Valerie A. Heck Esmont

Business Basics 101: Starting off on the Right Foot

2012-01-22T10:49:00.000-05:00

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

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

2012-01-15T19:17:00.000-05:00

"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

2012-01-07T22:21:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-02T22:41:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-01T13:24:00.002-05:00

This drawing took a couple of days.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:36:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-30T20:08:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-30T19:25:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-28T22:54:00.002-05:00

Exciting Things coming up in the Jewelry World

2011-12-28T22:44:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-28T18:54:00.000-05:00

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

Big Top Glass Ornament

2011-12-28T18:18:00.000-05:00

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.

Happy Holidays From Us to You!

2011-12-25T07:35:00.002-05:00

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,

Valerie

Christmas Card Chain Wreathe

2011-12-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

I made a wreathe for the Holidays out of a Christmas Chain made of last years Christmas cards. Happy Christmas Eve!

Check out the Design Award Winners Gallery

2011-12-20T21:01:00.000-05:00

MJSA has a great gallery on their website to read up on the creation of some of their Award Winners. The piece above was created by Etienne Perret and also won the 2011 Niche Awards.

Candle Making and Canning at the Midwest Native Skills Institute

2011-12-19T06:49:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I took some classes at the Midwest Native Skill Institute. We learned to make candles which I'm excited to use this skill and make some gifts. It was very fun and almost meditative they way you keep dipping the candles over and over. We even added glow in the dark powder to the candle wax and made candles that glow in the dark!

We also learned how to can. To the left we have applesauce, the middle is meat and the right is carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Canning really isn't too difficult but it's nice to have someone to guide you through the process so you know you did it right. I'm hopping to do some canning this coming summer. We have an apple tree and I could make tons of applesauce.

The Midwest Native Skills Institute was a great deal of fun, they teach survival classes, fire making, medicinal plants, tanning, soap making, wine making, cheese making and the list just goes on. Joe and I are hoping to take more classes there. Thanks so much for having us Tom!

Great Christmas Present!

2011-12-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

I want the Happiness Project 2010 Page a day Calendar. I loved Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project and I'm sure I'd love this. : )

I'd highly recommend either of these items for the people you love!

Darbynwoods Fine Woodworking

2011-12-18T16:50:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Joe and I attended the MOCA Art Show in Cleveland and bought the most beautiful handmade cutting board by David Shafron of Darbynwoods Fine Woodworking. It was a fantastic show overall!

Fold Forming with Melissa Muir

2011-12-17T16:36:00.001-05:00

Recently I took a fun foldforming class at my friend Melissa Muir's. She teaches a variety of classes for many skill levels. Everyone in the class worked with a rectangle of copper to start with. Check out Melissa's website.

I used a 18 gauge piece of metal that was rather hard to unbend once I had hammered in a fold. By accident I bent my trademark into the metal, Can you see the VAH. (H is a little wonky) I thought that was really cool!

Another cool part of the piece of copper I used was that it had been etched previously, so there was this great line pattern on the bracelet.

The bracelet I made on the right and Melissa's Birthday present for me on the left! Thanks Melissa!

2011 MJSA Future of the Industry Winner

2011-12-17T16:24:00.000-05:00

Natalia DaVidich, Kharkiv State Academy of Design & Arts, Ukraine

"Brooklyn" Ring. Made of yellow gold with a white gold insertion in the center, the ring features gold filaments that pass through specially rounded loops to imitate a cable of a bridge." "The reflection from the body of the ring creates a unique visual effect," DaVidich said.

I am loving this ring!

Yes!

2011-12-08T07:27:00.001-05:00

Oh how I love this chair by Cappellini!

Kirkwood Farm - Handmade Gifts!

2011-12-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

I've been busy busy busy with the Holidays all around us. My Mother-in-Law and I went to the Kris Kringle Craft Show in Canton Ohio. Where I bought this adorable teddy bear from Kirkwood Farm. I love having handmade things around the house, each time I buy something new it adds to the stories of the places I've been and creative people I've met!

The gift of time...

2011-11-23T16:28:00.001-05:00

Today my Mom and I made this wreath.

We bent in a circle and then spray painted a coat hanger white and got sandwhich bags.

