I'm going to start writing some stuff down. Maybe you will read it. Maybe you won't. Maybe it will be good. Maybe it will be terrible but it will be me at this moment and sometimes I just need something to look back at and remember.

I have a problem with sharing my thoughts. I am shy and reserved. Mostly quiet in the blogosphere but I want people to know who I am, I suppose. At least, in this moment in time I am not feeling inadequate with my social skills so I am going to share.

 I am a jewelry artist and I have recently switched gears. I usually focus on soft soldering with a soldering iron and use butterfly wings in a good portion of my soft soldered stuff. I want to begin to move away from that and go deeper into the metalwork.  I have been working with sterling silver and metal for a long time but have been basically afraid of them in general. Part of my fear is the cost in general and also I am totally self taught in this medium so techniques have to be trial and error for me which ends up being more costly due to fuck ups.

Another reason is that I'm afraid I'm not good enough for it. I'm afraid every time I make a piece someone will look at it and say that looks like so and so's stuff. It has been a very big fear of mine since I see so many other artists' nasty posts about copying. I just need to get this off of my chest, though. I touched upon it in a previous post but this one is personally about me. When other jewelers instill a fear of copying in others it just hinders their progression. It has for me. I want to ask those artists to think back about when they were learning if they ever re-created some example in a class or a work shop? It was part of the path though, that led you to where you are now. It was permissible in that class but as soon as you start selling your items and trying to learn your own style by trying techniques you are shunned. I look at jewelry a lot to try to figure out techniques. You may have learned those techniques in a jewelry class or years of college. I just have what is available here online. So I try things out. I'm sure you have too. But is it fair to put someone else down because this ring looks like that ring? It is fair to halt someone right in the middle of their journey? Is it your duty to do so? I know it hurts to be copied. I've been copied too. But it will never stop, especially if you are successful at your work.

I've recently worked through some of this turmoil about this that I've had within myself. I've decided to give myself permission to continue on with the metal work that I have been so afraid of but so in love with these past years. I've given myself permission to love what comes from my mind, my heart and my hands. I've decided that you won't stifle the creative thundering of my heart and my soul will be rooted in love. Love for myself. Love for the ones who are struggling along their own path, trying to figure out who they are. Love that is infused in every single piece that I make. I offer it to you unabashedly and wholeheartedly.

Wondering

I see it often. Artists that complain people are copying. I often wonder why they feel so self-righteous? Don't you know this is how people learn? They learn life lessons by copying. If you never copied you would never have learned how to talk or walk or write words. When you learned your craft don't tell me you didn't re-create works that were similar to others. Sometimes you still do. Why do you feel it is your duty though to deny these stepping stones to others? Why do you feel it is necessary to cut down others? An artist that is confident in their work will ignore all the others. Be humble and grateful for the love you receive without throwing others to the fire.

Also why do you think it is not ok for others to "copy" your work but you feel fine about suggesting that this work is yours by not crediting the artist? Isn't this a form of stealing? Please note that this post is not about the writer of the poem listed above but about others that want to steal words from her and profit from her words without giving credit or asking permission. Give credit where credit is due or find your own words to use.

It's a beautiful grey rainy day here. These kinds of days are like a comfort to me. I take solace in the darkened skies. The mist that descends upon the fields that I can see in the distance calms my heavy heart and soul. A confession here of some sorts: I am a very melancholy and introverted person. I love to be alone. I do not like to be the center of attention. I think that is why I have neglected this poor little blog of mine. Really I do try. But when I try I feel like I am trying to be someone I am not. I think this hinders my creative process. Right now I am stuck at a standstill. I recently moved and I am able to have my very own room upstairs to work in instead of  the basement and you would think I would have everything set up and be full of creative energy but when I think about it I just feel exhausted. It makes me quite sad but I feel better now having said it.

 In other lighter news, here is my new/old house. It's an American foursquare built in the early 1900's. Not exactly sure when but will research it at the local courthouse eventually. It does need some work here and there. I would like to restore it as much as I can. I want to re-do the kitchen, bathrooms and the hardwood floors. There is some awful texture that was applied to almost all of the walls that I want to sand off. I was told it was done due to the cracks and such that occur in the plaster of old houses like this. I would much prefer the cracks. Heck even missing plaster would be better than these awful walls. Of course I am happy that none of it is drywall with the exception of the finished attic. I love old houses and I am so happy to have found one that fits us.

Full Unfull

In the dark, the new moon 

 Unfull yet full at the same time

 Hidden from our gaze

But no less beautiful

This is the time the moon feels most like herself

When the sun does not reflect itself upon her

When the illuminating light does not press down upon her

This is when she truly feels free to shine with her own light

Shine bright new moon

In The Woods

 

I love the woods. The dark, rich earth beneath the fallen leaves. The small creatures that lurk beneath the rocks. The way the light sparkles through the trees. There's nothing like that filtered light in the woods. As I walk I try to find the tiny life hidden on the forest floor. I love unearthing and discovering the unseen. Millipedes and salamanders. Mushrooms and fungus. Moss and lichen. Solace and comfort. 

Wallflower

                                                                  Wallflower Necklace


                                                         I am a self-proclaimed wallflower.

This necklace is a celebration of the plain ones. The ones who observe. The ones who need not be in the spotlight. Those that are comfortable in their quietness. This one is for you.

Magazine Famous

 

Those are my star studs! 

Etsy asked if I would send them to the magazine for a gift guide feature they were working on with Health Magazine. I was thrilled to be picked and they did a great job photographing them. Thanks Etsy and Health Magazine!