Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Finishing Things

I am slowly working my way through various unfinished pendants and getting them set into necklaces.

This pendant was once an experiment in messy wire work.
http://theangstyartist.blogspot.com/2010/06/cleaning-up-desk.html

It took forever to weave all the beads onto the trinket box and make all the various components.

I adore the copper beads I made! You'll be seeing more of those in the future!



Unakite, agate, labradorite, lime jade, and glorious copper!!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Did I Do That?... and Process

I'm so surprised at what I made today. I felt so guilty and uncomfy working with the wire this morning because the living room is a mess with stuff of my daughter's that needs to go into storage and trash from a furniture box we had recently assembled.

I sat in the middle of this mess on the couch and proceeded to make it even worse with wire and beads and tools getting all jumbled up about me as they do when I'm working:)

But now I feel justified having wasted the morning and half the afternoon with wire! Hurray for that!!





I marvel that I was able to make something like this. I'm still pinching myself!


Before I made this design there was an awful lot of fiddling with wire that went no where over a period of several days. Many ideas were tried and found wanting and left for trash. Here is just a sampling of what is getting trashed.


Which brings me to my second subject:

According to the article in CWJ magazine "Successful Selling", I should not share my process if I want to sell, or my self criticisms. I'm sure that is good advice. But, I am so weary of a world that revolves entirely around 'image'.


A year ago I was so hungry to see the design process behind many wire artists. Everything they do appears to be so effortless. Every design they show appears to be only the top of the line as if they never make anything ordinary or boring. It made me feel discouraged when I struggled to come up with designs and the wire would not obey my fingers, when others appeared to have nothing but successes and great ideas.


One thing you don't know about me, is that I kept a private journal for years and wrote in it everyday. I enjoy writing, it is a second creative outlet for me. But I like to write about real things and not just make 'images' of things that are perfect or out of reach. This blog is a perfect compliment to my wire work.


I hope my blog is an encouragement to those who read it. I hope that when you are suffering with the wire and seemingly wasted hours of your time, that this blog will cause you to take heart. You're not alone!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Fleur Violette Jewelry: "Message in a Bottle" necklace

You guys GOT to go see Swati's blog and the woven wire bottle she made. I'm so astonished and impressed and I really really wants one!!

Fleur Violette Jewelry: "Message in a Bottle" necklace

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Today is my Dad's birthday. One of his hobbies is turning wood into bowls on a lathe. Here is an example of one of my favorite bowls. I love the grain, the blond wood, and the blackened burned wood contrast.


The coffee pot was originally created as his gift, but than I decided a miniature bowl was more suitable. I believe it measured about 2.5" in diameter. It feels absolutely lovely in the hand. I wish you guys could have held it for a moment



Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Coffee Pot

It's been a difficult month. So many adult responsibilities and chores no matter which way I turn. Pressures of life are causing the creative well to stop up and run dry. I'm just going through the motions of everything, including the wire:(

Here is another, 1" x 2" high, woven wire vessel. I can't help but see a coffee pot every time I look at it:)

I won't go into the details of what I dislike about it. What I do like about it is the attachment of the peitersite bead at the top. I love the sleek modern look of the hammered wire connection.