You tie them onto the coat hanger.

And then presto! You have a winter wonderland wreath!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. For the Holidays I've tried hard to buy handmade gifts or make the gifts I give. I want to encourage you to do that or buy local, or just give the gift of spending time with someone you care about. Quality time with those you love is priceless.

Baby Hats Galore!

2011-11-20T18:12:00.000-05:00

Lately many of my friends have been having babies so I've been making little baby sized hats! I have a round knitting loom that I use, there are a couple different paterns I have tried as well. It's a fun shift from all the metalwork I do.

Eagle's Nest

2011-11-19T21:42:00.000-05:00

Earlier this year we went to the Raptor Center at Lorain County Metro Parks. We sponsored a Peregrine Falcon named Havoc. I was going through some older photos and this one is of me in front of an Eagle's nest. How wicked is that nest?

Joe and I have been really busy. Just today I went to a Ohio Jewelry & Metals Guild meeting at Bead Q in Chagrin Falls, then we went over to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland to a fantastic art show. I'll be sharing some of the artists work with you soon.

We've been busy going to parties and throwing parties. Making tasty food, and busy taking classes here and there! Luckily there isn't much going on in December because I need a break! Hope you are having a fantastic weekend.

Another lesson on Fighting Gravity!

2011-11-18T06:51:00.000-05:00

I had my second plane flying lesson two weeks ago and it was fantastic. I went to Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland Ohio.

These are the many dials I had to read to make sure all was well while flying.

The view was fantastic!

I hope to fly more, maybe even earn my license but that won't happen this year. I've had a really busy couple of weeks. Things should slow down soon. I have been working on jewelry. Remaking a bracelet I lost, my affirmation bracelet. Photos to come soon!

Is that an Owl?

2011-11-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

While taking pictures in the woods I thought I saw an owl in the hole of a tree.

Turns out it is just the way the tree is. A wooden owl!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is how Joe looks every day. (ha ha ha!) I photocopied a wad of monopoly money and painted a monocle on his face. The top hat completes the look. People kept running circles around him to pass go and collect $200!

For my costume we attempted a mohawk using Elmer's glue as seen on the paint brush. Well my hair is just too long to manage the mohawk but we tried. I may look like I have dandruff for the rest of the week but that's just the dry glue still flaking off. I've had three showers to wash it out!

I dressed as Lisbeth Salander, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Sadly my spike collar didn't get shipped in time, so instead I wore a piece I made, a spiculum and anticlastic pendant. It went well with the goth theme.

I found a friend dressed as Tyrone Biggums, that was my favorite costume at the party!

The most beautiful yellow is found in my woods...

2011-10-30T21:16:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Carving

2011-10-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

Joe and I didn't manage to carve pumpkin's this year but I enjoyed these two that we saw at the Peppermill.

Our woods

2011-10-30T20:38:00.002-04:00

I've really been enjoying the change of season in our woods, capturing the sunlight as it burst through the clouds.

A smile from the Land of Smiles

2011-10-21T08:38:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite pictures!

Statues at the Grand Palace

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

The details on the statues at the Grand Palace in Thailand are magnificent.

The colored details are little pieces of mirrored glass. Some of them are plain while others are a variety of colors. These mirror details were covering the outside of buildings, statues, and sculpture.

This statue in particular had such a great smile!

Thailand, Known as the Land of Smiles!

2011-10-18T21:56:00.000-04:00

Our first day in Thailand we went to this beautiful temple! The golden bell shaped building to the left is the chedi which is a mausoleum for the Buddha's breast bone.

These tiny tiles cover the chedi and were individually hand foiled. Imagine if that was your job!

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Jewelry New Collection Premiere

2011-10-11T20:00:00.000-04:00

Check out Michelle’s new fashion jewelry collection “Notes from Brazil” inspired by her summer trip to South America

EXTENDED HOURS:

Friday, 10/14 10am-8pm and Saturday, 10/15 10am-6pm

Winds of Change Boutique

37 W Orange St, Chagrin Falls, Oh 44022

440 247 2420

My Trip to Thailand

2011-10-11T17:13:00.002-04:00

I've been gone for a while, in Thailand for 2 weeks and then jet lagged for another week. Joe and I chose Thailand for our vacation kind of on a whim and it was amazing. It such a beautiful country and I felt moved by the Budhist temples. I'll be sharing pictures and our adventures.

