grass green double pendant

this could be my new favorite color…..grass green, even better when accompanied by the smell of the spring, freshly cut version :O)

made with vintage glass

Posted in new work |

susan collis

 As good as it gets (Detail)

2008

18 carat white gold (hallmarked), white sapphire, turquoise, onyx

 Paint job

2004

160 x 45 cm

Boiler suit, embroidery thread

Waltzer (DETAIL)

2007

127.5 x 37 x 11 cm

Wooden broom, opals, turquoise, garnets, seed pearls, mother of pearl, black diamonds, white diamonds, fresh water pearls, coral, black onyx, marcasite.

above works by susan collis.

i am excited beyond words to see this show open at the lora reynolds gallery here in austin.   in susan’s work the seemingly forgotten or easily overlooked is a labor of love and is, actually, the artwork on view.  one may think when walking into a gallery displaying susan’s work that the artwork has yet to arrive.  this flirtation with what is art or what is on view is just the stream of thought susan chases and fully captures.  the seemingly splattered paint on fabric or pencil line and hardware denoting the space where a piece of art work would hang is actually tediously hand stitched details on a pair of overalls or strategically placed and inlaid white gold wire and a carved coral grommet.

i enjoy the dance between using materials that are precious and mimic completely average, mundane materials with a material that one would expect.  susan’s pieces that seem laden with dribbled paint like the construction broom or the table piece are actually precious materials like inlaid opal, turquoise & mother of pearl.    i use a similar vein of  logic, but in reverse, in my work.  rather than using the precious materials like gold and diamonds in my jewelry i am inspired by the every day and typically discarded materials of everyday that have a previous history or story.  some materials may be a found piece of plastic from a busy street or a fragment of glass from a car windshield. using the random and recycled materials in the context of jewelry i hope to offer viewers another voice to what is considered precious and beautiful.  my hope is to evoke a bit of curiosity.  this is what i love about susan’s work, the element of seduction and surprise. upon first glance the instinct and expectation is one in the same, but with a bit of time and attention to detail you are given a broader story and in some ways a little secret.

this is my favorite show i have seen in austin to date.  susan’s show at the lora reynold’s gallery is her first solo show here in the u.s. WelComE SuSan!!!!!!!

Posted in i like you may like too |

bunns…

these made me smile with glee…..the bunny font, love the “i”

find more clever bits at folksy

Posted in i like you may like too, misc |

new blue double pendant

i’m trying to work ahead a bit on my inventory to get a jump on the holidays……geez, they are knocking on the door.  i’m a little freaked that it’s already october…well, tomorrow it will be  :O).  BUT, first comes halloween, yeah!!!!! favorite holiday and favorite month  =)

this piece is made with two vintage glass pieces

Posted in new work |

new necklace for inventory

i love using these “home decor” bits of glass in my work.  i picked these up at crate and barrel.  i especially like the milky pink interior of this one……it reminds me of so of the yummy pink depression glass that chris’ mom has :O)

Posted in new work |

commission piece

i just finished this commission piece for our realtor that helped us buy our house here in austin in 2006.  it was our first home so chris and i were pretty freaked out to sign on the line.  tausha was really informative and helpful and it’s proved to be the best thing we have ever done.  we really love our little home.

if you need help in the housing market in austin i would highly recommend her….tausha carlson at marathon real estate.

Posted in new work |

olivia jeffries

illustrations by olivia jeffries

the dream-like imagery is done on found and repurposed paper….you, know i love that

she currently has a show at pulp in omaha, ne    it’s good!!!

Posted in i like you may like too, inspired by |

peachy.pinky.pink

peachy.pinky.pink: a newly finished necklace….

plastic puppy nose, vintage glazed ceramic piece, vintage glass

Posted in new work |

new banner for etsy……

today, i found myself in the mood to create this new banner for my etsy page.  i was suprised how fast i was able to get it to this point.  wow, i guess i did learn something in college about photoshop after all.  i may make a few subtle changes but for now it’s struttin’ it’s stuff on my etsy shop.  this has been on my to do list for quite some time and now it’s finished, well, almost……..yeeeaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

okay, my pillow is calling :O)

sweet dreams,

xoxo

Posted in etsy, just for fun, today.... |

sangria red flower ring

this new sangria red flower ring is made with a vintage button…..i am chipper happy about the scalloped edge =)

these new rings will be posted on my website or on etsy soon…….

Posted in new work |