Day 59

I am a creator, but I rarely create for myself.  Today, I had planned a long day in the studio.  Unfortunately, the first thing I did when I got there was accidentally slice my finger open with my saw blade (which I haven't done for about 7 years...see what happens when you get excited?).  After I raided the first aid kit, I made this ring for myself, then came home to catch up on some much needed emailing and photo editing.  

  

I work part time at Bead It/Main St. Art Gallery in Edwardsville, IL, but don't use beads in my artwork.  That was until I saw the beads we recently got in for a trunk show.  These matte fire agate beads struck me because of their unique coloration and texture.  They are very similar to some of the soft organic textures I have used before, and to me they are some of the most unique beads I've seen.  I wanted to use them in a piece for myself.  Because I am always working, I don't wear jewelry.  Ever.  Unless there is a special occasion, my neck and wrist and fingers are bare.  I have destroyed pieces before, and it is just easier for me to create jewelry without wearing any.  This piece is my way of incorporating my love of texture and unique materials into a piece that I will actually wear.

Day 59
Ring
Sterling Silver, Brass, Fire Agate
May 18, 2010

Day 58

I was busy today!  I got a nice little sampling of Free-Standing Lace Embroidered Flowers from my Mom today, and decided to put them to use!  She uses FSL in her award-winning quilts, and we have joined forces to create a line of FSL flowers and Sterling Silver brooches.  Here's her website.  www.susanstewartdesigns.com These brooches come in a variety of sizes and colors, and the flowers are interchangeable.  These will be for sale in the very near future!

Here's a detail of the back of the piece, and shows how the flowers are attached.

This photo shows the back of all the flowers.  I find it very important when selling from photos to show all views of a piece.

Day 58
Brooches
Sterling Silver, Embroidery Thread
May 17, 2010

Day 57

So, this might seem like cheating since I had previously made all the rings in the picture, but I decided to put them all on at once to see how they looked.  I love them together!  This is the beginning of something huge!

Day 57
Rings
Copper, Embroidery Floss
May 16, 2010

Day 56

Here's another color combination of the thread wrapped rings.  They are about 2 1/2" tall, and are intended to be worn together.  

I'm excited to see a group of these together.  I imagine they'll look like some strange microscopic organism, or a tiny wearable forest!  Keep an eye out for further pictures as the series progresses!

Day 56
Rings
Copper, Embroidery Floss
May 15, 2010

Day 55

I decided to make two rings today, to see how they interacted with each other.  I must say, I am pleased with the negative space created as well as the playful quality the two rings create when worn together.

The rings seem to be embracing each other, creating an intimate yet playful wearable object.  

Day 55
Rings
Copper, Embroidery Floss
May 14, 2010

Day 54

I decided to go back to wrapping wire with thread again.  There's something therapeutic about the process.  I also think they may look fabulous grouped together as a mini-installation of sorts.  They are quick and simple and easy to wear.

Day 54
Ring
Copper, Embroidery Floss
May 13, 2010

Day 53

I have three month-long shows coming up this fall, and the dates of the shows overlap, meaning I have to create three new bodies of work asap!  I thought it would be hard working in three different directions at once, but it's actually quite enjoyable.  When something is driving me crazy, I can just switch gears and work on something completely different.  I have started a series of embroidered brooches based on Brandon's drawings, but this piece is a small 'test' of sorts to figure out the best way for these pieces to be assembled.  According to Brandon, it looks just like the TIE Fighter from Star Wars.  Pretty funny, I think.

Day 53

Brooch

Copper, Fine Silver, Linen, Embroidery Floss

May 12, 2010

Day 52

As you have seen, from my previous blogs, I have been experimenting with incorporating stitching into my work, as well as wire wrapped with thread.  This piece is a handmade chain with thread wrapped elements.  I used embroidery floss for its sheen and contrast with the darkened sterling silver.  I have been focused lately on creating objects that are very sellable.  Call that selling out, or call it being smart, I have to find a way to pay the bills.  I don't want to lose my 'voice' in my work that is marketable, but for the public I feel I need to decrease the scale and find faster ways of working so that the cost is not prohibitive.  

Day 52
Necklace
Handmade Sterling Silver Chain, Embroidery Floss
May 11, 2010

Day 41- Day 51

So, I have been a bit lax in posting lately, but I am making up for it today!  This series of brooches is inspired by the matching brooches I made for my Mom and Grandmother for their award winning collaborative quilt, "Gloria's Garden."  The embroidered flowers were done by my Mom on her machine embroidery machine.  They are stitched onto water soluble stabilizer, and then the stabilizer is dissolved away, leaving a free standing embroidered flower.  I made the centers out of sterling silver.  They vary in size and complexity.  Each center piece has a domed silver disc soldered to a flat disc with individualized surface texture.    

Here's the fun part:  The embroidered flowers are interchangeable!  The sterling silver is the functioning part of the brooch, with a scatter pin holding it on the body, but the flowers can be changed whenever you want!  Color combinations are endless with the embroidered flowers, allowing you to change the brooch to match whatever you are wearing!  

Day 41- Day 51

Brooch Series

Sterling Silver, Embroidery Thread

April 29, 2010- May 10, 2010

Day 40

This piece is an exploration of the same materials I have been working with, but combined in a different way.  The wool roving is twisted tightly on a copper wire and knotted to hold it in place.  The copper wire at the top and bottom of the ring has been wrapped in cotton thread.  It is about 5" tall, and it is interesting to play with increasing the height and presence of the ring without adding weight.

Day 40
Ring
Copper, Wool Roving, Cotton Thread
April 29, 2010

Day 39

Brandon actually made today's ring for me as an homage to my observations of snails.  It is a two finger ring made of glue and snail shells.  It has an integrated clasp as well as inclusions of other materials.

Day 39
Ring
Glue, Snail Shells, Copper, Thread
April 28, 2010