At this time there is catastophic flooding in Thailand that started while we were still there. Keep the people of the country in your thoughts and prayers.

Niki Stylianou

2011-09-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

The use of rubber, pearls and thread is striking in this necklace by Niki Stylianou.

Raquel Bessudo

2011-09-29T09:20:00.000-04:00

Raquel Bessudo uses a similar theme as some of my work, memory. See more of her jewelry here.

Maria Goti

2011-09-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

Loving this one of a kind creation by Maria Goti. It was inspired by cactus and carnivorous plants! It works as a ring and a sculpture!

You can see and purchase some of her jewelry on her etsy page.

Emily Valentine Bullock

2011-09-22T07:45:00.000-04:00

Emily Valentine Bullock paints with feathers, creating mythical creatures.

And she makes model planes out of the feathers as well.

Antonio Bernardo

2011-09-18T07:42:00.000-04:00

These earrings have a nice quality with the high polish inside and the matt finish outside. You can see more of Antonio Bernardo's work here.

Nut Locket

2011-09-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

I image a Nut Locket might be worn by a sentimental squirrel. Rowena Murray has even more lockets here.

Chao-Hsien Kuo

2011-09-14T07:23:00.001-04:00

I am completely in love with the movement of Chao-Hsien Kuo's jewelry. He says, "I want to capture the gesture of a flower, and to depict the energy and liveliness of a plant." You can see a few more pieces of his work on Klimt02.

Iker Ortiz

2011-09-12T19:56:00.000-04:00

You know I love unusual cut stones, I really am digging this smoked Brazilian quartz in a ring made by Iker Ortiz.

I love you John Dyer!

2011-09-11T19:41:00.000-04:00

On occasion I browse through John Dyer's hand cut gemstones and this one makes me drool. This is a 12.23 Carat Afghani Tourmaline.

For fun just check out his whole catalog.

Tim Harding

2011-09-10T07:45:00.000-04:00

I am always amazed when an artist can manipulate materials in such a way like Tim Harding's work. He uses fiber and textiles which are layered and stitched in a way reminiscent to pointillism. You can see more of his work here on Artful Home.

I love the koi which remind me of my studio floor.

Niche Awards - Entry due by September 30th

2011-09-10T07:32:00.000-04:00

Make sure if you are going to enter the Niche Awards to get on it, due by September 30th. Applications and information can be found here.

This image was from a Niche Award Winner but it's not labeled on their site whose work it is. Sorry for the lack of info.

Creators, Innovators and Dreamers

2011-09-09T06:45:00.000-04:00

The 2011 Creative Workforce Fellows Exhibition

Opening Reception Friday September 9th from 5pm to 8pm.

An exhibition of 2 pieces of work by each of the participating 2011 Creative Workforce Fellowship Recipients, curated by David Wiliamson. On view from Sept. 6 - 30, 2011.

Homemade Pizza & Pie

2011-09-02T06:18:00.000-04:00

Lately Joe and I have been using up pizza dough that he made. I love making pizza, the smell of the dough is wonderful and the pizza tastes great. Here we have a goat cheese and mushroom pizza, then peperoni and mozzarella.

This pizza has hot pepper and basil from my vegetable garden. And some mushrooms for me!

I also made my great grandma's lemon meringue pie recipe and it came out really well. Very Yummy!

My first Moonflower Blooms!

2011-08-31T17:11:00.000-04:00

Aileen Lampman - Ai Jewelry

2011-08-27T11:29:00.000-04:00

Aileen Lampman's jewelry struck me with it's meditative quality. The leaves are exquisite. She uses the philosophy of the Lotus Flower in her work, it is beautifully worded on her website.

I love these earrings, I imagine as you wear them the movement is beautiful!

These are one of my favorites as well. I imagine I'm looking at the night ocean with a star filled sky.

Here are some of her upcoming shows:

The Wells Street Fall Fest in Chicago, September 10 & 11th and The Fairfax Festival of the Arts, Fairfax, VA on October 7 & 8th.

