Summershine

“Art is contemplation. It is the pleasure of the mind which searches into nature and which there divines the spirit of which nature herself is animated.” Auguste Rodin

Hummel- Boy with rabbits. Rabbit fern.

Summer has come to the Studio. Morning time being the coolest will lend to it being also the most creative. Heat and I are best at remaining acquaintances.

Spring in the Fan was amazing, I can’t wait to do it again next year. So much visual beauty here. In addition to the explosion of colorful flora, I have caught glimpses of some sweet fauna critters. Cottontails abound here! So consequentially we have our first brood of babies right nestled down in the raised flower bed full of 5ft pollinators. I’m ecstatic inside. Rabbits are a lifelong love of mine. Attribute it to my memories of the bedtime reading of The Velveteen Rabbit If you’ve never, as summer is rabbit season thus a good time to read it or listen to it before you go to bed. I’ve done this recently as a revisit. It is a magical child’s tale with layers of meaning for adult ears. From the suburbs of Philadelphia to owning Dutch Lop Ear rabbits as pets in the Hill Country of Austin, now here in the Fan Rva, cottontails have been a totemic presence in my life. Memories of family rescues, later wild-life reunions, and nature in art, all welled up upon the discovery of our furry yard guests. One of those moments when you know where you are is where you’re supposed to be. Nice little ‘click”.

I’ll spare you the details of just how nature may bring these to your attention yet my Goldendoodle studio assistant on mid-day breaks shall we say is…curious by nature? Ha!

Cottontails. 2,Can you see them? One is easier to spot by the ears.

I am just amazed at the camouflage they utilize. The nest is a perfectly woven pocket out of grass and errant fur from the dog’s haircut. Seems we’ll have them nearby for another week and then I expect to come across them in the early am walks.

Because of the reoccurring presence of the rabbits in my life and their reappearance at this phase of my life, I decided to do a little current reading on the rabbits symbolism. Typically, fertility, creativity, and luck are associated. Yet I found this one perception that rung with me.

“Symbolically, Rabbit in the Underworld is therefore representative of using one's intuition: knowing how to get around "in the dark" and being comfortable traveling in "unmarked territory." By default, it can also denote having or developing trust in the "Inner Light." Rabbit does not need an outside source to illuminate his way.“ Sandy Koi

Rabbit Symbolism

What does this have to do with my jewelry? Does this translate to jewelry as a fern earring? A bunny tail ring or bunny nose earrings? My process isn’t quite like that. For me my time spent in studio is meditative. When I am working on a miniature piece of art, studying or practicing a new technique it is my engagement of my mind and body trying to express Beauty in and through a harmony of materials and design, this is the why I am doing what I’m doing, the call if you will. In this instance creativity flows as a result of exploring the how and why of the rabbit symbolism and it’s relevant meaning in my life, or not. An integral part of my process is a contemplative practice while working. A way of observing my thoughts, ideas, memories, daydreams, and the action of letting them and their associations go. Sounds like therapy, no? I feel rewarded as such. Below the latest growth shots from this year's first blooms.

Currently, on my bench, I've been finishing, for now, the work on my Noir pieces. These are my gold and oxidized silver works. I’ll clean and polish up a remaining pair of earrings to add to the gallery on my website this month. I’m sure to add more to this line as it has an ageless and classic appeal. Typically the summer months for jewelry retail are slower. Not as many holidays to shop for. These are the months a lot of us learn new techniques, read the latest trade books, etc. In addition to these, I plan on releasing some more work. I like silver for its tone and shine in the summer. Cooling and sleek bold pieces of solo metal and gemstone pieces with summer soft light pastel colors in gold and silver. I'd love for you to check back to see. Thank you for reading with me this far. One more thing, below, my latest offerings.

Oxidized silver and 18k gold granules

14k gold, salmon coral, oxidized silver

Mid-April so soon?

Here we are mid-April already!? The weather here for our first year has been heaven-like. Winter was a mild one by our measure and Spring looks to be a season of enjoy it or lose it as it is heating up into the mid-’80s and pushing ‘90s these days. Spring in the Fan has been a feast for the senses, no kidding. The plethora of blooming flora has been nearly matched by early morning scents of the same. Iris, Peonies, Azaela, Bluebells, Dogwood, Cherry Blossom, Gladiolas, Daffodils, Crocus, Tulips, HIbiscus, Lily-of the- Valley, Jasmine, Lilac, Roses, Geraniums, Lilies, all vying to open first. Here are just a few from walking around the new neighborhood. Of course, guess my fave color? ok easy enough? A fave shade of fave color?

