'Tis the Season

So, once again, the holidays are looming ahead and in preparation for the season, I've been working frantically every day. I never know exactly what people are looking for, so I make what I like and hope that people will like them too. Here is a recent copper piece I've been playing with... and mark your calendars from November 23 to December 24 for the times I'll be at the Grand Central Holiday Fair this year. And some of you know that the earlier you get there, the better your choices since so many are truly one-of-a-kind! See you there and Happy Pre-Holidays!!!

Flurry of Activities...

Okay, so my recent flurry of activities has not been one of photo taking (as I had promised - sorry) but I have been out and about town, learning, looking, pondering, and signed onto an Art market in my 'hood. Check this out, I'm not listed on it yet since I'm a newbie, but I did my first showing last Sunday; had lots of fun, met lots of great artists and learned lots of stuff I didn't know about....like the guy who was hand carving a violin neck for his 2 month journey into hand making every component of a violin... These artist have such passion for their work and it shows in the end result whether it be a piece of wearable art, a mouthful of chocolate or an exquisite musical instrument. It truly is a pleasure to be around like minded individuals and am glad to have found them!

I've signed onto doing this 'Maker's Market' for the next 4 Sundays until I have to really dig in to get more jewelry made for the Holiday Show at Grand Central. Hope to see you soon!

A Looooong Break

So, the other day, I was at the Hoboken Arts and Crafts Fair, in Hoboken (!) NJ and a long time admirer and collector of my jewelry was surprised to find me there. It appears that I've made myself scarce between Holiday fairs and quiet about where I will be showing next. I didn't mean to be so unavailable and for those of you who have been looking for me, I apologize. I am indeed still around, still making jewelry, still knitting and crocheting with wire, still playing with pearls and gemstones.... it's just that daily life simply gets in the way - you know how that is... Anyway, my most up to date info on where I am showing will be on my website or you can always call me: 718-852-9894 and I'll let you know where I'm hiding.

In the meantime, I have been busy getting ready yet again for the 2009 Grand Central Holiday Gift Fair that will be going on from November 23 to December 24. I've been trying new techniques with wire and sheet with my new new favorite metal: copper!

I'll post some photos of what I've been up to these long months in a while but in the meantime, it is good to be back, and I'll see you again here real soon!! Thank you for your patience.

Overwhelmed by Beads

I didn't think that it was possible to say that I could be overwhelmed by beads, but I am, truly. After having spent the better part of a month packing and unpacking my beads, tools, wire and a sundry of accessories to jewelry making, I can say unequivocally that I am overwhelmed!! This new place certainly looked a lot bigger without the stuff....

Oh, well, now the real work begins as I try to get motivated again to try new jewelry making techniques. The rest from knitting and crocheting with wire has been great for my wrists though since I had been suffering terribly from carpel-tunnel in both hands. My orthopedist said the only cure was to not do it and it seems to be working! I will find out soon enough whether the long rest really helped. I'm sure I'll keep you posted!

As soon as the camera is located under all the moving boxes, I'll be posting new things. See you soon!

Packing One's Obsessions

Okay, so, in January, I said I was back and that I was going to be better about posting... well, it turns out that life got in the way again. I've been busy packing and cleaning for a major move of our home and my studio. It's good to clean out the cobwebs, and throw things out, but is a lot of dusty work!! After having packed my tools, beads and other paraphernalia... I noticed how much jewelry making stuff I had actually accumulated over these past 6 years of pursuing my obsession! Even I was shocked! How many pairs of knitting needles can one person need/use/destroy in a lifetime? My collection of crochet hooks puts the local yarn store to shame. I knew my fixation on jewelry making and tools could possibly border on lunacy but now I had proof. Sobering and frightening.

Not that seeing the problem will fix it, I am already planning my next big purchase after the move. I am coveting a standing drill press, grinder and buffer. Here's hoping that my vision won't be as clear the next time I move so that I won't realize how truly crazy I am after all!

I'm Back!! and Happy New Year!

So, it has been a very looong 5 months. I didn't intend to take such a long break, but it was necessary for my family, business and creativity. Since I last posted, I have been to Hawaii for 4 weeks to visit with my Mother, traveled to Charlottesville, VA to visit family friends with my daughter, watched numerous little league games my son participated in, prepared for the Grand Central Terminal's Holiday Gift Fair, stood in my booth daily for 6 weeks except Thanksgiving and Christmas, made a dozen or so commissioned pieces, and working now to revamp my website and clean up my work bench!

Whew!! Amidst all the flurry of activity, I've had some time to imagine all sorts of design ideas to work on for this year. One of the great things about standing in a small confined booth space day after day listening to comments made about my work (and not able to run away or be too rude) is to really think about what the customer is saying and what appeals to them. One of the most interesting comments I get repeatedly is the idea that 'I' invented the knitting and crocheting of wire! I don't know why my customers would think such a thing, but I hear it often enough to wonder myself why they think this way when there are tons of books and tutorials published annually regarding the process I use, by other crochet and knitting artists.

I've had some time to think about it and I've decided my customers come to this conclusion because either they've never seen crocheted and knitted pieces in wire before or at least not so much in a variety of styles all in one place. I've also had comments that they've tried to do it before and ended up with a mess of squashed wire. I have many mountains of messed up squashed wire myself and the only difference between me and them may be the manic compulsion to knit and crochet with wire every day - all day if possible - if my carpel tunnel doesn't act up.

So, what's in store for 2009? Copper and lots of it. I've become enamored with it, so much that now there are mountains of squashed up copper wire building up in various corners of my dining room. I also want to try knitting and crocheting in other shapes - believe it or not, I really have no clue how to knit and crochet and have never made a scarf in my life. I can knit and crochet straight rows and circles (self taught) an that's about it. So, one of my new year's resolutions is to really learn how to knit and crochet or at least make an attempt at reading patterns - not that I'm one for following anyone's patterns...

There you have it, in a nutshell, all my peccadilloes and the work cut out for me for the new year. I'm hoping to post some of my new experiments soon. Come back often and check out my website in about a week or so for lots of new pictures. Here's hoping your new year is filled with health and success as well!!

To be continued...

Okay, I have to take a break from posting to really get some more jewelry making done before the madness of fall sets in. I still have to do a bit of traveling due to family concerns.

I'm making jewelry everyday, but the photographing takes a bit of time, especially since I have to rely on the goodness of Jerry in between his own work. But stay tuned, I won't be gone for too long.

I've been experimenting with color combinations, more freeform weaving and the all elusive feathers! The next posting will hopefully show you what I've been up to! Later...