Optical Illusion Pendant

2011-08-23T07:04:00.001-04:00

I was so excited to make another piece of jewelry from sketches in my sketchbook. Here you can see I laid out different inspiration and sketches.

This necklace I made is movable and instead of accurately drawing the two pieces I dissected a Dr. Seuss book and scanned what I needed and shrunk the image down to a smaller size for a pendant.

You can see the Dr. Seuss wheel in the upper right hand corner, my copper and my silver with the pattern rubber cemented. The patterns are going the opposite way on the pieces of metal.

Close up of the rubber cemented patterns and on the right hand corner a convex mirror from home depot to go behind the pierced patterns.

Getting ready to mark the drill holes, aka all the white spaces need to be pierced.

Ready to pierce!

The copper and silver are pierced and the glass mirror is drilled.

You can start to see my plan of layering/overlapping.

I lined up the metal and drilled holes, then soldered the tubing to the copper piece (in middle of sandwich) since I only wanted the top piece (silver) to move. I made the tube rivet to hold them together. The sandwich is silver on top, then copper in middle and mirror in back.

A shot to show you the size of the pendant on a regular sized bench pin.

The chain made of large jump rings that are then twisted, I also liver of sulfured the chain so it was darkened in the cracks and went with the piece well.

Finished piece! I love the final product, because it spins and makes you very very dizzy! I finished it the day before the 4th of July and wore it to a 4th of July party. The copper also was given a heat patina when I soldered the tubing to it. I liked the reddish color a lot and decided to keep it.

Intersections 2010

2011-08-20T19:22:00.000-04:00

I love the 3-dimensional look of Nikolay Sardamov's jewelry, this piece is made of blackened silver. See more here. I didn't realize that the pieces are first built up in wax and then cast in one piece in silver or gold.

Melissa Schmidt

2011-08-18T07:08:00.001-04:00

Melissa Schmidt creates glass orbs and makes really fun jewelry out of them.

This piece is titled Daisys for Days!

Bicycle Art

2011-08-17T06:28:00.000-04:00

The Bicycle Art was found here along with many other pieces of bicycle art. This particular piece is in the Cleveland area at the start of a bike trail. I love seeing it and loved finding out what it was made of!

I think my dog is part Kangaroo!

2011-08-14T20:51:00.000-04:00

I mean look at that back leg. She can bounce really high and lick you in the face.

Oh yeah those are my pj bottoms with the skulls!

The Winner is...... (Drum Roll)

2011-08-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite artist. As you know I love finding new art to enjoy.

J please email me your address so I can send you the book!

valerie(at)vahjewelry.com

Jewelry Art & Science

2011-08-10T21:52:00.000-04:00

I love the patterns used in Nevous System's jewelry. Above is the Coral Necklace. They use the computer to create their designs and several machines to make them!

Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge

2011-08-10T19:19:00.000-04:00

Calling all jewelry designers! Here's your chance to get your products in front of UncommonGoods customers. We're looking for unique pieces and fresh designs that we haven't seen anywhere else. Think earrings, necklaces, cuff links, watches or bracelets, and whatever else you think will make us say "wow".

Prize: $500 + the opportunity to sign a vendor contract with UncommonGoods.

Deadline: Enter up to five of your unique designs before August 31st at 11.59 pm.

Click here for more details and to enter!

The image above is of Thermoscope Earrings that you can buy at UncommonGoods. They are actual thermometers and change temperature. I actually own a pair I bought in a gallery years ago while I was up at Haystack School of Craft.

For this competition I would suggest looking at the jewelry UncommonGoods normally sells and looking at their price points as well. If what you want to submit seems to fit go for it!

Saturday Flight... Yes I flew a plane!

2011-08-08T22:45:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday I had my first plane flying lesson. I got to do everything but land and park. I got the plane ready for take off, I actually took off and then flew for a half hour. It was simply amazing. I got to do some awesome sharp turns and felt the g-force. It was way better than any roller coaster.

As we started to ascend we were over Lake Erie and the water and sky blended together so I couldn't see the skyline, I had to use my gauges. It was beautiful.

