Directions

Been working steadily all month and so many more ideas to hold onto and create into something tangible.

"White," will be the new bridal line of jewelry and should be ready by March for the first of the bridal shows I intend on doing this year. Features round Swarovksi crystals in many sizes, quartz, white pearls, sterling silver, metalwork, white satin and organdy ribbons. I've created a soldered silver infinity symbol wound with crystal that runs as a theme through the line. These pieces are more delicate than what I normally produce and I think they will be so beautiful when they are done. I'm really pleased.

The other line goes in completely opposite direction and I finally came up for a name for the pieces today. This collection will be called "Alchemy." Alchemy is the "art of transmuting metals," and is usually used to reference the wished-for transformation of metal into gold. This jewelry uses rough-hewn pyrite (fool's gold), lemon quartz, vintage watch gears, lots of soldered metalwork, grey satin ribbon and rich blue pearls. They reflect my love of steampunk, of post-apocolyptic literature and movies (The Chrysalids, 1984, Farenheit 451, HG Wells, The Stand, Mad Max...), minimalism, and raw beauty.

While I had intended to call the line "burton," for my appreciation of the vision of Tim Burton, I've chosen Alchemy to represent the post-apocolyptic world of "Nine," which Tim Burton produced. This beautiful and dark movie tells the tale of nine "stitchpunks," who represent the soul of their creator and are his attempt at retribution for the part he played in the destruction of the world. Each stitchpunk embodies one element of the scientist and collectively they return life, and hope, to the planet. An interesting fact, the voice of the scientist is done by Alan Oppenheimer, a cousin to Robert Oppenheimer. Robert Oppenheimer was the man responsible for overseeing the creation of the atomic bomb during the Manhattan project:

"I knew the world would not be the same, few people laughed, few people cried, most people were silent."

We all have the choice to create beauty in our world. We all have the choice to be more human and humane, to ourselves and to one another. Choose wisely.

The Procrastinator's Blog

That really should be the new title of this. Seriously, without that microchip planted in my brain to livestream the daily blogs I do compose in my head directly into the computer, I seriously suck at doing this regularly. So here we are, Happy New Year! I've got until the end of January to keeping wishing people that, don't I?

I have been working. Finished a number of custom pieces so far this month so that's been a great way to start the new year. I've also been shopping. I received some polymer clay for Christmas (Fimo) and tools, so I've been out acquiring the other tools I need to try my hand at making beads. I've really enjoyed studying the techniques by Donna Kato and can't wait to get started. I have to admit that I am a bit nervous about this. I absolutely suck at working with clay. I've tried pottery, even had a wheel when I was younger. Everything looked like it was made by a blind monkey with no hands. I've tried PMC (precious metal clay) - those lumpy little nuggets of silver will never see the light of day. It didn't help that the others in my class were all sculptors and handled their clay beautifully. (and yes, the class did say no experience was required) A bit intimidating and very frustrating. It's a very expensive product too, so just buying some more to play around with is not such an easy expense to swallow.

So here am I about to tackle the medium again. Stubborn girl. I don't expect to be showing any of my beads in my work for quite awhile. But I am prepared to take my time and make mistakes.

I have been working on the bridal line as well. It's called "White." I think that the pieces I've done so far will turn out really well. Delicate, flowing, feminine. I can't wait to see the finished product and post some pictures.

Been buying some new stones and glass too - more steampunk to come and certainly a line of edgier, more industrial pieces. We must evolve and I can't keep churning out the same stuff. I am keeping some favourites - the flowers for example, but they are being repackaged in a fun way.

For now, looking at shows for the year. I need to try out some new venues and broaden my reach. While I did increase sales overall last year from 2009, the markets that had been tried and true in the past dropped dramatically for sales. I may be spending more time in the car this year to go to go a bit further afield.

So I'm looking forward to 2011. It's the year of marketing and growing for Pink Gargoyle. Time to get this show on the road and make a splash.

It's that wonderful time of the year again

And I don't mean back to school. I mean Fall is almost here. I love Fall. I like back to school too though. I haven't done too much work over the summer. Working means ignoring the kiddies and then they just stare at their video games with slack jaws for hours on end. So I am eager to get really going on some new ideas. But Fall - boots, sweaters, no more bees....crispy afternoons and cuddles under a blanket. And rain. I love rain too. Total Vancouver girl. Truly my favourite time of year.

So new ideas - I have recently acquired a selection of vintage watch gears and enamel watch faces from the 1800s. (www.steampunksupply.etsy.com). I really like steampunk. How can I not? Huge Tim Burton fan - the man can do no wrong. I'm not out to copy the basic trend. I'm going to incorporate what I've been doing already with the little bits and pieces. I was looking through my own jewelry the other day at what I was wearing 20 years ago (so old!), and there is a lot of steampunk like pieces in my personal collection. Vintage door knockers with old rhinestones, antique watch faces and other assorted electric knick knacks - incorporated into brooches, bolero ties and the like. So I think taking on the steampunk esthetic is not following a trend, it is more like returning to my own roots - the things that I have liked and worn for years. I'm thinking of call the line "Steampink" - too corny? Anyway, I will get up some pics as soon as I finish a few pieces.

Today was the first day that I went back and read what I wrote for the last post about Lucy. I read it without crying. So that's good. Still miss her terribly but I can talk about her with a feeling of love, not sadness. Bless our pets though. They are our furry children.

I recently taken over the office space in our house for my new studio/shop so very happy about that too. My drill and hammers can come into the house. I can make as much noise and mess as I want. I can listen to classical music all day - Pablo has been relegated to the basement for his workspace now. Can't fault the man for his support in all this. It was even his idea. And guess what, we are eating at the dining room table for the first time since Christmas. Freaky. I may even invite people over for dinner.