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Saturday February 13, 2010
 After a big push yesterday … thanks Tom for puppy-wrangling! … the necklace is DONE! I’m glad to have it finished. I hate deadlines hanging over my head and frankly, there were a few times there that I despaired whether I would ever get past the clasp and hinge!
Here it is laying and on a black background.
Light background and hanging. Clearly if I go into jewelry making I have to resolve my pitiful photo taking skills! For what it’s worth, the beads in the dangle are actually silver metal that have been tarnished so aren’t quite as black in real life. They look like magnetic beads. But they aren’t! The drop bead is vintage.
Detail of the handmade clasp, chain and added washer/bead combo (there’s got to be a name for this, yes?)
Blurry dangle detail. You can see the more silvery colour of the beads in this one.
Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the result of this experiment. Would I do it again? Likely I wouldn’t. Not this way at any rate. I have some other ideas for containment lockets but they don’t involve hearts! I think the shape is too ubiquitous to do poorly. (read: we all know what a heart locket is supposed to look like!) Perhaps reshaping the heart would work better? I don’t know. But I loved creating something small, something wearable, pushing my own limits and all the problem solving that needed to take place. A success in anyone’s estimation, I would think!
Thanks for visiting. Thanks for the comments and Good Luck to all those of you in the draw!
Check back on Monday for the randomly drawn winning name!
Thursday February 11, 2010
I have entered the embellishment stage of the necklace. The locket and surrounding “cage” being done. I still may age parts of this but the construction? DONE!
Initially I was going to do the entire thing in metal but after going through some options, I think a bit of red is in order. After all, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!
Onward…
I can’t believe I posted the wrong address to Nourish & Sustain. What a doof! Anyway, you can still check out the works and even bid on them online, if you’re so inclined. The correct address is: marylouzeekgallery.com and here’s the direct link while the show is on.
Below is a shot of some of the works. And if you direct your view to just above the word “comfort” you’ll see my piece “Teach a Man to Fish” (which is still available, I might add!).
Friday February 5, 2010
Or how a simple necklace/locket turns into a multi-day extravaganza on how NOT to make closures!
Oh. I know. It LOOKS innocent enough. All sweetness and bright coppery goodness. But don’t be fooled. As a quick glance at my work area can attest:
THAT is the mayhem that the so-called “innocent” locket created. And that’s just today’s flotsam and jetsam. Part of the problem is not having a soldering area in the house. Because frankly, I would’ve simplified the design with some well chosen joints had they been at my disposal. Still. I’ve learned TONS!
For example, when creating something that has to move, think about how it moves. Sounds like a no-brainer but there IS a reason there is a certain amount of play in things like hinges and doors. And if you need to keep something closed, figure out HOW before cutting, filing, sanding, attaching said something. (I’m still working on it!) And expect for the f*&(&#?!!ing thing to break when you really really REALLY don’t need it to. (like when you’ve FINALLY figured out how the hinge is going to work and it’s…almost…done. Yep. That’s when.) And though copper is really easy to manipulate, it might be just a bit TOO easy with this application.
After all is said and done though, I’m thrilled beyond reason with how this is turning out. And I can see some more jewelry making in my future. Maybe not lockets!
Tuesday February 2, 2010
I’ve said it before and I’ll likely say it again, assemblage is all about problem solving. And while my OWOH necklace isn’t an assemblage per se, the process is very similar. My initial attempt at creating the locket part of this piece has been met with all sorts of problems, not the least of which is figuring out how to get it closed and keep it closed. I’ve researched closures and the majority of heart lockets are hinged on one side with a resistance clasp (for want of a better read: proper technical term!) on the other. This would require very developed soldering skills. Which I definitely do not possess. And while, I plan on eventually being able to handle something like this, today is not that day.
So. How do I keep the locket closed?
Trust me, I’ve pondered every variation, been down every avenue including nuts & bolts – cool but I can’t count on my recipient wanting something quite so permanent – and finally settled on a cold connection solution. It won’t be as “closey” as the traditional method but it will be more fitting with the Steampunk direction I was looking for.
The downside with all this ruminating, researching, pondering is that most of my time has been brainside NOT worktableside. However, because of the changed closure I did have to refurb the heart.
Not a whole lot different but the direction is significant. And unfortunately, the next stage is going to be equally “thinky”. I try to keep positive realizing that with every false path, I learn a TON! Case in point: I am now a Wire Rivet Master!
On another note, am overwhelmed how many visitors have stopped by through the Magic Carpet Ride. If you scroll down and read this, welcome! I hope you enjoy what you see. 
Monday February 1, 2010
It’s that time again … 100 Artists Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.
Artist: “Nourish & Sustain” – 100 Artists Show
Show Date: Tuesday, February 2nd – Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Opening reception: First Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 5-7pm.
SALEM, ORE — For the 7th consecutive year, during the month of February, the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery will be presenting their annual 100 Artists Show. Benefiting the Marion-Polk Food Share, the theme of this year’s show is “Nourish & Sustain” and appropriately, the 100 participating artists were each sent a large empty food can through the mail and were asked to use this as their starting point for their piece of art. Each can was sent “as is”, and was not packaged or boxed, but rather processed directly by the postal service firsthand. The stamps and addresses on the cans remain a part of the artwork for identification and for evidence of the actual mailing. Each artist, starting with the exact same object, has had over three months to transform, build, infuse, reduce, paint or reinvent the can into their own unique work of art.
The exhibit will open on Tuesday, February 2nd at 10:00 am pacific time. The public will be invited to bid on their favorite artwork via a silent auction that will run through Friday, February 26th at 5:30 pm pacific time. Beginning bids are $50.00 with minimum increments of $5.00 and a maximum purchase price of $300. The entire show will be posted online at www.marylouzeekgallery.com. Bids can be made in person at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery or by calling 503-581-3229.
You really need to head over to the website and check out some of the amazing pieces that have been created with a tin can. I find it interesting that so many artists this year went with a folk art vibe. Does the raw material affect the end result? Seems so!
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