Trying it on for size

(I started this post, then realized that I had misread the calendar and needed to get these done ASAP to meet the deadline for entries)

(Aug. 6, 2008) Yesterday, I traced off the stones I took from my stash for the State Fair entry.  Once I had the actual shapes on paper, I could do some doodling around them to see how each one would look as a center piece for what I have in mind.  I seem to be awfully fond of the basket-weave idea, so I'd better make up some samples in copper to look at before I go any farther with this one.

Design dilemma

I went through my stone stash yesterday and purposely pulled out some things I've had for awhile because I've had trouble figuring out how to incorporate them into pieces.  I've had issues with either the size or the shape, or sometimes both.  The burgundy colored agate is a really nice stone, but it's huge and a weird shape to boot.  The charoite is a gorgeous purple with great polish and it's not terribly huge, but that severe asymmetrical geometric shape hasn't lent itself well to a pendant.  I think it would be the hardest one to work with.  The other two are just big.  Yesterday I posted a couple of preliminary sketches, and I think any of these could work for a collar or festoon-type necklace.   Next step, trace each one on its own page of my sketchbook and try out some ideas in pencil.

First steps

Where does a new piece begin?  Sometimes I have an idea and need a stone to fit, other times I have a stone and design around it.  I have two pieces that I'll be making for the State Fair; one will use a stone or stones, and the other will be metal only.  That means that I'll be using both approaches.  Today I'll go through my stash of stones and look at some of the ones that are a little more challenging to use.  They'll give me the perfect opportunity to look at things from a different angle.

State Fair here I come!

I did it.  I sent my entry form off to the Creative Arts Dept. of the State Fair of Texas.  It's been a few years since I entered the contest, and this year I'm in the teachers and professionals category.  It's a little intimidating; I've seen the entries in this category in previous years and this group is good.  

Now I have to decide what I want to make.  Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?  The cool part of entering design competitions is that I don't really have to worry about saleability, I just have to make something really cool and execute it well.  This is a great opportunity to stretch my skills and try something that maybe pushes me out of my comfort zone.  I've already got some ideas, so stay tuned; I've decided to share the progress of the pieces from preliminary drawing to finished entry.

Making changes

I'm a compulsive tinkerer by nature.  Nothing is ever quite right, and I'm always tweaking something.  Today it's the blog.  Yes, that's my hand holding my pliers, and it's from a drawing exercise I did several months ago.  It's not perfect, but I think it's kind of cool--a handmade image about handmade jewelry.  If I did more drawing I would go around at art fairs asking my friends to pose as hand models with the tools of their trade.  There is something beautiful to me about hands that work and people who make things with their hands.

More about Etsy

The Etsy store has been up for almost two weeks now, and I love it.  It's so user-friendly that even I can use it!  Right now I'm just kind of splitting my existing inventory between Etsy and my booth, but I'm already envisioning some special things just for online.

New Online Store

Here it is, the official announcement:  Winding Road Jewelry Studio is now online!   Click on the highlighted text to go there.  I decided to use Etsy as the platform because I love the way their site works.  It allows me to offer one-of-a-kind items as well as more production-oriented work, and lets customers make requests too.  I'm adding new items every couple of days, so check often.  I'll have separate inventory for sale online and at shows, so especially with the O-O-A-K stuff you should buy it when and where you see it.