This is my blog where I write about music, jewelry, and myself. Vaudeville, burlesque, blues, jazz, songs about baltimore, novelties, and whatever else I feel like posting. Mostly from my own LPs and 78s. Subscribe via any of the methods in the right-hand column. Please do not link directly to the mp3 files.

Man, stupid Blogger/Google is discontinuing service via ftp so now I need to migrate my shit. I'm ditching google and going with wordpress probably. Because I'm sick of Google and all their world takeover shit. I like my blog being a free agent.
Even if no one reads it.
I changed my etsy shop name and logo and stuff.
I just wanted a "brand" that suited my personality, and the jewelry, better.
Too bad I slapped "Pansie Designs" all over EVERYTHING. Whatever, I'm still a beginner, now's a better time than any.
Hopefully soon I can take some real photos of my jewelry to go along with it.
Here's the new banner:


I'm struggling with photography, and yearn to orchestrate some elaborate photoshoots featuring actual people. The biggest obstacle for that I think is wardrobe. .. and my social anxiety, I guess.
I used to do all kinds of stuff, reaching out for favors from photographers and models and stuff. I guess I felt like I had more to offer back then.

Anyway, here's a few things I finished recently:



apparently I need to learn about some thing called "white balance" or something like that.

Next post I'll share some unrelated flickr photos that I aspire to emulate.

Labels: jewelry, life

Posted by: Kara Mae 3/12/2010  (1) comments

Skinner Studio has all these different approaches to resin in her shop.. casting, coating, layered, domed over images.. combines with polymer clay, natural materials, found images... and more. BUT they all comprise a really cohesive collection. When I first paged through the shop I could get a sense of a motivated crafter with tried methods and a subtle yet distinct style. What more can I say? Lots of pictures here.

Tell me about the origins of your interest in resin.. early experiments, ideas, etc.
My interest actually started with an interest in PMC, or precious metal clay. I was reading a book about PMC and it had a section on using resin like an enamel. It was the first time I'd really even noticed that resin existed, and it looked so exciting! When we were dating, my husband had given me a necklace that was a tiny rose bud encased in clear resin. It was and still is my absolute favorite piece of jewelry, and my first attraction to resin was to see if I could make something similar. The hardest part was finding blooms timy enough, but I was really pleased with how they turned out.

Some pictures of my first floral pieces:




My next experiment was painting within layers of resin, and using multiple colors of resin and swirling them together:



As a successful etsy seller, what have been some of your favorite comments/compliments on your pieces people have bought?
The atlas jewelry pieces carry special meaning for many people, and I have been told multiple times that a gift recipient literaly cried when they received their special present. Another sweet, sweet customer bought some of my real rose resin pendants in memory of her brother, who used to give yellow roses to her and her mom. I made them simply becuase I thought they were pretty, and I was so touched that they could be so important and special to someone else.
how do you stay motivated? Do you have a specific time of day or days of the week that you work?
Usually, I'm motivated by my custom orders - so I HAVE to work on them, no procrastinating! When I have to make a batch of resin for a custom order, I always make extra and use it to try out some new ideas, or just make more of the same items. It keeps me moving forward!

I probably work at least a little every day - I am on the computer every morning (spending way too much time I must admit), and usually pour resin in the late afternoon or early evening. That way, they can lie undisturbed through the night while they cure and are ready to take to the next step when I wake up in the morning.

Have you had any big challenges or disasters?
I can't think of any real disasters - I've had plenty of spills, but I work on an old table and try to wear my less-than-favorite clothes so that there are no tragedies.

My biggest challange is being balanced. I have 2 little boys at home, so I need to make sure everyone (and the housework - ugh) get the attention they deserve. It's so easy to get involved in a project and before I know it, half the day is gone! I really try to limit my working time and try to go somewhere fun and interesting everyday.