Everyone kept saying oh it'll be so scary in such a small plane. I honestly had more room than on a commerical flight and a much better view. It was just breathtaking and exhilarating. My adrenaline was pumping!

I went to Premier Flight Academy at Burke Lake Airport.

Blooming Naked Ladies in my Stonehenge Garden

2011-08-08T21:40:00.000-04:00

My Garden is Eating the House!

2011-08-08T20:29:00.000-04:00

My Vegetable garden started small and is so big and hungry it's starting to eat the house.

Here is one of the Zucchinis in his natural habitat.

I decided to take him inside, and show you how big he is compared to me.

Looking for a Good Wax Worker any suggestions?

2011-08-08T18:24:00.000-04:00

At work we are trying to find a place that sells a wax worker and wax pen similar to this unit.

We specifically want a wax pen like this one. It's flat and sharp.

You can see in this photo the handle is longer. The only draw back on this unit is the handle does heat up some. But what we have found is that in none of the catalogs is there a unit with a pen this nice. They are short, the end of the pen is all wrong and the handles heat up so hot we can't hold them after a while.

If you know where we can get a unit like this or you can suggest a good unit that you use I would appreciate any advice.

For fun here is my bench at work, a picture of Bentley (my parrot) to the left, along with a small blue macaw. Then on the right is my brass rhino that normally holds y wedding rings. You can also see a Dog Training book in the far right corner, I have a lot more to read on that subject!

Blog Give Away!

2011-08-03T22:18:00.000-04:00

I have decided that every few weeks we're going to have a book giveaway here on the blog. My bookshelves are packed with art books, business books, art/business books and jewelry books. I hope these books can inspire you the way they have inspired me.

In the comment section under this blog post please tell me who your favorite artist is (dead or alive) and what your favorite piece of artwork is by that artist. It can be in any field of art. I want to know what you love! And if you are so moved even explain how that piece of art inspires you.

Make sure you follow the blog and tell others who may want to enter to win this weeks book, Making a Living in Crafts by Donald A. Clark. To Follow the blog you can go to the right side of the page and click on 'join this site' or below that you can follow through Facebook.

The winner will be drawn and announced next Wednesday night.

Kim Webster - The Glass Gardener

2011-08-02T21:10:00.000-04:00

Kim Webster was originally from Ontario Canada and then moved to Oakland California where she found a whole new world of Plants. She studied horticulture and glass blowing. Kim says, "There are many similarities between the process of gardening and glassmaking. Pruning shrubs and trees gives me a chance to discover the architecture of the plant and to make decisions about how to work with it; what to expose, what to eliminate, and how the resulting form and proportions will fit within the context of the whole garden. The process of sculpting hot glass is much the same. When inspired by something in the landscape, I first sketch to experiment with ideas. I imagine how to achieve the colour and form, look for something I want to exaggerate, plan how I can manipulate traditional glassblowing tools and techniques to achieve my vision, and envision a cold-working process that might enhance what I’ve made in the hot-shop. Then of course, there are the mechanics of assembly to consider … "

This piece is title 'Teal Agave' and lights up at night with the use of LEDs (shown above).

The 'Floral Fancies' are assembled using jewelry making techniques and her newer Fancies have LEDs as well.

Jason de Caires Taylor

2011-08-01T21:06:00.000-04:00

My Sister sent me a link to the article Drowing Beautiful. The sculpture is created by Jason de Caires Taylor. The art work is about art and the enviroment. He creates artificial reefs below the surface of the Carribean Sea by creating sculptures of diverse people that are made of cement. They are placed on the ocean floor so that the sea life can grow on and around the sculputres. They are many beautiful images on his website. Please take a look.

So Young Park

2011-07-24T20:49:00.000-04:00

So Young Park uses amazing surface textures in her jewelry. I love the look of her work. There is also a playful element in the bracelets below. Do you remember the childhood toy pinpressions, where you could press your hand or other objects into the pins and make a cook 3-D shape? Well her bracelets below have a an element of that toy. The next time I see her work in person I will have to try one on.

Mary Lee Hu

2011-07-18T21:51:00.000-04:00

Using metal the way clothiers use thread, Mary Lee Hu creates elegant, high-fashion ornaments.

