Getting inspired for the New Year

Welcome to my newly organized work room...

Happy 2012!   I find my self looking ahead to an exciting year–new creations to be made, new techniques to be learned.  Last year I made a list of all the jobs I do–about 11 came up.  Have I farmed out anything?  Not really!  But I’ve learned to be more forgiving and more organized.  I recently moved out of my work room, and then back in after removing old carpet and painting the walls, and having the floors sanded.  Next time I’ll remember not to schedule floor sanding in the fall!

the PMC area, and cat window

I recently received an annual report from WordPress, in 2011 I made 18 new posts to my blog, uploaded 40 new pictures.  I have the intention to blog more, hopefully I’ll be more organized to do that.  My new year’s resolution is to manage my time better!  I look forward to making a trip to Tucson this winter and I hope to travel to the PMC Conference in June.  And this is the time of year to look at summer art festival schedules and make sure I know when the deadlines are.

a few cats hanging out

Last year I wanted to add more color to my work–I succeeded in setting quite a few stones.  I also did some mixed metals, a bit of enameling.  This year I want to do more with color–and try new things.

Thanks to Ikea and my handyman, Paul, new shelves in the bead area

That was a trip around my work space, newly decorated and still in progress.  Curtains yet to be hung.  The new IKEA was a big help with my new desk tops, cardboard organizers, bookcase.  I found a great space for this painting by Julie Puma from 2002, Grandma Rachel’s desk, and the cat tree was last to fit in.

back to my desk and calendars

painting by Julie Puma, famous artist & teacher

And a few finds from my travels to Cedarburg, and Columbus.  (Wisconsin & Ohio that is)

yes, it does

how I felt at the end of this season!

Creator Mundi, Cherry Creek North

New pearls, the right one is sold

My work has been featured at Creator Mundi in Cherry Creek North for quite a few years.  It’s a wonderful gallery of sacred art and gifts.  If you need a card for someone special, a book about faith or meditation, a Hanukkah gift, a nice piece of jewelry, it is the place.  And they have parking off the alley behind the store, which is a bonus in Cherry Creek.  I dropped off some new pieces yesterday, so if you need a last minute gift–stop in there.

The Foothills Holiday Art Market in Golden, will run through December 30th. I took some new pieces there as well.  They have tons of small handmade gifts, for your kid, your dog, your Grandmother, or your honey.  There is an amazing array of artful things.

I was thinking recently of giving and gratitude, and I’ll share a few of my musings.  Thank someone.   Tell someone they inspire you. Tell someone they are special to you.  Listen closely without interrupting.  Be thankful for your gifts in life, for your family, for your friends, for your health.  Never take things for granted.  Dare to be creative, dare to make something truly original.  And lastly, enjoy the holidays with the ones you love!

Arvada Center’s 25th Annual Fine Art Market Show & Sale

Arvada Center

This Thursday is the opening for the Arvada Center’s Fine Art Market.  Here’s a description from their Facebook page:

The Art Market is designed to be an exhibition and sale of fine contemporary art created by Colorado artists. This sale and exhibition credits its popularity and success to the more than 100 Colorado artists who participate in the event each year. Our patrons look forward to this exciting sale and exhibition because of the excellent quality and unique selection of original artwork.

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 8, 2011, 5:00-9:00 p.m., Free
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

There are a number of fabulous jewelers there, myself included this year, so please come and have a look, also great pottery, and art, art, art!

Holiday Open House this weekend

new pieces ready for Holiday Show

Here’s the rest of my schedule, including a show this Friday at Craig Hospital:

Craig Hospital “Ye Olde Craft Fair”

benefiting the Craig Hospital Employee Emergency Fund

Friday, December 2: 7am – 4pm

3425 S Clarkson, in the Craig Hospital Gym

Candice’s Open House

Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4

11 am – 4 pm

382 Cherry St, Denver CO 80220

Arvada Center Fine Art Market, Show & Sale

Opening Reception, Thursday, December 8: 5pm – 9pm,

then ongoing from December 9-18

Arvada Center

My fingers are already cracking and winter has just begun–I’m ready to do the super glue trick to seal up the crack, it has worked in the past.  I’m also at my torch making beads for the appetizer serving pieces I sell.

I’ll also have a few new things at the Evergreen Gallery before the holidays.  Other places you can find my work are Baby Doe’s Clothing in Golden, Heart of Oneness, in Golden, Foothills Art Center through the end of December.  And in Denver, Creator Mundi in Cherry Creek North has a nice selection and Barbara and Company on South Gaylord.

Back to work before it gets cold again!