Any particular future ideas or other skills you want to learn?
My latest obsession invloves combining resin with clay. I have lots of ideas that seem fantastic in my mind, but when it comes to implementing them it's much harder than I imagined. I really love the contrast of bold bright resin against the crisp white clay:

These are my first experiments (pretty rough, as you can see) but it's given me a better idea of what is required and I'm thinking of ways to refine my ideas.

I would really love to learn some metal working skills - using shears, hammers, and dangerously hot soldering tools...
But that's still going to be in the future - one thing at a time for now.


Some of my favorite pieces:







Also check out her resin supplies shop and blog for even more awesome photos of ideas and works in progress.

Thanks for sharing all the photos, skinnerstudio!

Labels: jewelry

Posted by: Kara Mae 3/07/2010  (0) comments

This weekend is the big ole American Craft Council show at the Baltimore Convention Center
I checked out the site for some resin & plastic jewelry to be seen and I can recognize a few of these artists from books.


Debra Adelson


Velina Glass


Sarah Hassler


Karen McCreary

Labels: jewelry

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/25/2010  (0) comments

Oh, I didn't realize I hadn't posted this yet..


Part 4: 1940 To Date FROM TV TO 3-D with the actual voices of Hildegarde, Ezio Pinza, Perry Como, Danny Kaye, Eddie Fisher


George Jessel
Show biz Part 4
RCA Victor (1953)

Labels: history, spoken, vaudeville

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/15/2010  (0) comments

I haven't been making any jewelry and it's killing me! I have a lot of ideas but everything's all over the place with the snow...

.. work, moving my 'studio', having a leak in my 'studio', making my house presentable for my new roommate...

Anyway on that tip I thought I'd post some pics of what I've been doing, since it sort of is part of my creative projects.
I really enjoy creating "environments," but I find the quest to be full of obstacles (such as clutter, electronics, paper, etc)
so far, this:

has become this:


this room:


has become this:

(from opposite ends. I have big plans for that mantle thing)

In other efforts to kill time I read some of the comics from my friend's 2009 list here. I plan to post my thoughts shortly.

Labels: life

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/14/2010  (0) comments

Pulp & Paisley's etsy shop has been one of my favorites for awhile now. I like the big necklaces loaded with beads and loops accentuating patterned discs. The color combinations are appealing to me..


You mention you've been making jewelry for 10 years.. how long have you been selling? What inspired you to start?
In 1997 I got a job at a bead store in Ottawa and I worked there for four years until I went back to school. I learned a lot while I was there and needless to say, accumulated quite a collection of beads! I finished school, got married and while on my maternity leave in 2005, I began to make jewelry again. My son was a good sleeper, so while he napped, I made jewelry, which is more fun than cleaning! I got an enthusiastic response (on my jewelry, not my messy house), so I started selling in a local shop and then craft shows and then a few more shops and then more craft shows and now I'm on etsy!

You have a very distinct style, do you remember any jewelers or particular pieces of jewelry that have "influenced you"?
There are so many incredible jewellers but I can't think of anyone off-hand or any pieces. I will see pieces where I think "Damn! I wish I'd thought of that!", but then I'll move my work in a completely different direction.



What (if anything in particular) has provided inspirations for jewelry items you've made or in your shop?
I've always been inspired by interesting colour combinations and now that I'm using paper in my jewelry, I feel like my head is going to pop off with the endless selection of paper patterns and colours. It's always changing and never boring for me.

Any other types of crafts or hobbies you like to do on the side?
I love sprucing up thrift finds when I can, but mostly my jewelry and my family (I have two little kids) consume every waking moment!



Any other new ideas/plans/things you want to learn?
My to-do list is enormous! I can't seem to make things fast enough, so that I can get onto the next idea, but my husband and I are planning to start blogging this spring, which will be an interesting endeavour and I think I might jump on the moustache (jewelry, not grow one!) bandwagon for the summer....and my hot air balloons are coming soon.

Labels: jewelry

Posted by: Kara Mae 1/31/2010  (0) comments