Back to Kindergarten, Together.

I read all the time about how one's blog should teach. Maybe give a lesson; a "how-to". Hmmm. I could do that and will in the future, but right now I'm going back to school myself, and play in the mud. Sales were good last month, so I splurged on that new piece of equipment I've had on the Wish List for the past year. I bought a kiln. I took delivery this week of my new Paragon SC-3 electric kiln with programmable controller. It sits like a trophy in my back studio, as yet unplugged since I need a dedicated circuit and the electrician hasn't been here. My first projects will certainly be silver polymer metal clay(PMC) because I want to make my own findings. From there I'll go into gold PMC, probably enamelling and hopefully lost wax casting, eventually.

Here are the opening facts:

This kiln is 13.3W x 14D x 17H outer dimensions, with the inner cavity 7.75W x 8D x 7.75H. This larger cavity was the main reason I selected the SC-3 rather than the SC-2 which was about $60 less, but two inches shorter in height. After doing some research I believe I can stack shelves to allow more product in each firing. (Electricity ain't cheap.) It was shipped with one soft fiber shelf to lay on the floor of the kiln to nestle the PMC object in for firing. I will have to purchase additional shelves and risers, which I understand can be heat sponges. This will require some experimentation to keep the heat up to the required temperature. Perhaps the kiln does this on its own, I don't know yet. The maximum temperature listed is 2000F, but the model with the window in the door is the one I bought to keep an eye on enamels, which limits the max temp to 1700F. It came with a Sentry Digital 3-key Control which can be programmed to heat and cool in whatever sequence I choose. The weight is 39 pounds and can be moved pretty easily. I does require a 12gauge wire on a dedicated circuit, with a #20 breaker, which explains the need for an electrician. And did I mention? It is very bright blue. After spending a week online researching price plus shipping, I finally purchased it from http://www.kilndr.com for a total of $684 including shipping. It shipped by Fedex directly from Paragon.

The big surprise is the interest my husband is taking in the idea. While I have had some instruction in PMC using a kitchen torch, he has none. But he wants to try it, so we are going to take some lessons at a local teaching art studio as our "togetherness project" for the year. Gearing up for making PMC components will be an adventure for me, and watching what my DH comes up with will be fun. As this event continues, I will write about our progress and review the equipment, note the additional supplies needed, talk about our successes and failures and provide some information for anyone else out there contemplating this splurge.

More will come as the adventure continues.

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Today's Mini Mention - Made by Swirly Girl

The Motivation of a Speech - Heifer International Donations

I had been looking for some time, for an avenue to "pay back" the good fortune in my life (and there has been plenty). This has flummoxed me until now. Last week I was linked to a YouTube video speech by Seth Godin that finally hit that nerve, and I was inspired to combine two of my great interests into one. But first, I think you should see what I saw:


That did it. Now, I frankly don't know how to start a movement combining jewelry and uplifting the lives of economically stressed people. They don't need earrings. What I had to do was find the best vehicle for enabling my idea, and my choice became Heifer International.

I have been aware of Heifer for nearly 10 years, since a portrait customer of mine who was active with Heifer asked me to donate a drawing to a Heifer International fund raiser. I learned about their programs to teach families, and whole communities, how to impact their lives by breeding animals and then sharing the offspring with their neighbors. To quote them: "In FY2008, Heifer had 869 active projects in 53 countries/provinces and 27 U.S. states. Heifer projects around the world help families achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training. Gifts are passed from recipient to recipient until entire communities are transformed". I'm not a very political person; not an activist, not a marcher. But I don't want to send my step-sons or their children to fight anywhere, and I believe well-fed, productive people of any culture and religion cherish peace. So, Heifer is my choice.

Starting now, 5% of the purchase price (not profits, but the whole purchase amount less tax and shipping, if added) of any piece of my jewelry sold, will be donated in the purchaser's name to this good cause. You might ask if I'm raising my prices to cover this cost, and the answer is no. This will be coming from me. My life has been blessed, and it's the least I can do. All three of my shops are participating throughout 2009.

jbEbert on Etsy
jbEbert at 1000Markets
jbEbert on ArtFire

If you are a shopowner, join me. Choose the amount you decide to donate. Tell your friends and other shop owners. Tell your customers. Let's make an impact.

Learn more about Heifer here:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.2665753/

Follow Heifer on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Heifer

Oh So Clever! - Artisan Finds

When I see a clever artisan who makes me say "I love that" or "how Clever!", I want to share it with others. This is the first in an on-going series of Oh So Clever! posts. Wherever I find them, I will include a link so you can find them, too.

This first item is a creation of Celapiu, from Cracow, Poland.



This is a summer version of Celapiu's Foks. It is slightly shorter than the winter model and is made from fine cotton yarn. The colour is Dusty Lilac. This can come in long version (pictured) or short one. You can wear it as a stylish and original shawl during cool summer evenings. Cotton will feel great against your skin even when it gets really warm! Foks is a unique and original Celapiu design. It is a handcrafted fox-shaped scarf, a playful accessory and pro-eco manifesto at the same time. Fokses come in two different lengths: this long one has a 3-D stuffed head & paws and can be worn in many different ways including a shawl, wrap-around warmer or a stole.Please convo me, if you would like this Summer Foks in a different colour.

