deJonghe Jewelry

Aren't these brooches beautiful? I discovered deJonghe Jewelry through a friend and I find them interesting and very different from my style.

Dennis deJonghe has been working in the jewelry field since 1975 and you can certainly see the experience and expertise in his Equestrian pieces and stone settings.
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What the Duck?

I've never been to this particular beach in the Outer Banks and it was so lovely.

See what I mean about finding it hard to get the studio! Pin It

distracted

It has been SO hard for me to get myself to the studio this summer! I started off getting to the studio several times a week and now...I'm there about once a week. The pool, beach and just relaxing and reading have been absorbing my time. I know, tsk, tsk Lisette...BUT I have been getting plenty of experience at the jewelry doctor.

Okay, enough excuses. I do have goals this summer to achieve, and I'll share them with you:

1. Set up an etsy shop
2. Make a hinge box
3. Several commissions, specifically my cousins wedding earrings (talk about pressure)

I definitely think these are achievable goals.

Here's a blurry photo of my initial sketch for Hannah's 'jewel-like earrings'.


Now, for the logistics of creating these earrings...I have yet to figure out but I have a plan!! The Creative Habit is definitely having a good effect on me.

I hope you're enjoying your summer but also achieving your creative goals! Pin It

deep blue ocean

This video is incredibly mesmerizing and scary!

I held my breath just watching this...well not as long as Guillaume. The music is just as awesome as the video.


via sub-studio design blog.

oh and of watching the ocean, I finally uploaded some new photos on my website (and every other site)...check it out.


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habit forming

I'm trying to get some Summer reading in but it's been hard! This week I was busy every night, nonetheless I'm determined.

If you've got a creative block or need some ideas on a breakthrough I highly recommend Twyla Tharps's The Creative Habit. I got it yesterday in the mail and I haven't been able to put it down.

Twyla gives simple yet provoking methods for catching those droplets of inspiration. I'm only on chapter 2 and I'm already analyzing my own habits and rituals.

The Creative Habit is a great book for any kind of profession, not just 'creative' professions. Because honestly, creativity is needed in almost anything you do on a daily basis.

Check it out! Pin It

Inside Alexis Bittar's studio

Great short interview with CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year Alexis Bittar and view of his studio which is NOT in China but Brooklyn, NY.



I really like it that his company has all their jewelry made in house and in the states!

via Fashionista. Pin It

wonderful article on design...

David Sherwin of frog design reflects on how being in the moment and observing life can bring about a breakthrough and ideas for design.

Read at Design.Mind's. Pin It

teaching/subing my first metals class

Several weeks ago, I wandered into Emerge Gallery, a local artists gallery as well as school, that teach smaller recreational art classes.

I always like to walk in and see what my classmates and local artists are selling. This most recent visit I spoke with Holly Garriott, Executive Director about one of my favorite ceramicist, Adam Egenolf (psst check out his work because it is awesome).

After chatting for awhile and telling her how much I love the metals program at ECU she offered for me to send my resume to possibly teach classes or sub!!!

I was thrilled and am subbing this evening for grad metals student Laritza Garcia. I'm a little nervous but nonetheless excited! Pin It

sized my first ring!

I was really excited Friday when I sized my first ring! My good friend gave me an old ring that had lost it's stone and I decided to size it from a 5 1/2 to 8. The reason I sized it so big was to practice with more metal. And I was successful!

Ellis, the 'Jewelry Doctor', showed me a great technique for fitting the silver wire into the shank.

First measure the length, saw and file it, as well as the shank itself, in the center and then create a V-shape to the shank and for the piece to be solder the opposite shape (a V inverted to the left) so that the shank and piece fit like a puzzle.

I did this and voila! It's funny what we metalsmiths get excited about! Pin It

hot cars

For Memorial Day weekend I flew to Louisville, KY for my cousins wedding. Several hours before the big event, my family and I drove around the hip Highlands neighborhood. And lucky for us there was a vintage car/motorbike show!

It was fun, not only were there hot rods but also cute and sexy pin-up fifties style clothing on sale.

Just one of the colorful cars at the show.

The car above was so badass - it literally was on the ground, tires were removed.
And this pretty pink car had dice on top of radio antenna!

It was so nice to get out of town and visit a new city and catch up with all my cousins and family.

I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend!

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