Italian Renaissance

Raphael painting, School of Athens, fresco

Last night I watched the movie I am Love with Tilda Swinton while reading my Art History book on the High Italian Renaissance (16th Century).

I haven't finished the movie but so far, it's sumptuous, rich, romantic and tragic all at same time. The movie is cinema photography at it's highest, the way the camera pans and angles, all to capture the beauty of Italy and Italians themselves, making the film more of an art work that simply a film. Even the beginning of the movie has titles like they did in the old days (a la Gone with the Wind).

It seemed so apt to be watching this great Italian movie and while reading about the rich history of early Italian artists...they were genius'!!

I am baffled and amazed by the 13th century + artists, I ask myself how they created such flawless artwork? It's inspiring and intimidating.

One day I'll visit Italy again and see these works of art in person.
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Finally on Etsy

It took me all morning but it's worth it, I learned how to create my own banner and pick and choose the right photos.

I'm still going to work on it, but I'm just so excited and happy I got it done...it's been on my To-do list for months.

Anywho, let me know what you think, and if you have any tips or suggestions for running an Etsy site.

Thanks for reading!

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turtle shell

Last weekend I visited my parents in Granite Falls, they live near Lake Hickory and my Dad found this turtle shell. Isn't it amazing? I never knew that the 'skin' (looks more like bark) flaked off.

The patterns on the skin are quite beautiful and remind me of butterfly wings or even moth wings. The skin has a plastic texture - perfect for an epoxy resin...I got so excited and my Dad gave me the shell to use for some weird, crazy jewelry.

The inside vertebrate, this would be perfect for mold making.

And aren't these a marvel?
So many wonderful design and patterns can be culled
from the animal and plant kingdom.

Kinda looks like a Rorschach test pattern.

It will be exciting to begin designing a piece around these beautiful turtle remians...poor thing.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
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Applications and exhibitions

Is what I'm working on right now, so I'm a bit MIA but I've been meaning to post updates on projects etc...once I take good photos!

I'm applying to the Penland School of Crafts summer session work/study and scholarship, I really hope I get one of those offers. Penland is such a fantastic place to study, meet amazing artists and build up experience and one's portfolio.

I'd like to get into Lin Stanionis' workshop on moldmaking and casting, and if not Lin's workshop then definitely Jessica Calderwood, her painted enamels are amazing.

Lin Stanionis, Seed of Temptation

Wish me luck on the applications - and of course, thank you for reading!

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Epona necklace

Here is a fuzzy photo of my recently finished necklace for my Jewelry I class with Mi-Sook Hur.

I'm very proud of it - particularly the box catch I made - it was a challenge but SO gratifying to be able to make such a small component of a necklace (the clasp).

I'm definitely going to rock this crazy-ass necklace.

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how you like me now?

LOVE this song. if you've seen The Fighter, then you'll recognize it. Oh and the movie is badass.

I've got some new photos of work I've done...but don't have the cord to upload them...coming soon tho!

Thanks for reading - I never say that but I always think it. So thanks!
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Cat in the bag

Cat in the bag! My little Squints loves to play with my grocery bags
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chasing my blues away

My friend and classmate thought that was pretty funny. Haven't started chasing my bowl yet but I'll be there very soon! I'm so excited about my little bowl I'm starting on raising another one.
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Song of the day or my life: Crystal

I'm absolutely in love with this song, so many interpretations can be pulled from the lyrics. I had completely forgotten this song (my laptop crashed 8 months ago) and out of the blue the lyrics came to me and here it is...I'm listening to "Crystal" all the time now.

I wish there was a better video on youtube but for now this will suffice.

Stevie Nicks' songwriting is just unparalleled...she creates worlds within her songs that I can't get away from.



Stevie and Lindsey are total soulmates but they never got married and aren't together, they have such a tortured love story.

Stevie's also a painter, no surprise there. This is one of my favorites of hers.

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Rorschach test

Blot: Reinterpreting the Rorschach exhibition went up last week in the Mendenhall student gallery.

ECU metal design graduate students were invited to collaborate with the printmaking area and Indiana University’s metals department to make work interpreting the ink blot.

I really enjoyed this exhibition and the idea behind it, all of the pieces are so different and interesting, especially Aaron Earley's sculpture and painting.
Aaron just graduated from ECU with a BFA in sculpture and painting/drawing. The painting above is very deep and fascinating, the forms on each side are of a skeleton reaching out. Aaron has several more of these interpretive paintings on his website.

