Hot Wax!

I know, I've been posting videos as of lately but it's just what I've come across the most.

This video was done by Jenn Parnell, an adjunct faculty/teacher at Maryland Institute College of Art and at the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Many years ago I took a short advanced soldering class from Jenn at the Corcoran. She's a very good and patient instructor.

Check out her video, I find it helpful, especially since I'm taking casting this fall.

Hot Wax Carving from Jenn Parnell on Vimeo.

Jenn has even more instruction videos on vimeo, Pin It

Daphne Krinos' method and inspiration

I've been a long time admirer of Daphne's jewelry. There's a simplicity to her work that I love, especially the beautiful gems she uses.

Watch this great video on how she comes up with her pieces and inspiration.

Daphne Krinos from dave on Vimeo.

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Jewelry of the Day: Ken & Dana

Ken & Dana are jewelers based out of Chelsea, NY and much of their jewelry is inspired by the graffiti and abstraction of New York.

I love this brass and enamel ring, has an almost Jackson Pollock vibe to it.

Most of their jewelry collections have a rough and futuristic attitude with underlying social messages, which I really enjoy as a jewelry artist.

This ring is from Geometry collection, cubist.

Geometric shapes in jewelry is very popular lately. It has a structured and distinct look to it. Pin It

Tahitian pearls...

How I just discovered this song, I do not know, since Bat for Lashes released Fur and Gold several years ago; has me dreaming of jewelry with tahitian pearls and a sunset on the ocean.

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Craft revival

I definitely am beginning to believe more and more each day that the craft movement is growing worldwide and it's inspiring and exciting.

Check out the campaign going on in Scotland.

The C Word from craftscotland on Vimeo.

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ECU Charm Exchange: Round 3

Last night the ECU metals guild held another fun charm swap and this one promised to be even more exciting; Tara Locklear and her awesome networking skills arranged for several more prominent metalsmiths to participate!

Such as Mary Hallam Pearse, her charm is the one below, that I got! I was very happy and excited to get hers.

The theme for our 3rd charm swap was "Circus".

At first I wasn't really sure what to do and finally after rummaging through my old bead box, I found this lion face that I'd picked up somewhere off the street. It was perfect, in addition to the back leaf that was part of a 'plate' at my cousins wedding in Austin.

Then I added 'fire' with the plastic wrap that my cherry tomatoes came in. I was very happy with it and even more perfect was that Tara got my charm.
Since hosting our charm swaps, Tara had another fantastic idea of submitting professional photos of our charms and sending a proposal to Lark books for a possible charm book! That would be so awesome, hopefully it'll come to fruition. Pin It

boxed in

Here is the lid and box L cut outs for my box. When I began sketching and reading up on how to make a box, I changed my mind and decided to begin with a basic and simple box versus my previous idea of a more ornate and complicated box.

It's been, through my experience, that it is best to begin with basic forms in contrast to intricate when learning a new technique and process. As a novice jeweler it's best to begin this way. Pin It

Electric jewelry

Well not exactly but I LOVE how this woman/artist uses just about any tossed or 'junk' to make a pendant and rings out of electric outlets and chandelier crystals.

Virginia Sommet from Stylelikeu.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

Her Dollar Store wall pieces are a wonderful statement on marriage and culture.

Stylelikeu is always inspiring and entertaining. Pin It

Lone star

This past weekend I flew to Austin, TX for my younger cousins wedding.

The afternoon before the wedding I had enough time to walk around downtown Austin and fortunately found the Mexic-Arte Museum, dedicated to enriching the community through education programs and exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. I really enjoyed the installations and paintings.

Specifically the one above...for which I didn't write down the artist. Sorry! I do recall that it was done using enamel vs. paint. There were many others, I still have yet to download all the pictures but it was great to see young Latino artists supported and represented.


Before I went to the museum, my parents and I visited the very serene and well maintained Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. If there was a place, other than the lake where my parents live, that I'd get married at, it would be at this center. They have a beautiful pavilion with a lovely freshwater well and live oak and spanish moss trees.

Throughout the park/center were fun and elegant sculptures made of copper, steel wire, wood and clay. Such as the battling ants below and the deer above.

There were also purple, green and blue dragonflys buzzing around the streams and ponds. It really was beautiful. If you ever visit Austin, I highly recommend visiting this center which also serves as a research lab for the University of Texas.
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Hairy Brooch

Hairy Brooch
Originally uploaded by Nick Mullins

This brooch is so interesting and somewhat deceiving at the same time.

The aquamarine 'stones' truly look like stones but are resin! Nick Mullins has a fascinating breadth of pieces, working in wood, metal and other found objects.

You can read more about Nick and view his portfolio on his website ... oh and I highly recommend viewing his other brooches on flickr.

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Video of the Day: 1977

so sexy and badass! Pin It

boxes & lockets

In preparation for making my box, I borrowed a great reference book, The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets by Tim McCreight.

Tim's books are well written and easy to follow and he provides excellent and diverse examples of pieces. Pin It

paper model

I'm finally working on that box or shall I say, the initial stages. Creating a paper model allows me to reassess the size and architecture of the box. In the past, I'd start a project straight away with the material (metal) and then find I hadn't thought it out completely. I'm getting better at being completely prepared. Pin It

Video of the day

I'm really diggin' Lissie.

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in the works

Several months ago I found a shattered mirror and I just knew I'd want to use it in the future.

I'm still working on a sample but it's got my creative juices going and I'm excited. For awhile I was a bit lost on my direction but I think I'm getting there!

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Design*Sponge monthly wallpaper

I look forward to updating my computer wallpaper that Design*Sponge post each month and I really love this one by Mike Perry.

The colors are so vivid and dreamy. The random doorknob seems metaphorical for unlocking the door to another world. Pin It