpaper, brooch findings, and round sterling wire). My firecracker of a 2 year old found what SHE needed while mama shopped: a well-stocked children's play area . What a bonus!

The cuffs from my earlier post are complete. And ~sighing a deep sigh of relief~ the customer loves them!!!! Thank goodness for the wonders of digital photography and the Internet.

This was another commission I just completed for an old RISD friend. She's happy, too!!! Happy customers are a very good thing.

10 Helpful Items from my week:

1. my space heater

2. warm socks

3. my little camera

4. my rusty washer collection (more on this later)

5. coffee, coffee, coffee

6. naps, for my girl, not me

7. my burnisher

8. steel wool

9. my fine 1/2 round file

10. my dishwasher (a Bosch if you would like to know)

Views from the Bench

Two blogs in one day!! Woohoo, I'm a rock star! Or just a girl who has had too much coffee. Above is my trusty steel block with an assortment of WIPs (works in progress) scattered about. Please notice the big, ol label pendant sawed into 2 pieces sans the buttons. The earrings will be complete and listed tomorrow in my Etsy shop. The pillowy piece on the right harkens back to my collection, Armor. I'm not sure where this one will go, but it should be a fun ride!
Night all!

Resurrection

Many years ago, I had another collection of work. I put a huge amount of time, effort, and emotion into this line. I recently, for PR purposes, gave it the name Armor (which completely works for me both literally and figuratively). These pieces, some shown below, are constructed with nickel silver and 18k gold. For those who are unfamiliar with nickel silver, its primary function is base metal for costume jewelry. I think it is a splendid fine jewelry metal. Granted, many people are allergic to this metal. BUT, why should it be outlawed (not really outlawed, just scoffed at) as a fine jewelry component? Many people are allergic to peanut butter, but ya' still see it on the market shelves, right?

OK, I was saying...this was a collection that I was happy to call mine, from start to finish. It is all hand constructed. I have several pieces packed away. I'm wondering if I should list these items in my Etsy shop OR set up another shop featuring these higher end, one-of-a-kind pieces. Any thoughts? I'm worried that the two collections listed together in the same shop will look disjointed.


The necklace above is also part of that collection. I made a group of pendants/necklaces that I refer as the Amulet collection. Since making these amulet pendants, I have noticed many design houses and jewelers creating "amulet" pieces of their own (in No way am I claiming the birth right to this design....PA-LEASE!). I am considering doing an off-shoot of my Vintage collection to incorporate the buttons and the amulets. I think it would be a great merge.

A BIG thanks to Vintage Junque Revival (http://sweetpeas.motime.com/) for including a great picture of my work in her blog from yesterday's Etsy Maine Team meeting in Rockland. Thank you all for your enthusiasm, words of wisdom, and new friendships. I look forward to many more gatherings!

Lastly, 5 things on I'm craving today (not pregnant, just hungry!):

1. Lindt truffles (dark chocolate)

2. Sushi (except for those big, squishy salmon roe pieces, yuck).

3. Iced tea

4. Soft pretzels with spicy mustard

5. Fried chicken

How about you?