Good People

Today I was reminded that there are good, decent, smart & honest people in the world.
The world seems to be so full of negatives, and dishonesty & people that are self absorbed, that once in a while someone enters your life, if even for a split second... that touches you in such a way... to where you want to say.... "Yes, you understand, You Get It!" ...
whatever 'IT' is at that moment.

sometimes, even in it's smallest connection, you feel someone has your Artistic Back!

thanks to all of those Artists out there. Always speak the truth... & reach out to spread the truth when you can!

~X~

Pantheacon convention weekend

So this past weekend I vended a convention called Pantheacon, one of the west's biggest indoor pagan conventions. This is usually a most physically stressful time. Especially vending the show alone (set up & break down as well as daily selling). (pics to come later).

This year I tried something new, and didn't really focus on my big sellers (crowns, circlets, headdresses) & instead, allowed the focus to rest on my altered art resin jewelry creations & framed artwork (as well as other standard jewelry designs).

I am so lucky that my Resin image jewelry has been so well received. It makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside.

As well, I sold at least 2 larger framed prints, and a bunch of the smaller framed prints. (which was a bonus), and 11 Dark Muse cds.

Now to finish my current online orders & set forth to whip out my new website. I've only till March 22nd to get the new one to go live & lose the old one. Not sure if I'll have a catalog up, which is also very stressful. I just don't have the time to finish a website & Build a 1000 item catalog, like that on my current site. And all from scratch. (not including any of my new Altered art pieces).

I think I may just focus on getting the new Altered Art Resin jewels up first, then post a few of my best sellers to start.

wish me luck.

~X~

Sterling Rings Grouped together for show

Just for fun, here is a pic of a lot of ring designs... most dating back to 1992 styles... that are still repeated but with slightly varied creations. As well as some one of a kinds created for 2007. These are a mix of soldered with a jewelers torch, cast, and wired. From the simple to the ornate. And just a grouping of rings that I had created a while back & never did anything with the image. Wheee.... Clustery goodness & Fun times.
~X~

Lusting after Labradorite

So while looking around at older shots of some past pieces. I came across this old custom piece I created over a year ago. A Labradorite & Sterling Horned Moon Goddess Circlet Creation. I had forgotten about it.
It was a truly beautiful piece... as I hand chose the most Amazing Labradorites with such intense fire & flash.
~X~

Art in Blues

Just some paintings I've done...




'Blue Mermaid'
16x20
Acrylic on Canvas
(but much more interesting & color flow in person... & slightly blotchy in the pic).
This images has been a theme used often... but it is the first larger painting.
It started as a photograph that I took of myself. Later & in many incarnations, it became a digital art design, printed, painted, photographed, digital art in photoshop again, printed, painted... etc etc... until finally, it was hand drawn onto a medium/large canvas & painted.




'Muse in the Trees or Forest Nymph'
8.5x11" on Canvas Cloth
This first was a nude photo taken of myself in the woods (many years ago) though it has gone through many processes. Light digital print from actual photo. with added Medieval design borders printed onto canvas cloth. Then Hand painted with Acrylics.

Both works are self portraits.

thats all for now.

~X~

Finding your Jewelry or Art Niche'

{The following is from a letter I wrote to a lovely young woman who was inquiring any info from me, as she was writing her final for jewelry class on me & my business. I was flattered, though tired at the time that I wrote this... but thought it might be nice to share with others.}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First of all, you should do what you love! Too much time is wasted being stressed out in life & not following your dreams or ambitions. Most of this might be due to necessity. But if nothing is holding you back....

If you want to excel in Jewelry creation or any art form as a career and earn a living from your art, & if it is the type of art that you feel is a bit different than the norm (or not), then Find your niche' and Do it Well! Without a good niche (something that you feel might be a bit different in the market place) then you are just creating what everyone else is, hence you may not be filling a void that may well be needed somewhere (in whatever niche' or genre you choose).

(added: though it is nice to just be creating & fueling your art & following your dreams, if you wish to have your dream earn you enough money to not have to work for another, than you definately need to find your niche')

Though in the beginning, you may need to work for others or take on jobs, customs, or repairs & sometimes it may not be what you want to be doing. Look at every project or job as a new lesson to learn. Take everything in, you never know when you might need to apply it to a future project or experience.

For myself I find that although I create in many mediums from what I call Embellishment piecework, to torch work/soldering, or carving in ACS or PMC, Resin, photography etc... I always attempt to try something new. I strive to learn a new technique when I can. I pick up books for inspiration & tutorials, and even if I do not set out to follow a tutorial, I am still inspired by the process of individual techniques to produce something. The books can be anything from jewelry techniques, benchwork, Art Nouveau & art deco or wrought iron designwork books, arts & crafts zines, painting & photography, my sketching journals and so on. (and for my geekier side, I love it when they have some heirloom piece of jewelry on the antique roadshow, or going to some museum exhibit to see some old viking or egyptian jewels). Whatever inspires you!

When I feel I am becoming somewhat stagnant or repetitive (having created jewels for over 20 years in various forms, & having multiple orders over & over for some similar jewelry styles), I search out something new to tempt my eyes and hands. Without a steady flow of the new I don't know where I would be. It can be hard to challenge yourself if you do not sometimes place an interesting obstacle in your path.

So basically, be yourself! Find your Niche'! Do it well! Try something new! Inspire yourself & hopefully you can inspire others!!!

I wish you much luck in all your artistic endeavors!
~X~



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As a side note: There are always negatives (sorry not all roses)....
I wouldn't trade my work hours for anything. I am happy just to continue to create what I love & earn a living from my art. (being my own boss, way flexible hours, although It can be negative at times running your own business, especially dealing with the 'business' end of things versus the art, or dealing with unscrupulous people who wish to copy above & beyond flattering, and it is a LOT of work, but I still wouldn't want my life any differently).
As soon as you put your work out there & on the internet... there will always be others who copy you. It is a fact that some others can't seperate, inspiration & learning techniques... with exact duplication.
Karma has a way of coming back around. So be good to others as well as yourself!