No More Excuses

Contrary to how it might seem... I've been working in my studio a fair amount. My fibromyalgia just hasn't left me with the energy to photograph my new work. We rearranged my studio so my son could have a work table there. When that happened, I lost my photo set up, and I haven't found the room (or energy) to set it back up.
Did I say I wasn't going to make any more excuses. *cough* Um... So. I finally just took a couple of lousy shots to show you the new BioBrooches I've been working on. These two brooches are part of the "Invertebrate" subgenus of the BioBrooch family. There are many more variants and subgenus in the works, as well as a line of Microbes Under the Lense. Heh. Have I totally confused you yet? In time I will get them photographed properly, but... well... no more excuses.

Noteworthy News:
Not sure if I mentioned it, but I've been invited to contribute to an exhibit called "Spineless Wonders: Invertebrates as Inspiration." Sounds like it's right up my alley, doesn't it? The show is at the Atrium Gallery, in Lewiston, Maine, which is part of the University of Southern Maine's Lewiston-Auburn College. The show will run from September 8th - December 18th.

And another bit of good news... The Fuller Craft Museum's shop has asked if I could give them up to 15 pieces, on commission, to be included in their shop during their exhibit, "Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay", which is being curated by Kathleen Dustin (August 8, 2009 – November 8, 2009).

I'll be in CraftBoston Holiday this December 11 - 13th. They've changed the location of the show this year. It will be at the Cyclorama, at the Boston Center for the Arts. Word on the street is, this is a very cool place for a holiday craft show.

All this is totally cool, but is tempered by my not getting into this year's Philadelphia Museum of Art's Craft Show. *sniff* *sob* *sigh* There's always next year. *crosses fingers and toes... and eyes*

And, as a grand finish to this lugubrious update... I've (finally!) joined Twitter. Heh. We shall see how long I can keep it up, or keep my wandering mind entertained by it. But there you have it. I now "Tweet". Pft. (That last bit was for Ronna. *wicked grin*)

Morphing, Coolest Book, Commerce & Inspiration

(Yeah... I know. It's been a looooong time since I last posted, and I said I would try to post more often, and then... a month or two later I promised to... um... post more often. And... so... yeah. Well, I'm not promising anything this time. Just know that there have been zillions of posts in my head, but honestly... I've been hoping to include a photo or two of my new work... and... well... er, um, eh... I just haven't had time to photograph any of my new work. So. Yeah. I'm just posting other stuff for now. Ok... enough excuses! On with the post!)

I think I'll get to the really fun stuff first... 'cause it's Saturday, and it's sunny, and I feel like playing... So...
Under the "I Want One Of These" category:
I found this item at the Wired Magazine's Danger Room blog. It seems that the Pentagon's weird science arm, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), is working on... well... some weird science. This particular bit is some programmable matter that can self assemble or alter shape and then do stuff and disassemble again. Think morphing vehicles, self adjusting clothes, or "soft robots".

My son says he'd use it to "make another me", so he'd never get borded again. heh. I guess I'd like that too. But... imagine a polymer clay tool that, with the touch of a button, could change shape into any tool you would like. Heh heh heh!

The Coolest Book This Year Award: (IMNSHO)
Ronna Sarvas Weltman, one of my most favoritest artists, has birthed a new book that is to die for! These days it takes a lot for a polymer clay book to get me really excited and inspired. This one does it for me in aces! Now... go forth buy it!!

Under the "Amazing Life" or "That Guy Was Real Lucky" category:
There's a guy in the UK who "couldn't even draw stickmen," who had a stroke and woke up from brain surgery as an artist. I'm thinkin' you should read the Daily Mail article to get the whole story. But below is just one of his paintings.


From the Shameless Commerce Division...
I have finally gotten *cough* most of *cough* a new tutorial up on my Etsy Shop. This one is for one of my most favorite canes... a striped Skinner Blend cane. (Part 3 should be done by the end of the weekend *cough*).

For those who photograph their own work, you might be interested in the medium sized, table top, gray to white photo sweep which I also sell on my Etsy Shop.

Oh... I also had an article published in Art Jewelry Magazine last month on how I use those addictive aluminum cuff blanks (there's also a bit in that issue on my solar studio, as well as some cool ideas to make your studio more green). For those who are interested, there's also desktop wallpapers available on the magazines site, including this one:


And finally...
I will leave you with some photos I have been inspired by lately. Enjoy!

