In with the New!

Good morning and a Happy New Year to all our readers. I hope you’ve had a great holiday!

We’ve had a lovely Christmas in our house, a peaceful time with family, and pretty relaxed for a change. It’s been good to step back and take a break, but I’m easily bored and have been itching to get on with new ideas since around boxing day afternoon. The change of date offers the opportunity for new dreams and to make long term goals, and whether you stick to them or not, it’s good to start off with a plan!

Chatting with my fellow AJE team mates, I discovered we've all made plans for 2015, so I asked each of them "what would you like to achieve in the coming year?"

Lesley Watt - “Find my voice! continue to work on more original components (ie use less commercial tools); Go back to basics (metalwork/technique based) with my jewellery and create a more cohesive style; Widen my creative scope...do larger pieces with clay, make books, sketch - think I'll stop there…”

 Jenny Davies-Reazor - “Restart my daily art journal/drawing practice. Focus on mixed media in jewelry to play to my strengths and hone my style. Commit to more reading- the myth and folklore books are piling up and the new inspirations will jumpstart the year. I also resolve to rejuvenate my personal blog”

 Lindsay M Starr - “Carve out creative time with my new working schedule. Run my own blog hop challenges. Make it to Bead Fest if medical expenses don't get in the way. Get into the bit art/craft show in Nashville in the fall, and actually sell enough to make it worth it.... Make more small pieces, primarily for listing on Etsy. Hem 5 pairs of pants instead of letting them drag on the ground…"

 Jennifer Stout Cameron - “I am going to learn to draw this year, create a schedule for school and studio that I can manage to squeeze quality time for both. (I've been working on that part already). And start daily journaling which I've always avoided because it felt like a chore. But I'm starting very small...a few sentences or phrases about the day, plus a small doodle relating to the day.”

Melissa Allford Meman - “Continue trying to find my own voice with metal clay, kiln enamelling, try cloisonné, be more consistent in listing new work, meeting deadlines, etc. I also need to get back to my personal blog!”

Rebekah Payne - “I'm going to be expanding my leather line… SO many ideas for that!! More new critter beads hopefully too. And I'd like to continue making jewelry. I'm not making any huge plans or goals for 2015, mostly I want to maintain what I'm currently doing and get in some more family time… life always seems to have its own ideas, so I don't like to make plans that are too rigid.”

Karen Totten - “I guess I would have to say I want to get back to daily art journaling like I used to. I would like to get back to painting - maybe in a journal, but in any case, dig out my old paints, pastels, ink, etc. and get back in the habit. I haven't painted (other than digital) for many many years. I plan to use my lovely sketchbook from Lesley for my 2015 sketching.”

Linda Landig - “I'd like to develop my ceramic skills and start to get a feeling for my personal expression in this media. I plan to explore sketching while in Oaxaca, although I don't know the first thing about drawing! I also want to continue to develop my wire working skills so I can be making more of my own findings and connectors.”

Diana Ptaszynski - “Hoping to FINALLY experiment with making decorative tiles and wall hangings. I'd also like to play with resin more, learn to sculpt and carve clay and also make more time for metalsmithing again. I miss metalsmithing.”

Susan Kennedy - “My goals are to get more organized, get rid of a bunch of junk cluttering my life, and hopefully that will kickstart some creativity”

Francesca Watson - “I want to work on developing my design skills - moving away from technique-based design and zeroing in a bit more on what my "voice" is. I'd also like to take a drawing course of some kind - I really suck at drawing, and I'd like to be able to do a better job of getting things out of my head and on paper while I'm working. And lastly, I need to continue to work at being more disciplined about my "making" time - scheduling it, protecting it, and making it a priority. As an instructor and business owner, there are a zillion things every day that can feel like higher priorities - I need more balance so I don't get eaten alive by all the admin” 

Kristen Stevens - “This year I have made the decision to complete all of my UFO’s (unfinished objects)" 

And for myself? Well I have discovered recently that my passion for ceramics lies in surface decoration, so I want to learn to throw pots for a bigger canvas. I also want to develop my sculpting work, learn new techniques and create larger decorative items. Away from ceramics, I have just ordered a new pastel sketch pad and am determined to make time to get back to drawing. I also have unopened metal clay that I want to try out. So for this year, my resolution is to be more organised, have some kind of structure to my days, and make good use of my time.

