Intentional Stones

School for me?

Once, in a painting class, I had a teacher try to explain to me how I needed more contrast in my picture. I didn't really understand (I was 13 or 14 at the time). He reached over and dipped a fine brush into a dark color that I had been avoiding and diluting, and added a couple of dark colored branches in the very front. And boom! the landscape went from flat to deep!

Now a days, I would be all over this guy for painting on my picture, but he really effectively made his point. (And I was copying the picture he had put in front of the class. Really, we were working on learning the medium, not creating great art.)

I really miss that. It's been so long since I was in true art classes, and there is nothing that can make a vital point like a teacher who really understands my questions. I am looking at other ways to get into class mode. I have burned through the available drawing and jewelry classes at the community college. I may take one on color theory, or a digital design class in order to learn better how to use photoshop et al. I have found craft and arts centers that offer classes in technique that are extremely valuable. But these only serve to remind me that I want more.

Instruction in art. A mentor who is aware of my work and the combined resources offered by a university or community. More and more I am convinced that my next step is to enter into a Masters Program. But these are all in other cities and will require relocating. And I have a family to work with on this. Never mind paying for college for them really comes before pursuing a third degree for me.

So, for now, I have my books, (you didn't know the librarian in me would have been collecting the best I can find?)

and all the resources of the web, as well as TED talks, classes in iTunes U and whatever the universities have posted. All of this is good, but it is all over the place and very hard to coordinate. Especially since it's very difficult to maintain attention with all the distractions on the web.

And none of it has that sure, confident hand, reaching out and showing me that tiny, essential thing that I'm missing.

 

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Make It Work

 

As the ever-inspirational Tim Gunn says...

I've been gone a long time. Not impressed with my writing, with this blog, with my work. But I have carried on.

I had a bit of a blow, professionally, this year, when I applied to 8 different art shows, sure I would be able to add to my schedule, and none worked out. It brings to mind another little phrase- Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.

I've learned from the apps that i need to stop worrying about applications and focus more on getting art made. I do need to work on the photography, figure out my mistakes or set aside enough money to have a pro do it for me.

And to look at what I make and decide when I need art and when I am applying craft. I need to allow room for both. Steps toward craft also help me grow and express as an artist. My current market doesn't support much art.

There hasn't been much room in my life for things like blogging.

I may never even publish this piece. I feel like I have written it about 100 times. And this blog isn't about blogging. Not really. Maybe the problem is I don't know what it's about. Maybe in the next piece I write I will outline my blog for the next year? What do you think?

The blog needs a new look. It needs a plan and a topic. It needs much much love.

I will never be a pro blogger. Do such things even exist anymore? The ones i used to read seem to have gone back to their regular lives or narrowed down to one dimensional topics, farming out other things to guest bloggers.

I don't have just one topic. I just have me. If narrowing is what it takes to get big, getting narrow is not something I am good at.

Point is, this year is a Make It Work year. I think I have found something new in the jewelry and in the business, now it's time to write about it. I would love for you to come with me on this journey this year.

 

-Simbelmynë

 

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Work and play

 

Dragonflies in Green on Brass by IntentionalStones on Etsy

I wonder... If i made nothing but dragonflies, how would I do?

I tend to be happiest when i am working whimsically. Probably, I could get lost in dragonflies for a long time.

Planning is nor getting me far enough. The process of applications and acceptances and rejections is slowing me down this year. I am learning that, as prepared as I thought I would be, I still needed to start earlier, make more, take more photos. It's time for some whimsey.

So, for today I will think about dragonflies.

 

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Scapolite Gemstone, my bead hunting story

 

According to the Book of Stones, Scapolite's good for problem solving, sticking to goals and achievements. It's a white, brown or purplish gemstone that occurs in limestone and metamorphic rocks. It is an "alteration" of feldspar minerals, meaning that the mineral has changed because of exposure to water or oxygen. The resulting stone is clear and stunning. Sometimes it's got a catseye form.

This last year has been driven by my art and my business and getting home and family in a good balance. lots and lots of goals. No wonder this one jumped out at me while I was shopping last fall! At the time I wasn't prepared to work with them. I created a design for similar beads, but it wasn't quite the right thing for these beauties.

I shop a lot this way and my basement looks like a beadshop. I've created a central table where I can hang intact strands and i have enough display trays to lay out my cabochons and cut stones by variety. Displaying and sorting helps me when I am creatively blocked. Having a discrete space for each gemstone variety allows me to focus on design.

So far, for the scapolite i am thinking about puzzle pieces and labyrinths. Maybe I can do one of each. I definitely want to pair them with silver.

Hopefully, on this weekend's gem hunting expedition, I will not let the stones catch me off guard again.

Any requests?

 

-Simbelmynë

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Amanda F Palmer

Amanda Palmer (http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Palmer ) has been on my mind a lot this week. It started with her amazing TED talk about asking for what you need. (http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking.html) I just can't get it out of my head. In a short 13+ minutes, she reminded me exactly why I go out into the world and sell my jewelry.

Not that i didn't know of her before that. She's been really interesting since i heard Coin Operated Boy (http://youtu.be/YAnyYTjjhJ0) for the first time a couple of years ago.

She married an author (http://www.neilgaiman.com/) I've had a crush on for years- me and every other girl who read the Sandman comics and loves Tori Amos. Maybe it actually started when I got a chance to see Neil Gaiman speak here in Pittsburgh. And whenIi first clicked on his address to graduates. ( http://youtu.be/ikAb-NYkseI)

I want her courage. Her total lack of self consciousness. Her sheer getting-to-the-art attitude and her connection to the fans.