The Rain in Maine Falls Mainly on The Snow

Heh... Sorry for the lousy title... my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

So... Just got back from CraftBoston, and I wanted all the world... er... the handful of folks who read this blog... to know that I couldn't have done any of it without the help of Betsy Baker of Stonehouse Studio. Ok, I know Bets hates when I go on and on about how much help she was, but I think she deserves a medal for all the help she has given me. Brava to Betsy, I say!!!

Now... about the rain... in Maine... I present my Raindrops BioBangle...


I also wanted to give you a little teaser... you know how I've been hyper focused on bangles? Well, my muse has been bugging me big time (along with a little help from my friends - heh... sorry for the pun) to make "something else" besides bangles. So, I wanted to let you in on a secret... I'm designing a BioCollar. Stay tuned. As soon as I can get caught up on post show stuff I'm back in the studio, and we shall see what the mad scientist comes up with. Bwaa haaa haaaaaa!

Smooshed Fireflies, Micro Megalopolis, How To's For You To Do's

Smooshed Fireflies!

I love when someone discovers something that shakes up firm bits of information that we consider true and fact... Like how photography was being used long before the camera was created...

The BBC has a great piece on the 16th century, Italian artist Caravaggio. There is a researcher who now believes that Caravaggio used crushed fireflies to create primitive, temporary "photographs" on his canvas to make initial sketches. The article doesn't describe how he might have projected light onto his canvas... but my guess is he used a "camera obscura" (which had been around long before Caravaggio).

Micro Megalopolis:
I can't resist sharing a video I came across, which demonstrates the power of a "collective mind." Please ignore the little speech bubbles... they were put there by someone else.


The engineering and architecture of this thing is astonishing, and I am grateful for being able to see it... But at what price? Here's the thing about science... The fascination with the secrets of nature seems to over ride the desire to preserve it.

And now, a word from our shameless commerce division:

How To's For You To Do's:

Just a quick note on some fun stuff I've put together for those interested in polymer clay bracelet tutorials. In my Etsy shop you can now find a tutorial on how to use the brass channel bangles I sell there. Oh, yeah, and I'm still selling pre-bent aluminum cuff blanks, both on my Etsy Shop and at my website. And, in the upcoming April '09 issue of Art Jewelry Magazine, I've written an extensive article on how to cover the aluminum cuff blanks (which *cough* I also sell). Art Jewelry also did an interview with me about my solar studio. (Lord knows why they would want to cover me in TWO articles in the same issue.)

Other than my work displayed in a couple few publications this year, I think that's it for exposure... unless, of course, I make zillions of dollars and can pay off my debts, and still have money left over to buy an ad here and there. Heh. Don't hold your breath.

Translucent Nudibranchs, Glide Suits, and Pranks

Ok, ok, settle down. I know you're all eager to hear about the pranks and glide suits... but you'll have to put up with a little show and tell first.

Well, actually, second.

First I want to say a huge "Thank you!!!" to all who visit this site, and especially to those who take the time to leave such wonderful comments or send me emails. I'm not always able to reply these days, but please know that I DO read all your comments, and that I'm really, REALLY moved by them. With the increased exposure my work is getting (which is a good thing) I'm having trouble keeping up with correspondence and postings (which is not a good thing). So if you don't see a personalized reply to your posting, or I haven't responded to your email... it's not for lack of care or desire.

Ok, enough excuses. Back in June I posted a photo of a see-through nudibranch that I hoped, someday, I could translate into a BioBangle.


Well... at last... I have made my first attempt.

Mind you, this is a first attempt... I really like the stubby thing goin' on here, but I'm not feeling like I've gotten very close to the original inspiration. But that's how I work, I guess... I have discovered that I don't have to make my bangles look like something else, I just need them to feel kinda sorta like (technical term) something else.

I also need to give a shout out to a wonderful woman who's work kicked my muse... *Melanie ducks huge lump of clay her muse lopped at her* ... I mean my butt in gear to create this bangle. Her name is Natalia Garcia de Leniz, but goes by Tatana on line. She made this delightful bracelet using translucent lace canes... and I (and my muse) were totally inspired.

Ok, there's the show and tell. Now to the good stuff!

