Intentional Stones

Gratitude for Handmade Artists

This week, I'm lucky enough to be featured by my friends in Handmade Artist's Blog Ring #1. 

Thank you for reminding me how important this blog is to the people who want to read it, to the people I write about, and to me. 

The HAF team is from all the different worlds of handmade online sales- Etsy, Artfire, Zibbet, Ebay, their own personal sites, and the new Handmade Artist's Shop!  And we're all in the same boat.  Small boats in the gigantic ocean of the internet. 

Our blogs are our voice.  The place to show that we're more than just a group of listings.  A place to talk about why we do the crazy things we do.  Why we make.  Blogs also let us tell about our day, other passions we pursue, and our families.

So, I guess I want to thank you, too.  The friends who read my blog and the blogs of- 

Tammy http://www.tammysultemeier.blogspot.com

Larissa www.ReefBotanicals.blogspot.com

Teresa http://www.trusk4u.blogspot.com

Sandi http://www.iKnitQuiltSew.blogspot.com

Debbi www.flowerandbud.blogspot.com/

Karina http://www.etsy.com/shop/kabidesigns

Dana http://www.31Summers.blogs.com

 Haffina http://haffinacreations.blogspot.com/

Traci http://crazyinsanitycreations.wordpress.com/

Shauna http://DesignsByShauna.blogspot.com

Todd  http://peacethroughpottery.blogspot.com/

Rhonda www.etsy.com/shop/Lilbitsassy

Kristen http://www.thejewelrygeek.com/

FindingCharm  http://findingcharm.blogspot.com/

AlsoMrsB http://www.artfire.com/users/alsomrsb

and Almanzo http://greenwickpress.com

Thank You!

 

 

Reinforcing knowledge

This book is currently part of my daily reading.  I picked it up at Half Price a few years ago and I'm almost finished reading it. 

Sometimes I worry that I'm stuck in the beginning stages of learning to work metals.  And, in a way I am.  Many of the things I've done lately have been to solidify my basic skills.  Begining jewelry class at the community college.  Drawing 1 and 2 over again. 

And they all have been amazingly worth it.  Granted, I've completely fallen behind on posting here on the blog.  I know once the summer comes I'll have tons and tons of material to write about.  But I've moved up a level in my jewelry and my design. 

It turns out, revisiting lessons over again and from a different perspective is highly useful.  When a technique isn't working the way I think it should, I go back to a different teacher and see how he or she recommends approaching it.  That's exactly what I'm using the Design and Creation of Jewelry for.  It's a great overview of basic jewelry metalsmithing technique.  I believe it's designed as a textbook for jewelry classes.  All the examples in the book are student work.  (from the University of Illinois, no less.  A year in their art program in 1992-3 and I never knew they offered jewelry!)

My only disappointment is the book's secion on Design falls at the end and is only one chapter in 6.  As Design is first in the title, I'd expected more.  This is alright.  Much of jewelry design is based around the many techniques you need to master in order to create it.

I'm working my way through the design chapter now. 

One thing I've loved about my jewelry classes is the instructor, Adrienne Grafton of Pearlette Jewels, is designing many different types of jewelry-from belt buckles to hair combs. 

I look forward to learning even more about designing as I get to the point where I'm just creating with the exciting techniques I've learned!

-Simbelmynë

 

Local Love

Just a brief post.

Today was awesome.  The Rivers of Steel heritage organization offered a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and try out a few new things!  The Pump House at the Waterfront shopping district was a great venue.  I'm always happy to see it open so people can see the inner workings of the building.  

They're talking about doing a regular artist's market this summer, every Sunday.  I'm looking at my calendar! 

Thank you to everyone who came out!

-Simbelmynë

TRusk4U Handmade Jewelry for Women

This week, Teresa Rusk's lovely shop is featured.

Sweet wire work and beautiful beads make up her personalized designs.  She owns her own store, Hollyhocks, in Mebane, North Carolina and connects local artists in her town with people who will love their hard work.  She's lucky to have a place to meet the women who wear her jewelry. 

She's got a whimsical way with wire. 

She also has a site in the new Handmade Artist's Shop

  On her blog, she's always helping out other artists.  And, if you like her, follow her new stuff on twitter.  I admire her courage and standing up for her fellow artists! 

Thank you, Teresa!

-Simbelmynë

 

Coming This Weekend: Pittsburgh Heritage

We'll be at our first event this year!  Sponsored by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, The Spring Heritage Market at the Pump House , is this weekend, Saturday April 23rd from 10 am to 3 pm.  The Pump House is located in the Waterfront Mall area in Homestead.

"Free and open to the public, the event will include authentic, ethnic heritage art, suchas Bulgarian-Macedonian pottery, Moroccan purses, Native American beadwork and Irish collectibles. Crafts representing the Pittsburgh region’s more recent green heritage include pop industrial art, handcrafted jewelry and baubles made from recycled materials, among others.

The event will also include a taste exploration of our region’s diverse culture with foods representing Cuba, Bulgaria-Macedonia, England and Hungary, among others. Sample soups, teas and chocolate and purchase other foods, such as homemade cookies and breads from The Rise Above Bakery and Cafe or Easter treats from Dorothy’s Candies."

Both Mina and I will be there to represent Intentional Stones.  We'd love to see you as you run your Saturday errands and show your families the beautiful transformation of the Pittsburgh river front into space to enjoy.

Thank you!

-Simbelmynë

Polymer clay can be so amazing

(And I'm pointing this shop out to you, Mina!)

This week we're showcasing Kabi Designs, home of wonderful, imaginative polymer clay art jewelry.  

Karina is experimenting with the medium, and her gorgeous designs push the limits of craft into art. 

Here are just a few things

And my favorite today:

Karina also has a flickr to showcase her work.

Pardon my lateness, shame on me for letting a little thing like taxes get in the way of more important things!

-Simbelmynë

Blog Ring brought to you by the Handmade Artists Forum

Out for a walk

For my Artist's Date this week I decided to take a walk with my camera.

It's been a while since I took flower photos. 

 

I came to the conclusion that I'd like to add some hydrangeas and azalias to my yard.  Maybe they can crowd out some of the plants I'm not so fond of.  Little things that might help me feel more like I'm in control of the back yard jungle. 

My vine phots didn't come out as well, but they're good enough for jewelry designing.  Hopefully you'll see them then.

-Simbelmynë

Celebrating Reef Botanicals

Once a week, on the Intentional Stones Blog, we're going to feature a fellow artist.

Reef Botanicals! "Handcrafted soaps and other indulgences."

Ok, here's a great idea she and her spouse have whipped up. 

Beer Soap

You read that right. 

Beer soap.  Coffee soap.  Dead Sea Mud Mask.  I feel like I've just found my kind of soap shop. 

They're crafty, obviously, and fun.  Creating their own soaps, with handmade bases and natural additives.  They're working with a local brewery on the beer soap.

Visit them at their blog and their Handmade Artists Forum Shop.

-Simbelmynë

(A blog ring is a cooperative blogging effort, with fellow members of the Handmade Artist's Forum.)