Coming into my own

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting with a very nice woman from the Surrey Planning & Development department. She had contacted me some months ago about participating in this summer's Flavours of Surrey festival. We chatted about the event, she looked at some of the new pieces, and I decided to get on board. What made my day was when I asked her how she had heard about me. I was expecting to hear that she'd been by my table at one of the White Rock Farmer's markets last summer, or maybe she'd seen someone wearing one of my pieces. But no - she'd found me online and liked what she'd seen. There are only 5 spots for artists at the Flavour of Surrey event, and she was inviting me to be one of the artists. Gobsmacked would be a good word for my reaction. It's the use of the word "artist" to describe my work. And it's a long way from where I started 18 months ago when I would mumble to people that I made jewelry. As I become more and more confident in what I am doing, especially now as I am working to create as much of each piece as possible by hand, I am comfortable saying that I am a jewelry designer. I think my work can stand up to the title without seeming pretentious. "Artist" is something else - and it's a very good thing. I like the sound of it. And I certainly do think that jewelers are artists. The vision, the painstaking work, and the absolute beauty of what so many wonderful artists create using metal, stones, pearls and gems, is truly breathtaking. Even if I am only standing in the doorway, it's so wonderful to be invited to the party. I will post more practical info about the event as details get confirmed.

On another note - I had a lady recently insist that when she gets hot & sweaty, the soldered silver will rub off on her skin and make her messy. Now, the solder melts around 1000 F, give or take. I am sure she won't get that overheated on a summer's afternoon. She really wasn't convinced. In fact, there was some mention of finding me ("hunting me down") in the event that the bracelet she bought did ooze all over her arm. If anyone knows of such a thing happening, please let me know and I will gladly retract all my assertions to the contrary. But really....

So I am not too consistent at this blogging thing am I? It's like a quartlerly update. I have been really busy making new pieces and things are getting more sculptural all the time. I've pretty much got the year planned out for shows so will updating when more confirmed dates come in but I've been invited and accepted at some pretty cool shows. Being invited to attend an event as an artist, and the only jeweler at that, is very flattering. I've done a bit of freelance online writing to make a few bucks which has been a good experience too - haven't had to write like that for quite some time. What else? The diet and exercise thing is coming along. Planning to attend the Las Vegas half marathon in December with a couple of friends. We should be done in time to hit the casino at lunchtime (martinis in hand). My husband, who has his own ironman blog site, has finally shaved his head. The first day I thought I kept glimpsing Howie Mandel out of the corner of my eye. I finally touched his head yesterday, four days later. Ok, I'm a wimp - I didn't think it would be that big an adjustment. He does look a lot younger though and I am sure he will go so much faster at the Penticton Ironman now that he is more aerodynamic.

My friend Donnalin has started her own blog, www.dishingwithdonna.com
She's got lots of opinions, is totally sexy and has no problem telling you like it is.

One other thing, my sister-in-law, who makes fabulous belt buckes in LA is relaunching her website next week, www.frankieandjulie.com Handcrafted and gorgeous.

Other than that - I haven't got enough hours in the day to create all that I want, market how I want, photograph and sell, sell, sell. But I love what I am doing and feel that this is the year that the pink gargoyle really takes flight.

When it rains...

It was a dark and rainy night......seriously, after two weeks of snowfall, the rain came today. Where we were crunching along on a hardpack of several feet of snow, we are now up to our ankles, and beyond, in water. Thank goodness my boots are truly waterproof. It was the first time really testing out my cool Koi Tattoo rainboots (check out the line of Chookas). But I also want to wear my Ed Hardy Geisha winter boots - just need some cold, dry weather and I will be so styling. Hmm, one would think that I should be a boot designer....I just can't get enough of them. Anyway, the business at hand - I've been playing around with the overall look of the site and like the more solid pink. I've photographed everything now and have started uploading the pictures. About halfway through so far so should be done before the week is out. Other than that - day two of eating healthy. The goal is to lose 30 pounds before summer. Too much time snacking on chips and wine while I play with wire. Love Clean Eating magazine - great recipes and easy to use menu plans. Also - excited about the Biggest Loser starting up again tonight. So inspiring. What I would give for Gillian to kick my butt.

Happy New Year

Best wishes to everyone for the new year. You may have noticed that the website seems a little bare - I'm in the process of updating it - finally. The beaded pieces are mostly gone and the new photographs of the soldered pieces will be coming in the next week. I'm excited about the new collection of soldered wire and glass rings. It's been a long time in coming, but after a Fall of shows practically every weekend, I've had a bit of a breather and am ready to relaunch. I will be building my silversmithing workshop in the garage as well. Surprisingly, I haven't set anything on fire yet with the propane torch! Looking forward to applying for a full calendar of shows for the year - even though my schedule has caused a few meltdowns for my daughter. I take her with me as much as I can but she wasn't impressed with me being gone every weekend. Note to self - create a balance between work and kids - even working at home doesn't mean one is really there for them all the time. But we will muddle through....
So check back soon - looks for some new pics, new thoughts, new shows, an occasional rant....
Let me know your thoughts, ideas and hope to see you soon!

Christine.

Well, it's been over a month since I posted my last comments. Oops! Been busy though and took some time off to go to the Okanagan for the Penticton Ironman. Not me...my husband's 6th time through. And despite the terrific downpour - last year it was a fierce windstorm that threatened to blow our pulled pork off the table - we all had a great day. We managed to get a nearly dry table to chow down at Piggy's. Yeah - it's all about the food, forget the race! He's all signed up again for next year. Done some more markets and just spent the weekend at the Harrison Hot Springs Castle and Crafts market. The weather was amazing and as always - some fabulous feedback from all of you who stopped at the table. The collaging and soldering are where it is at for me! I've got some great new ideas to keep going with the Brambles collection - incorporating some glass and gems into the flowers. I've got whacks more tile and will be doing a lot more with the toile pieces and chainmaille. In November I am signed up for a silversmithing course which I am very excited about. I've already told them that I am there to learn to make some big honking rings! Can't wait to incorporate the silversmithing into all the vintage pieces. I am looking forward to attending the Winter Fab Fair in Vancouver too - that's on Sunday November 23 for me - the show runs Saturday and Sunday though. On the Saturday, I will be at the Mompreneur show in Vancouver so it should be a great weekend all round. But first some more fun - off to Disneyland at the end of the month, then a parents -only getaway to Vegas Baby! Kids are back in school - loving it - (they are, not just me!) Ok - I really should be getting out the art clay - it's time to play with some silver! Take care,
C.

New Stock is Coming

Had a fabulous weekend - the Township 7 market - despite a drizzly start - was a great event. The sun came out, there was a great band, we had a glass of wine, and really good people there. And trust me, the wine is very nice. If you get a chance to visit the winery or see it listed on a menu - give them a try - I really like the Syrah and the Cab was great too. Also sold some pieces to a very chic boutique in Cloverdale, La Belle Vie. The toile tile pendants are now on sale in the shop and off my site. Will be looking for some more vintage, toile, italian, just funky tiles to solder into more pendants and charms for bracelets. I've restocked with other trinkets though so there will be a new crop of pieces coming to the web soon. Can't wait to make some more collages - and I've been feeling a bit frisky lately so there may be some sensual content.....not smutty - flirty, coy, sexy. As anyone who knows me will attest - I am a total flirt. BTW - we did do the pirate pack thing the other night and my daughter, the bottomles pit, polished off one and then promptly ordered another - and ate that too. She's getting expensive to feed - we're going for sushi tomorrow and I know that she will be ordering a buffet for herself. And no, she's not fat - she is very active with sports and has a jacked up metabolism. So jealous.....

A busy week ahead -
Had a great time at the White Rock Farmer's Market yesterday (www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca) Lots of great feedback, some good sales, and the weather was fabulous. I've been asked to join the Thursday market now so will head down there this week. It will give me a chance to, hopefully, try out my new wireless credit card terminal. That's right - as of tomorrow (August 5th) I will be able to take Visa, Mastercard and Interac payments at my table. Get my lesson on using the terminal tomorrow so hope it's easy! Come on down and spend some money!! :) I really think it's an important customer service tool to be able to offer that kind of convenience. Then on Saturday - off to Township 7 Vineyards for another market.(www.township7vineyards.com) Should be a lovely day and what a pretty place to be.

Posted all the new soldered pieces today on the website. (took a bit longer than it should have - somehow I managed to delete all of the pictures when I should have been saving them. Figured out how to get them out of the trash finally.....) The tiles and collages are really pretty and so much fun to make. The only thing I have to remember is to stop licking my finger to turn the pages of those old magazines. Ick! 40 year old cooties....

Oh and one more thing - I just wanted to give a sincere thank-you to my family and true friends who have stuck by me and supported me in all of this- whether or not you've bought anything - that's not the point - I just really appreciate your interest in what I am doing, your suggestions and your encouragement. And last week, when I was so excited when I saw that I had a sale online but then saw that whoever had put that purchase through was just pulling my chain with fake information - big thumbs down to you. Obviously, there won't be anything in the mail for you anytime soon.

I've left the minions to their own devices so far but I think we're off to go see Journey to the Centre of the Earth, then maybe a pirate pak at White Spot.