Start the New Year Fresh

OK, you skinny people may not relate to this but those of us carrying around a few, (think way too many) pounds, will relate to how hard it is to share a photo of yourself in a bathing suit with just about anyone. Wearing a bathing suit is bad enough, but to be frozen in time in a photo means the truth is there for all to see. Yikes! 
This is my studio equivalent. Yes, this photo records the embarrassing work space I really can't "work" in, because of all the junk and unfinished projects that slowly (actually, as quick as a day) reduce the usable surface area to about 6 inches. It is probably just as well that you can't see the piles of stuff under the table  too. I bare all here in the hopes that by doing so and committing to a fresh start in 2011, the work area will be transformed and I will be able to get back to creating some jewelry. OK, transformed is a too strong since this isn't a room makeover, but a very small area with limited storage. Tomorrow is devoted to organizing, cleaning up, throwing away and giving away stuff that just isn't all that important to keep. (tough for artists, since every scrap of paper and found object might find its way into a project) Saturday, I hope to post another photo of the organized space. Keep your expectations low, and you will be impressed!

The studio I share in Spanish Village is such a treat where work space is concerned. I spread out on an empty 6 foot table and don't even fill the thing with all the junk I bring to work on. Yep, we're livin' large up there in the Village. No heat, but plenty of room. Counting my blessings as we say goodbye to 2010! 

Village Artisans Gallery

Village Artisans is a lovely gallery located in the picturesque village of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. The owner, PJ Heyman, carries a beautiful and varied selection of paintings, sculpture, photography and hand crafted items. This year PJ won a Niche Award for being one of the top ten craft retailers in the U.S. Congratulations Village Artisans! I am happy to say they are now carrying some of my pendants and earrings too. Check out their web site at http://www.villageartisansgallery.com/

Holiday Color

Sorry for not posting for a while. I've been busy making jewelry to sell, getting Christmas gifts ready to mail and doing all the usual stuff we all do. You are probably too busy to read this anyway, but maybe just sitting at the computer a minute is a break for you as it is for me.
Been thinking about reds and experimenting with silver foil. Here are some of the results.

Tweet Tweet

Here is a photo of a couple more bird houses. I like the bright primary colors and some birds do too. On the "Life" series, from the Discovery Channel, they showed a bower bird gathering bits of "bling" and color to decorate his place to attract a mate. Really, this bird is the Candice Olson of the bird world.

I plan to make the next house in soft colors for the understated tweeters out there.