The Seller Connection

It's been a rather hectic few days as the heat in my apartment building was not functioning and I had to flee for a bit with the flock. It seems as though things are back to normal, though, and I'm looking forward to playing with some newly acquired tools and beads in the coming days I have off from my 9-5.

Family, friends and bouts of creativity? Sounds like a plan. My parents were so sweet to get me jewelry tools for Hanukah (including a torch!), and I'm hoping to experiment with them a bunch.

The tools are partially a result from my desire to expand my skill set into the metalsmithing arena. I took a metalworking class at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn in November and learned how to saw, solder, sandblast and finish copper, brass and sterling silver. While I don't yet have photos of the Morning Glory I formed from copper and sterling silver, I do have a pic of a piece I made from a prior etching class at the same venue:



It's Papaya in copper... still waiting at my workstation to be incorporated into a necklace.

In related gifting news, I worked this past month with a fellow artisan on a pair earrings for myself: a rare treat indeed.

Being a jewelry designer with an ever-changing stash of necklaces and earrings, I rarely purchase baubles to wear. But recently, the work of Jill at JillPopowichDesigns caught my eye. I really admire how her silversmith techniques combine with unique gems and vintage glass cabs to create lovely jewelry.

Jill tweaked a pair of Amethyst earrings from dangles into hoops for me, and I am just thrilled with the end result:



(Photo via Jill's shop)

It was a really fun experience working on a custom order with Jill, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special treat for themselves or others.

For the Win!

My mood has just been boosted considerably, as I won a giveaway on the blog of one of my favorite artist's, Katie Runnels. I'm happy to have been introduced to the work of Barbara Bechtel at Floridity thanks to Katie's The Constant Gatherer blog.

A flock of Barbara's boldly colored birds in my favorite shades are flying over to me thanks to Katie's contest. These clay chickies are full of personality.

Thank you muchly to both CG and Floridity for the gifts. I can't wait to get my hands on them and start working! I'm thinking perhaps a necklace or four will be the outcome of this contest. Now, we'll just have to see if I'm willing to share any of them... You know how I love everything avian!

(Photo via Floridity).

An ode to you, perfectly faded greenish-blue.

My latest color obsession, which has worked its way into the new shop banner, is a faded bluish green, with an undertone of antiqued yellow and brown. It makes my heart speed up to catch a peek of it, and while I've never "hunted" for objects with a certain hue in the past (other than clothing), I'm certainly doing so now! This is yet another way in which experimenting with mixed media work has expanded my perspective; it's only recently that I've opened my mind to all the possibilities a colorful scrap of paper or a broken bit of an chipped wood item can hold.

Here are some samples of this beloved blue hue:



An excerpt from an antique needlework book in my collection.



Victorian photo album mat via jennheuston.



Worn 1800's shutter at thespiritofcountry.



And a book I'm barely restraining myself from buying at estatesaletreasures.

Where is the sun, little darling?

There's been a steady bout of clouds and rain for about three weeks now, and New York is damp and somewhat gloomy. I really miss the sun and am waiting for a chance to head out to the beach.

When I do get to take that trip, I'll probably be smiling as happily as this cheeky flapper with her pretty bob cut and shining eyes in 1927. This photo is from a series I picked up at an antique shop in the city. Like the others in the batch, it was lovingly tucked into heart-shaped photo corners on a black construction paper page. Although it's hard to see, the photo reads that it was taken at Sheepshead Bay, which I believe is in Brooklyn.



Flapper style is so fun.

Etsy Treasury Feature

happysquashtoys on Etsy was kind enough to feature my Jonquil Hoop with Red Flower Earrings in her "Summertime" treasury yesterday. (The pair is the first photo in the middle row).



On another note, I came across a great resource of potentially copyright-free vintage and antique images: The Vintage Moth. The site's hostess does note that her images are intended for personal, rather than resale, use.

Aquavision Comes to Astoria

Our apartment just got a bit midcentury modern with the addition of our new sofa from Urban Outfitters. I've been in the market for a stylish couch for a few months now, and while the quality of this company's furniture is questionable according to some reviews I've read, the piece was decently priced and modeled in exactly the type of 50s and/or 60s-era look I've come to adore. According to Urban's Web site, the couch was inspired by vintage Danish modern daybeds.



The fact that the frame features an eco-friendly wood also appealed to me. Initially, I wanted the "groovy green" color fabric on the cushions, but this subtle gray-blue hue slowly worked its way into my favor during the months of debating whether to even get a new couch.

As a renter, I find myself constantly treading the line between wanting to nest and express a personal style, and simultaneously, save money and not invest too much in a place that I don't own. All of the HGTV watching and comparisons don't help; neither does reading magazines like Where Women Create.

The inundation of visual stimulation and nesting ideas has me daydreaming of working in an studio near a scenic outlook, with worn white, green and blue wood walls. The birds would be able to roam around a screened aviary attached to the workspace, and I could pull in a deep breath scented with leaves, earth and clear skies. (Lately, I've only been able to inhale through my nose in the city when I'm in a park).

Perhaps, someday I'll have the homestead that now lives in my head. There's plenty of time to achieve that goal, and knowing me, I may be into a totally different aesthetic by that point. I'm looking forward to the journey, and I just have to remind myself to live in this moment, and live each day (and crazy night) in this city to its fullest.

I did manage to bring a bit of an aged country look into the apartment the other day with the adoption of a small chest of drawers in a faded cream and green combination. Photos to come.

Also, current contemplating bringing some jewelry at a local flea market on Saturday.

French Antiques and Skipping Heartbeats

She's back, folks!

Get ready for more frequent updates filled with enticing jewelry, beguiling birds and eye-catching curiosities. In fact, let's approach all of these topics at once.

A sneak preview of earrings destined for the shop:



A new little helper around the studio, Einstein's little brother and recently turned 1-year-old Caique parrot, Papaya:



And, a circa 1800's French watch display case, which is totally drool-worthy and way out of my price range (don't remember the photo source, will gladly credit if anyone knows it):