Balance is one of my life’s tenets. Work, play, inside, outside. Day trips are great for this restorative break for this area, I now am compiling a list. From pup-friendly hikes to exploring more of river life. If seeking a relationship with Beauty is my goal, thankfully I am finding it easy enough to find her everywhere. Now a resident of Virginia, one of the obligatory must-see trips is a 2 hr. drive from Richmond. Luray Caverns - I was amazed, inspired and even gobsmacked! Mind-bending, boggling beauty. These images are actually of the reflection still water creates beneath the stalactites formed above. Jewelry related of course! All things lead back to possibilities, shapes, forms, textures, and yes for me, back to Beauty.

Another avenue in my life I’m using to establish a rhythm of life is exploring alternate mediums of creativity. Not to lose myself in another field, but to stretch my experiences with varying materials. I recently, for a balance break took a day intensive workshop in torch fired glass beads. To compare soldering with a torch to working with molten glass I found similiar with the need for a constant eye on the material and totally different in how it responds. I find this knowledge may contribute to problem-solving at another time. It definetly called me to appreciate how far I’ve come from singeing my bangs.This class’ projects resulted in a handful of varying beads. Again, the class, size, materials, instructor, and studio-space, have all been five-star experiences!

Handmade torch-fired glass beadwork. Our VisArtsCenter Rocks! or Beads, oh and there is an upcoming marble class as well! See you there!

I’m aiming for at least two if not four days a month, or once a week for studio rental. It has been amazing to have this community resource. Especially so close. I pack up my bag with just what’s been planned for time efficiency and after a quick walk of course grabbing a Nate’s Coffee from my neighborhod first, then I’m in studio mode. Disclaimer, there is to be no food in the studio. Bevs, yes, crumbs No. This particular black-and-white cookie was shared for soc media purposes. No crumbs were left to harm. Below is an update on my raised beds for this year’s first. Anticipation…it’s making me wait. Gladiolas and Stargazer Lilies on the left, Wildflower pollinators predominantly in Purple and Blue. Guilty!

To top off a great month, season, new beginnings, our new neighbor’s dog wrote a poem to my dog Sulli on his new experiences with Sulli on the other side of the fence. So cute! Way to go new neighborhood neighbor! I’m happy to share!

The Sulli Song

Big White fluffy

Sulli lives next door

I sure wish I could

See him more

Sometimes I stick

My head in the fence

I’m not sure that this

Makes much sense

But then I might

Get to see that guy

Maybe Sulli

Will come say Hi!

Last and never least, jewelry. I had purchased instructions from an artist ( Alex Boyd) whose quality of work I admire and after some practice, I find I prefer the current challenge for me this method provides. This is the second ring I’m doing in a series. I’m working on slowly bringing a more cohesive look to my art. I will continue to be adding 18K and 22k gold to my work through differing techniques. I’ll still be using Argentium silver one, from a pricing standpoint, secondly to build my base structures. The gemstone settings and embellishments will be gold. I like working in bi-metal looks as again my personal philosophies on balance and the elements therein have had a life-long pull for me. Till again, from inside my studio, Jaspr

Luray Caverns

Richmond Vis Arts Center

Nate’s Bagels

Vernal Equinox 2023

RVA Solstice 2023

March, coming and going already? Daylight Savings came like sweet relief. St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone as have the VCU celebrations. I’ve been chomping at the bit for three weeks now since my Hydraulic Press class and I’m still waiting and eager to hear back from the VisArtsCenter regarding the use of registered studio time. Crickets….4th time the charm? I’m too excited to be in studio again to let it go so I’ll walk in personally sometime next week. I have ideas bursting out of my cranium to try with new tools and skills I’ve already picked up in my short 8 months here. Stay tuned.

I’ve been working to get my shop back online and slowly restocking some basics. Chain. I love chain, varying sizes, design, etc, mostly for the sound the links make. When there are different shapes and weights the sound varies. Music! The process of chain-making is nothing but repetition. This exercise I thought would be ideal for warming up my skills again. Honestly after a year out from behind the torch, I was curious to see how may llinks would melt during fusing and soldering. Patience seems to be the skill that wanes over time. That too I can practice. BTW, one rascal melted. My eye for a second was off the prize.