And how about you? Our readers… what are your plans for the coming year?  We'd love to share your hopes and dreams, let us know in the comments!

And from everyone at Art Jewelry Elements, we wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Autumn, Acorns and Oaks

Since returning from my vacation to the USA ten days ago I have noticed a certain autumnal feel to things here in the UK...the days have been sunny and warm but there is a definite freshness to either end of the day and nature is beginning to signal autumns arrival. This really is my favourite time of the year so I'm definitely ready for the change in seasons.

I've also been photographing seasonal acorn and oak leaf beads this week and it got me thinking about these natural forms we seem so attracted to and  I thought it might make for an interesting post. Well it didn't take much googling to work out there is an enormous amount of information on the subject - much more than I could ever do justice to here. So instead I've included some fairly random but interesting snippets and I've added some links at the bottom should you wish to find out more and of course, I've included some lovely examples you might want to use as inspiration for your jewellery designs.

Detailed of carving on choir screen, Lincoln Cathedral

The Oak Tree and acorns have long been venerated in many cultures as symbols of power, strength endurance and nobility. Many rulers wore crowns of oak leaves to signify their connection to the gods and oak crowns were presented to victorious Roman generals on their return from battle. Oak leaf regalia is still used as a symbol of rank and leadership in the military today.


The oak is is also often  linked to legends of deities that typically had control over thunder, lightning, and storms. The Celts, Romans, Greeks and Teutonic tribes all had legends connected to the mighty oak tree. Druids held rituals in oak groves and believed mistletoe found on oaks to be evidence of a god appearing there via a lightning strike. In Norse legend, Thor sat beneath an oak to shelter from a storm and it is a custom in some Nordic countries to place an acorn on a window sill as protection from lightening strikes. In Classical mythology, the oak was a symbol of Zeus and his sacred tree.
   
In Celtic symbolism the mighty oak embodies wisdom through it's towering strength and it's size was seen as a clear symbol of this and therefore to be honored. The wearing of oak leaves was also a sign of special status among the Celts and is often depicted in the images of the 'Leafman' which we see today.

Laurels Fairy Doors on Etsy

Because the acorn only appears on a fully mature oak, it is often considered a symbol of the patience needed to attain goals over long periods of time and the need for periods of rest or dormancy. Small but hardy It represents perseverance and hard work in alignment with the seasons hence the saying "mighty oaks from little acorns grow"   

During the Norman Conquest, the English carried dried acorns to protect themselves from the brutalities of the day. Considered to be an emblem of luck, prosperity, youthfulness and power, the Acorn is a good luck symbol which also represents spiritual growth. There was a custom in parts of great Britain for young girls to wear an acorn around the neck as a talisman against premature aging.

I happen to live near to the 'New Forest' which became a hunting ground for William the Conqueror of the aforementioned Norman conquest and some of the people who live there are still entitled to certain 'verderers'  (commoners) rights. One of these called "Common of Mast' occurs during the autumn 'pannage' season and at this time New Forest Commoners can put their pigs out to forage freely on acorns and Beech masts. This free feast fattens the pigs up nicely but also provides a valuable service by clearing acorns before the ancient breed of New Forest ponies can get to them...while harmless to the pigs acorns are potentially deadly to the ponies.

These symbols have also been used in more modern concepts as with this commemorative Olympic £5 coin featuring a depiction of an oak leaf and acorn with the London 2012 logo incorporating the Olympic Rings.

