Silver Prices - The Good and the Bad

by Patty Lakinsmith

First the bad news: The price of silver is through the roof. Many jewelry artists depend on this metal for their work - some exclusively, and others partially. Either way it's not good, as the cost of buying it as a material or a finished product has never been more expensive.

I started out using exclusively sterling silver findings (headpins, ear wires, accent beads), and over the years have used more and more fine (pure) silver as I worked more with precious metal clay. The two materials work well together - you can embed fine silver wire into metal clay to make very functional components.

What are my options? Well, 50 grams of metal clay that cost me around $70 at the beginning of the year now cost close to $100. I could bit the bullet and buy more, or I could consider other materials. Perhaps the key is to just use less silver in my work, and to consider it more of an accent than a main element. Raising prices right now is not something that artists want to do. I've recently been using more alternative metals like brass and copper in my pieces, and liking the results.

One of the bright sides is that maybe this pressure will nourish a spate of creativity in us all as we look for new alternatives. Maybe (I hope) we will come to appreciate more kinds of beauty than just that associated with this one particular metal. Maybe repurposing and recycling itself will become the sought after, instead of some arbitrary, manipulated commodity.

This necklace by Reworkd on Etsy incorporates recycled vintage typewriter keys and steampunk elements, typically consisting of watch parts and other mechanical bits. Typewriter key jewelry is rampant on Etsy.

There are tons of recycled elements found in jewelry these days, from scrabble tiles, bottle caps, license plates, skeleton keys, dominos, plastic shopping bags, bullets, saris, broken china, skateboards, vinyl records, and even recycled sneakers and more.
Kathleen Plate is using recycled wine bottles for jewelry, home decor, and even clothing. This kind of work just makes me feel good inside. You know someone had a good time drinking the wine, she likely loves making things from the bottles, and when you bring one of her pieces home it makes you happy to look at it and for helping the planet.

I doubt that a rubber bracelet will ever convey as much value to its wearer as a silver one, but the other bright side of this is that now is a great time to sell your silver scrap. I'm also taking it as a personal challenge to find more creative elements to use in my jewelry, and I think that's a good thing.

How are you dealing with the price of precious metals these days?

A Winner and the Spotlight...

by MaryAnn Carroll

Due to Thanksgiving falling on the same day that we announce our weekly Call-to-Create Designer Spotlight Winner, we did not select a designer to be shown off on our blog. Today we will be announcing that designer AND announcing our weekly LMAJ Giveaway Winner...... 

Soooooooo....without further ado,
Our Designer Spotlight winner is...

Lu Behrman from Designed by Lu.

~Hidden Forest~

Here is how Lu described this gorgeous necklace...

Deeply etched copper forest pendant (44x34mm) by jenniferstumpf; bronze leaf by summerstudio; glass headpins by GardanneBeads; HUGE (approx. 3/4") lampwork nuggets by twosisters; and the incredible chestnut/indigo chain and toggle clasp by missficklemedia. Measures 24"...

Now...for the winner of this beautiful necklace by our own Mary Jane Dodd......

using the random number generator, the #1 was picked......and that person is...

Carol DeLater.

Congratulations, Carol!  You're one lucky woman :O)  Check out Carol's blog Beads and Birds.

Following the Followers.....

by MaryAnn Carroll

One of the great things about being an author on this blog is the freedom to go with whatever I want to write about.  Of course, I need to stay focused and probably shouldn't write about things that are unrelated such as the fact that, at this moment, many birds are flying all around my window and keep coming back and forth to the bird feeder.....or....my blind dog who insists on sitting on my lap while I type on the computer.....Whoops!  ...   losing focus!!  These are my current distrators.....it doesn't take much ;o)

That tends to be a problem for me.  My brain is one of those that just jumps from idea to idea and it has a hard time staying in one place.  When I'm on a mission, however, no matter how big or small, I am able to keep focused for an extended period of time. Today's mission was to find 10 artists who follow Love My Art Jewelry and show off their artwork...