She uses traditional techniques such as wrapping, coiling, weaving, knitting and twining which provided a wealth of paths to follow. She studied different weaving and fabric making techniques from all over the world.

The Dali Museum

2011-07-17T09:04:00.000-04:00

In case you're in the area The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg Florida is now open. Enjoy!

Kitchen Remodeling: Before & After

2011-07-14T20:38:00.000-04:00

For a while Joe and I have discussed wanting a more open kitchen. As you can tell there are cabinets on the left that divide the room.

A view from the other side, you can see Cinnamon's tail on the left. The offending cabinets on the right this time.

So I came home from work one day and took down those cabinets that were dividing the kitchen in half. Joe helped in the end to hold it as I sawed part of it down. Otherwise I might have been squashed by a cabinet!

Look at the open counter space! I managed to cut into the nice wood that was left behind so I needed to do something to cover it up and make it look like I did it on purpose.

So I came up with the idea for a magnetic spice rack. I got a sheet of metal that I tested with a magnet, to make sure it was magnetic. And then cut it to the right size, drilled holes and screwed it into the cabinet, covering my saw mistakes. I also reattached all the moulding.

Then we added the magnetic spice containers!

It's really beautiful in person, looks like some type of art piece!

Flowers

2011-07-14T20:12:00.002-04:00

More Tulips

2011-07-14T19:26:00.002-04:00

Tulips

2011-07-14T19:24:00.002-04:00

I'm posting short blog posts of pictures I've taken over the years. My Blog is having issues uploading to Facebook. It's either not posting the picture or posting a previous blog post picture. So you may see many posts from me. Thanks!

John Paul Miller

2011-07-14T19:12:00.000-04:00

Flowers

2011-07-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

Robin Eggs

2011-07-13T17:35:00.001-04:00

Great Gardens

2011-07-11T20:44:00.002-04:00

We attended a wedding at a vineyard on the eastside, I just loved the gardens!

Healthy Chocolate Cake

2011-07-11T20:39:00.000-04:00

I made this delicious cake from the cookbook, Cook Yourself Thin. I've been loving the recipes.

Learning to Braid

2011-07-11T20:36:00.000-04:00

A hairdo I did myself for a wedding we attended. It's been over a year and it's still funny to look at pictures of myself and not see my dirty blonde hair. I love the red better!

Did I find a Giant Hogweed?

2011-07-11T06:54:00.000-04:00

This plant I found is either a Giant Hogweed (which is very toxic and can burn you and blind you) or it is a Cow Parsnip. I'm not certain, you can compare the two on this website. What do you think? If it is a Giant Hogweed I need to call and have it destroyed since it is so dangerous.

Deb Karash

2011-07-09T09:42:00.001-04:00

Today I wanted to share with you the beautiful jewelry of Deb Karash. She uses great textures on her jewelry and fabulous color! The color is applied with colored pencils which is a 30 step process to make sure the colored pencil adheres and stays on. You can check out her blog and her website for more!

HJ Designs

2011-07-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

Hazel of HJ Designs has a diverse aesthetic that helps her create really beautiful jewelry. Her travels seem to inspire her the most. The earrings above were inspired by a trip to Copenhagen.

The piece above, The Vertebrae, (which is my favorite) won 2nd place in the silver category of the 2005 Saul Bell Design Awards. She told herself if she placed in the competition she would then start her jewelry business. And I'm so glad she did! This is one of my favorites of her work.

Hazel uses an ancient Korean technique Keum Boo to heat fuse the gold to the silver. The liver of sulfur on the silver really helps the gold pop!

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds is Speaking on July 18th

2011-07-02T17:42:00.000-04:00

Join Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, July 18th from 11:30-1pm at WIN Cleveland for her presentation on
Start, Grow, Reinvent-Tips for Growing Your Business or New Career. She will be discussing how innovation and creativity are essential components in growing/starting a business or new career and providing tips for how to get there.

This event is not to be missed and takes place in the beautiful Mary Beaumont Room of the Fritzsche Center Daley Dinning Hall at Ursuline College. (Ohio)

Space is limited and registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot.

The images are of her jewelry which was just featured in ICON Magazine.

