Family and Friends

Being an artist isn’t easy. I often hear “You are so lucky to be an artist”. Or “How nice to be able to dabble in this”.

I am lucky, but luck didn’t get me here. The support of many family and friends helped me keep moving forward even when I wondered “Can I do this?”. I’d like to think talent comes into it too! Without the support of my husband I’m not have the wonderful studio space I work in. Without the support of friends I’d have nothing. Really in a crunch it’s our friends who keep us going. Who we sound ideas off, who tell us the truth when we ask opinions. Who support us when we fail. Friends can make or break you, mine make me!

I’d also like to think I don’t dabble. I’m a “GO FOR IT!” kinda girl. I dive in with both feet, sink or swim. I figure why do things ½ way?

Have a close look

Have a close look at this piece, the colors are they something you like or do they seem to bright?

This is a copper pierced piece with a heat patina. Personally I love the look of the heat patina but I have heard a few comments that it’s too much, too bright. Do you think the birds get lost in the color or does it make them stand out?

Brass Tools

While I was at MISSA a couple weeks ago I learnt how to do hot twisting (forging) and boy was I hooked! I was excited to be able to make some of my own tools! I’ve been wanting to work on some more functional pieces and this seems to be a good was to ease into it.

The tools are fabricated out of 360 bronze stock. They make wonderful tools for moving and poking hot glass. A nice feel in the hand makes them great burnishers as well. I hope to slowly add some different end shapes to them, and am always open to ideas.

Coastal Expressions

I have a Coast Collective show coming up Nov 10-20^th. Coastal Expressions features many local artist in several different mediums. Featured Artists include the following.

Nicole Valentine Rimmer

Lisa Riehl

Jim Jenkins

Deborah Czernecky

Bev Petow

Debbie Jensen

Kees Luchs

This promises to be a dynamic and interesting show!

Tutorials

Tutorials for daisy beads/garden bracelets and spinner rings in my Etsy shop!

Favorite Tools - Sharpie

One of the most often used tools in my studio is my Sharpie pen. I love the new colors! I probably have over 20 pens at the moment, and lust for several more.

I’ve been doing some copper etching and the fine tipped sharpies make a nice resist. I need to experiment with the different colors and see if any work better than others. The fatter tips makes a slightly better resist but are hard to get any kind of detail with.

A good pen in a happy color can bring a childlike grin to my face!

Packaging

I have to admit packaging is one of those areas I feel a bit slack in. I see so many people who make hand crafted boxes and envelopes for their orders. Sometimes I see cute little brown boxes embellished with stamps and paper.

Alas it’s not my string point I use simple plastic Ziploc baggies with a card and the item ordered. That gets wrapped with a few layers of bubble wrap and shipped in a bubble envelope.

Items purchased in the studio get wrapped in tissue and slipped into a box. Simple but pretty.

I’m always hoping a paper person will trade me beads for some interesting packaging!