Neutral Green with Fuchsia Leaf Lariat Necklace

I forgot to post about this piece, it's already at the "Made in Michigan" Holiday Show at the Lansing Art Gallery, along with the rest of its matching earrings and bracelets. I decided I hadn't made a leaf lariat necklace in quite some time and I really enjoy this color group so it eventually came to be. I picked away at beading it in the evenings and finished it just before the show's drop off so I completely spaced on posting it to my blog until I ran into the photos. 

See this leaf lariat neckace at:

Reception: This Thurs. Nov. 9, 2023 from 5 - 8 PM

Holiday Webpage: https://lansingartgallery.org/2023-michigan-made-holiday-art-exhibition/

Facebook Event for the Opening Reception: https://fb.me/e/1pdOXENpb

Angle Color Block Bangle and Earrings

I was quarantined at home last week after spiking a fever and having to get the COVID-19 nose-swab. While I waited to get my results back to get back to work (they were negative) I had some time to flush out this bangle pattern.  I had pulled the brown and white beads aside months ago but I kept having mask orders come in so the beads and the idea were set aside. Between naps and watching all of the Star Wars movies in a row I got this bangle and earring set completed.

It's not perfect, the one end doesn’t quite line up like it should but I wore it one day and never noticed so it's not a huge bother.  This design translated to earrings easily and I am really happy with the set. 

I had decided I didn't want the earrings to be too ridiculously long. So I created the first pair without the brown bottom block.  My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to make a long version too. It turns out that I like the longer version so much that I'm keeping it in my at-home stock so I can wear them whenever I want.  The long earrings ended up being 3.25 inches from tip of earwire to the bottom of the earring. One of the reasons I'm really into long earrings right now is that they still stick out when you're wearing a mask all day. You could still see these despite my mask, beanie and pigtails at work yesterday. 

The bangle and shorter (2.75 inches) set of earrings went over to the Lansing Art Gallery today. You can shop online with the Lansing Art Gallery now and also make an appointment on their website to shop in-person. Make a shopping appointment HERE.  Gallery online shop is HERE. I also dropped of the 70's-inspired rainbow bangle and 2 of the earrings set today. 

Me wearing the extra-long ones, getting ready for work yesterday,

Small Deco Bangle

I took these photos a while ago and then things got crazy, so here's a quick blog post update.  This particular small deco bangle is currently at the Lansing Art Gallery for their 2018 Holiday Market.  I've been busy at work, with my house and dealing with stuff my parents are handing off to me as they downsize so I'm trying to slow down and deal with that.  I've been extremely overwhelmed lately and am trying to just take things one day at a time. 

If you follow me on social media you may have noticed a post about not making jewelry in 2019.  I'm backed up on my larger works/ideas and making small "affordable" pieces have been a creative time suck.  It's not what I want to be doing, so I'll still make jewelry, but pieces that I'm inspired to make, which will have higher price-points.  I will take small commissions on a case by case basis, but in the long run it's not worth it for me. 

I'm excited to be giving talks at 2 guilds in 2019 and 1 day and a half workshop with the Needlework and Textile Guild in May (which I believe is already full).  These next few weeks I'll also be working on proposals for Convergence in 2020.   i'll still do some pop-ups here and there and be supplying my current galleries, plus Crooked Tree Arts Center asked if I would show my jewelry there after having it at Sherri Smith's Retirement show "Woven Together."

Latest Color Set at the Lansing Art Gallery

I sold a number of pieces from this original set at the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Fiber Feast, but I did manage to make a shorter leaf necklace and a few other items to match the pink, gold and off whites that I had been working with.

The lariat necklace sold along with the cluster earrings (although I finished a new pair this week in these color palette also).  Pop over to the Lansing Art Gallery while the remaining pieces are still there!

3 Pairs of Beaded Earrings

I was inspired today to get a few smaller pair of earrings done for my Spring color grouping.  I started my day at Strange Matter Coffee.  I have been meaning to go there for a while and today was the prefect day.  I managed to run into 2 friends and made a new one who was working on her PHD at MSU.

Leaf Earrings with Orange Pearl accents $40.00

I have been meaning to get back to work and the pour over coffee at Strange Matter (and the atmosphere, and the music that I could relate to playing in the background softly) really helped.  I think I'm ready for my first jewelry swap for the Lansing Art Gallery.

