black, white, and green

Yesterday, I went shopping in search of a cute, summer dress, and discovered these two skirts with the most amazing patterns. (Sadly, the skirts didn't make it home with me.) I'm loving the black, white, and green combo. It makes me happy, especially because I've ordered black and green powders for the next batch of wall panels.

And it just occurred to me that I have yet to post pics of the first batch of wall panels. I promise to work on that ASAP. (And this time I mean it!)

double drop

I sold out of the double drop earring last weekend, but no worries, more are on the way. I'm even making a few single pairs and some pendants. Hopefully, I'll have lots of great stuff for Art Star.

(And if you can't make it to Art Star, I promise lots more stuff will go in my shop afterwards.)

one down

I'm back (not that I really went anywhere) from my long weekend at the Patriot-News Artsfest. The show didn't go quite as well as I had hoped. The positives: I got a lot of compliments on my work and my display, the new fine silver on steel earrings were very popular, and I generated some interest in my work for future shows. The negatives: Crazy wind and thunderstorms, and my aesthetic didn't really gel with the rest of the show.

I'm looking forward to Art Star next weekend, where I can introduce my work to a new audience and hopefully meet some really cool people. (And speaking of really cool people, be sure to check out the Art Star artist list to preview everyone who will be there.)

patriot-news artsfest

Be sure to stop by and say hello this weekend at the Patriot-News Artsfest in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg! (booth #266)

Saturday 10-7
Sunday 12-7
Monday 10-5

See you there!

extra-large and small

It's been over a week since my last post, but the end of the semester and the start of the summer craft show season (Patriot-News Artsfest is this weekend!) have left me with little time. But I did manage to make some new fine silver on steel earrings in a variety of sizes. Plus, my new intern, Rebecca, starts today! I'm hoping that leads to a more productive summer.

please stand by

No, I'm not just copying Juliet's post. I'm on the stand-by list for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. Usually, being wait-listed is cause for disappointment, but I almost feel ok about it this time. Perhaps its because, in spite of my current disillusionment with the craft show world, its still nice to hear "you don't completely suck" from a well-respected show.

still time

There's still time to shop the TU Metals & Jewelry Club Spring Sale. We'll be in the Center for the Arts today, Friday, and Saturday.

Above: fine silver on steel rings

lilacs + credit

I didn't make it into the studio until 2 PM today, but for good reason. I stopped by my bank this morning, and will now by able to accept credit cards at my shows. That's right, if you stop by my booth, you can now pay with cash, check, VISA, Mastercard, or Discover.

PS. How much do you love lilacs? They are certainly one of my favorite flowers.

spring sale!

Tomorrow is the start of the Metals & Jewelry Club Spring Sale. Jewelry by Towson University students, faculty, and alumni + baked goods. We're around campus all week, so stop by, say hello, and shop! And be sure to donate your left-over art supplies to benefit Art With a Heart.

bouncing

I've been bouncing back and forth between sculpture and production jewelry to get ready for summer shows. Right now its a new long and skinny pillow and some fine silver on steel rings. Just as long as the silver holds out.

cinco de mayo

I've finished the first batch of wall panels (4 each of 3 designs), but am waiting to post full pictures until after I powder-coat them next week. I'm really happy with how well they've turned out, and will definitely be making more.

I must admit, for all my complaining about the temp in my studio all winter, I'm very happy its in the garage, not the basement. It means I sort of get to experience this gorgeous weather we've been having. (If only through my studio window.)

Happy Cinco de Mayo. I'll be the girl holed up in her studio, so have a margarita for me!

good, good, great

I finally ordered new postcards from overnight prints. I'm trying to do a PA family and friends mailing for all my upcoming shows. (Note: If you'd like to be added to my mailing list, send an email to meauman(at)yahoo(dot)com.) And speaking of upcoming shows, I will be at the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show on August 18 & 19. Its a local show for me, but last year attracted artists Donna D'Aquino and Lisa Cimino, so I feel good about participating.

