What a weekend

I spent much of last week making the bridal jewelry for my good friend May.  I've made bridesmaid's jewelry for other weddings but never jewelry for the bride.  So it was an honor, as well as a bit of pressure!  I made her these necklaces and matching, single leaf earrings.  I made her mom, sis and lovely bridesmaid Kina matching single leaf necklaces. My good friend JP (JP Candelier) was her wedding photographer and we went to her beautiful home, before the ceremony.  I got to place the jewelry on her once she was in her dress, as JP documented:

May lives an hour and a half South of me and for that reason, we always meet half way when we get together.  This was my first time visiting her at this house and now that I've been there I know it's worth the drive and I'll be visiting again.  The scene couldn't have been more picturesque and it couldn't have better captured Vermont at its fall finest.  It was a sunny, blue sky day and the temperature was just right, warm with a slight breeze.  The trees were at their peak, the rolling fields still lush and green.  

May and Justin live on a farm and there were chickens and cows and lovely old buildings and a pond and the house had a great long porch.  Just breathtaking.  The actual ceremony went by in a flash and then it was back to the farm for the party under a huge tent.  It was fun spending time with many of the friends I used to work with.  The food was delicious, there was a fab bluegrass band and everyone was full of smiles, including the blushing bride.  I have an amazing photo of her that will be in my upcoming catalog. 

It was one of those rare days that I took a deep breath and soaked it all in.  Time slowed down a bit and I could feel all this positive energy renewing my spirit.  

By late afternoon, as the party was wrapping up, I had the bright idea of calling my friend Lauren in MA, since I was half way to her home and have been meaning to visit her.  As luck would have it she was all for it and my wonderful weekend continued.  We had dinner in Northampton, MA, a town that I've got to go back to, it felt very similar to my favorite place - Burlington, VT.  The next day we met up with JP and his girlfriend Meghan in Brattleboro, VT (another favorite town of mine) for brunch and a photo session of Lauren and Meghan for my catalog.  I spent he rest of the afternoon wandering around the town, then leisurely driving home.  It felt like I'd been gone a week!  Now I've got a bit of catching up to do...

Fall

Amidst making lots of pieces, I managed to make time to make something for myself and take some photos of my world.  These things are important to do.  Last Saturday I purchased a lovely wallet/clutch thingy on clearance at Urban Outfitters because it was missing part of its closure.  I thought it was fine the way it was but after showing it to Celie we both realized it was begging for some bronze.  So I made 2 bronze 'plates' and riveted them together and now I have the coolest wallet ever!  

And now it is Peak Fall, even though fall just started.  It seems each gust of wind blows color into the leaves.  Gotta soak it all in before we settle into the long gray.  View from the yard: It was blustery outside and the wind began blowing the leaves right off.  I felt like a kid, staring up in wonder and awe.  It was raining leaves!  I gazed up and it looked like a flock of confused birds.

EtsyMetalClay Team

I'm part of a great new group of Etsy Metal Clay artists called "EtsyMetalClay" or EMC.  As of now it's a small group but the numbers are growing as is the excitement and enthusiasm.  In just 2 months the group has come up with a logo, banner, website, mini mall, blog, and a flickr group and we're always making Treasuries.  Today our team is being featured in Etsy's blog the Storque.  Thanks to Lora Hart for creating this team and all the talented members that have moved this team so far in such a short period of time.

And then it was Fall

When did this happen?  I do have to say, this might be the first fall that I'm okay with, even a little excited about.  I usually dread this season as it is the messenger that whispers winter's on its way.  After so much heat and humidity though, the crisp air and lack of bugs is quite welcome. The changing landscape isn't bad either. 

Saturday was a frigid but fun day at the market.  I embraced the day decadently with raspberry hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream.  The response to my new bronze and silver Modern Relics has been wonderful.  I just made this pair of bronze earrings and they sold seconds after I put them out, luckily I remembered to snap a photo of them.  I can't believe I only have a few markets left.  I'm already filling my holiday schedule up with craft shows and trunk shows.  AH!

This photo is from a few weeks ago but I forgot to post it then.  Fall pics coming soon...

Modern Relics come alive

Been a while since I last posted, I've been busy making these!  

Blue Buddha pendant (well, blue/green).  Bronze set in Silver, with silver beads and Peruvian Opal.

The back features the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism.
Unearthed Ring (aka Bronze Knuckles).  Bronze set in silver spanning two ring bands.
On my hand.
Patched Tablet Ring.  Bronze set in silver.
Fern Fossil Pendant. The bronze came out with a beautiful rainbow of patina.  I polished up the surface and this fall leaf 'emerged'.
It is set in silver and it is reversible.
Round Fern Fossil Pendant.  Love that patina!
Back.

Work with what ya got...

As I worked on a pair of new Raga earrings today, I contemplated how these evolved and how many of my creations have come to be. For so long I COLLECTED. All of the beads and treasures that I was finding and buying amounted to more than I could make with them. I was taking in more than I was putting out. At a certain point I had to STOP the madness! I was running out of room, I was forgetting where I put things and I felt overwhelmed by all of this STUFF. It was time to start using it, 'to work with what I got'. Now there's a certain rhythm to my work. The excess from my "Rags and Riches" necklaces becomes a pair of Raga earrings.The trinkets and charms that don't make there way into Journey necklaces become little "Key Chain" necklaces. Only a few beads leftover from stringing a necklace? Those get wired together to make a little charm. Leftover bits of chain become chain extender. I get a sense that I'm finishing what's on my plate. Sometimes just sorting through what I already have leads me in totally new directions. All these things that I've hoarded and admired get to become new things and go out into the world. It's better for my wallet, for the environment, for my living space. All this 'working with what I got' reinforces that concept within my life and its not a bad thing to be reminded of.

Tomatoes, a flower and a stone

I had another amazing market day!  It started out drizzly but the day soon became sunny and warm.  The past 2 markets I sold 2 pairs of my Peruvian Opal earrings.  I've never had an item sell like this!  So this time I made 3 pairs and all 3 pairs sold!  
The day concluded with me scrambling at the farmer's market for some last minute treats.  I was given a heaping pint of tomatoes at one stand and after purchasing some sunflowers at another booth- a free flower for my hair, which is right where it went.  Then while packing up my work, a lovely gentleman handed me a jasper stone- just because.  In this short period of time, these simple gifts filled me with good energy and such a sense of connection to the market and Burlington and Vermont...and to being alive!  Doesn't take much to make me happy!