Featured in blog... 18kt

Several of my designs were featured on 18kt! It is a contemporary jewelery blog based out of Spain which highlights jewelry news and designers from all over the world. This is a great honor for me because I am such a fan of this visually stimulating blog! Thanks, masaoms!

Metalsmith's Exhibition in Print

Everyone else is talking about it, so I may as well jump on the bandwagon...

"Metalsmith EIP, Another Diaster?" is a recent discussion on Ganoskin's Orchid forum concerning the recently published Metalsmith Exhibition in Print "Equilibrium: Body as Site". It has been a heated debate concerning not only this issue of the magazine but the state of SNAG as a metals organization.

My first impression when the magazine arrived in my mailbox was "UGH!" I thumbed through the pages quickly and set the magazine down in mild disgust. A few days past before I picked it up again. After I recovered from my initial disappointment and really looked at the magazine, my feelings changed. I have accepted the fact that this is an exhibition...and as an exhibition the concept "Body as Site" is intriguing and very well curated. This exhibition blurs the line between sculpture, performance art and wearable object...actually many of the pieces step over the line. Meaning, they are sculpture or performance art NOT wearable object. With that said, Am I fond of all the work in this exhibition? No...but I do like many of them and I don't have to like all of the items to believe that the exhibition is successful.

"Farthingale" by Jesse Mathes

(one of the pieces I did like!)

The question is (as debated on Ganoskin's Orchid forum): Does sculpture and performance art belong in a periodical (entitled "Metalsmith: Jewelry * Design * Metal Arts") that is published by a membership driven organization (entitled "Society of North American Goldsmiths")? My opinion is: Yes...as long as the organization, it's programs and it's publications honestly represent it's members on a regular basis. I think it is healthy for the organization to have an exhibition which allows the viewers to see something new and look at things in a new way...even if it upsets them.

The next question is: Do the members of SNAG believe the organization, it's programs and it's publications honestly represent them regular basis? According to the discussion on Ganoskin's Orchid forum, many DO NOT. And I have to admit, that I let my membership to SNAG drop several years ago because I felt unrepresented. With that said, my husband still is a member and believes strongly in the organization, so Metalsmith is always in my home.

This is the statement you will find on SNAG's website: "Who is SNAG? The Society of North American Goldsmiths stands for passion, innovation and excellence in jewelry, design and metalsmithing. SNAG creates community, professional connections, and the unfettered exchange of information." And this is the statement you will find on the editor's page of every Metalsmith magazine: "Metalsmith's mission is to document, analyze, and promote excellence in jewelry and metalworking" Perhaps with these lively Orchid debates and SNAG's current financial crisis, they will listen to their members (and X-members) concerns/needs and try something new and look at things in a new way...even if it upsets them.

Featured in blog... Pfeiffer Photos

Tina Pfeiffer recently contacted me to let me know that she featured me on her blog, Pfeiffer Photos. She had kind words for my work and showcased it by embedding my Trunkt portfolio. I knew this could be done, but I've never tried it. It looks GREAT...check it out! I can't wait to play around with this widget!

Check out Pfeiffer Photos on etsy. I especially like their graphic compositions of everyday objects, like these:

Carts by Pfeiffer Photos

Rental Skates by Pfeiffer Photos

I've been searched!

A quick Friday post...When we went to Ireland for our silversmithing workshop, we took a bunch of copper, sterling silver, solder and jeweler's sawblades---packed it in our checked baggage and crossed our fingers. Not to our surprise, they searched our bags and left us this nice tape to let us know...

New Rings...

I was going to continue my silversmithing workshop posts today---but I decided I would continue that series next week. In the meantime, here is a new ring I've recently made...

INTERLOCKING CIRCLES

the small circles freely rotates...great for fidgeting!

This ring is now for sale in my Etsy shop...see it here.

Results of the silversmithing workshop #2

Yesterday, I shared with you the first lesson of Brian Clarke's silversmithing workshop - sinking. Today, I will show the the second exercise:

CRIMP RAISING

Brian shows me how to make the crimps

Brian demonstrates raising on a oval stake with a nylon mallet

Ben and I give it a try...

This is what it looks like after a few courses of raising...not very pretty...

...but this is what it looks like when it is finished! Lovely!

Tomorrow I will show you the final projects---Ben made a goblet and I made a flower bud vase.

Results of the silversmithing workshop #1

It has been a very busy summer for me...
Juggling daycare & nanny schedules for my boys...organizing a surprise birthday party for my husband...day to day jewelry business operations...a long overdue 2.5 week vacation...a summer wholesale show...
I have a lot to share with you and don't know where to begin! I'll start by sharing a few of my photos from the silversmithing workshop Ben & I took in Ireland. Today's post will show you the first lesson:

SINKING A HEMISPHERE

Brian shows us how to sink a disk into a hemisphere

Ben starts sinking his disk

Danielle planishes her hemisphere

TA DA! From disk to hemisphere!

Necklace in INDESIGN!

My goal for more PRESS in 2008 is succeeding! My "Effervescence Necklace" was featured in the July 2008 issue of INDESIGN magazine! Kathy Zaltas of Zaltas Gallery had some nice things to say about the necklace, such as: "It's one of those styles that puts a smile on your face each time you clasp it around your neck."