It's Show Time! (a.k.a The Agents of Serendipity)

Sometimes things just happen.  With the suddenness of a lightning strike plans that simmer on the back burner burst into life.  Agents of Serendipity are those people who act as a catalyst for positive events in life, they introduce you to the right people, have you come to an event where you will be re-inspired by your passion, and generally set the status quo on its ear in the most delightful ways.


Tuesday I went to a gallery show hosted by my mentor, former boss, and Agent of Serendipity Kali of Trillium Gallery. There she introduced me around to the other vendors and asked me to set up a display for Wednesday.  Rushing back to the my studio I followed in the footsteps of artists everywhere and spent the better part of the night madly preparing my stock.


To my delight the show was a success.  It also introduced me to some fabulous people and I was invited to two more shows.


First is tomorrow, November 20th at the Peace Education Center in East Lansing for their annual  Alternative Holiday Sale, located at 855 Grove St East Lansing, MI 48823 from 9-5.


The next show is on Sunday, December 5th at The Old Town Underground Local Artist Market Holiday Show.  You will be able to find me in the lower levels of the Old Cedar Street School across for Preuss Pets in Lansing's Old Town.  


I will probably wax eloquent at a later date about this project but in the mean time please go check out this inspired 501 (c)3 dedicated to creating a community and meeting space for artists.  The mastermind behind this project is one Kat Lusch of Freyja's Fire, a kindred spirit and likewise Agent of Serendipity, she is leading me in a merry dance back to rejoicing in my creativity, in addition to supplying ample inspiration for it.


I will be preparing the last dye batches before Christmas the week after Thanksgiving; therefore if you have a custom order for the holidays please get my attention before November 29th so I can make your special gifts happen.


I am off to prepare for the Alternative Holiday sale, hope to see you there.

The Bird is Back

Get the business online for real: Take 2

Since last posting I stayed in Florida for a while running a booth at the Florida Renaissance Faire, then working for a couture tailor who specializes in period clothing, during that time I was also working in the costume shop of the Florida Grand Opera for several months on their production of Carmen.  From there it was madness from May until September; working in 5 states over 4 months, moving 1,500 miles back to Michigan, new room mates, the works.


I have gone from Florida to Michigan, to Chicago, to Michigan, to Florida, to Michigan, to Chicago, to Michigan, to New York, to Michigan, to Florida and back to Michigan, this time with a moving van, since last posting, Ugh.

But I am home with the majority of Family and Friends (many of which fall in the Family category, aka my "Framly"). I have a brand new, awesome studio space in a basement bedroom, it even gets daylight! A studio with natural light, central air and heat, that I can actually use. It's a first and I am thrilled with it.  


Last week I set up a small space for shooting photos in my studio, it consists of a low table for displaying items, three lights, a neutral backdrop pinned to the walls, a tripod and a few props.  It is simple and all I had to buy for it was the camera tripod, the rest was scavenged from around the house.  The hope is that I have fewer excuses not to photograph my work if I had a semi-permanent photography studio.  I have been using it constantly since I set it up, so that idea appears to be working.

On that note: I have recently completed several commissions, one of which was an exquisite set of wedding jewelry for a college friend of mine: the earrings are white gold with crystals and pearls, while the necklace is sterling silver with more pearls and crystals.  This project allowed me to design with materials I rarely use, including A+ grade freshwater pearls, with beautiful, smooth, high gloss surfaces that glow. For information general information on pearls click here. For information on pearl grading click here. For more detailed information look on both subjects see the Pearl-Guide.com section for freshwater pearls.

The necklace and earrings in their display box.

The necklace modeled by Janea Schimmel.

The hand made heart clasp came from Rockis Supplies on Etsy.  The uppermost pearl dangle is hooked into the spot where the hook goes for the brides preferred length adjustment, hopefully this will save having to fumble with placement on her special day.