Whether it is finished jewelry or components that you might want to add to your own jewelry designs, check out what some of our followers have been doing in the world of~

~creating handmade with handmade~

Some very cool components by annaleesa...

a finished necklace using handmade ceramic components by designedbylu...

very cool pure silver earrings by dreamsome...

who wouldn't love this embroidered bracelet by hidingplacebeadery...

a lovely resin-filled handmade ring by lucidmoonstudio...

gorgeous raku focal by makustudio...

right in the Christmas spirit with these etched trees by mjalexander386...

fab necklace by scjjewelrydesign...

a very funky pendant by sculptedwindows...

and lastly, this awesome pendant created by urbandon...

How fun is that?  Not only did it keep me focused, but I had a blast shopping in these stores....

Don't forget ... tomorrow we will be drawing for the fabulous necklace made by Mary Jand Dodd.  Also, stay tuned for the winner of our Call-to-Create.  There is still one day left!!!

looking forward to -

'each morning sees some task begin,

each evening sees it close;

something attempted,

something done,

has earned a night's repose.'

~ henry wadsworth longfellow

one of the things i love about making my own components is the process... how once one begins, each step progresses until it is done... i enjoy waking up in the morning to pieces ready to be sealed - because i know that soon i will be able to use them... 

i hope to make some necklaces with these today... 

to my delight yesterday, i saw our own barbara lewis in the registration announcement for bead fest wire in philly... her class is on april 10 - the link to register is on her name... 

she is teaching a 7 hr. torch-fired enamels class... congratulations barbara - this is a huge event!

.. 'twas mere weeks before Christmas..........

'Twas weeks before Christmas, and all through my place,

All creatures were running the Art Jewelry Shows race.

The copper was hammered and laid out with care,

In hopes that the hubby would soon antique it there.

My beads were all nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of bracelets danced in my head.

Barb Lewis enamels, and Miss Fickle too,

Mary Ann ceramics, greens, browns and some blue.

And me with my pliers, and tools in my lap,
I'd just settled in with with silver wire to wrap.
When out in the kitchen, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bench to see what was the matter.


Away to the door, I flew like a flash,
Slid in the hall, and fell on my........"ash".


When what to my wondering eyes should I see,
Steve with the camera, taking jewelry photos with glee,


With his old trigger finger so lively and quick,
I yelled, "No blurries", as the camera click-clicked.


So rapid and speedy, the pictures he took,
And he laughed and shouted, "Hey, no time to look."


"More bracelets, more chokers, more earrings and such,
You're lagging behind, and you must make so much!"


"Back to the studio! Back down the hall!
They don't want jewelry that's sold at the mall!"




"Go saw, file and sand, hammer, dap, wrap and chase,
Fire up that blow torch.... OOH! Watch your face!"

"Pack for the show, and load up your truck,
Sell it all, Honey! Good sales and good luck!! "

on thanksgiving ~

'feeling gratitude and not expressing it

is like wrapping a present and not giving it.'

~ william arthur ward

my yearly seasonal sadness descends the day after (not even anymore) halloween when commercial christmas appears... what about thanksgiving? i love this holiday...

as a practice, i try to be thankful for things every day - no matter what... it's not a polly anna outlook, but rather a practical one... it shows me that my world is, in fact, balanced...

knowing that you don't read minds and therefore do not hear my private thoughts of gratitude - i would like to thank you for the support you have given this new group... your interest, participation and comments are very much appreciated... time can be short in our crazy days - thank you for taking yours to be with us as we all check in and share...

wishing you good food, great company and lots of laughter & love - mary jane

When Mary Jane first suggested that we each share something for Thanksgiving, I thought, "What a great idea!" Then I thought, "Geez, it's not every day that I take to time to reflect on what I am really thankful for. I thought that I would give it a few hours and that it would eventually come to me. It's not that I'm not thankful for my family, my health, my job as a teacher and everything else that I have in my life because I am, but I won't be talking about that here.