Coiling, twisting, straightening, stretching, all to hand make chain links.

After twisting, annealing is performed to soften the material to be formed and shaped as i wish.

Next up for me, once I get my mits on using that hydraulic press, I have a few earrings in fine silver and 24k in mind. Some of those Keum Boo technique skills I had picked up from previous classes and projects will be begging for play. Additionally I havent been able to shake that spring green color I’ve been so attracted to. You can be sure there will be some of that color gemstone too.

Patty’s Day was not to be outdone from the other holidays celebrated in #TheFan.

When I’m not in the studio or firstly the kitchen, lol, I’m playing with two raised beds. This adventure is new to me so I’ll let you know how these go! 1-Stargazer Lilies and varied Gladiolas. Second raised bed - all blue and purple wild flowers, butterfly and bee friendly! Below is me playing in sugar, brown sugar, bourbon, and leftover smoothie apples!

Winter’s Rhythm

My first Spring here, I have to say it’s happening now, a bit earlier than I’m used to! The past couple of weeks saw one freezing and one pushing high 70’s. The buds are poppin’ and varying colors have begun to peek out from yards and boxes. The shades of green are the ones that have stirred my creativity this year. Little green gem buds in so many shades of green, everywhere!

Spring 2023 Gemstone Green Buds

One of those recent plus seventy degrees in February days!

I recently attended another class at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond! What a day, definitely so cool to be in the studio with other creative jewelry artists eager to experiment, play and learn for the afternoon. I learned a lot and more than enough to add to my work. The class and particularly the instructor definitely fueled plenty of interest for further experimentation. The ability to have access to open studio is invaluable as they offer machines and tools such as the hydraulic press that I wouldn’t otherwise have access to! These are NOT inexpensive tools. Quite the opposite pushing on average over a grand at mid entry level. This place has proved itself already as one of the hidden gems revealing itself as a result of my recent relocation. This is a shot of me happy and more pics of the hydraulic press, the studio, hydraulic press accessories, samples, and actual experimentation of mine.

Hydraulic press containment forms

My first go with a brass die and annealed 20g copper sheet. Who could resist smashing and pressing when it yields this beauty?

Experiments of my own with Spring goals and ideas in mind! I’m learning in copper and dreaming in silver, gold and gemstones! I’ve made application for open studio time. I’m aiming for a few hours a week popping out a few basic elements to play and add to Spring with! Check back here in two weeks and we’ll see where all this goes. Thanks for stopping by to see what’s new From Inside My Studio.

Winter 2023 Renewing, Restoring, Recreating

Welcome, All! from inside my studio I’m celebrating Winter! It does snow in Virginia! The view from my new kitchen! The sunrise is dawn on New Year's Day. It’s one of my inspo pics for the year. I’m finally up and running and hoping to move back into my groove slowly with continued purpose. I guess I’ve never missed a step just picking up the pace a little here. After taking some family time in January it’s exciting firing up the torch with casting goals and soldering challenges on the shortlist. I’m continuing to unpack and organize my gemstones, (Talk about a time-killing distraction, sparkle sparkle ), photographing current stock, creating listings for sales venues, and continuing to populate my new website, (I’ve started to publish my blog onsite. The site isn’t complete, but I’m too excited to wait!) I’m learning to distinguish between IG material and blog material, CCC constantly creating content, meanwhile, ruminating all the while in the background noise of my mind are ideas for a few pieces this Spring ‘23.

Fiddlehead Fern

Jonquil

January and even February have traditionally been admin months. This year I am beginning to feel a pull with thoughts towards Spring and I’m starting to get hints of green gemstone vibes from all the new growth energies of this coming season, one burgeoning in the neighborhood gardens. The Fan neighborhood here in Richmond has been inspiring me through the lens of all things new since arriving and now currently in the lead up to Valentines. I’m excited to explore the same once the flora blooming has begun. Actually, for a few days now as I’ve seen early morning Jonquil. So many of the homes have small gardens, planters, boxes etc. Little sips of joy to be had on the daily.

Stay tuned I’m signed up for another class with the Richmond Visual Arts Center This one is learning how to utilize a 20 ton hydraulic press. My goal is the ability of members of the arts center to utilize studio and machine time at a discounted rate! These studios are a short few blocks from my house. It’ll be sweet while learning a new skill.