Paying it forward

I am going to diverge away from my studio work for just a moment to help out an amazing woman who is working towards a goal to help support her farm and family.
I have been a long time reader of Suzanne McMinn's blog: Chickens in the Road. To give you the short version, Suzanne is a writer. A really great writer. She is also a farmer. She writes about all of the daily goings on at her Sassafras Farm in West Virginia. Including the good: 95% of farm life, the bad: sometimes farm life is tough and the ugly: she is afraid of her tractor.

I urge you to visit her blog and read some of her recent posts. Then read some of her past posts. I am pretty sure that is all it will take to hook you. I look forward to sitting down with my first cup of coffee every morning and reading her latest entry. She is funny, self-sufficient and honest.

Right now Suzanne is working towards a big goal. She wants to convert a building she calls the Studio on her farm to a health department-approved kitchen for on-farm cooking/cheesemaking workshops and other events. This project, when complete, will help her maintain her farm and keep a roof over her family's head. It will also bring people together to learn new skills, make new friends and maybe even create some new farmers!

You can read all about her project by clicking on the link below and visiting her Kickstarter page and placing your pledge to help get the Studio ready for workshops.

If you don't know what Kickstarter is, start ----->here<----- on Suzanne's blog. She talks about launching her Kickstarter project and what exactly that means.
As of today, she is 78% to her goal. The days are ticking by and I really want to help her meet that goal. And I hope you will be a part of it!

EtsyMetal Charm Swap progress

Being a member of the EtsyMetal team certainly comes with lots of perks. Being able to talk to other artists who work with metal on a daily basis has given my creative side a real boost. Learning from the other members never stops. You can pretty much count on finding an answer about a technique or process from one or many of the members. I am really lucky to be a part of such an amazing and creative group.

One other perk is getting to participate in the EtsyMetal challenges and swaps. Over the last few months I have been co-curating the EtsyMetal Charm Swap 9. I write a nearly weekly blog update with progress photos from the swap participants. It has been really awesome watching everyone's work come to life.

Finally today, after catching up with my Valentine's orders that stacked up at the beginning of this week I was able to sit down and get to work on my own charms. With just about a month and a half left until the due date, I thought it might be a good idea to get to work. I have 22 charms to make. I really don't want to wait until the extreme last minute...

I have been a little bit wishy-washy on my design. Some ideas were way too complicated especially since I would need to do 22 pieces. Some ideas were way too basic. I decided this morning to just get to my bench and start playing around with some basic design elements. I wanted to incorporate torch fired enamels to bring some color to my charms and I opted to use copper as my overall metal due to the sky-rocketing price of silver. However, I did bring a bit of sterling into the design. I love to use casting grain to add details to my work.

Here is what I came up with for my charm prototype:

Basic elements coming together:


Final result:


Back of the charm:


To follow the progress of all of the EtsyMetal Charm Swap Nine participants, be sure to visit the EtsyMetal blog. I post the charm swap progress on Thursdays. To view past progress updates, search "charm swap" without quotes in the blog search box.

Winter Tree Haiku

Bare branches gain strength
Winter sun casting shadows
Tiny buds waiting
~LC

On the back:




$57.00 plus shipping
Uploaded February 9, 2012

hitch me up (ooak)

$98.00 plus shipping
Uploaded January 30, 2012

Project Runway Season 9 Episode 3

Trapeze Artist

This week's challenge was "Go Big or Go Home" and I had my initial design in my head from the get-go. I wanted to do a big ring and at first I thought I was going to create it using sheet metal and make a large, solid piece. Instead I constructed a lightweight "trapeze" form and added a kinetic element! The shape of the ring remained the same as it first presented itself in my head but the final concept was just a tad different that what it was going to be. I could not be more happy with how it turned out!
It is constructed out of sterling silver, copper and a really beautiful square faceted blue green chalcedony cabochon.

Here was our challenge (written by Nina Dinoff)

The Project Runway Challenge:
The designers were asked to design a piece for a model on stilts for the first ever outdoor runway show.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:
Since this challenge was all about going over the top, this week make it BIG, over the top, larger and crazier than you would normally do, but still trying to keep it wearable and fashionable. Should be a fun one!

Project Runway Season 9 Episode 2

My Pet Project:

Twigs
I had to do something super simple this week because one of my oldest friends was visiting from out of town and my studio time was scarce. During my quick trip to the pet store I discovered some cool natural twig sticks that little rodent critters like to nibble on. I used my saw to get them to the right length, added some sterling silver bezel caps and eye pins to them and viola', simple and cool stick earrings!

Here was our challenge (written by Nina Dinoff)

The Project Runway Challenge:
In this episode, the challenge was to create an outfit using pet store supplies. They were allowed to use muslin as well, but were encouraged not to.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:
Yup, you guessed it. The EM challenge is to make a piece of jewelry using pet store supplies! Try to limit your time in the pet store to 30 minutes. You may use some metal in the piece but try to use as little as possible. Make it work!

Project Runway Season 9 Episode 1

Come As you Are:


Waif pendant

I confess. I have never watched Project Runway. I do now. After just one episode I am hooked.

Here was our challenge (written by Nina Dinoff)
The Project Runway Challenge:
The designers had to use the clothes they slept in the night before plus one of their bedsheets to create a new look. They also had access to dye and trimmings.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:
Since this challenge was all about using what you have in an unexpected way, and since most of us don’t sleep in jewelry, the challenge this week is to make something only from material that is sitting on your bench! If you don’t have a bench or access to your studio, then choose another area like your desk. Since the designers got a sheet, we get some sheet metal. You are welcome to use enhancements like stones from your supplies. But the final piece should be made of a majority of your found pieces if possible. Ok now, make it work!

_______________________________________

My Waif pendant was constructed solely of bits and scraps that were on top of my bench (not even in my metal scraps bags!!) and the design pretty much took care of itself. I had really elaborate plans using copper strips, sterling silver strips, gemstones etc. But after I passed a 18gauge sterling silver scrap thru the rolling mill, I knew exactly what I was meant to do. The scrap came out looking like a long, flowing, waif thin simple dress form. All I added was a scrap silver "belt" and "spaghetti shoulder strap" and my Waif pendant was complete.

Can't WAIT for this week's episode tonight!

parlato

$39.00 plus shipping
Uploaded April 5, 2011

in my heart

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Uploaded April 4, 2011

oxidized cherry blossom branch

$35.00 plus shipping
Uploaded April 3, 2011