And more good news, I'm having a two-person show at the Rosewood Gallery (outside of Dayton, Ohio). And, it overlaps with my two-person show at MWPAI. Great. Commence panicking. I will not be sleeping from now until February 2008. If you know anyone who would like to volunteer their time working on labor-intensive sculpture, send them my way.

pictures, progress, and more good news

I've finally resolved the lack of camera cord issue, so I can share some pictures. Above: the new wall panel design in-progress. Below: a finished wall panel and a view of the new "corner" of my studio, thanks to Joe's wall.

And some good news too... I'll be participating in the emerging artist section of the Ann Arbor South University Art Fair from July 18 to 21. I'll be exhibiting my jewelry AND sculpture... now all I have to do is re-design my booth.

art star

I'm happy to announce that I will be at Art Star Craft Bazaar June 2nd + 3rd in Philly. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello!

mwpai + metalsmith

I'm home sick today, but at least I've got some good news. I'm going to be in a 2-person show at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Gallery in Utica, NY. The show isn't until February 2008, but I'm happy that all those applications are finally starting to pay off!

Good news update: I also found out on Tuesday that the article Corey and I wrote on blogging will appear as an opinion piece in the fall issue of Metalsmith!

the great wall

Its been a while since my last post, but that doesn't mean things haven't been happening in the studio...

Joe built me a wall to help divide my studio area from the rest of the garage.

The chair has been on hold while I've been working on a new project - a series of wall panels. Each panel is 12" by 12". I've completed four of the above design and am working on the design below. Once I've finished the panels and had them powder-coated (and find my camera cord) I will share more images.


I've also had a piece, Pattern Pillow #3 (pictured below), accepted into Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2007. The piece will be on view at the State Museum of Pennsylvania from June 9 to September 9.

no more waiting

I received a call today from one of the many shows I was wait-listed for, and will now be participating in the Patriot News Arts Fest in Harrisburg, PA. The show is May 26-28. I hope to see you there!

inspiration

When I dream about piles of pillows, this is what it looks like. (Of course, in my dreams they are all made out of wire.) (via imedagoze)


And speaking of pattern dreamin', have you seen the new anthro home catalog? I can't wait for mine to arrive in the mail.

apologies

I apologize for the neglect of this blog, but I've been posting lots of stuff on my other blog, so be sure to check that out.

18kt

Thanks to Marta of 18kt for the great post about my work and for the mention of the Jewelry. Metals. Objects. blog.

(Its been a good week for blog mentions. I'm so pleased that people are taking an interest in my work. Thanks to everyone!)

chair of the day

I've really been enjoying Design Hole's Chair of the Day posts.

And speaking of chair of the day, I've finally started working on a new chair. Its been over a year since I finished the last chair (below) so I'm excited and nervous to start a new one. It'll be a slow process (the last chair took me two months, and that was with consistent studio time), but I'll keep everyone posted as the chair progresses.

dear ada

Thanks to dear ada (quite possibly my new favorite blog) for the mention.

small pillow

I finished the pillow today (minus surface treatment). I love how much faster the smaller pillows are to make. (This one is about 19 1/2" x 8".) Tomorrow, its on to bigger things...

welding

A few action shots.

flower pillow earrings

I never know what to call these earrings. Sometimes they're flower earrings, sometimes they're pillow earrings, sometimes they're cage earrings. No matter what I call them, they're now just $80 in my etsy shop. (Medium and small sizes also available.)

etsy shop update

Welcome to the week of etsy! I've finally added items to my etsy shop, and will be adding more all week long. Happy shopping!

Above: Silver on Steel earrings, $45

the small envelope

Usually, the small envelope with your slides in it is never a good thing. But I received one today that actually contained good news. I was accepted into the Manayunk Arts Festival on June 23 and 24. I hope to see you there!

imogene

Thanks to Annie of imogene for the nice post about my work. I've heard nothing but good things about Annie since I got to Towson, so its a thrill to be included in her blog. (In fact, imogene was one of the first blogs I ever read.)

