New Work & Some Thoughts

I took the time earlier this week to list some new pieces in my Etsy shop. What can I say, I'm in love with all the new pretties! My muse has definitely made the switch to summer.

Case and point! Lots of colorful faceted gemstones and shiny sterling silver wirework links. This necklace can be worn long or doubled. 

This necklace was such a pleasure to create! I haven't really gone crazy with the wire so much lately, but it felt great to really dig in with the wirework and piece it all together.

Life's Path

The wirework has taken a back seat to metal lately. I super, love this bangle! (can I say that?) May be a few more of these in the works.

Working with metals is great because there are times when I really need to be on my toes and concentrate, like when I'm wielding the torch. Then, when it comes time to sand, it's time to relax (it can get a little mundane), and I can get lost in my thoughts.

Ocean Floor

Update: Sold - Thank you!

One thing that I love in the summer is a "go to" pair of earrings! These are great because there is no thinking involved, put them on with your favorite sun dress or your bathing suit to sit poolside. Love all the texture from the coiling!

Vines & Tendrils

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

The Good, Bad & Ugly

Ugly first...Ouch!! I mean, has anybody checked the $$ of silver lately? That's ugly! Last week, I placed a small order. Then silver was at $30. and change, and now it's above $33. Really? It's gone up over three dollars in less than a week. Prices keep going like this and I'm wondering...Are people going to pay those prices? Or do without?

Bad...I know what your saying...use copper or brass, right? But, that seems to be a hard sell for the shows I participate in. A lot of the clientele want sterling or gold. Not to say that I don't sell any copper pieces, just not nearly as many.

So this big increase in metal prices is leaving me a little anxious about this year's show season. I need to brainstorm, and come up with some creative ideas on how to use less sterling so that my price point will not sky rocket as well.

The good in all this you ask? Last week...the same day that I placed my order, I sent in all my sterling scrap. All 10.5 ounces of it, which leaves me a nice little bonus the next time I do place an order for silver. Yipee!

Which leaves me with this question for you. How are you becoming creative at keeping costs low during this madness?

Color is Everything

As an artist, I gravitate toward certain colors over and over again. Blues and greens are not necessarily MY favorite colors but I find myself going back to these colors for my projects. Much of the inspiration for my pieces come from nature, more specifically the ocean. This comes from living so close to this vast expanse of water. I'm not saying that the ocean I visit is blue or green, more like a muddy olive color, but in my minds eye this is what it should be.

The ocean is the inspiration for my latest creation. These beads are polymer clay, yes blue and green with the added black for contrast which represents that dark color of the water. And the spiraling to represent the curling of the waves.

Water Spout - Polymer Clay & Sterling Silver Wirework Bracelet

Do you like to work with a specific color?