’The common English Oak and acorn are powerful symbols for strength and endurance. The quotation “To strive to seek and not to yield”, is by Lord Tennyson and many Olympic and Paralympic athletes share these qualities in their plight for glory.’
Shane Greeves, Designer

Royal Mint

So there you go - a few interesting facts about oaks and acorns and they are of course beautiful in their own right and a great source of inspiration for designers as you can see here (click on the images for links)...

Some of my own interpretations to be listed shortly..

Cabachon by Sculpted Windows on Etsy

Enameled oak leaves by Gardanne Beads on Etsy

J Davies-Reazor on Etsy

Gwydion's Garden on Etsy

MoosUpValley Designs on Etsy

Kristi Bowman Designs on Etsy

JettaBug Jewellery on Etsy

Angelas line on Etsy

Blueberri Beads on Etsy

Suburban Girl on Etsy

Resource links:

http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Oak.htm
https://druidgarden.wordpress.com/tag/magical-meaning-of-acorn/
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-oak-tree.html
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/mabontheautumnequinox/p/OakAndAcorn.htm
http://www.venablesoak.co.uk/about-oak/oak-as-a-symbol-2/
http://www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/common-rights/mast.html

Lesley 
The Gossiping Goddess

 

Exciting times!

I’ve not much to talk about jewellery wise this week, but that’s not to say I’ve not been busy! After many years of not so quietly complaining about my lack of space, I’ve spent the last fortnight building a new studio in the garden. 

We’re really lucky to have lots of space out the back and up until now we had a chicken shed and my husband’s shed in a space near the fence line. As they were both getting really old and close to falling down we rehoused the chickens in to a great new coop round the side and cleared up ready for my new studio.

First up was paving slabs, all 90 of them. I was a little ambitious thinking I could have this done in a day, but 4 days later, they were all down and ready for building. The studio I decided on is a log cabin, or posh shed. It was delivered in a million pieces all cut and ready for assembly.

Once we’d found the starting pieces (at the bottom of the pile!) They were laid out and squared up. The rest of the pieces then slotted in on top of each other until we reached just above window height.

Superman/Husband!

The windows were added in as one unit and we kept on going up to the roof. 

The roof beams slotted in to tie everything together. It was hard work, but made easier by there not being any screws or fixings to the main building. The wood is cut so that each piece slots in to the next (with a bit of persuasion from a mallet!) 

The roof took a while. Each slat had to be screwed in to the main beams, but once that was finished we added felt and shingles and it was on to the inside. 

The flooring was pre cut, so each plank just had to be screwed down on to the bearers. There were a few finishing touches like beading around the edges, and the building was complete. 

 Monster Assistant

I sat for a couple of days planning out how I would like the inside and I’m still not completely decided. I’m sure it will change and evolve as I start working in there, but for now, I have a table, some worktops, my precious books, my Grandad’s workbench (hopefully moving in tomorrow) and my Grandma’s chair.

A spot to sit and read

And I have room to display the wonderful artwork I’ve collected from friends.

Reasons Mountain by Cosmic Images

Glass & Driftwood Sculpture by Tan Grey Glass

Lino Cut Hare print by CarrollBooks

And finally, I have room to get out my pottery wheel! I’ve had it for a couple of years, but there was no space to use it, so it turned into a storage table in the garage. I can’t wait to get on it and have a play!

It really is a dream come true to have such an amazing space to work in, but the best part for me is to have room to create with my kids!

Biggest Cheesy Grins ever!!!

To give you an idea of how excited I am... here's a look at my workspace for the last couple of years... you might be able to see the 4 square foot of space I had just to the left!

I think it will be a couple more weeks until it’s ready to get in there properly, there is no electric or water yet, but while I have daylight, I can go in for a play!

Caroline

http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk

You 'LIKE' us!

The Art Jewelry Elements blog debuted just over two years ago and we are so excited and grateful you all are along for the ride! To supplement the blog and interact with you, our community, we also have a Facebook Page.