Tiny Light Orange Open Pod Earrings with lime green accents  $35.00

Tiny Striped Pod Earrings $35.00

Jewelry Sets for Lansing Art Gallery

I just finished a few extra items to complete a set of jewelry that I'm taking over to the Lansing Art Gallery today.

Tiny St. Petersburg bracelet: $40.00, Ombre Peyote Stitch Bracelet $45.00

Above are the two bracelets I finished up this morning. I really love playing with the ombre style, the seed beads really lend themselves to the changing of color.

Below are the rest of the pieces I'm bringing over.  

Red Jewelry for Valentine's at Lansing Art Gallery

So I had a big long blog post about this set, and then I lost it trying to edit out something in the code. Lesson learned, Jenny can't play with code.

I did get this little red and gold set finished for the Lansing Art Gallery so they have red for Valentine's Day.  I very rarely wear true-red myself, and to be honest, this was a push for me to get inspired by red.  Usually if you ask me to make something red, you'll get more of a cranberry or wine color. 

I decided to mix this with dark gold tones for a softer feel.  The only other color I can think to put with red at the moment is black.  Sometimes black and red are a bit too abrasive for me.

So back to my focus in finishing some pieces for photographing and exhibiting.  Which, I'm stitching a lot of red that was missing from my Halloween costume.

"Wall" Bangle and more upcoming holiday events

 

 

This is my first attempt at something that I want to look like a stone or brick wall.  Although I like the design, it's not my desired "look", I think it looks more like camouflage blocks.  Which I am ok with.  I did fall absolutely in love with this matte silver/pewter base color while making this piece.  This color ended up cropping up in my next little checker bangle and earring set.

 

 



As much as I have been trying to make some more holiday-looking pieces, I've given up and am just going with the flow.  There's a new lariat leaf necklace in an interesting Fall-colored combination that is over at Grove Gallery for our Holiday Preview Night this Friday.  I'm also finishing up a few more pieces for that.

Lansing Art Gallery is getting a refresh of my jewelry on Friday and they are having their Holiday Open house on Tuesday, November 19th from 5:30-7:00pm.

The following weekend I will be at Washtenaw Community College for the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Holiday Sale. One day only, Saturday, November 16th, 2013. 10:00am-4:00pm

 

Are you ready for Holiday Sales? Because I think I'm getting there....

Gallery Representation

Recently Art Biz Blog did a post on "Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries" and there was a counterpoint on The Abundant Artist on "Why Artists Should Avoid Gallery Representation."  I posted a rather long comment on Art Big Blog (and a shorter one on The Abundant Artist) in support of Art Galleries and felt that I should do a post on why I love the galleries that are representing my work.

I bounced around to different states for a while after graduating art school.  I was working full-time and it was difficult to dig in and promote myself to galleries (or even have much stock), so the world of gallery representation is somewhat new to me in the past few years.

Grove Gallery
I landed here through some connections and applications.  I was part of the original group that was accepted into this Gallery/Artist's Cooperative.  It has been a long haul and we have shuffled members in and out and has been a great connection to the City of East Lansing.  Gaining understanding what it's like having a local walk-in style gallery has been an eye-opener for all of us.  Helping start up and run Grove Gallery has given me a huge appreciation for galleries and why we pay them a commission.

The major pros for Grove Gallery for me is that I am in there normally at least once a week.  I can move work in and out of there as I please.  I can even open it during closed hours by appointments or friend people in town visiting.  The flexibility is wonderful and also, I have been there for over 5 years now so my clientele knows where I am.

Lansing Art Gallery
I ended up working with Lansing Art Gallery through my application for the Individual Artist's Grant.  I have no idea why I was so nervous to contact LAG. The director is a pleasure to work with and her staff has been/are artists within the community.  Although this Gallery is a mere 4 miles away from Grove Gallery, it gets the downtown "lunch crowd" and is just plain easier for some of my customers to pop in and get a pair of earrings or bracelet while buzzing between meetings.

The quality of exhibits that Lansing Art Gallery brings in it fantastic and they do a wonderful job holding events and working with artists.  Their gallery shop is also filled with local art, of which everyone at the gallery can speak to or get in contact with the artist.  Through LAG I have held an artist's talk about my grant project which included a trunk show of my stock that I had on hand. They have also sent beading repairs my way for their customers and I am a go-to instructor for their Girl Scouts jewelry-badge class. 

