My FAVORITE new artist

                                                                                                                      by Kelli Pope    
    I have found a FANTASTIC new artist who is making handmade components for me!!  I am SO thrilled!!

       Over the years making jewelry, as I began trying to go ALL handmade, I began forming and hammering out my own metal components.  Then I came upon 2 fantastic artists, whose work I just HAD to have, to incorporate into my pieces.  Mary Ann Carroll,  provided me with incredibly beautiful handmade ceramic beads. Her work created a deep desire in me to make my own beads and pendants.    She showed me that I, ME,  I could create the beautiful, rustic earthy beads I longed for in my jewelry.  (thank you thank you thank you, MsMaryAnn!!!)    Shannon LeVart , MissFickleMedia enchanted me with her colorful patinated metal components.   They too became a staple in my pieces.  I purchased her wonderful, patina Tutorial, and have given it a go...  although I don't quite have the patience for it, my FANTASTIC new artist does.  And I still have Miss Shannon to back me up, in a pinch.     

  Then came Painting with Fire by Barbara Lewis.  OH the beautiful colors.   I was in intrigued for a couple years, and finally bit the bullet and bought her enameling kit. I was so excited the day it was delivered.  I set it aside for a rainy day........................................... and the rainy day never came.    But THEN......... yep, you guessed it, came along my FANTASTIC new artist to the rescue.

   OK... I'll give in.   The wonderful new artist is my husband Steve.    He has been helping me over the years here and there with the "grunt" work.   The antiquing, (oh how I miss the lovely aroma of Liver of Sulphur..NOT) the sanding, the tumbling, loading/unloading the kiln.    He decided to try his hand at patina, too...  MUCH more patient than I am with it.     

 After finding himself "retired", he asked one day if I needed help with anything.  He was in need of a hobby.   I was too busy making jewelry at the time, to really think about it.   So I told him about the enameling kit that had been whispering to me from the corner for months, that I just couldn't take time to play with.  I handed him the kit, and Barbara's book, and told him to "have fun".   BOY has he!!!! 

Red enameled copper tubes

With hammered cooper and lovely, wood-kiln fired beads from our own Mary Ann

    I SO wish I had more pieces to show you, but alas, I sold them all at my show this past weekend. :o)  (I know, I know!  I HAVE to start taking more pictures!)  This is the ony one left with enameled components.   People were all but fighting over them.   One piece a lady put on, and several others wanted it.  Lucky for her she kept it on until after she paid for it!!  :o)       I'm so very thankful and proud of my new
FANTASTIC in-house artist!!!   I love to get the surprise components to work with, that just "show up" on my work table.  And I think he's having a ball!!       Just today, he called me at work to let me know all of his new enamel colors and tools had come in..   haha..........     It just makes me smile!  

Steve's work station

Am I a lucky girl, or what?