And below are several pieces by the metal graduate students, the red hen and lady with her arms up are Leia Zumbro's and I'm not sure who did the angels, but it's very pretty.

The reception for the exhibition will be on Friday, February 18th in the ECU Mendenhall student gallery, come check it out if you're in town.
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well said!

"Often people want to describe me as ‘making more than just jewellery’ - they prefer to describe me as ‘an artist who makes small sculptures’. Jewellery making in their eyes is not an esteemed enough practice for an artist. I remind them whatever place jewellery has in the contemporary visual arts hierarchy that it has a long history, perhaps the oldest. In fact the oldest examples we have of human material history confirm that it is jewellery that provides the earliest evidence of our capacity to think symbolically. Jewellery still has that capacity - that’s what keeps me interested – I’m an artist but I’m still a jeweller."

–Warwick Freeman


borrowed this from the Golden Smith blog. brilliant.

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Featured Artist: Liz Steiner

Today the art guilds of ECU's School of Art and Design held our Valentine's day sale.

Even though I usually have class when set up begins for art sales, I always run down (to the 2nd floor) and get the first peek at what goes out. I also check out the sale to see how the metals guild booth is set up and there are enough volunteers.

As I've said in previous posts, I love sales because I get to trade or buy a cupcake or something.

Today I spotted this sweet charm (bone and gold leaf with pearl) made by today's featured artist, Liz Steiner. I begged Liz to trade with me, she'll get one of my black coral charms that she's been wanting.

Rock Brooch
Slate Necklace, Liz Steiner
Rock Necklace

I find that Liz and I have a similar interest in stones, rocks and minerals. I enjoy the unexpectedness of her pieces, the gold leaf detail and the knitted rocks. It's as if Liz is containing the rough and preciousness of the rocks themselves.

Liz is graduating this year, and I'll be sad to see her go but happy for her to continue on the journey that so many of us metalsmiths go through, especially leaving the nest of school and support system it offers.

Check out Liz's blog, Atomic Rabbit, she posts good quotes and reflections on her work.
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On my bench

I've got two projects due next week and I don't plan on repeating last semester in not turning in complete projects.

My necklace above has presented some challenges that I plan on tackling today.
Last night I worked on planishing my vessel for Tim's class. I actually am enjoying it more than I thought. Once I planish my vessel I will chase and repousse some designs.

Wish me luck, 'cause I think I'll need it!

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sneak preview

Oxidized pierced copper, Moth earrings
Photo by Bayardo Caceres

Polished, pierced sterling silver
earrings with orange coral
Above photo by Matthew Gillien

Photo by Bayardo Caceres

Here are some new images for my upcoming Etsy page, very exciting!

I've been telling myself for months to get an etsy page going, but I just delayed and delayed.

*I gave Ellen (my model) the coral/pierced dangley earrings for being my model. She was quite happy with them.
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Defining myself as an artist

That is what I've been trying to do for the past several weeks, slowly but surely perfecting my artist statement.

How do I make it unique and define what my work means? Half the time, I'm not sure what it means, I'm just making and processing my own creative thoughts through my medium, metal and other materials.

I've always had a hard time expressing myself and when I write that I mean, just using the English language that makes sense and sounds good.

I'm making progress though, there are strong themes in my jewelry; my life living and traveling abroad and the connection to my family and organic materials.

It's tough to define one's work but in the end, it's so beneficial to be able to know how to talk about what your work means.

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Crafty Grandma mashes up

Sue Teller is a crafty and busy woman, I love her energy and spunk. I found this video from my friend Martha, Sue shows us how to mash up music with her records. This is perfect timing as tonight is my first time DJing for WZMB 91.3.



WZMB livestreams, so you can listen to me online, tonight 6-8pm!
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broken hearted

large red threaded heart
Originally uploaded by lisettef14

Not really but shopping always makes me feel good when I'm down (that's why they call it retail therapy right?), or I just want to buy someone I care a handmade gift.

The ECU metals guild
is holding our Valentine's day sale next week
on Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 9-10th
from 9am-4pm and until 6:30pm on Thursday.

Many of the students in the metals guild will be selling some very affordable, well-made charms and jewelry. I always enjoy art school sales because I get to trade with my fellow classmates.

I have some of these enameled hearts from last year to sell along with some new pieces.

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