My Fall Show Schedule (revised)

Opening this Friday November 18th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm

Here are all the upcoming shows where you can find my work starting this Friday evening at the Foothills Art Center in Golden:

Holiday Art Market, Foothills Art Center, Golden, Colorado

Opening Reception, Friday, November 18: 5:30pm – 8:00pm, and then ongoing November 19 – December 30

Holiday Boutique, featuring 5 designers

Saturday, November 19: 10am – 3pm

1120 Hudson Street Denver, CO 80220

Sami Hazan’s Open House

Sunday, November 19: 11am -4pm

7405 S Kenyon Street, Denver CO

Craig Hospital “Ye Olde Craft Fair”

benefiting the Craig Hospital Employee Emergency Fund

Friday, December 2: 7am – 4pm

3425 S Clarkson, in the Craig Hospital Gym

Candice’s Open House

Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4: 11am – 4pm

382 Cherry St, Denver Co 80220

Arvada Center Fine Art Market, Show & Sale

Opening Reception, Thursday, December 8: 5pm – 9pm, then ongoing from December 9-18

Arvada Center

Saturday fun!

Beckons Organic Yoga Clothing

This Saturday, stop by Becky Prater’s home on 1120 Hudson, for some holiday shopping.  She makes a line of comfy yoga clothes, I will have my latest jewelry there, and 3 other designers will be featured.  If you can’t make it there, on Sunday, near Tamarac mall, I will be showing my jewelry at Sami Hazan’s home.  Hope to see you there!

Holiday Boutique this weekend

Featuring 5 artists will take place on Saturday November 19th at Becky Prater’s house.  I will be showing my jewelry, also: Becky‘s amazing yoga clothing line;  Annie Waterman’s accessories including Peruvian belts & bags; Chanda Thomsen’s crochet creations and Randall Sampson’s clay sculpture.  Join us from 10 am to 3 pm at 1120 Hudson Street.

And on Sunday, my good friend, Sami Hazan will have an Open House from 11 am to 4 pm, featuring my jewelry.  Near the Tamarac Mall, at 7405 East Kenyon St.  Stop by to nosh & catch up and see my new work.

My fall schedule so far

a few new earrings, some in bronze, silver, steel

I had a really nice batch of bronze earrings turn out, pictured here on an earring stand.  Also the steel hoops, and some silver as well.

We had a great weekend at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  Despite the rain on Saturday, we saw a good turn out.

Here’s is a partial list of shows where I’ll be showing my work:

Colorado Potters Show & Sale, First Congegrational Church

Thursday, November 3: 4pm – 8pm

Friday, November 4: 9am – 8pm

Saturday, November 5: 9am – 5pm

Holiday Art Market, Foothills Art Center, Golden, Colorado

Opening Reception, Friday, November 18: 5:30pm – 8:00pm

ongoing November 19 – December 30

Stop in and get some of your holiday shopping out of the way.  I can’t believe it’s about that time, but the leaves are falling, and it’s getting colder.  The space heater is on in my studio.

Jewelry at the Gardens show this weekend!

this weekend, at DBG

I will be participating in this wonderful show this weekend, along with 24 other jewelers.  The Denver Botanic Gardens in conjunction with the Colorado Metalsmithing Association will be hosting. Friday evening is a reception which starts at 6pm, and goes to 9pm.  Saturday the hours are 9am – 5pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm.  I am working on a bounty of new pieces.  Stop by and see all my new pearls, stones and other cool pieces.

Workshop with the Artists’ nook

Ode to Robert & Tony

I took a fun workshop through “The Artists’ Nook” in Fort Collins yesterday with Richard Salley.  It was called “The Over-the-top Hinged Bracelet” class–what fun to spend the day with old and new friends and an amazing teacher/artist!   Thanks to Christine for offering this class.  I had a bead I bought from Tony Blackwell that served as the focal, and under that I used some “faux bone” from Robert Dancik.  And with Richard’s help, we constructed the cuff, and made the hinge with cold connections.  I learned a ton, and was inspired by all the talented artists who attended the class.  I’ve had the faux bone for a few years, and the focal bead, it was a good challenge to get the two to work together.  My other challenge today was to set up my photo area in my garagio studio, in hopes that I shoot more photos of new work.  This shot was the second batch.  The fun with using a digital camera, is running back and forth to my desk in the “bead room” to look at the photos on my computer, going back to revise the set up for a better shot.

I added links to all the above mentioned names, The Artists’ Nook has lots of classes upcoming, one in fact with Robert Dancik coming soon in October.  She also offers lots of journaling workshops, a great way to express yourself.  Subscribe to their e-mail notification for notices about upcoming workshops.

Back to work, my head is swimming with new ideas–focus, focus!