tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70951937112524490772011-11-11T05:09:04.775-08:00silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-48961568146904576032011-08-15T05:12:00.000-07:002011-08-16T07:53:25.580-07:00

I am fortunate to have many quiet places to listen to my inner voice and process ideas and information. Summer offers nature as a help with this, and the dock on Slim is truly the best for me. As I read or write or just sit quietly, my Dad is often sitting right there with me. He has been a guiding force over the years - during his life and afterward. He was a perfectionist, a task master, a

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-47395010002103741462011-08-10T07:14:00.000-07:002011-08-10T07:14:54.382-07:00

Inherent capacity for growth and development. It's in every moment, every greeting... mistake, sketch, thought, session at the bench. Sometimes there is conscious recognition of this, but not always. It's imperative to be wide open, ready for possibilities. Today I am wide open!

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-36234864558294346532011-08-06T18:45:00.000-07:002011-08-06T18:45:26.510-07:00

Now that I'm writing my three pages every morning (well, almost every morning), ideas are springing all over the place. Ideas about life stuff, about jewelry, about drawing...nature, family, dog. Ideas keep coming. My excuse for not writing some mornings is that I already have too many ideas and not enough time to act on them. However since they are written down, there is no harm in storing them

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-88601628950365748842011-03-20T07:02:00.000-07:002011-03-20T07:02:55.729-07:00

Development time! New ways of setting stones into newly designed earrings for summer sales. New ways of cutting water designs into silver making an optical delight. Acid etching coming down the line with additional detail using stones. More interest on backs of pieces a must. Inventory, inventory. New ideas blowing in!

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-51081273994858541132010-10-29T15:14:00.001-07:002010-10-29T15:14:12.051-07:00

...Gonna start blogging again...

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-24730526476133668782010-02-19T05:17:00.000-08:002010-02-19T06:01:18.972-08:00

The desire to attract interest and target creativity to potential buyers is always present, but the desire and motivation to be artistic and true to the creative process, for me, is what it's about.I think we start our artistic path at point A, but never get to Z. The path is not straight, and it has many branches - some of which end, and others continue to branch out from the main stem. Whether

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-53536060657227572592010-01-05T09:32:00.000-08:002010-01-05T13:56:02.415-08:00

It has been a year of changes - creative growth, artistic collaboration, achieved goals, and new goal setting. There is no doubt that the studio has been a catalyst for me with my work ethic and and what can happen through daily collaboration and monthly meetings. The studio has become a place of calm and possibilities. I celebrate that!Presently, I am working on getting a body of work together

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-81256921045185927472009-11-16T14:27:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:09:08.708-08:00

I have finally entered into a VERY creative avenue! I am the happiest I have ever been making jewelry - for a couple of reasons. First, I am making individual pieces that are not necessarily designed to be reproduced over and over. This allows me to spend extra time at each step to ensure that the finished piece will be precise and accurate. Also, it opens up endless ideas for me regarding design

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-41550023740807976192009-09-13T16:32:00.000-07:002009-09-13T16:55:44.865-07:00

It seems that I have spent a lot of time seeking out my niche... or niches. Trying to combine interests, skills, and appeal can be challenging. Before I started selling my pieces, I simply made jewelry that I wanted to wear. I have been collecting jewelry since I was little, and own a lot of variety. Usually things I have made have been different, and represent things that I like ~ not

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-41806699828994100532009-08-11T05:59:00.000-07:002009-08-11T06:27:52.218-07:00

I am fond of some of my original thoughts about jewelry. They are designs that are part of me and will continue - either in their original form, or the beginning of another. A few of these will not change, as they are now a separate and complete entity - Vining Leaf, Keepsake Heart, and Ingots are a few of these designs.Moving forward will mean integrating some of the techniques I presently use,

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-68487705123362297372009-07-31T08:30:00.000-07:002009-07-31T08:45:28.893-07:00

Several things have happened in my studio since the beginning of the summer.First, I have noticed that I can get markedly better at the finishing of my pieces; details! I am developing a more critical eye for craftsmanship and can improve my work. This is an overall goal for all that I work on.Second, I absolutely need accurate gravers to do fine hand engraving. I have an order in for these, and

