New Work, Old Work

Perhaps it is the longer days, or the receding snow, or the single blooming yellow crocus in my garden...whatever 'IT' is, I have been inspired to devote more time to the creative process and less time wallowing in the late winter/early spring blahs I experienced a few weeks back. Now that the studio has risen from the dank cellar, production time has increased (with the occasional scolding for my dear girl now that we are sharing space..."This is mama's: Don't touch that: Those are sharp!!") More new work to come in the following weeks!

TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SPRING:

1. more daylight!

2. rainy days and nights

3. parenting birds (see #9)

4. fiddleheads

5. asparagus

6. lambs!

7. prepping the gardens

8. new growth from my perennials

9. watching the eagles (watch out! this is addictive!)

10. making Easter Eggs

How does Spring sing to you??

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!

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?