Synchronicity
This gallery approached me via email in the fall last year for their 2013 season.  I was wary at first, but they had contacted me through my website saying that they were looking for Michigan artists and specifically what pieces they liked on my website.  They were excellent at communicating and I checked out their website and noticed that they did (or had) represented a few fiber artists that I know.  So I asked around and they sounded like a good gallery to work with.  Glen Arbor is a hot summer vacation spot for Michiganders and Synchronicity is only open for that season May-October.  I have never had my work in this area of the state before and I like that I'll have jewelry stock back in my hands just before holiday sales get rolling.

Upon driving up to deliver my work and meet the gallery owners in person, I walked in and had a flash back to some summer in middle or high school.  I had been in this gallery before with my family and I remember being impressed and really enjoying the work.  The owners were wonderful and we had a look around.  I recognized some other Lansing artist's work there and am honored to be represented with such a high quality of artwork.

Angelwood Gallery
I entered 3 of my pieces into a juried show called Fibers577 this year and all three were accepted.  The exhibition held at the 577 Foundation was only for a weekend, then the artists had the option to have their pieces move with the exhibit to Angelwood Gallery in Grand Rapids, OH.  The owner of the Angelwood Gallery sent out a very detailed email to all of the artists, keeping us informed as to how the transfer of work would go, exhibit details and she mentioned that it would still be set up with other artwork with a price point for moving sales.  I replied to her e-mail and offered that my beaded jewelry correlates to my 3-D work that would be in the show if she was interested I could send some more sell-able pieces along to her.

She was excited to have my work in her gallery via email and I did meet her at the private artist's reception for the Fibers577 show.  I love meeting business owners who know the area and are extremely professional.  The owner of Angelwood Gallery was on her game and I'm happy to be supplying my beadwork to her and plan on staying on as a jewelry artist with them.


As I typed out this blog, the most common theme for me being comfortable with working with any gallery or business is communication and organization.  I have had a few situations that were lacking in these qualities, so I make sure to ask as many questions as possible before signing on and expect all of my questions to be answered if they want to represent my artwork.  I also want to meet the owners and people selling my work, and it's fantastic that they're making it easy on me, by approaching me (I'm not as driven to set up meetings and schlep my work around, just to meet with someone who isn't interested or doesn't care to understand what I do).

I just swapped out some jewelry at the Lansing Art Gallery today with Sara.  She organizes a lot with the gallery shop and gave me back pieces that were older, and kept some pieces that people had recently been interested in potentially purchasing. All of these galleries put in a lot of work to display my pieces, connect with me and their other artists.  It's great to have my work out there for people to enjoy rather than sitting around at my studio, waiting for the next exhibit or booth.  My jewelry in particular is meant to be tried on, touched and sparkle under the light of a display cabinet, not sitting in my jewelry box at home.  I'm also happy to report that I received checks from 3 of these 4 galleries for June sales, which I think gives even more credit to the work that these galleries put in.

Spring Jewelry at the Lansing Art Gallery

I think that hell froze over because I've been making jewelry in pastels.  Actually, Hell, MI is probably still frozen, we're having the coldest March!

Maybe it's the overabundance of mint green that was in fashion last spring/summer and is coming back in full force, or I just need a change of pace.  So mint green, lime green, turquoise, lavender and off-whites have been my draw since I started in on making spring jewelry.

 

The above bangle was inspired by a shirt that I saw in the window at Pitaya while driving down Grand River last week. I made the bangle, and bought the shirt. 

 

 

Lavender and green swarovski pearl earrings

 

 

Mint green and off white swarovski pearl earrings

 

I dropped off the above three pieces along with a variety of pinks to the Lansing Art Gallery last week. They should be out by now, so take a look if you get the chance while your in downtown Lansing!

2012 Wrap Up

Wow. Just wow.
2012 has been an amazing year that I can't believe it's already over.  I still have so much to do! 

I have had a number of things happen in my art career:

Arts Council of Greater Lansing 2012 Individual Artist's Grant

"Bamboozled" Accepted into International Juried Show "Small Expressions 2012"
Long Beach Museum of Art, CA (and my trip to my very first Convergence)

Three pieces exhibited at the Michigan League of Handweavers Biennial Exhibit and awarded two honorable mentions

I gave my first Program with the Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan followed by a day and a half workshop.  Although I was a little nervous, it went smoothly, and I not only enjoyed myself, but I received so much positive feedback.