For those who come here often, you might remember the video of a jet pack I posted. Well... I've changed my mind about them... now I want this. I just have to figure out a few things... like, um... how to be younger... and maybe stronger and healthier, and a bit more... well... courageous. Heh.

At last... what you have all been waiting for... one of the best performance art stunts ever! I have a great fondness for Grand Central Station, in NYC, and would have loved to have participated in this stunt. And if you like this one, look farther down the page this video is on to see more... from all over the world! So totally cool!

Variations On A Theme... and then some.

Ok, ok, I know it's been waaay too long since I've posted anything. Waaaaay too long. It's been a hard winter for me... lots of fibromyalgia pain... and a lot of drawing within, which is only right for this time of year, I guess. But I'm slowly coming out of my... hehe... shell...

Yes, at last, a new piece for the BioBangle series. I call it "Shells." Below is a detail, where I hope you can see the white areas are actually faux... um... well... shell.

This form is similar to the Bamboo BioBangle, only less ridges (and a bit easier to make).

There will be a few more new BioBangles coming soon, but I wanted to share with you a new bangle series that I'm making for my Etsy shop and for wholesale... simple polymer inlay into polished brass bangles...
I only have a few up on my Etsy shop, but I'm gearing up to photograph more and get them added to the shop soon... so stay tuned.
And, for those who - like me - love the weird and beautiful in Nature...

This beautiful *cough* little baby is the latest addition to the Detroit Zoo. If you haven't figured out what type of animal it is... well, it's an aardvark. But I call it "Eeyore meets Piglet." And I want one!

Ancient Art

Note: I am still spinning from the previous "big show", current exposure, upcoming events, and trying to get caught up with my web site, bills, emails, and all around life stuff. So, I'm not yet able share any new work with y'all (although I can promise some fun new bangle shapes later this month - heehee!). But stay tuned!

I wanted to share something intriguing I came across this morning that got me thinking...

A feminine sculpture similar to "Venus" figures found from Siberia to the Pyrenees

Now, some of you may say "eeuw" to this ancient sculpture carved from mammoth tusks (O.k., maybe not "eeuw", but... well... you get the idea). But when I look at this photo, I am moved to my very core.

This is the work of an artist from the late Stone Age. Some of you may be familiar with the prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux, France, which are pretty breath taking.

But think about the tusk sculpture for a moment. This is the Stone Age I'm talking about here... No steel tools, much less a flex shaft drill. Imagine hand carving a mammoth tusk with a piece of obsidian...

Think about the creative urge that must have driven this prehistoric person to carve a woman, from a chunk of tusk, with a hand made stone tool.

It makes me look at my own urges to create. I realize that this must be, in part at least, a cellular urge that drives me. It must be in my very genes... In all our genes!

As I think of the prehistoric artist who sat before a fire on some dark frozen winter night to carve the feminine figure from a piece of bone... I find I am strangely reassured.

We must all create... In our own way.... No matter how hard we may deny our "artist genes". No matter how little respect our modern culture gives to the artist in us all... It is still there.... Waiting... Calling us to grab something and form it into something else... Urging us to create something which will call to our very deepest souls.

And now for something completely different (or perhaps not) -

What I want for Christmas.
(Sorry for the commercial. The video doesn't come any other way.)

A Really Big Show & Micro Flying Spys!

Slowly, slowly, slowly, I am climbing out of the haze (and pain) of months of frenzied preparation for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. (Successes and lessons below.)

It went incredibly well, all things considered, in part because of much help from many friends and angels (in particular Sarah Shepley, Betsy Baker, and my partner Tom, just to name three).

And for those who insisted I take photos of my PMA booth.... (larger pics upon request)


So, after a week of "processing" the outcomes of the show, I've been able to come up with the following...

Successes:

• almost covered expenses (hey, this is really good, considering how much I spent on this show - heh).
• a fantastic response to my wilder work (the bigger... and much more expensive... BioBangles)
• wonderful insights and support from my favorite pc artist, Kathleen Dustin (mucho mucho thanks Kathleen!)
• 4 amazingly stunning pairs of earrings from a swap with Kathleen (one pair went to Sarah for all her help over the week, and another pair went to my sister for her birthday.... but I shamelessly kept the best 2, heehee!)
• 1 pair of stud earrings from Ford and Forlano (the only pair I could afford, but still absolutely stunning!)
• The opportunity to really get to know Sarah Shepley, a fantastic artist and now a wonderful, close friend.
  

