Klaus Burgel

I have always loved Klaus Burgel's Loop Series of brooches. I was honored to work with him as a booth assistant at a show in Baltimore years ago. He was a pleasure to work with and I admire his skill.

I want this chair!

I sadly can't reference where this image came from but my mom found this amazing swing/chair that really resembles my jewelry. I just love it!

Eero Hintsanen

The structures of Eero Hintsanen's Bug series delight me!

Business Basics 101: Starting off on the Right Foot

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds is teaching a fantastic Business Basics Class next Saturday that will really help any arts business. I will be in the class and I think you should be there too! She has a great deal of knowledge to share, details and a link to where you can sign up are below:

January 28, 2012 9am-4pm, including 1 hour catered networking lunch

Charles Goodyear Memorial Pavilion: The West Room

Goodyear Heights Metro Park 2077 Newton St Akron, Oh 44305

Fee: $75 for OJMAG (Jewelry & Metals Guild) members, $110 for non-members

$35.00 of the $110.00 non-member fee may be applied towards a 1 year OJMAG membership

Sign up here!

Instructor, Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Do you dream of turning your creative passion and talent into income? Do you want to build a successful jewelry or arts based business, but you're unsure of where to start?

Then the Business Basics 101 workshop is for you. This one-day workshop will help you get started on the path towards success

Discussion Topics include:

- Getting Organized: Recordkeeping & Tax Basics

- Calculating Your Hourly Rate

- Pricing to Thrive, Not Just Survive

- Managing Your Inventory

Participants will create a pricing and organizing plan that is just the right size for their goals during this workshop.

Nancy Neaher Maas - Watercolor Weavings

"Sails on Black"

I came across the Watercolor Weavings of Nancy Neaher Maas in a magazine recently and fell in love. She paints these gorgeous paintings and creates such a dynamic image with the weaving. You can see more of her work here.

"Southwest Sunset"

"Flowers: Flying Orchids"

Beautiful Silence

This winter, my sister Kelly Heck, a photographer in Westminster, MD, will be showing a new body of work, “Beautiful Silence”, at The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center on 40 S. Carroll Street, Frederick, MD. The community is invited to join Kelly at the gallery for the reception on February 4th, 2012 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM, or any time during the show’s hanging from January 28th – March 25th. “Beautiful Silence”, a limited edition series of giclée prints, features color photographic winter landscapes in and around Carroll County, MD. Kelly makes her own prints at her home studio and my granddad helped her make the beautiful frames from scratch! If anyone is interested in attending, please check it out! If you want you can RSVP on Facebook or RSVP on LinkedIn.

To purchase some of her work click here.



Red Circle Metals

I love the sculptural quality of Red Circle Metals Jewelry. The artist, Suzanne Linquist, uses ebony and inlays the wood with silver. The contrast is wonderful. She even has bench tips on sawing on her website!

You can see more of her work here.

Sea Turtle

This drawing took a couple of days.

Happy New Year!

Joe and I spent New Years Eve making a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. Neither of us had ever cooked a whole bird before. Luckily the Turkey came out great!

the stuff was all right, needs some work.

And here is my plate, it was a great meal with pumpkin pie to follow.

Joe and I are thankful for a wonderful 2011 and look forward to a fantastic 2012!

Sending lots of love your way!

Valerie

Drawing & Tracing

I found a few images online that I liked so I laid vellum over them and drew my own version of the pattern. It was very enjoyable!

Gothic Punk by Giuseppe Zanotti

I saw this necklace months ago in Elle magazine and found it again. The use of layering, not just using one strand for the necklace really struck me. I love how it flows down the body. And that it's punk!

I wish the back had a little more extra kick to go with the front. I always believe that the back should be as beautiful as the front with a piece of jewelry.

Yesterdays Drawing - a Seahorse

Exciting Things coming up in the Jewelry World

There are many events and competitions coming up in the Jewelry world here are a few you might like:

Rio in Motion

January 22-27, 2012 in Albuquerque NM

Craft Alliance Artist-in-Residence Program

Postmark deadline is January 23, 2012

Residencies will begin June 4, 2012.

On the Edge: NCECA Conference 2012 crafthaus scholarship, March 28-31 in Seattle, WA

Deadline: January 27, 2012

You must be a Crafthaus Members to apply.

 

2012 Women's Jewelry Association Member Grant Program

Applications are due January 31, 2012

MJSA Expo March 11-13th in New York



Beverly Tadeu

I love the seed pod quality of these earrings by Beverly Tadeu. More of her jewelry can be found here.

Big Top Glass Ornament

Fritz Lauenstein a native artist of Cape Cod built his own studio and business from scratch. He focuses on color and design while being inspired by the ocean around him.