Congrats Michelle!

Revere Academy Announces New Scholarship Contest for Beaders

2011-07-02T11:55:00.000-04:00

The Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts is offering a new scholarship aimed at the beading community. The jewelry school is now offering a complete scholarship for any of its 3-day classes to the winner. The application deadline is September 15, 2011 and the winner will be announced October 15, 2011.

Saul Bell Design Awards

2011-06-29T22:09:00.001-04:00

Entries are now being accepted for the 2012 Saul Bell Design Awards.

This piece won first place in the category of metal clay for 2011. The title is Mandala by Barbara Becker Simon. The piece is about 80 cm in diameter, about 12 mm deep and is hollow.

Jiro Kamata

2011-06-28T05:56:00.001-04:00

While surfing around on Klimt02 I found the work of Jiro Kamata. You will never guess what his 'gemstones' are made from.

Camera Lenses. Click on his name to learn more about his inspiration.

Jewelry Events in North East Ohio this weekend!

2011-06-25T07:26:00.000-04:00

There is a lot going on this weekend. Today is the Ohio Jewelry & Metals Guild Summer Social down in Canal Fulton.

This weekend is also the Boston Mills ArtFest which is supposed to be a really great show!

The Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show at the Cuyahoga Fairgrounds.

Then on Tuesday is the Ceremony for the winners of Cleveland Arts Prize. They will be honoring John Paul Miller, the first winner of the Cleveland Art Prize. I would love to meet him. His jewelry is pictured above.

You've seen his work on my blog in several posts.

Dolores Barrett

2011-06-24T06:52:00.000-04:00

I met Dolores Barrett at the Niche Show in Vegas and was wowed by her jewelry. She works in glass, specifically dichroic glass. Her pendants are 3-dimensional and have a beautiful surprise on the inside. It's so much fun to meet other artists and see what they are inspired by.

Her newest pieces have gold and silver in the glass with diamonds.

It was a pleasure to meet Dolores and learn about her work. I hope to see her soon at another show!

Making Press Cookies

2011-06-23T06:23:00.000-04:00

Another thing we did while my Mom was here was making press cookies. I've had the press for years but never used it. My Mom always makes the Christmas Trees above.

I had much better success with the flowers. And they were very tasty.

Michalina Owczarek

2011-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

I found Michalina Owczarek on Klimt02, an international art jewelry online community. The vibrant punch of the pink against the black is a great contrast. And I always love bugs!

Flowers in my Yard, I love it!

2011-06-20T22:52:00.000-04:00

Shaker Height Arts and Music Festival

2011-06-19T08:10:00.000-04:00

I went strolling through the Shaker Heights Arts Festival with my good Friend Michelle. She was taking pictures for her blog eMERGE: A Business Blog for Creative People.

While there I bought this little tree puzzle from Peachie Originals. They had all kinds of cute little puzzle creations!

Cake Decorating with Mom

2011-06-18T17:39:00.002-04:00

My Mom and I made cupcakes and she taught me how to decorate the edges and make roses out of icing.

What a busy Week!

2011-06-18T07:37:00.000-04:00

While my Mom visited we did a lot. I took her to Chagrin Falls which was really beautiful. It turned out that Art in the Park was going on and I was able to say hi to my jeweler friend Michael Romanik who makes beautifully enameled jewelry.

Here is a piece of Michael Romanik's jewelry, the enamel is gorgeous! This past year he was a recipient of a Creative Workforce Fellowship in Cleveland Ohio. I'm so happy he won!

We also saw the most amazing rocking horses except they weren't all horses. My favorite was a dragon by Trott Wood Creations.

We ate dinner across from the falls at a lovely restaurant and I can't remember it's name. But it was delicious!

Close to the restaurant was a great gallery, All that Matters, and it had many Native American inspired pieces. I especially loved the dream catchers.

The day before out Chagrin Falls Field Trip Joe and I went to see Christopher Titus, Neverlution, at Hilarities. He is one of my favorite comedians and it was awesome! We laughed the whole time.

This is a little more of what my Mom and I did while she was here. I had a great time!