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-34857599319838835582009-07-14T19:00:00.001-07:002009-07-14T19:30:32.077-07:00

Cutting into wax is like cutting into butter... so easy and satisfying. The cuts in wax can be deep and angled easily. Cutting into metal takes a lot of pressure and does not go as deep.Direct cuts into metal or cast wax pieces provide reflective edges; the hand engraved cuts into metal are more exact and provide very shiny edges.The Ingot Pendants remind me of less polished and exact pieces -

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-44490956195505903922009-07-07T05:33:00.000-07:002009-07-07T06:13:14.062-07:00

This is an interesting moment in the creative process! Getting ready for a sale; pulling a body of work together to get feedback and to sell, involves a lot of pulling together of loose ends and polishing final details. It is an important moment and one which will help guide my next stretch of time in the studio.The Botanical Artworld is, and will continue to be, my focus. The design

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-66882734111809029212009-06-27T18:32:00.000-07:002009-07-03T04:53:26.841-07:00

Two more weeks until show time, and I'm winding down production of pieces. Today I took inventory, and will have a nice variety of things I think. After the festival I will continue to explore more chain ideas and variations on the Botanical Disks - Pendants and Earrings. The acid etching absolutely lends itself to botanical themes, and I love that process. I have started adding hand engraving to

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-77761156884157008722009-06-17T19:56:00.000-07:002009-06-19T04:17:06.319-07:00

Summer has just begun, and things are busy at the studio. Beth and I will be in the Hopkins Arts Festival on July 11 and 12, and we are readying not only our jewelry pieces, but everything that is involved with selling out of a tent... including the tent; signage, credit card machines, displays, etc., etc. This will be my first outdoor sale in years, and I am pumped!Along with my 'chain'

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-54792803947923292282009-05-24T16:31:00.001-07:002009-06-17T17:07:07.282-07:00

When my 'day job' ends early in June, I will have a new schedule to nail down.  Working in the studio is/has been free-floating up until now.  My goal is to head to the studio as if it were an expectation!  Just like a job.Summer will offer longer stretches of time to experiment and follow my creative activities... the chaining of one idea to another.  I am looking forward to this!The Hopkins

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-79553280203986207992009-04-28T15:57:00.001-07:002009-04-30T07:04:04.899-07:00

Originally I thought it would be great to etch a photograph into metal - a true likeness of a person or an animal.  A true likeness would be fantastic!  After researching jewelry pieces like this, I found that laser imaging would be optimal... an investment that would entail a total focus and commitment!  Etching with acid is lovely (especially for my botanical pieces), but not exact; it doesn't

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-53418122505727689182009-04-15T18:23:00.000-07:002009-04-15T18:58:04.454-07:00

Hand engraving is a traditional and specific technique of creating surface decoration in precious metal.  The tools, gravers, are made by the artist from steel which is then anchored in wooden handles.  The steel is shaped and honed at particular angles so that the precious metal can be cut then lifted from the surface.  While good and careful cutting is critical, the layout of design comprises

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-39130987489084604122009-04-04T09:04:00.000-07:002009-04-04T09:08:06.049-07:00

Sunday, May 10:  MOTHER'S DAY!I have placed my first Facebook Ad highlighting the Keepsake Heart Pendant for Mother's Day.  It will run for one week.  Let's see how this goes...

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-30822330457188295702009-03-07T11:33:00.000-08:002009-03-07T11:55:13.272-08:00

In the mid-80's, I decided I wanted to learn how to cast silver, because that was one class I had not had.  From there, I continued taking classes, and fell in love with the processes of casting and fabrication.Larry (bless his heart) gave up his woodworking shop in the basement so that I could work at home.  When my Dad visited once he noticed that I took Larry's grinder. He replaced his with a

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-48211553726645978112009-03-03T15:18:00.001-08:002009-03-03T21:07:37.098-08:00

New chain link bracelet - "Twigs Deco".  This is my second rendition of Twigs... perhaps a little more comfortable, and of substantial weight like Twigs.I guess that making chains is addicting.  I'm already halfway done making another take-off on this design; a neck chain.  It is made with smaller gauge sterling wire, and half the thickness.   Maybe one more "Twigs" design after that... then

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-48246434459800261552009-02-23T18:22:00.001-08:002009-02-23T18:24:55.145-08:00

These are very simple earrings that match the Twigs bracelet... but I think I will make them again and add a round, crystal bead. Perhaps they need a little bit of weight!

