Retro Small Bangle and Earrings

I'm excited to say that I've put myself on the artist vendor list for Bridgefest in Lansing on June 21, 2018.  I haven't done any sort of outdoor tent/art fair sort of thing in years so I figured I'd dip my toes back into it to see how it feels. That being said, I'm trying to put together more stock that's $100 and under, which means smaller, more geometric bangles and lots of earrings. 

I think I pulled this black/white and teal mix due to the current color at the women's clothing store I work at.  The bangle above turned out very retro looking to me.  Like when MTV came out (back when it still played only music videos).  I didn't have cable growing up but it was still part of the pop-culture that surrounded me. 

You can purchase the bangle HERE.

I liked the bangle enough to put together matching earrings.

You can purchase the earrings HERE.

Tiny layering bangles are becoming a big focus for color play.  

(This is the MTV that I remember!)

Moving on.... I also got out my larger bead kit/case to start in on a bangle that I finished drafting last night.  I'm trying out ginkgo leaves, inspired by Rhea who owns Old Town General Store.  Another pop-up I'm doing is My Arts Night Out in Old Town Lansing on May 4, 2018.  We are a regular customer at OTGS and she's getting her artist line-up in early!  I know she's an amazing gardener and I asked what some of her favorite plants were, ginkgo was the first thing that came to mind, so I'm going to see about doing a few of "Reah's Favorites" for this show.

Netting and Leaf Bracelet Experiment

Placing beaded leaves within my netting bracelets has been rolling around in my head for a while.  Then one day, it just happened.  

It's a start, I'm not sure if I like it or not or if I like it as jewelry.  I'm thinking of using this idea/technique in small wall-art pieces.  I suppose we'll see what happens.  In the meantime, I love how it feels more lace-like, and the shadows that it casts. 

White Leaf Beaded Jewelry Set

Last year I ended up selling my white lariat leaf and cluster earrings to a lovely lady at an airport bar in Florida.  I learned from her that it's cheaper to drink on the airplane by ordering double shots of vodka at the bar and pouring them into a water bottle (I did not follow suit). Also that I should look into galleries in Florida but stick to white and pastels.  Which I do tend towards for spring. Maybe if I ever get my stock built up enough I will look into Florida galleries.

Now that I'm back to retail and working at White House Black Market, I was missing my white jewelry staples so I just finished this set.  1 Lariat Necklace, 1 pair of cluster earrings, a leaf bracelet and 2 smaller pairs of earrings. 

You'll be able to see them and try them on at Fiber Feast in April (unless you see me beforehand). I'm up for doing pop-ups around my oddball retail schedule.

Lois's tail was too photogenic to not post this one....

Leaf me Alone #1

This is the small version of a much larger draft.  I needed to get back to my passion of double-weave pick-up with a small piece after having exhausted myself with triple-weave pick-up.

Detail of beaded edging

I really am enjoying doing some smaller pieces so I might stick to those before warping my loom for the massive plan I have for this particular series.  I have been making so much jewelry I forgot how good it feels to play with extra warp on double-weave.

"Leaf me Alone" was started as a thought process when I was married and miserable, but in general, I need a lot of alone time.  I don't mind (and sometimes prefer) doing things alone, skiing, dancing, concerts. I was lost in the woods a few times on my Porkies Residency, and the leaf cover was always so comforting.  Loneliness is important for me, I suppose it's like meditation. I feel very fortunate to have found someone to share my home with who feels similarly.  We do things together, but we don't need to.  So the Leaf me Alone series looks like it will continue popping up in the next group of smaller weavings (and by small I mean, approximately 15in x 10in).