*This Foks is made to order. Please allow about 2 weeks before shipping.



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24451792

Garland - Lemon quartz, sapphire, fire opal bracelet

... he often plucks flowers by the wayside and ties them in knots and garlands like little children and lays out on a sunny morning
--- WB Yeats




Another in the Satsuma series, this bracelet blooms with an antique Satsuma peony button held in a wreath of sparkling pink faceted songea sapphires. Next to the carnelian bedecked vermeil clasp, this focal blossom is meant to rest on the wristbone. Across the top of the strand are sprightly clusters of green-gold quartz, mystic lemon quartz, fire opal, rhodocrusite, vermeil berries and dozens of tiny faceted songea sapphire rounds all on fine vermeil ballhead pins. They alternate with smooth, bright, oval pebbles of lemon quartz. The underside of the bracelet is counterweighted with a drop of green-gold quartz faceted in a twist. Not shown in the photo, this bracelet includes a fine gold security chain, allowing it to be easily slipped on the wrist.

Vermeil is sterling silver with a heavy coating of gold. It wears very well and will give you years of pleasure in this fine piece. It should be maintained as you would sterling silver. This bracelet arrives with a special tarnish-fighting insert. Full care instructions will be provided.

Bracelet length: 7.5” (19.1 cm)
Length can be adjusted to your preference. Just ask!
All pieces are signed by the artist.

http://www.1000markets.com/products/61758

Hydrangea - Tanzanite, pearl, spinel spiral woven bracelet

The inspiration for this piece was a memory. A stroll thorough the Morton Arboretum west of Chicago sent me on a path directly before this magical blue bush. I was mesmerized. And the recollection of that moment motivated me to create this bracelet.

The center portion is a spiral woven rope of tanzanite chips studded with tiny silver buds and pale, pale pink and blue seed pearls interspersed with little spinel chips on curly pins. Placed through these are keshi pearl panicles. Toward the leafy toggle are creamy pearls and chunky pink and blue mystic quartz that punctuate each section. The sterling toggle is counterweighted with a pink mystic quartz drop. The hydrangea reference is obvious, but this would also be the perfect July 4th and denim accessory.

Sterling silver is easy to care for. Your jewelry will arrive with a special tarnish-fighting insert. Full care instructions will be provided

Bracelet length: 8” (20.3 cm)
Length can be adjusted to your preference. Just ask!
All pieces are signed by the artist.


http://www.1000markets.com/products/61548

Haiku - Moonstone and iolite bracelet

Beyond paper walls
Voices of Geishas
Whisper
About the bright moon
--- Basho

A tiny antique Satsuma button centers this gemstone poem. The traditional cobalt blue underglaze of the 19th century porcelain echoes the luxurious cluster of iolite rondels and briolettes of iolite and kyanite. Tiny golden pearls poised on curly pins remark after the vermeil findings. As if to bring this fantasy back to earth, the bracelet turns to a regimented line of glowing moonstones and iolite. The vermeil box clasp is set with a faceted iolite gem. The fixed security chain opens the bracelet to allow easy slip-on and provides the perfect vehicle for the counterweight; a breathtakingly perfect moonstone drop with ethereal glow. All together perfect.

Vermeil is sterling silver with a heavy coating of gold. It wears very well and will give you years of pleasure in this fine piece. It should be maintained as you would sterling silver. This bracelet arrives with a special tarnish-fighting insert. Full care instructions will be provided.

Bracelet length: 8” (20.3 cm)
Length can be adjusted to your preference. Just ask!
All pieces are signed by the artist.

http://www.1000markets.com/products/61549

From The New Romantic at 1000Markets - Gala Opening

The doors of The New Romantic Market are officially open for business. To celebrate our opening, we're creating works of art and artisanal items that are inspired by the photography portraiture of Adrian Villeta. See some examples here:
www.1000markets.com/blog_posts/6974

Original watercolor - "Shadows of the Past" - by Mary Ellen Golden. Visit her shop: http://www.1000markets.com/products/57830.

To add to our celebration, we've invited 1000 Markets CEO, Matt Trifiro to judge our Inspiration Artwork. He will select the piece of Villeta inspired art that best captures Adrian's elegant romantic style. The artist whose work is selected will receive a recognition gift, provided by 1000 Markets store, le enchantement.
____________________________________________________________
You're invited to join The New Romantic Market artists

June 2nd at 7pm (cst) here:

www.1000markets.com/forums/444

for a live online opening party and announcement of the Villeta Inspirations winner.

Join our party, raise a glass of bubbly and help us cut the 'opening our doors for business' ribbon.
____________________________________________________________
See the 'Villeta Inspirations' entries here:
www.1000markets.com/groups/newromantic/collections/10013.
Be sure to check back as the entries continue to come in and join us for the winner announcement on June 2nd.

