Jingle Those Bells! By Karen McGovern

Hello all! Hope your hearths are draped in garland, your trees are covered in tinsel, your stockings stuffed to bursting, and your SANTAUR is shiny and bright!

Nice six-pack, Santa! Seriously....dude has been hitting the gym....

I know we are all scrambling to get ready for next weekend and I wish you all a peaceful and joyous holiday. Eat too much, hug everybody, and let's all hope for a better 2017.

I'm not going to bore you with a long post--Instead, LET'S GIVE SOMETHING AWAY! My gift to you--a new bangle bracelet design (for me) that is big, beautiful, bold, burnt, and BODACIOUS. Eight inches around, hammered copper sheet and wire splashed with silver solder, colored with flame. Two inches wide, fit for a Viking Princess! I call it the Beautiful Beast. 

Here's what you do...in the comments below share a favorite holiday memory. On Tuesday the 27th I will put all your names into a random name picker and announce the winner here and on our Facebook page. SIMPLE!!! 

Enjoy the season, one and all. Remember to hold friends and family close, and take care of each other and yourselves as well. The critters and I wish you well...May we all enter 2017 healthy and happy!!

When it Gets to be all Fun Again - JUST Fun!

by Staci Louise Smith

I truly love what I do.  I feel blessed every day that I get to create for a living.  However, I won't lie, I hate the business end of it, and at times, my art seems a little too much like work for my liking.  (I still wouldn't trade it for the world)

I miss the days of creating just for fun.  Now that I have a business, I have expenses, and it has to keep making money (not to mention three kids that never stop eating!  lol!)

The holidays are my favorite time to create.  I don't have  much going on show wise, it slows down, and I get to make gifts! 

 Gifts!!!!!!!! GIIIIIIIFTS! !!!!!!!!!!!!

 (that should be said like Elf screams "SANTA- I KNOW HIM"- in case you were wondering how to emphasize that)

I honestly wish I were a wealthy woman, I would make things just to give away to make people smile.  I love to just make things that I know someone would like- it is my pure joy.  I am very lucky the ladies in my family agree that one can never have too much jewelry- makes the holiday fun for us all.

This year though, I did something a little different.  I feel a bit silly, because this thing I did, well, I think it officially makes me a groupie, I think.  
See, my whole family just loves this group- Jubilee Riots.  They used to be Enter the Haggis and we have gone to see them when they are in our area for years.  My mother in law even went on tour with them in Ireland (because you can, and they are doing it again this year).  Anyhow........they are amazing musicians.   If you know me, you know I love all kinds of music, and listen to it all the time.  It plays a very important role in my life.  I like to think my life sort of has a soundtrack- that plays in my head, all the time.  out of all the music I love, and there is a lot of it, their stuff really speaks to me.  They have depth, and are poetic, yet wonderful, energetic and fun.  Not to mention talented at most every instrument you can think of.  I encourage you to give them a listen, they make wonderful studio music to rock out to while working.

Sorry- this is getting to be a VERY long post- and I am getting a little sidetracked. 

I will try to get back to it.  They have a song, called Copper Leaves, about Canada retiring the penny (that is where they are from).  They joke that they are so sad about it, they wrote a song.  

Also, their new album is called Penny Black.  So, since they have this penny theme running around through things (they mention it in songs too) I thought it would be cool to make them some Canadian penny jewelry.  They joke about it, and I thought it would be a funny sort of gift.  I was totally inspired by Barb's penny charms and thought I'd end up doing something similar.....I even asked if she minded.  But in the end, they totally ended up like my version of penny jewelry for men.  (I did steal the "be the change" line, cause I really love it)

Barb's Second Surf Penny Charms

http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/13655713/lucky_400w.jpg

Anyhow-

I had SO STINKIN MUCH FUN with their music on, cranked up in the studio, while working on these pieces for them.  I like to sing while I work (its not pretty but I am usually alone, so its ok) and their music gets my feet moving too.  My most productive days are when their albums are playing.  After a long day (of course I made them the day I was going to see them at a local show) I finished them up at the last minute, cleaned myself up and off we went.

