unicornmeat

Last week some friends held a silent auction & chill gathering to raise some funds for another friend of ours’ surgery related life expenses.
I learned that I could contribute something kind of late in the game, so I spent a few days doing as much work as possible to get it done on time.
While I wouldn’t wish Brad’s situation on anyone, I did enjoy the opportunity to create for such a directed purpose, and with a deadline.
I decided to take inspiration from his condition and use intestines as a design element. Having had hospital-grade digestive issues myself a few years ago, I felt entitled to the levity.

I comissioned the artwork from Bendependent and got to work creating a piece that was worthy of his contribution and also hopefully a desireable auction piece.
I finished polishing it late the night before the event, so I didn’t get a chance to get good photos, but I am pleased with the results.


This has got me thinking quite a bit about my approach. I lowered all my prices on Etsy and I think I want to clear out my current stock and try to do more pieces like this – extra painstaking, planned, disciplined. The sketch was particularly important since I had to convey my idea to someone else, but I think it really helped me too and I want to try harder to make myself sketch more.

I guess for the most part my studio is done. Theres still a few things I’m seeking, and henceforth I will keep my eyes open at thrift stores – thinking of this room like any other room in my house. They need to be maintained, tweaked, perfected, and changed again.
To that end, there’s still lots of room left for additions.

The dapping punches are a tool of my metalsmithing days, mostly put out on this shelf so I can admire them. I loved working with domes and circles for some time.

I need more paint chips! Aside from being visually pleasing to me, this is meant to inspire me to wield more control over color in my work, instead of being so haphazard and spontaneous (aka poorly planned). I want to paint that pictureframe black. Too bad I already affixed it to the wall.

Last but not least I got some festive string lights to brighten up the overhead, and more importantly, my first impression when I look into the room.

I found these jars at goodwill. What the hell! They were put there just for me!

Getting back on studio reorganization project as of.. today. *
I took a brief break to create a necklace as a christmas gift.

This is the necklace in unfinished form.. unsanded, unpolished.
To make the gift more special, I created a book about how I made it. Somehow I didn’t get a good photo of that. Maybe I’ll re-make one for show.
I printed a booklet with photos and captions and appreciation to someone who has been a positive creative influence in my life.

*okay i started this post a week or two ago. I’m making good progress now, I swear.

tile collection..

studio organization coming along slowly but surely.
I’ve sidetracked myself with this awful project:

but more on that later. Maybe.

One of my first undertakings, a very simple one, was to spruce up my heatbox with some “wallpaper”

Doesn’t look impressive but the exposed cardboard was a bit of an eyesore and glueing things onto things is fun anyway. I use that little “tart warmer” to melt wax. I wish it were some pleasing color but there’s not much I can do about it.

I put my collection of colors on display:

Bit by bit I’m doing the same with my glitters:

Although I’m increasing the things I put on display, some things shall remain hidden forever… such as the drawer of mold purgatory:

augh!

to be continued…

Since my resin rings tumblr is pigeonholed to… rings, i thought I’d share this cool etsy seller here.
sparklevodka creations

I’m too lazy to interview anyone these days but a picture is worth etc etc

This weekend I had the privilege of taking a resin class instructed by Susan Sloan.
Not only has she been working with resin for nearly 30 years, she is also the curator of the 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs book that I own and love.

a piece of Susan Sloan’s work

A lot of the instructors I learn from have an aesthetic that is not my style – more high art. The shiny I’m always aiming for isn’t very popular in the art jewelry world. Susan Sloan does have an appreciation of glitter, however!

I picked up a few pointers – possible quicker ways to shine things (but then what would I do with all my polishing compounds!), different techniques (she works with a different brand of resin than I do)

But the most important thing I left with is inspiration and ideas. I hope to have some new stuff to present to you by the end of summer!

Hey if you’re a tumblr-r add my photoblog, resin rings
http://resin-rings.tumblr.com

I haven’t posted any jewelry stuff lately.
Here’s some recent favorites:

I think I’ve expressed my general fatigue with candy-sprinkles resin, and general use of candy in resin jewelry. It was my first instinct to coat some conversation hearts, so I know where it’s coming from but there’s SO MUCH of it.
Well anyway here is a candy related thing that I like! molded to look just like a ring pop. Covered in sparkles just how I like it.

flowers are another thing I usually don’t go for, just as a matter of personal style.. but this is really appealing!

This seller is just great, but this piece in particular really appealed to me. Alas, I missed my chance.. it’s sold.

here’s an example of a Jillian Moore ring – the one I’d favorited has been taken down or sold I guess. Experimental stuff that I have a lot of respect for, but I mostly just appreciate them, and speculate on which rings I could actually see myself wearing.

New posts soon. Probably

Well I didn’t get to another song post… Did a lot of polishing and some thinking and designing and planning but I just never get enough done on the weekends.
Well I did buy a lot of tea at H-Mart.
I did a classy photoshoot of my jewelry on a model finally..

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yeah so the model is me. The photographer is also me. So if you are a model or a photographer in Baltimore and would like to replace me as either of these things get in touch. It is needed.