Lessons:

• Always make sure you know how to use the credit card machine before the show opens.
  
• Don't show a potential buyer how tough your bangles are by vigorously throwing one onto the floor (use your imagination).
• Don't make things to sell. Make things you love making, and then sell them.

I know there are more successes and lessons... I just can't think of them right now.

Oh, and from the Shameless Promotion & Ego Strutting department... I got into the 2009 Spring and Holiday Craft Boston Shows, and... da da da daaaa... I'm on the wait list for the Smithsonian Craft Show!!!! Holy Smokes!!! *head spins briefly... for the 100th time* Oh, and... um.... I got second place in NPCG Progress & Possibilities 2008 for Jewelry - just behind Kathleen Dustin! Zounds, the air is getting pretty thin up here. 0.O

Ok, that's enough crowing.

Here's a nifty little factoid for those that like to collect factoids that are.... um ... interesting...

The US military is planning to have "Mico Aerial Vehicle" spys as small as a bumble bee by 2030. By 2015 they say that they'll have bird size AVs. Funny to read this on the AP web site because I thought they already had them.


Hmmm. Perhaps this is just another one of those times when the US military is decades behind the rest of the world. Heh.

Well, regardless, it's pretty cool... and rather disturbing. I mean, if there's a huge brew-haha about violations of our civil liberties now... just think what these little bumble bee spys could do. *shivers*

T minus 11 days & speculative fiction

Yup... the clock is ticking incredibly loud lately. I'm now eating, sleeping and dreaming the PMA Show ( I'm in the Emerging Artists section). I have no idea how this show will turn out for me... but I'm ready to learn from all the mistakes I'm about to make. I'm sure there will be some good outcomes no matter what happens... in fact, I've already gotten into Ornament Magazine (the newest edition). Pat Worrell wrote a terrific article on the show, and wrote 2 paragraphs about me! Zounds! Plus, I got a great shared advertising rate in the current issue...

So, yeah. I've been claying, sanding, planning, building displays, sanding, designing posters and postcards, sanding, photographing inventory, sanding, shopping for necessary bits... and sanding. My fingers are blistered, my hands and arms are aching, my eyes are getting blurry and... I'm really tired.
But I'm beginning to feel ok about the inventory problem... sort of. Now, Tom and I are in the construction mode, making display units which are still in a slightly amorphous state. Heh.

*Tries to avoid chewing fingernails that don't exist anymore*

I don't want to talk about this anymore! So... um.

Cynthia Tinapple mentioned a term the other day that I hadn't heard of before... "Steampunk". It was such an alluring word, I had to do some research on it...

Jules Verne was a Steampunker, as was H. G. Wells. These guys were really on to something. But these days folks are getting into a bit of a dystopian spin off... cyberpunk.


Which is what my life has been feeling like lately.
*wonders if a cyberpunk BioBangle could work*

Heh.
*slinks slowly back to sanding*

Wild, Wacky & Wonderful

Well, before life sweeps me totally away I wanted to squeeze in one more post. (no, no, I'm not dying, or expecting to be swept up by a UFO, or disappear into the shadows of crime and intrigue... I've just been really, REALLY busy.) When I find myself holding on for dear life (OK, OK, so I'm being melodramatic) I often find a little peace by looking at really weird images or reading about amazing things on this small earth. I thought some of you might appreciate the following... (click of the photos to see the original site.)


Above is one of those super duper, close up microscope photos of... heh heh... you'll have to click on the photo to find out what it is. (Yeah, I'm feeling just a tad sadistic this morning.)


This endangered guy is from Australia. No, the green hairdo isn't his (hers?). It's algae hitching a ride.


OK, use your imagination here... this is a Brine Lake, under the ocean. Yeah... very cool, and well worth reading about. (Again, if you weren't paying attention earlier, click on the photo.)

And lastly, in memory of Paul Newman...


What's that? You can't figure out what a photo of a pedestrian suspension bridge has to do with Paul Newman? Um... well, many years ago, when I was a professional architectural photographer, I was hired by an architect to photograph Paul Newman's pedestrian bridge on his property in Connecticut. There's a pretty good story in this photo, but like I said earlier... I'm feeling a tad sadistic... so you'll have to make up your own story. heh.