(here is the quick pick I snapped of them- with my dirty hands and all)

And I snapped these pics with the leather done.  

I got to hand them to the drummer (Bruce) as they guys came in.  It is a small venue, and they come in the same doors we do!  I almost died when they came on stage and Mark was wearing his.  

After the break I saw Trevor had his on, as well as Craig, but I was too far and could only get a shot of Trevor.

After the show the guys came out and had drinks in the lobby with everyone who stayed around.  I really like that they are so down to earth like that.  It was nice to get to talk to them and I even got a picture with Mark.  I was soooo thrilled they liked their necklaces!

This entire thing made me so happy.  One of the things I love about being creative, is being able to share it with others- especially a bunch of artists like these guys, whom I admire greatly.

I know I am a total groupie now.  I keep laughing at myself, but I don't care.  I enjoyed doing that for them.  Even Justin (the hubs) was excited that they wore them!

And this my friends, is when all the paperwork, and bills, and the business end of what I do is fun again, just fun!!

Here are some links to some of the bands music, I seriously encourage you to take a listen.  They really span genre's and age groups- as true artists do.

(showing my groupie again, don't care...lol)

http://www.jubileeriots.com/home

http://enterthehaggis.com/album/156142/the-modest-revolution

Go on tour with them- I know I wish I could

http://www.jubileeriots.com/ireland2015

Enjoy some video's- I could not just choose one.  These guys shine live.

this is one of my favorite songs from their last album (not the newest)

This is an OLD video I found, but still so good.  They started out much more irish rock but have evolved into Northern Roots Rock.  anyhow, give it a listen, its good stuff





I leave you with Getaway Car.  Its a great story- one of mine and Justin's favorites

Nice right?  I hope you enjoyed the videos!

How about you guys?
Do you love to make special gifts for people too?  

Is there a band you listen to over and over in your studio? 

Ever go groupie on them?  (someone please say you did and make me feel a little less silly!) 

Holida....SHUT UP! By Karen McGovern

I shudder to write this.  I am freaked out that I am even thinking about this.  It's the end of September.  You all know what that means.  HalloThankChrismicus is coming...sneaking up like toxic fog.  Wait, did I say that out loud?

Every year at this time, those of us in the Artsy biz turn our attention to designing for the season.   Seasons.  Holidaze?  WHATEVER.  We all start thinking about production, even tho that word makes my skin crawl from an artistic standpoint.  Every year I struggle with the idea of producing "holiday" work.  For those lucky, talented artists with large followings, this insn't so much of an issue.  But for smaller, lesser known artists trying to make a living creating art, this seasonal madness is sometimes a make-or-break time of year, filled with pressure and a healthy dose of TERROR.  How to create irrisistable art without selling your soul artistically.  I know many artists that are becoming busy little elves about now, disappearing into their studios and craft rooms, emerging sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving hollow-eyed and hunch-backed, but STOCKED FOR THE SEASON, BY GOD!  

This kind of says it all...the endless list, frantic work, and a GIANT CLOCK ticking away...

Well, to quote my all-time favorite Christmas elf, "I want to be a Dentist!"

By that I mean I choose not to get all worked up about holiday stuff.  I tune it out as much as I possibly can and go about my business as usual--even when weaving my way thru seamless displays of pumpkins, turkeys and trees EVERYWHERE.  I say we dress a turkey as Santa, perch it on a jack-o-lantern pumpkin and call it a day.  Litterally.

Anyway, to those that go into creative overdrive, I wish you the best.  Stay hydrated.  Go outside every once and a while--I'm sure you'll be vitamin D deficient before it's over.  Remember to eat.  Remember to occasionally visit your family so that they will remember who you are when you actually come up for air.  Install a UV light near your bench so you don't morph into Gollum (not a good look, people, seriously).
 