Michigan League of Handweavers Workshop Grant and the Chris Clark Fellowship Grant for the Tapestry Workshop I took with Rebecca Mezoff

Artist's Billboard (opportunity via the Arts Council Individual Artist's Grant)

I am officially represented by 2 galleries and 2013 I am adding a third:
Grove Gallery (jewelry and fiber art)
Lansing Art Gallery (jewelry)
coming for summer 2013: Synchronicity (jewelry)

And I have had a successful year of new projects and Commissions:

I made my first runway piece (garment instead of jewelry) for Fiber Feast with the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild

I feel that I had my first successful #eTextiles project design with the Pac Man Bangle (and am hoping to make a new #eTextiles bangle in 2013)

My first beaded sculpture piece is well on it's way: "Uprooted I" (and I just put a coat of walnut oil on the root-base last night)

"She can't see the Forest through the Trees" is probably more than 2/3rds finished (a leaf update will be coming soon, I have been sewing them together and it's turning out wonderfully)

And, as usual, I took the time to make an inspired Halloween Costume, including teaching myself some millinery, getting back to dying full-force, and reminding myself that conductive thread and LED's can be simple.


Looking through my blog this year, I have 21 more posts than 2011.  And I'm finally feeling that this year has been wildly successful after listing it out.  I have no real New Years resolutions beyond trying to be more organized and going bigger and better with my work. 

2011 was a lot about productivity (I recorded approximately how many pieces of jewelry I could make, per week and the total of those items per week), 2012 was all about moving my work from jewelry to experimenting with larger pieces to exhibit, 2013 will probably continue on the lines of my desire to exhibit more.  I will be working on the pieces floating around in my head and on sketchbooks that are beyond what people already expect from me.

I am excited.  Now, for this evening, we are racing lobsters and eating them with a small group of awesome friends.  I hope your New Years Eve is as eventful as ours is!

Sneak Peek: Holiday Jewelry for Lansing Art Gallery

Leafy Clasp Bracelet $85

 

I think I'm moving a million miles an hour this morning.  Laundry in, repaired shoes picked up, photos of all black/gunmetal jewelry taken, edited and uploaded to blog, pack things to work on at the Gallery today including, but not limited to: making invites, winding the next warp, blog update (check), make more leaves.... and it's only 12:30 in the afternoon.

 

I also had a lovely conversation on the phone with Liz who has been perusing my website for gifts and ideas.

Leafy Clasp Bracelet (closed)

 

The photos today are for a grouping that I have been working on for the Lansing Art Gallery for the upcoming holiday season.  I know we haven't hit Halloween yet (another thing on my to-do list, make my costume!), but I have a few shows coming up that I need to have stock for, on top of stock for both Grove and Lansing Art Gallery.

Three Leaf Hairclip $60

(back of hairclip)

 

I decided with Sara at LAG that my base for the Lansing Art Gallery will be black/gunmetal pieces.  I'm planning on accenting these with some blues and greens.  Currently, I'm about done looking at just the black gunmetal palette, so I need to switch gears and beads that I carry around with me.

Netting Bracelet with Glass Pear Accents $75.00

Cluster Earrings $75.00

 

Look for these pieces at the Lansing Art Gallery in late October/November!!

Daphne variation with dripping chandelier centerpiece $150.00

 

 

2 Leaf Pendant $45.00

 

2 Leaf Pendant (other side)

Forest Through the Trees, part 4, Weaving is off-loom!

There is nothing like weaving off the final portion of a piece and cutting it off the loom.  It's such a feeling of excitement as I have been wondering what the piece really looks like, as a whole, the entire time I'm weaving it.  The top photo is the side that I could not see while I was weaving, the bottom photo was what I was seeing portions of as I wove along. 

I am hoping I will have this all hemmed up to bring to the Trunk Show at the Lansing Art Gallery this Friday (7pm-9pm)

The above detail is the beaded edging that I will be sewing to the weaving.  Details as to why I'm doing the beaded edge are in THIS blog post.

http://www.lansingarts.org/
This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing