In progress

I've finally gotten started on some new beads, this time I'm putting some stamping on them. They are just so fun to make, there's is definitely a satisfaction after making these.

Also have a few pairs of earrings and a necklace in the works. Time to get super busy in the studio. The Plaza art fair in September will be here before I know it.

Back in the studio!

Well, I think I've finally gotten over my slump. This was the longest time I've ever spent out of the studio.

These little charms are for the 13th Etsymetal charm swap. I've titled them " 13 course dinner,a.k.a. 13 unlucky little fish".

Then last night I got in there and started working on a new bird earring design and a long awaited custom cuff incorporating the bear I made on a brooch last year.

This cuff is going to have so many layers it's kinda boggling my mind how I'm going to get it all together, fingers crossed!

Squashblossom complete!

The squashblossom came out gorgeous and has found a new owner. Here's a shot of the finished piece and an awesome pic of it in the shade showing off the reflective quality of the street sign skulls!! How cool is that?

A few brooches from this week

I've been hanging on to a pretty tin box with Asian graphics for awhile now. I figured I would use it for some new spring designs so I've also been collecting some beads and cabochons to go with it. This week I cut into it and an so loving the results. Hopefully I can get some earrings made this weekend to match these pieces.

Gnomes are fun!

A friend asked me if I could make a necklace with some little plastic gnomes that she had. Sure! I said, I'm always up for a challenge. I hate to think how long I've been hanging on to these guys waiting for the inspiration on how I would connect/design this necklace.

You never know where inspiration will come from and this one was definitely a surprise. Bryan and I are doing some renovations on our bathroom and when we replaced the vent I was intrigued by a spring I found inside. The light bulb went off in my head and I finally had the solution on how this piece was going to look.

I used steel wire to construct the hanging mechanisms attached to each gnome. I think they look like they are on little ski lifts! My friend had also given me some plastic flowers so I added a few more flowers that I cut from a French Market coffee can.

I'm so happy with how this turned out, wish it were mine!

Amuck workshops!

Hi all! Iam finally planning my first workshop. I've had many requests for these but have never had the space to offer classes. Just a couple of weeks ago I became aware of a great community workshop. So, now I'm in the planning stages and would love some feedback.

Do you like taking classes that have a specific project to make or a looser plan? What's your fav piece of jewelry to make: bracelets,earrings, brooches,rings,necklaces?

What classes have you taken that you thought were exceptional and why?

I will definitely be going over many cold connections and incorporating found objects into jewelry. Right now I'm compiling some images that I think are inspiring to make a little idea booklet.

Ok, off to do more research. I look forward to hearing from you!

Pop Talk

Our friend Dayle has featured us on her super fun blog Made by Sodapop today, check it out.

Stripey Fun

Feeling inspired by red and white stripes.

pillow by Lauren and the Lost Boys
bracelet by Victoria Takahashi
corset by Alice and Willow

Happy Spring!

Happy first day of spring everyone! Wanted to share this rose necklace that I made for a friends birthday today. I cut the rose from a spring roll wrapper then sealed it in Ice Resin to protect the image better. This necklace is a smaller version of the tattoo rose necklace that I made last spring(bottom pic).

Double sided earrings

I got this new app called Diptic yesterday, really cool. Works great for showing multiple views in one photo.

Earrings made from a curve in the road street sign, vintage noisemaker, license plate and sterling silver.

I heart skulls

This was my latest piece that was featured on the Ice Resin blog yesterday.

“My inspiration was really the bezel itself. My first thought was an eyeball and then everything else just fell into place. I chose the color yellow because it paired so well with the bronze and the vintage rhinestones".

”My love of skulls, I could go on for awhile, but simply we all have them and it’s a part of us that will be around for a long, long time. I love that skulls were used in Victorian times (an era I come back to constantly for inspiration!) in jewelry as a remembrance of others and also as a reminder that death is inevitable so we should live every day to the fullest!”

personal logo

Had to make a personal logo for my Digital Imaging 1 class. This was our first homework assignment. I think my Roger skull logo came out pretty darn cute!

More resin casting

I've been pouring any left over Ice Resin from other projects into these cone shaped molds I made using a 2-part silicone putty(can be purchased from IceResin.com). I love these little cones! Remember those clown cake pick decorations? That's what I used to make this mold. I've got some fun ideas floating around in my noggin for these, just have to figure out the logistics!

Street heART updated

I've updated the large street heART necklace, what do you think? A larger tube rivet, hammered edge, fancy bail and a sterling rolo chain rather than ball chain.

Bling Bang earrings

This was my first piece for the Ice Resin blog a couple of Wednesdays ago. The top portion was cut from brass and sterling that I slightly dapped then riveted together with tubing, which made a perfect setting for these vintage rhinestones that I got on one of our trips to NY. The shell casings I've had for quite sometime now, glad to finally use them. The casings fit perfectly into the white bronze pencil bezels.

In case you didn't see the news on Facebook or Flickr, I'm having a sale in the Etsy shop right now.

NY to Boston

Just boarded the train from NY to Boston, looking forward to this bit of relaxation. Wish we had stayed another day in NY as we really didn't get to see as much as we wanted to but I'm sure we'll be back in the spring.
I did make it to my favorite shop though, Victor Osbourne hats.

Upcoming Show!

If you're in the Boston area this is going to be a fantastic exhibit. I have a feeling it's going to be hard on my wallet! There are so many great artists being presented.

A piece for me

Did you ever think that crack in your floor could be inspiring? You didn't? Well, it certainly can be! Im actually taking some time to make myself a couple of pieces to wear to the reception in Boston coming up on the 4th.

The first step was texturing and forming this piece of silver for a cuff. The crack on my studio floor made a nice surface texture.

I'll work on this more tomorrow after work.

What have I been up to?

Actually, what haven't I been up to lately might be a better question. I've been taking graphic design classes at night at the Kansas City Art Institute. Im starting to learn how to use this computer! I'm also taking a hand lettering class on Saturdays for the next couple of months. I've always been intrigued by engraving and I hope in the future to be able to add some hand lettering via engraving into my metalwork. I'm picturing engraved flourishes into the wings of my Citybird pieces!

Lots of skulls have been on my workbench this past month. I've been busy getting all of the following pieces ready for the upcoming exhibition "From Minimal to Bling" being held at The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston this winter.


As mentioned in a previous post I am now on the creative team for Ice Resin this year and have just received my first batch of goodies to come up with some projects with. As I was waking up this morning an idea started formulating in my brain so I'm off to play with Ice Resin this afternoon.

Have a great weekend everyone!!