In this week's series, I will continue to explore chiseled textures, now inspired by one of my favorite pieces I've made: the Four Seasons lariat necklace.
I love its movement and the beautiful sound it creates when I wear it.
Wind Chime necklace.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
I have just completed my first painting commission.
I've wanted to paint for as long as I can remember. In fact, I wanted it so much, that I denied myself the pleasure of following that path. I was so afraid to fail or succeed, that I decided I would never be good enough, so why even try. Making jewelry felt less daunting so I chose to explore that instead.
Lately, however, I’ve been wanting to work in a larger format. Such is the power of my mind, that the moment I admitted this to myself, I received a commission to make a big painting. My angel patron liked the one in my home, but gave me full liberty to create what I wanted. She also gave me a video tour of her house, so I could see where the painting was going to live.
Years ago, when I was in college, I had to decide a theme for my thesis. I majored in ceramic sculpture, and in order to graduate, I had to show a large body of work in the campus art gallery. I planned to make variations of abstracted heads I had worked on in the past, but my sculpture teacher suggested I experiment, since that was why I was in college in the first place.
One evening, I started to doodle. As my hand held the pen, I felt it move it across the page as if by its own volition. Specific shapes started to appear, none of which I had made before. I allowed this to continue, and several hours later, my notebook was filled with geometric symbols. I was in awe of this process, because for the first time I felt that these shapes had not come from my rational mind, nor had I seen them in books, they had come from deep within my imagination. As I later made them into clay sculptures for my exhibit, I felt that one day they would also appear in another medium.
By the time I turned 40, I had stopped making sculptures and was a full time jeweler. I loved my work, and would have never tried a different medium, had it not been for an large antique frame that I purchased for a mirror in my jewelry store. The frame had not fit the shop, so for months, it leaned against our living room bookshelf, and was always in our way. One day, my partner said, why don’t you hang it on the wall and make a painting? I agreed, because the frame alone would have looked sad, and I wanted to keep it.
As I sketched ideas, the symbols from college re-appeared. I quickly painted them on the wall, exited to see what they would look like in a large format. When I looked at the finished mural, I was in awe of how simple, yet powerful it was. Each symbol seemed to have multiple meanings, and the more I observed it, the more centered I felt. I knew that this was the door to my path as a painter.
The next day, my inner critics attacked with full force and I believed every word they said: you are not good enough, who will ever want this?, you will never be part of the art world, men are artists, not women, etc, etc. Discouraged, I soon stopped painting and continued to make jewelry.
To end a long story, I want to say that today, at the age of 44, I re-open the door to my path as a painter. I now believe that we are meant to do what we imagine and desire in our hearts. If we no longer pay attention to the excuses that stop us from doing what we love, we can open our minds to the possibilities that will allow it to happen.
Landscapes created with tiny chisels.
The Topography series will be available in my online shop tomorrow, Thursday, between 3 and 4 pm, CST.
Sign up here if you'd like me to email you the minute the earrings are in my shop.
Each pair is one of a kind.
There are so many aspects to you. All of them are beautiful.
Topography Earrings VI.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
This Thursday in my online shop.
I recently met a woman writer who told me that there are several ways to craft a story.
One, is to make an outline and plan each chapter in a linear progression. The other, is to craft it like a quilt.
To do this, you first do your research on the subject you want to write about. Then, start writing piece by piece in the order that comes to you. When you are done, the story will emerge out of what you have written.
Topography Earrings V.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
I am fortunate to meet wonderful people through my jewelry business. One of them has just commissioned a painting for her home.
I am honored that she wants my work on her entrance wall, and thrilled to let my imagination create on a large format.
I finally attached my wooden logo to the patio wall.
Every time I place an object in my home, I feel I add my energy to the place.
I believe that this primal impulse, to make a mark and claim a space, states that our time here matters, and that we are part of nature's creative force.
Hold on to the beliefs that take you places.
Topography Earrings IV.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Next week in my online shop.
I just realized that I literally get to design my own life. It is up to me to imagine, feel, and walk every step towards what I want to create.
Otherwise, I'm choosing lethargy, apathy and victimhood.
I prefer to move forward.
Topography Earrings III.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
It's time to climb new mountains.
Topography Earrings II.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
The only way to realize your dreams is to walk towards them.
First Topography Earrings.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
Creating art is an inner journey. As I chisel the surface of each piece, I become aware of my interior world: emotions, thoughts, struggles, insights, change. All weave together to make up who I am.
Woven Earrings. Now in my online shop.
I will add the Woven Earrings to my online shop this Monday, between 1 and 2 pm CST.
Every piece is one of a kind and I do not repeat it. Please sign up here if you want me to email you the minute they are available.
“Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns it calls me on and on across the universe.”
Woven Earrings V.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
The day arrives when you can no longer carry the labels that defined you in the past.
Woven Earrings IV.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
When you feel lost, return to your self. Everything makes sense there.
Woven Earrings III.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
“When I say artist I mean the (wo)man who is building things - creating molding the earth - whether it be the plains of the west - or the iron ore of Penn. It’s all a big game of construction - some with a brush - some with a shovel - some choose a pen.”
Woven Earrings II.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
Above all things, learn to trust yourself.
Woven earrings I.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.
Today is my 44th birthday. I am happy to be here!
You can now find the Woven Shield rings in my online shop. If you no longer see the ring you are looking for, it's because it has already sold.
All rings are one of a kind, and I can cut them to fit any size between 6 and 10.5.
