ISGB- Convergence

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with glass bead artist Lisa St. Martin on a collaborative project. Bead and Button magazine along with ISGB (International Society of Glass Bead Makers) are having an Exhibition later the year called Convergence. In our case ISGB put Lisa and I together, she made 15 fantastic beads and I did my best to do them justice within the contests theme of Earth, Wind, Fire and/or Water.

This has been a really interesting challenge for me. Creating this piece with glass beads has been a huge departure from what I typically do.

So I received the beads from Lisa on a Friday, they were inspired by ice. I played with them all weekend trying to figure out what I wanted to do. On Tuesday morning a awoke to a wonderful snow covered landscape (I live in eastern NC, so this is a truly rare sight) and it was beautiful. I instantly found my inspiration. In my typical geeky way I grabbed my macro lense and started taking photographs of snow mounded on leaves, icicles and snowballs. I went into the studio and our Collaborative piece "Snow Day" was born.

New Year

WHEW! The holidays can sure make life crazy. I have been busy!!! Custom orders, christmas gifts, readying myself for new adventures in 2009- I have big plans: wholesale and retail shows all over the U.S., increased web presence, better marketing, better business practices, more professional blogging (I have been eagerly spreading the word about blogging while not actively doing so myself- as is my teaching mantra at times- Do as I say, not as I do.),getting better and more frequent images of my work. OKay, so yes, I could write a book with my list of professional new year resolutions- I won't even touch on the personal goals. I have this philosophy that you can't succeed if you don't try, SO, I try a lot- not always with success but I keep trying.

I have been spending a ton of time in the studio- creating new work and trying new things- can't wait to debut new stuff at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft in Feb.

Happy New Year- 2009 will be great!!

Acc Charlotte- Huge Success

I am just getting back into the swing of things since my trip to Charlotte, NC for the ACC show. I went with an optimistic attitude (well, cause that's my style) but in all honesty I was a bit apprehensive. With all the talk of the economy I wasn't sure what to expect and this was my first time attending this show as an artist- wow- lots of variables! Well the show was an absolute success!!! I had great sale volume even though the crowds were a little thin. The buyers were educated and seemed to know what they were looking for. I feel confident that I have picked up some lifetime supporters, WHEW- I needed this!

The show was beautiful, the artists as always were kind and generous folks!

Thanks to all who came out (especially Kim, Sherry and Rachel- who traveled from Fayetteville)

Geting Ready for the Show

My studio is absolute chaos right now! It got to the point this weekend that I had about a six inch square of clean counter space on which I could work-WOW! I kinda like it when it gets this way- it's like my mind is moving so quickly from design to design that I can't take the time to re-adjust before I move to the next piece. This is a whole lot better than those days where the creative juices are all dried up.

I have really enjoyed working on some of my production work in the last several weeks. Doing production really amps up my technical skills- reminds me to do things the right way- it really bites to ruin 15 pieces just because you thought that really lame shortcut was going to work. I was reading a time management article the other day and it said that we often create more work by trying to take shortcuts- I have done that one too many times- and then spent hours un-doing the "short-cut". Funny thing about that article is that i can't seem to find the time to finish reading is- as is life!

I am heading out to ACC Charlotte in the morning- can't wait!

Producing for shows

I am in super production mode trying to get ready for ACC Charlotte and Piedmont Craftsmen. I absolutely love this time- working in the studio everyday, creating new work, constantly rethinking my booth (probably not the most productive thing I do), and planning my marketing strategies.

The hardest thing for me is creating my production pieces because I really want to just keep making new work. I have my bench set up so that some of my production earrings are surrounding me and the rule is that I have to work on them beteen each new piece. It is working pretty well so far.

I cannot wait to debut my new work at ACC Charlotte- it is such a great feeling to get new pieces into the public eye.

ACC Shows

I found out this week that I will be attending the ACC Charlotte retail show in late October 2008 and the ACC Baltimore Wholesale Show in February 2009- WOW!! This is great.

American Craft Council Shows are truly high quality shows and I am so excited to participating in some of their events.

This is just the motivation I needed to amp up my productivity!!! Time in the studio is more valuable than ever!

New Jewelry Fabrication Beginning class at FTCC

Due to the overflow from the Jewelry Fabrication Beginning Part I class at FTCC last Monday we are creating a new section. The class will begin Wednesday, September 17, 4:00-7:00. If you are interested please come to class the first day to register.