The Shaker Heights Arts and Music Festival

2011-06-17T06:08:00.000-04:00

This event is going on this weekend in shaker Heights, Ohio Saturday and Sunday. It's being put on by the Ohio Designer Craftsmen.

The piece above is by an Ohio Designer Craftsman who won in the Best of 2011 category, Mike Kozumplik

Will You Be Staying or Will You Be Flying? (neckpiece)

Sterling silver, 14k gold, bronze, pearl

Mini Stonehenge

2011-06-14T22:10:00.000-04:00

While my Mom visited we had planned to make a rock garden and my Mom had a Eureka! moment when she saw the shape of some of the rocks and said lets build Stonehenge.

We made our circle of rocks and some have rocks that stretch across the top.

View from a distance. We stacked the rocks in the front so that you can sit and enjoy the rest of the yard.

Here is team Heck, my Mom on the left and me on the right. This was so much fun and also exhausting. Thanks Mom I love it!

Las Vegas

2011-06-12T21:22:00.000-04:00

While at the Niche Show in Las Vegas we took some time to sight see. We went to the Bellagio and saw the Chihuly ceiling, beautiful gardens, and the image above a painting made entirely of flowers. Neither my boss or Joe or I are gamblers so we just enjoyed the amazing artwork that you could find in many of the casinos.

Here's a pic from the strip at night.

The Bellagio Fountains, they shoot off in time with music, it's beautiful to watch.

At Planet Hollywood there are beautiful chandeliers of individually suspended swarovski crystals. Love at first sight!

View from under the chandelier.

One of the first nights there we ate at KOI which is in Planet Hollywood. The guys had sushi and I had something that was delicious. Can't remember what but everywhere we ate was really good.

Like I said in my last post the Miss USA Competition was going on in the same Hallway as the Niche Show. This is a bad pic of the ladies. I could never be Miss USA but I could be Mrs. USA!

We had a great time but I know I was happy to get home as well.

I've been off the computer this week because my Mom is visiting from Maryland. We've been working on quite a few projects that you'll get to see soon!

I just returned from the Miss USA Competition in Las Vegas

2011-06-08T08:37:00.000-04:00

I had a great time with the other models and even became friends with Miss New Jersey, Julianna White pictured above.

Are you thoroughly confused? So was I. I was actually at Planet Hollywood for the Niche Show put on by the Buyers Market of American Craft. But in the Hallway to get to our show they were having photo shoots for Miss USA. Miss New Jersey actually did wave and smile at me, as did other people in that group. Another artist (in the Niche Show) even commented to my husband that the Miss USA people seem to think I'm with them. I'm taking that as a big complement. Then for the rest of the show Joe (my husband) called me Miss Ohio.

I'll share more details about Las Vegas soon!

A little relaxing time today...

2011-06-02T18:42:00.000-04:00

I just came in from soaking up some rays, blowing bubbles, and reading The Happiness Project. I'm loving the book, it's got lots of great tips on increasing your happiness, no matter if your happy now or sad.

And yes, seriously I was blowing bubbles, they are beautiful when the sun light strikes them as they glisten and float away. I find them to be very meditative. I loved bubbles as a child so why shouldn't I enjoy them now? What things from childhood do you still enjoy?

(the image is called "Bubble Rain" by Steve Jurvetson)

Here is my version of Farmville...

2011-06-01T20:14:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday I completed our vegetable garden. Joe and I moved those blocks you see in the picture (that surround the garden) from the backyard over several days. Then on Sunday I put up my metal posts and zip tied my anti-deer netting. Also making a door for me to get in and out. I have a tee pee to the right to grow, dragon gourd, cucumber, sugar snap peas, peanuts, zucchini and cantaloupe.

I also have green bell pepper, Thai dragon hot pepper, basil, oregano, stevia, and strawberries. (bought all these plants at the store).

My garden actually started back on March 25th in the house. I planted seeds for super sonic tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, tumbling tom tomatoes, tomatillos and dragon gourds. They've been slowly growing in the window for months and it was great to get them outside!

I was exhausted by the end of Sunday night but I felt so satisfied. I'm very proud of my garden, it's much better than last years and I hope we get some produce. Each year I know I'll learn new ways to improve my garden, and with it I'll have more delicious food!