Adding other senses to a visual medium

For me, and many others I suspect, it is the "touch and feel" of shopping that provides a large slice of the enjoyment involved. But, I have given up the brick and mortar shop for the online version. This commitment means I'm limited to the sense of sight to entice my visitors to give my not-so-inexpensive offerings a try. True, any customer can return their purchase for any reason per my "on approval" policy, which gives them the touch and feel they require, but it's that action at the "buy" button that is the test. Without the atmospheric benefits of fragrant bouquets and cups of coffee at the ready with buttery madeleines, a hint of Andrea Bocelli in the background, the total experience is down to color, shape, sparkle, and balance in design. Maybe that's fair. After all, the shopper won't be taking Andrea home with them.

How to pass on the meaning of the design? Where can I convey how that intense blue apatite stone haunted me until I remembered the Vermeer painting hanging in The Hague? It rests on words and photographs. The words, hopefully, describe the inspiration and, necessarily, the more mundane materials and construction. But before one gets to words, the picture has to pull them closer. My husband is my photographer, and he has a real knack for it. They are crisp, bright, and show every tiny detail. But our choice of a plain background doesn't allow for any "styling" to catch the eye. Now, I've added an inspiration strip along the left side to imply the other senses omitted in the dry photo of the product alone. My hope is that they bring back the full memory of the places and objects that focused my attention on those particular gems.
PS: Don't miss the grand opening of The New Romantic market gala online party, June 2 at 7pm CST. Read more here: http://www.1000markets.com/groups/newromantic/blog_posts/7030

Guest blogger - Shery Jespersen

I am reprinting with permission, part of an email I received from a fellow jewelry artist at 1000markets.com. Her take on creating her craft just grabbed me by the throat with its wisdom and enthusiasm. I needed reminding of that. Maybe you do, too. Here is her take on making her art-

“… Think outside your box. Think outside what you personally like. Don't 'type cast' yourself as an artisan...or at least don't get stuck in one place. There is an old western saying, "Throw your head back and let the panther scream." That is where your best work is born. Yes, sometimes you'll produce something that fizzles your confidence. Do you think Mozart never crumpled a piece of paper or Monet never threw his hands up in frustration?
Mix it up, walk on the wild side with colors and textures. Double dog dare themes to intermingle. Look out the window at Nature, follow color or make it go somewhere people would least expect. Originality is a very hard thing to come by. You don't have to go beyond what you really are and that is the beauty of it. Sometimes a most ingenious idea comes into being by using part of idea you see somewhere else...then add your own special spin.
The only true Original is God himself. The best any of the rest of us can hope for is to put our heart & soul into what we create from materials provided by the greatest artist of all time.
As I have gotten older, I've found the secret to happiness. Very simple really, be the best me I can be. It is my only real hope for success. No one can be better at being me. There's no competition, so that gives me a huge edge. Granted, there are days when Life beats you down, but just get back up and be You all over again. The real struggle is trying fit into someone else's soul clothes. You can never make that work for very long.
Your best hope of creating delightful work that is also marketable is this: 'To thine own self be true." YOU are an original and that is your truest secret weapon. You don't really have to go outward for the best ideas...Go inward. Like the ocean, we are largely unexplored and undiscovered. Git yer flippers on and go for a swim in your own deep end.”
Shery Jespersen - Reata Rose Ranch, Wyoming

Click here to visit Shery’s shop: http://www.ReataRoseRanch.1000markets.com

Guest Blogger - tatteredrouge

Dear Mama,
Not a day goes by that I don't in some way recall, reflect upon or return to the guidance of your wise words and life lessons.
As an adult woman, I now understand why you always had a stash of sweet dark chocolate tucked away in the back of the kitchen towel drawer. I too keep a stash reserved for those days when only eating chocolate will alleviate the hormonal ups and downs.
I can now appreciate your words describing the importance of keeping great grandmama's old fashioned pink rose alive. You did this by handing freshly dug rose runners to your daughters and granddaughters. Each year in early June, I clip rose blossoms from the large grown bush starts you gave to me so many years ago. Their rich spicy scent brings back multitudes of treasured childhood memories and I now give those new rose bush starts to my grandbabies.
Why you regularly baked fresh peanut butter cookies or bread from scratch is no longer a mystery to me. You knew the importance of greeting the end of the day, home returning of your children and husband with the aroma of freshly baked goodies. You knew about the little things that would keep your family returning for more of Mother's love.
I now understand that when a woman is 50 years or older, she is not delusional or out of touch, in anyway. She's actually joined the ranks of the wise women of the planet. She has earned the right to do, say, be whatever she chooses. She has paid enough life dues to have the choice to reserve her opinion or share her opinion and to pay the good forward.
Thank you, dear Mama, for understanding the things I could not say.
Thank you for always bringing a cool wet cloth to wipe the scrapes and take my tears away.
Thank you for telling me to be the very best I can be.
Thank you for giving me wings and setting me free.
Dearest Mother...without all of your shared wisdom and love, my life today would be so much less.

To visit the tatteredrouge blog, click here: http://www.tatteredrouge.blogspot.com/ or to the New Romantic Market on 1000Markets.com:

http://www.1000markets.com/groups/newromantic