I have never seen a ninja gig. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to listen to "Punk Cabaret," but I am a fan.

I wanna be more like Amanda Palmer.

More links- Amanda Palmer on Meditation http://theworsthorse.com/amandapalmer/amandapalmer.html

-Simbelmynë

(Clumsy linking care of my iPhone. Thank you, iPhone.)

Just Writing

Last time I mentioned that wintertime was kind of grinding me down. I am looking for my energy back. I know that it will feel like coming back to life. My snowdrops are showing themselves and this always means I'll be finding myself feeling normal again. Meanwhile, the exercise, regular sleep and avoiding stress will have to work their magic.

I mentioned love. This metaphor is really resonating. I am currently looking at all the arts centers and bead shops in my area for classes i can take, like a date with my jewelry. Making things without about whether they will be "good enough" for this year and learning new skills really sounds sooo good! Come to think of it, I can do mini versions of this by setting aside time with some of the videos I've collected over the years.

The only problem is, part of my workflow is to make all the projects I am working on or thinking about part of my regular studio environment. Maybe I can get some scarves and cover all that. I don't want to pack them away, their immediacy is very important. Still, a blank slate would be pretty good.

I think I might find some pretties while I am out today.

-Simbelmynë

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All You Need is Love

Art is love.

I mean it, seriously. When I first started making things all the time, I would flit from craft to craft, to the point where any time someone wanted to do a project, i could very easily go down into my basement and get them anything they needed. Never committing, never getting serious, because I knew it would never go anywhere.

I almost got serious with book binding. I even focussed on book preservation in Library school so that I could work on books practically as well as artistically. One intense Christmas season of making books for my relatives caused the relationship to lose it's luster.

Then I met Jewelry. At first I was surprised by sparkling, speaking gemstones. Then natural colors just kept coming. And friends liked jewelry too, so I knew it would fit into my life. So I went deeper, into metal. I became absorbed and all the other crafts disappeared, excepting where they made my jewelry better. Jewelry opened my world to new friends and new experiences.

Jewelry and I have been in a long term serious relationship ever since. We're building a life together. Sometimes we need a little time apart, but we always come back to each other. When I look back at my life, jewelry has always been there, sometimes i just didn't know it.

I realized this month, in the middle of the winter blahs, the ups and downs of Art Show applications, and a difficult commission, that this is a relationship. One with extraordinary rewards as well as difficult times. And so, today, instead of writing about those things, i would write about my love.

(And No, the human Spouse doesn't mind. In fact, he empathizes with every triumph and defeat. Love is wonderful.)

-Simbelmynë

 

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Inspiring Today

I think this winter time block is an annual thing. Something to do with the end of the sales season and the self examination involved in applications. So i am working on ways to reawaken my creativity. Today, I feel like making lists.

 

Enjoying a good video game to relax. Kitting to keep on creating without the self pressure. Morning pages to get stuff out of my head. Reading about gemstones and writing down the stuff I'm learning. Thinking about the types of pieces i'll want for each show i plan to attend this year. Thinking about the people I meet through shows and the internet who are so wonderful, inquisitive and supportive. Making lists. Enjoying an espresso drink or cup of tea. The times when someone makes you a sandwich as they're making their own.

Beautiful things. My daughter dancing, snowdrops, my little son's tiny lego creations, my big son's programs in Scratch, friends who bake, my spouse, melting snow, clusters of crystals, workout buddies, sun streaming through the windows, warm puffy clothes and blankets. Jewelry magazines and websites. Drafting pencils, markers in every color, excellent erasers. Picture windows, books, good tv shows. Beautiful hair. An outfit put together with great fashion sense. Art.

Mindful things. Going to the gym. A well made shopping list. The week's laundry. The evening checklist. The morning checklist. The day's reminders. Good meals. Quiet time.

How do you get back into your stride?

What do you make lists about?

-Simbelmynë

 

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I'm heading out to a coffee shop to work on photos and the look of the blog. I'm hoping I'll come out of it reenergized and reorganized.

Under control

Long and short of it, I'm not feeling like it's all under control. But it might be getting there.

The Kid (eldest gets this distinction today, it changes, but usually he is the one in my sights) is now enrolled in virtual classes. There will be no more end of semester rushing to get everything done. Right?

I have reconciled to never seeing the bottom of the big grey tub of laundry at the bottom of the laundry chute. Look folks! I have found a never-ending resource- dirty clothes! And i even have found time to fold a basket or two a week. Good thing my kids are all tall enough to stabilize the stack of full baskets while they root around for something to wear.

Most of my applications are in and my commissions list is almost done. I'm accepting more. It is time to settle down and just make.

Funny, looking at that list it's not as if the work/school/chores have gotten any less. I just feel like I can work through them now. I looked for lists of stress relievers and it seems to me like I always try to do these things. Still, everything seemed so overwhelming this holiday season. And this past week, I've simply worked to keep them in mind. I guess no matter how much I want to be living intentionally, that is-mindful of the impact my actions (and inactions) have on myself and others, I can never go on autopilot.

I started a knitting project. Saw the doctor. Took care of a dental issue. I'm getting to the gym. Quitting work on time. Reading a book instead of the internet before bed. Spending time with my sweetie. Reading to the kids again. Calling old friends to get together... All things I "didn't have time for" at the end of last year.

How do the holidays do this to me?

Next years holiday project: keeping it together!

-Simbelmynë

 

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