And be sure to shop imogene for great indie jewelry, accessories, paper goods, and more.

pattern, pattern everywhere

And some really big pillows. I was at Kinkos last night, enlarging patterns, and I realized I was planning on making some really large pillows. The first pillow I ever made was 12" x 14", and now I'm designing 21" and 24" pillows. I'm excited about these new patterns, but I think its time to think about some cute, little pillows, too.

quick little pillow

Its been a while since I worked in the studio, so today I headed out there to start work on what I hope will be a quick little pillow. (Its only 8" by 19" and I'm aiming to finish it in the next week.) Yes, its the same pattern as the square tufted pillow, but I've decided to work with the 4 or 5 patterns I already have and like, and apply them to different objects.

Oh, and I've added one more component to the work I've been doing with jewelers and web 2.0. (I posted about the presentation and wikispace the other day.) I've started a blog (yes, another blog) specifically designed to showcase jewelers and metalsmiths on the web.

updating

The cold weather turned my planned studio day into a computer day. But that gave me time to work on the pattern for my one of my next projects - another chair. I had originally planned on another pattern (see below) but decided it didn't have enough variation for me. While both patterns have variation in scale, the one above just feels more random. I'm sure the other pattern will pop up somewhere else though.


A few updates...
The navigating the web 2.0 presentation for the Metals Guild of Maryland was last night. If you missed it, find the information on the wikispace here.
I heard back from two more shows - surprise - two more wait lists.
I finally managed to change the header of my blog, and I added a list of my favorite blogs on the right.

electroforming

Here are a few samples (made by Maria Phillips) from Maria's electroforming workshop. Sadly, I didn't get to make anything fun, but my students did. For more pictures, click here.

surf and shop (soon)

I've finally updated my website. There are a few things I need to add yet (like placing images within my page instead of redirecting to my flickr site), but it matches my current aesthetic much more now. (A note to firefox users - the site doesn't look good in firefox quite yet. View it in safari - it looks much better.)

And while you're on the site, you'll notice a link to shop. That's right, I've finally set up an etsy shop. Nothing for sale yet, but soon. I promise.

lazy sunday

Despite the fact that today was a lazy day (everyone deserves one now and then), I can happily say that I've sent out all 8 applications that were due by March 1st.

A few upcoming events at Towson University:
March 1st 7 PM- Maria Phillips lecture
March 2nd & 3rd - Maria Phillips electroforming workshop
March 6th 7 PM - Metals Guild of Maryland peer review - I will be presenting on navigating the web - blogs, flickr, etc.

pattern pillows

backup

I had a computer scare today, so I'm dutifully backing up everything onto an external hard drive. If the thought of losing your resume makes you want to cry, I suggest you do the same.

(The images are a new pillow design I'm thinking about. Probably not the next project, but something in the future.)

happy valentine's day

Nothing says love like a steel pillow...

Oh, and I've got a date with a powder-coater for 8 AM Saturday morning.

snow day = studio day

The weather made me not want to drive to Baltimore, so I canceled my classes. This gave me some much needed studio time since I've got six deadlines coming up before March 1st that I'm trying to make new work for. That's right, in the next 2 weeks, I'll be sending out applications for 3 craft shows, 2 solo shows, and and juried exhibition. Just another day in the life of an artist... (Above: the view from my studio.)

wallpaper

For someone whose artwork is about layering pattern, I'm certainly timid with pattern use in my own home. But that's about to change. I've just ordered this Orla Kiely wallpaper from Anthropologie to hang on the wall behind my bed. It will go under my patterned curtains, behind my striped bedding. And the best part... the wallpaper is easy-peel removal, so Joe can't really object. Get the wallpaper here.

Valentine's Day Sale

Be sure to stop by the Towson Metals & Jewelry Club Valentine's Day Sale - tomorrow and Tuesday 10-7 in the Center for the Arts atrium.

2007 Show Schedule

I've finally heard back from a few shows with positive results. You can find a complete list of all my 2007 shows on the right.

love/hate

The first week of classes kept me away from the studio (and this blog), but the last two days have been about some serious studio time.
Unfortunately, I'm experiencing a love/hate relationship with this pattern. Yesterday, I was excited about it. Today, not so much...
At least the first side is finished, now on to the second.