Delta Red and Cornucopia

I sent Mom off to her college homecoming with a few new goodies: Delta Red (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority necklace and earrings set) and Cornucopia.

Offbeat Deltas and Hearts of Fire

My First Post Earrings

Working with posts is just as fun as working with hooks! I look forward to serving those who prefer them. Here is my first pair:

My Earring Challenge & Road Trip Creations

My Earring Challenge                                            I met a lovely mother-daughter pair during my last public jewelry art show. The daughter went crazy over a few of my necklaces, and both women were intrigued by my collection of big, bold, wild-child earrings. The only problem they had was that they prefer wearing earrings with posts. Posts! This was a first for me. So while these ladies made their purchases and signed my guest book, I brainstormed design ideas and made an unspoken commitment to figure out how to address the post challenge. That was several weeks ago. 

Since then, I've been caught up with so many other exciting matters (my book, customizing jewelry creations for my wonderful clients, teaching college writing courses, parenting,  . . . etc.) that I haven't had a chance to fully acquaint myself with the mechanics of this new endeavor. However, it's a good thing that I went ahead and ordered the most important materials because the mother called today, and boy did she have good news for me. 

Not only did she schedule a consultation, she wants me to make a plethora of post earrings for her, her daughter, family gifts, and holiday parties. I have four days to make samples to show her. Four days! I'm on cloud nine. 

Road Trip Creations

I made the following necklace and earrings on the highways 65, 40, and 240. They were all created without a plan, as most of my pieces are, and a couple of them sold the same day they were crafted. I'm thankful. 

"Jack"

"Jack" is a commissioned, 24" necklace designed for a vibrant man who makes buttons. The piece was inspired by my "Bee" necklace, which my client saw at the Mellwood Art Fair and was attracted to because of the pop of yellow and burgundy that immediately caught his eye. 

"Jack" sold for $40.

UPDATE: Faith's Gift

Last month, I completed a Dameregalos (Give me Gifts) project for a birthday girl whose father had this to say after his family recovered from the rigors of their festivities: 


Faith loved it!!! We ate at the Spaghetti Factory on Friday and opened presents. Her sisters think it is the neatest --- and--- Taylor, Leslie's daughter, found the initials before I said anything. Everyone was impressed with the thought, care, and talent put into Faith's gift. Thank you from all of us.

Faith's Love Gift

I had a blast creating Faith's Birthday Love Gift, which includes a necklace, jewelry box, and poetic tribute I wrote on her father's behalf. It's nice to know that her 11th birthday will forever be associated with receiving such a precious and personal treasure as this:

Having a Blast at Mellwood Art Fair

There's no better way to describe the Mellwood Art Fair experience than:
Professional
Exhilarating
Inspiring
Productive
Memorable

While Damejoyas did well, what I appreciate most about this event was the energy, laughter, and kinship I shared with my new artist buddies; my mom, who hung out with me for ten hours on Saturday and came back for more on Sunday; and a woman named Gretchen, who gave me awesome leads on one of my other professional pursuits.

I also had my palms read by a man named Jo; spanked my phone with a giant mirror; ran into two of my old high school students (one from Eastern High, the other from Seneca); learned about a handful of upcoming art events; got wind of a tax preparation guru who might be able to rescue me from the Feds; met five new clients who put their dibs in for custom Damejoyas that I need to start working on PRONTO; and ate the most succulent portobello mushroom sandwich ever.

ARLINE: The design and material ideas for this a-symetrical beauty popped into my mind
on the way to the Sunday showing. I constructed her on site, and she was adopted (sold) within
thirty minutes by a spunky woman named Arline. This photo image does not do the piece justice,
but it's all I have. 

Getting ready for showtime. 

Ready.

Mommy

A Dame Moment

Another Dame Moment

Me and Deb (My New Buddy)

Project Vignette

A couple of months ago, I realized that I needed to give prospective customers and clients an opportunity to visualize what my jewelry artwork looks like on live bodies. Initially, I had trouble finding dependable models. There were many who said, "Yes," and none who actually followed through. Then Melissa walked onto the scene and owned every snapshot. I am thankful to have her as the first face of Project Vignette. New art, new faces, and new gift-giving opportunities coming soon.

September Art Fair at Mellwood

September Art Fair at Mellwood

Damejoyas was just accepted into the September Art Fair at Mellwood! Mellwood! I am elated, and honored, and a tiny bit terrified. Thank God there are two weeks between Shepherdsfest and this awesome new opportunity. Thank God for the outstanding college teaching schedule that will allow me enough studio time to create. Thank God I'm surrounded by so many supportive family members and friends.

Arts & Crafts at Iroquois

First to Leave the Nest

It was a blessing to be in the company of other artists (many of whom I've befriended), to encounter unsolicited kindness, to have my brother on board as a Damejoyas fan and muscle man, to feel that my wearable artwork was appreciated by those who purchased, those who booked consultations for custom jewelry creations, and the many who offered just the right words to best describe my work--"Different," "Refreshing," "Eccentric."

Event Highlights
1. My Green Tree Necklace was the first to be adopted (Thanks, Jayme!)

2. Monalisa, an AMAZING potter, told great stories, oozed spunk, and blessed me with a beautiful gift of hand-dyed gauze fabric.

3. My new buddy, Meghan taped ice to my back after an injury I sustained in my effort to save the world from mass destruction.

4. Patrica, a doll-maker from Atlanta, hipped me to the www.squareup.com, so I can now accept credit card payments using my smart phone (I''m so excited!).

5. I learned a few amazing marketing and event planning strategies.

6. I was inspired to take the next step in the direction of setting up shop.

7. My son played guitar on stage with the Louisville Dulcimer Society, astounding me once more with his talent, and daring.

8. Christina (my new language lover, foodie friend) showed up at my booth with a bag of ice and refreshing goodies just because she is a beautiful human being with a big heart, and the keen ability to give just what is needed, at precisely the right moment (Thank you!)

9. Mary came to my booth all three days of the event: Day 1: We met and chatted like little girls (we ARE little girls);  Day 2: We chatted, she bought a silver paper bead and hematite necklace, and we shared a few tears  Day  3: She looked me in the eyes, was instantly aware that I wasn't myself (back injury), and began to drop her bags to help me with whatever I needed (I talked her out of it).

10. I ate the best oatmeal, cashew, and butterscotch cookies ever made! And they were free! And the kind woman who made them is willing to share the recipe!

11. A lady named Nancy was so pleased with my work that she is commissioning me to create a necklace centered around a single, and very precious, bead she has tucked away in her closet at home. I can't wait to see it, and be inspired! Her daughter happens to be a writer, as I am, and she happens to be a Spalding MFA in Writing student, as I once was. What a small, small world.

12. Lately, I've been thinking about working with glass, and who do I meet other than the glass bead maker herself? And she happens to know my best friend, Regine, who lives in Canada! Can I say small world again?

13. I learned how to put my canopy up, how not to hoist a table onto the back of a truck, and how important it is to bring bricks to outdoor shows, as well as a food pantry and refrigerator.

14. I took copious notes on upcoming arts & craft venues, shared what little I know, and appreciated every hot, humid, salty, wet, hour of the entire experience.

 Check out some of my new work:

Hand-formed LaLa Bead Earrings

Features Hand-formed Beads

Earrings Featuring hand-formed and glass beads.

Mary Wearing a Damejoyas Necklace

Inspired by Peacock Feathers

Hand-formed LaLa Bead Earrings

Peacock-Inspired Earrings

Hand-formed LaLa Bead Necklace

Red Tree Necklace (Earrings on the way.)