As we got closer to 1000 likes on the AJE Facebook Page, the team decided to do something big to celebrate reaching 1000 likes. What do we do for the best community on the planet? We have a giveaway, that's what. Not just one giveaway, but SEVEN giveaways, one for each day of the week. But it gets better! The winner for each day will win two of the art jewelry elements pictured below made by two different AJE contributors....

And guess what! We hit 1000 likes on Monday June 9th.

The details:

• The giveaways start on Monday June 16th.

• The giveaways runs 7 days with a different prize of 2 art jewelry elements each day.  

• Each day of the contest will feature something from two different AJE contributors 

• For a chance to win that day's prize leave a comment on each day's blog post AND MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE AN EMAIL FOR US TO CONTACT YOU!

•  We will draw a winner daily, so don't forget to comment each day. 

•  ALL winners will be announced at the end of the week. 

• This giveaway is open to anyone living on planet Earth.

• Each person is eligible to win once. Unless you're on the AJE team. Then you cannot win any of the days. Sorry. I want to win too and I'm pretty sure I have the power to rig it. No one (except maybe me) should wield that kind of power.  

GOOD LUCK!!!

Jen Cameron

Glass Addictions

What Inspires...Louise Goodchild

Today we are delighted to welcome to AJE a guest contributor - jewellery Designer and Artist Louise Goodchild to tell us a little bit about what inspires her beautiful and immaculate wire work.

Hello, I’m Louise Goodchild and I work full-time as the designer/maker at Louise Goodchild Designs. I’ve been working with wire for a few years now. Anyone who follows my work will know that I’m a confirmed bead addict as well as a wire worker – I have a lampwork ‘problem’, which I daren’t indulge too often! Luckily, I can squeeze quite a lot of colour into my wire pendants, which are mostly made with coloured wire and seed beads, so I don’t get bored.

I work from two desks in the corner of our guest bedroom, and I have to confess, as much as I love it when my desks are tidy, I often work in utter chaos! 

 

What Inspires You?

I’m often asked this question. Sometimes I think it may be easier to reply with what doesn’t inspire me! My imagination is usually in overdrive, so it often only takes a chance phrase or glimpse to prompt an idea. Like many people, for me visual inspiration is a great trigger – just going outside can be a good kick starter if I’m in a bit of a creative slump. This small laburnum in my front garden is in bud and will be flowering soon. It wasn’t a great stretch to imagine a laburnum pendant, so out came the wire and beads.

Admittedly, I do make a lot of pictorial wire pendants, so the vision in front of me is often translated fairly literally when it’s in my hands. Although, of course, artistic licence is a wonderful thing! Those who know my work may also know I have a slight obsession with ‘sheepsies’ – this photo of distant sheep in the fields was taken on Sunday, but my Springtime Splendour was not the first – nor likely to be the last! – featuring sheep.

Colour – and all the delicious combinations found in nature – are a great inspiration to me. The sky seen from my front door gave me the most beautiful palette for my Setting Sun pendant.

Inspiration doesn’t have to be translated directly, of course. My flowering honeysuckle last year inspired this bracelet – the colours were just so vibrant. I couldn’t resist putting together a palette of beautiful beads in the same colour scheme.

I also take inspiration from stories and fairy tales – several of my pendants, and many of my drawings are based on myth, legend and folklore. Here are two variations of one of my most popular designs – the wire goddess (originally created as an entry into the logo challenge for the Wire Goddess Team on Etsy – I didn’t win!).  When I'm asked to make these as commissions it's often to represent the wearer or a departed loved one, which is really quite humbling.

So what inspires you? What do you do to kick start your creativity if your muse has done a vanishing act?

Louise

Louise Goodchild on Facebook
Louise Goodchild Blog
Louise Goodchild on Etsy

A few more of Louise's lovely pictorial wire pendants available from her Etsy shop.