Something new!

After a bout of the flu and then a relapse, I am finally feeling human again. Today I "celebrated" by making this lapis and chrysocolla pendant.

Home-based Jeweler's Showcase: Belle Rustique

Home Based Jeweler's Showcase: Belle Rustique

Hello All:

I've finally gotten settled in my new art studio and am getting ready for the upcoming Fall shows. This year I have several new designs which I hope to get up on my website. (Problem is, it's hard to find time to order materials, do the bookkeeping, make jewelry and then photograph it and write the HTML to get it up on the site.) But bear with me and I'll preview some exciting things I have in store.

My first blog

I said I'd never do it, but here I am. Blogging. Telling the world about me and my life in the mountains. About creating and designing jewelry and about what inspires me.

I might throw in a recipe or two. Or I might write about my beautiful black chickens.

I think I'll begin with how I got started making jewelry and how I'm anxiously awaiting the completion of my very own artist's studio.

First the "how."

My stepfather introduced me to the art of paper bead necklaces then being made by his ninety-year-old neighbor. They were lovely, and something that looked interesting, so I asked her to show me how to make them. She did, and soon I had twenty or so made.

I was invited to sell them at a local craft fair, and I did well enough that my interest in making other types of jewelry soon evolved.

I began beading, and from there progressed to wire wrapping.

Mainly self taught, I glean technique and ideas from some of North America's best artists, then have to learn to individualize my creations so they are mine and not copies of other artists' work.

I've been practicing the art of wire wrap for a little over three years. Still learning, still excited about my craft.

I plan to add photos and describe my work and materials in later posts.