I'm not quite sure how these words will come out so I'm going to just be myself and go with it, like I do with almost every aspect of life. You might have heard the lyrics to a song "I Hope You Dance" by Leean Womack that may have touched you at some time in recent years. This song has special meaning to me for many reasons. When I first heard it, it was on the the radio. The woman that was requesting the song be played was requesting it because the lyrics of the song captured everything that she wanted for her son that was born 9 months after she had been raped. Of course, that had an effect on me. Perhaps, the effect was a little more intense at the time also because I was going through my own very difficult time as were my children. For anyone that may check my shop out on Etsy, you might have noticed that on each listing I ask that you support the fight against dating and domestic violence. That is a topic that is closer to me that seeing it on tv or listening to the horror stories that may result from this in the news.

Although, life is peaceful now, I am thankful for the lyrics of this song. I used to listen to it on a regular basis and took the time to share it with each of my three children letting them know that no matter what, this is what I had hoped for them in their own lives.

Then, one day, it occurred to me that this would be something that my Mom (who passed when I was 25) would have also wanted this for my life. I gradually decided that I also needed to want this for me too. Today, I'm thankful that I made that choice. For each of you who may be struggling in your own lives, I also hope that when you are given the choice to sit it out or dance, that you choose to dance.
Happy Thanksgiving. MaryAnn

Barbara here ... I'm in St. Pete, watching the Miami Heat play the Orlando Magic, best friends of 35 years are sitting with me, yawning and drinking champagne, my daughter is here with her roommate and my son, who turns 25 in a few days, is singing ... he's a minstrel, what can I say.

Three Amigos ... My two on the right, Laura and David, and Jenny, Laura's roommate, have just finished decorating the tree.

Three Amigos II ... from left to right, Oscar, Jenny's little friend, Annie and Donnie, our devoted companions

These are special moments ... just everyday life with people who love each other, have good health, and everything they need. Not only have I been blessed with good friends and kids that still want to be around me, but my blogging friends have enriched my life beyond measure. As the days have turned into months, I have come to realize how much I appreciate you ... generous and talented artists I have never met but who have given so freely of yourselves. I give thanks for all the times you visited my blog and left a message letting me know that you connected with something I said, for sharing your love of art with me, for your words of encouragement as we navigate together this world of creation with its joys and disappointments.

Hi all and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Thank you all for your time and attention to this wonderful site. I have so very, very much to be thankful for, I hardly know where to start........... (and the eyes are starting to well up..........) My faith and family would have to be first and foremost. I am blessed to have two wonderful parents, 78 and 81, still married , going strong and very much in love. Today, I will get to be with them and the wonderful meal they still insist on preparing. My incredible, loving and supportive husband Steve..... wow......so much to be thankful for with him. God truly blessed me when he put Steve in my path. Health. Happiness. A home.. a job... a jewelry business I love, that lets me be creative......... My incredible friends...... my list is simply endless. I hope everyone reading this can find joy today, and be thankful for the meaningful people in your life. It's not the "things" we have or can accumulate in life that make life special, it's the people, the special moments, and what we each do with the gifts we've been given. It's the laughter and the joy, and to quote Mary Jane, the "infinite moments" . May you all make infinite moments today. Happy Thanksgiving! Kelli

Hi there, it's Patty, chiming in to say that I'm thankful for...

the love and support of my family,
the freedom to express myself in word and action,
brave friends who are willing to defend my freedom even when our political views clash,
the encouragement I receive from so many friends in far away places whom I've not even met yet,
and finally, I am very thankful for a small bit of greenery to hide my bruised nose and ego behind after a little mishap with a door.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

Reflecting

by Barbara Lewis

A lot of us, at this time of year, reflect on the past ... all that we've been given ... all that we've done.  This led me to stroll through I-Photo to look at some of my old work, which goes back to August 2008. Many of them show my former life as a potter, my love of knotted thread, leather cording.

Knotted bead clusters and turquoise

Ceramic pendants with etched and stamped brass, and one of my first enameled things

Ceramic pendant with African clay and glass beads, an amber bead from a flea market

Pit-fired ceramic beads and turquoise

Sea glass from Chesapeake Bay on a leather and chain bracelet.

The aqua and pink metal is the former steel siding of an old beach house we bought, which is riveted to the front.