Bottom line--don't give in to the pressure.  Trends.  WHAT'S HOT THIS SEASON?  ETSY MADNESS.  Blarf.  Stay true to who you are as an artist from the get-go.  Your clients come to you for a reason, THEY LIKE YOUR WORK--PERIOD.  If you are typically a mixed media artist who creates stunning raw stone jewelry, your clients aren't coming to you looking for candy cane earrings or adorable ghostie pendants.  So...DON'T TRY TO MAKE ANY.  If your clients come to you because you make candy cane earrings and adorable ghostie pendants APPLAUSE TO YOU and keep up the good work!  I have a dear friend that makes cupcake pendants and earrings.  Exquisitely detailed glass cupcakes that look entirely edible and ARE SO FREAKING ADORABLE IT KILLS ME.  When I see her work, I always think, "I should try to work small..."  Then I punch myself in the face and move on. 

 

I make weird stuff.  If I were to try to make anything else it would frustrate me and I would waste TIME AND ENERGY, two things YOU NEVER GET BACK, and, I would end up feeling like a failure and that sort of SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF YOU ARTISTICALLY.  This time of year is full of stress for so many reasons--don't let that bleed into your art and your ability to create art.  Creating art is therapy, and should be joyous and an escape from all the madness.  If it is anything less than that you are doing it wrong....for reals.  This time of year brings one holiday to the forefront that is my favorite.  Day of the Dead.  I love making sugar skull themed art.  So I do.  But I make that any time of year, it just so happens that October really supports this expression.  And yes, I am aware that sugar skulls are quite popular right now, so the market will be flooded with them.  But, I'll make mine anyway, becuase I truly love the meaning behind the art and the art itself.  I will NOT make 50 sugar skull themed designs.  I will NOT try to reach some sales goal with the work.  I will make what I feel, when I feel it.  I hope you all will at least try to do something similar and not set yourself up for frantic production.....it ain't healthy I tell ya!

 

A few of my sugar skull designs...more to come!

AND, harkening back to my earlier post about custom work--I advise artists to not accept much of it during the holidays.  One more thing to add to the pressure???  No thanks. Do what makes you happy.  The end. 

So, I wish you all a productive and creative season.  Enjoy the changing scenery.  Watch the leaves change if you can.  Hell, jump in a pile of leaves the first opportunity you can.  Celebrate the changes and the beauty given to us by the Earth.  Be peaceful.  Close your eyes and just BREATHE.  Time is FLYING and we must capture the moments we can and hold them close--create something beautiful, unique and in our own voices.  Look at your hands and marvel at what you can make with them.  Don't waste time or effort on anything less than joyously YOURS.  Can't wait to see what you create......

What have I been up to you ask?

by Staci L. Smith

 

Well, the holidays are all but upon us, and to make it even sweeter, we got some nice snow this week in PA.

(aren't they so creative, I just love my little guys snowman)

 

The boys also built a fort, and it is REALLY good!

This is a shot from the side.  It is in the tree line.

 this is within the tree line, so you have to climb in to see the opening

 and this is a close up, you can see they hung their gear inside

 

I just love that they are each creative in their own way too!

 

I have been taking some time to play around a little more since my shows are done.  Both with family, and with creating things. 

 

You can read my blog here about these new prong settings I made.

front

back

  They were great practice for soldering, and I even made the larger links in the chain.  So I also got to buff and polish. 

 

I have been working on some mixed media art as well.  I carved some linoleum blocks and made some prints, as well as played with paint and other mixed media techniques.  I justify this, because some will be Christmas gifts !!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Seriously though, I really needed to take some time to play- because its how I learn.  It's how I process, and its how I discover new things too.

 

Now I need to play with some cold connections so I have something new for the blog hop on Monday!  I really hope you join us too!

 

 

Rings and Things recently sent me some samples to try out, and I think they KNEW we were having a cold connection blog hop coming up, because they sent me these............

 

Brass Blank Windows

 

I got one of each of the new designs (I think).  How perfect to add a picture between and rivet together, or make them into pins or pendants!!!!!  They have a bunch of great designs, already cut and ready to assemble.  Check them out here.  (I do not get any endorsement from them for this, I just thought they were perfect for our boot camp).

 

Sorry for the rambling, just wanted to let you all know how many directions my brain has been in this month!  At least things come out of that mess!  Whew!

 

How do you do the holidays' creatively?  Do you do handmade gifts, or just prep for shows?  Or both?  And do you hop to various mediums for gifts (like pull out all your creative juices?)