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-65390459271583991512009-02-20T14:34:00.000-08:002009-02-21T07:19:38.839-08:00

I don't know if it's strange or not to name my jewelry pieces, but it is one way to identify them.  The other day someone was talking about my botanical pendants, and I just wasn't sure which pieces until we agreed they were the "Botanical Ingots".So, I am beginning to make chains.  My goal is to come up with 10 original designs - including variations on a theme.  Here is my first one named "

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-43308029963141456052009-02-13T17:54:00.000-08:002009-02-13T18:49:43.659-08:00

I am interested in making chains.  The problems with chains - the challenges of making chains - have to do with how they move and function in space.  It is sometimes difficult for me to design a three dimensional object... to visualize how it will move.  An additional variable is how something will drape and lay on the body.For now, as I sketch and make aesthetic decisions, I am thinking of links

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-77142385681859812762009-02-03T15:44:00.001-08:002009-02-03T19:35:05.611-08:00

After learning how to hand engrave precious metal, I quickly discovered that the optimal surface to cut is flat in both directions.  I learned how to cut on the curve and a curve heading both directions, but it was stressful beyond words.  Thus, the seven-sided ring was born, providing seven opportunities to practice layout and improve cutting skills.I made this ring by first carving a

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-12397771040840647362009-02-01T06:58:00.000-08:002009-02-01T07:14:15.063-08:00

When I was young, my parents decided that we should travel instead of buying life insurance.  It was a gamble, but one that provided us with lasting memories and some world knowledge.... and, a life-long love of traveling.When I was eight we sailed to England on the Queen Elizabeth and sailed home on the Queen Mary.  I still remember swimming in the saltwater pool (for the cabin class travelers),

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-71896877495577054082009-01-19T16:50:00.001-08:002009-01-19T17:40:30.009-08:00

Three angel images I have chosen for the "Angel Tags" (pendants) were transferred from photographs and etched into sterling silver. These tags have fixed sterling chains with simple hooks.  Some of the halftones of the statues and the sky resulted in textures on the metal surfaces.  I included a sun/highlight on the tags and on my first image, in the middle, I included a botanical accent.

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-8418840625144065692009-01-17T16:54:00.000-08:002009-01-18T11:53:58.211-08:00

Last June I felt it was important to sit down and figure out what I wanted to accomplish at my bench.  In doing so, I came up with a list of things that I felt were important to me - a list of what I believe jewelry should and can be:Jewelry should be easy to wear, compliment the body, have a deeper significance beyond the first glance, should be loved by it's wearer.  Jewelry can reflect

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-73922699129882779202009-01-09T14:48:00.000-08:002009-01-09T17:52:07.250-08:00

For as long as I can remember, I have loved jewelry... looking at it, wearing it, buying it, and now making it. I believe the the best part of jewelry is the significance behind it.This silver pin was given to me by my Grandmother when I was 4 years old.  I walked around her house with it and lost it. I was crushed.  We hunted all over for it, and finally found it stepped into the inside doormat

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-62228104839660326352009-01-04T15:24:00.000-08:002009-01-04T16:41:19.751-08:00

Nothing much more fun than Friday at the studio...except maybe a Sunday - when we are all working.  Nice.  I am focused on figuring out PNP paper and photo transfer.  I think my main problem is making sure that the silver is super clean and slightly rough to accept the transfer.  I am interested in making an angel pendant...have wanted to for a long time.  I think that the etched figure is the

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095193711252449077.post-65378130294081150292009-01-02T18:58:00.000-08:002009-01-17T14:11:38.426-08:00

Here we go!  Welcome to Silverleaf In the Park Blog!  My plans are to talk about art and ideas about jewelry - with new design ideas!  Please offer feedback and suggestions!  Let's make this work!

silverleafdesignjewelry.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00363382495192567001noreply@blogger.com0