Sterling tube rivets

If I don't get a chance to talk to you tomorrow, have a wonderful Thanksgiving ... and beware of the sedative effects of turkey ... or could it really be the copious amounts of food we'll all be eating!

Uncommon Finds

by Patty Lakinsmith

I sometimes browse around the internet for art jewelry that excites me to the use of new materials in jewelry. This week I found some great, unusual pieces and I thought I'd share them with you, and with obvious inspiration from Maire Dodd, I've interwoven some relevant quotes.

Ever consider using the Sunday comics in your jewelry?

The forum contributor who made this simply decoupaged the comics paper over wood beads, but they could also be wound around mandrels to make the traditional style of paper beads. What about decoupaging the comics onto metal?

*
The world is but a canvas to our imagination. - Henry David Thoreau
*

This next artist is a new favorite of mine. Sarah Hood creates beautiful, organic pieces with nature herself as the components. I wish my younger brother had kept his model train stuff, or rather, I wish I would have snatched up some of his shrubbery...

Visit Sarah's website to see some really spectacular work incorporating leaves and seed pods of all kinds. I collect these kinds of organic materials too, but have not yet been brave enough to use them.

Margaux Lange's work makes me wish I had saved my dolls. Do you think there are any left in the thrift shops within a 50 mile radius of her studio? I'm guessing they are hard to find there.

*
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. -Thomas Edison.
*

Montana artist April Hale takes the natural materials theme to a place I've not seen it taken before: roadkill.

There are several really great aspects to this theme. First, it's recycling at its finest. While this animal fortunately wasn't killed in order for April to make this necklace, it's body would have just rotted somewhere if she had not taken it home to use. The other really great thing is that whomever wears this necklace is bound to have better luck than the rabbit, right? On top of all that good news is the fact that Ms. Hale will probably graduate with a certificate in taxidermy as well as her MFA degree.

*
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. -Henry David Thoreau
*

I'm newly inspired to cast a wider glance around my studio, and maybe even beyond, for my next art jewelry project.

LMAJ Monday Give Away...

by MaryAnn Carroll

...and it is as easy as One, Two, FREE!!!!  I mean THREE!!!  Why three? 

Because you have up to 3 chances to enter to win this very cool necklace

created by our very own Mary Jane Dodd...

This necklace is titled Infinite Moment.

And I know that jewelry created by Mary Jane is something that we all want to own :O)

So...here is how it can be yours....

Well....we certainly cannot go without some sort of theme, now can we?  How about this question?

"What does "infinite moment" mean to you?"

Chance #1 ... Simply comment on the blog with an answer to the above question.

Chance #2 ...  Take it a step further and post our giveaway on your own blog and come back here to tell us that you did that.

Chance #3  ...  Be creative ...  Post it to your facebook, twitter, Etsy, the office or wherever your heart desires and come back here to tell us that you did ...  or  ...  follow the Chance #2 below for those that don't have a blog of their own....

Please stop back on Monday, Nov. 29 to see if you have won.  We will try to contact you, but if there is no response to an email within a week, we will have to move on to the runner up!

NO BLOG?  all is not lost......

You still have a couple of chances....

Chance #1  ...  Answer the above question.

Chance #2  ...  visit our Love My Art Jewelry website by clicking HERE and then come back to tell us something that you liked when visiting Mary Jane Dodd's website pages.

'the infinite is in the finite of every instant.' ~ zen proverb

Deep into the depths....

by MaryAnn Carroll

...of the wood-firing kiln.....
"Manabigama which means Small Teaching Kiln of Beauty"

Today's second half of the wood-firing will consist of LOTS of pictures.  I think that they speak for themselves without me having to say anything ;o)

The first picture is right after the bricks have been removed from the front.... And then we will tour a little further into the kiln, then outside, into our home and finally end up where we getting ready to list on Etsy in both Bill's shop, SplitfirePottery and mine, MaCarroll.

And that concludes our visual tour of the wood-firing process. 

Stay tuned for the winter wood-firing which will take place in a few more months.