New Years Resolutions - 6 Months in

Can you believe it’s mid year all ready? The time has flown by and I’ve heard mention of the “C” word already! 

This week, I’ve been thinking about my January post where members of the AJE team shared their plans for the New Year. Today, I thought I’d catch up with everyone and see whether we’ve stuck to our plans, failed miserably or ended up somewhere completely different! 

Where has this year taken you so far?

Lesley Watt

Good progress with the components with more original and thematic designs... Dipped toe with the sketching and larger clay pieces but still want to do more...I've not made that much jewellery but what I have made has been more technique based...No progress on books yet. 

Ceramic Components

Art Journalling

Ceramic Sculpture and dish

Designs by TheaJewellery

Jenny Davies-Reazor

My year has been productive! New experiments and a new series developing of pendants in porcelain. New tile designs being ads to the Mythic Nature line. And shows, many shows. I have been neglecting the personal/inspirational side of things. My pile of books is no smaller, but Ive been reading plenty of fiction. My artists journal got stalled due to travel and shows. At mid year I am reevaluating and trying to reinstate my journal practice and give myself permission to read!

Reading Pile!

Ceramic Tiles 

Selling at shows

Linda Landig

-My first goal was to continue developing my skill in ceramics. I'm doing that.-Next goal was to get a feeling for my personal style in ceramics. That's def going to take more time.-Did some drawing in Oaxaca, as planned.-Haven't done much in the way of wire work, except to have made a small supply of handmade ear wires, while in Oaxaca.

Ceramic components

Sketching

Destashing

Karen Totten

What resolutions? I made resolutions? ::blink::
Karen’s intentions for this year were to get back to daily art journalling, but that was sidetracked when she started a new job in UX Design. It sounds fantastic and she gets to hang out with some pretty cool co-workers! 

Awesome Co-Workers

Rebekah Payne

Things are coming along for me.
Slower than I'd hoped, but progress is progress and I can't complain! New leather stuff is finally happening! No new critters yet, but I have been making new beads… and old beads in new colors to change things up a bit. Right now I'm really focused on efficiency and I'm designing beads around that idea. I'm very patient when it comes to art, but long production time is limiting to me. My goal is still the same: maintain what I'm currently doing and get more time for fun (non-bead related fun once in a while is nice!) and family.

The production Line

Leather Components

New bead designs

Susan Kennedy

A water disaster turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I was able to do a few things in my house that would not have gotten done otherwise. That prompted a large garage clean out and some other rooms were organized as well. Still searching for the creativity muse that's hid somewhere.

Clearing Spaces

New Designs 

Stunning Lampwork

Francesca Watson

I haven't made time for the drawing class I wanted to take, but otherwise I feel like I'm making lots of progress towards the other goals. I spent a whole week with Connie Fox at our retreat in March digging into the elements of design - it has profoundly changed my working process and style. I also walked through a process with her of discovering what I'm trying to say with my work - it was an intensely personal and eye-opening experience and I feel freer in my creative efforts than I ever have. As a result, I've gotten much better about scheduling and protecting my creative time, maybe because I'm enjoying it more.

Developing Styles

Hand Forging with silver

Jennifer Stout Cameron

I haven't really accomplished any of those goals as I have been too focused on getting straight A's in my college classes towards an art degree and not neglecting my family too much. However, I signed up for a drawing class for the fall semester (it helps that it's required I take drawing classes to get an art degree). I did talk to my advisor about the fact I do not have any drawing skills and that my artwork up until now has been mainly glass and metals which did not require I even be able to draw a stick figure. As for balancing school, home and studio time, that hasn't happened at all. As for journaling, I have started a bullet journal, which has helped contain everything plus encourages me to journal a few days a week.

Bullett Journal

Wall Planner

Keepsakes

 Melissa Allford Meman

The only goal I met was continuing to play with metal clay! I didn't get a chance yet to try cloissone, but do have Pam East's Enameling on Copper Clay DVD and am getting ready to experiment with that. My personal blog has not improved!

More metal clay

Designing with handmade components

And for me? 

Caroline Dewison

Well getting back to sketching lasted for an entire drawing, I like it though and it feels good to get things out of your system when you need to. I've played with metal clay, although I was only brave enough to try out some bronze, the silver is still in the packet.  I’ve cranked up the pottery wheel and managed to practise a few times, I even produced a wobbly cup! And being more organised… well I don’t think that’s ever going to happen! I have plan in place for the rest of the year though, and that's to keep practising on my wheel and creating bigger work. I have a new kiln on the way so I can fire larger items... we'll see how that works out in another six months!

Sketching with pastels

Creating with Bronze Clay

Wobbly cup

I think we've all done pretty well so far!


So how about you, our readers? Have you managed to stick to your plans? let us know how your resolutions are working out so far in the comments!

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!

Goodbye to another year!

I've finished my Christmas shopping and the tree is cut and ready for decorating. It's so hard to believe that this year is nearly over! My mind has been filled with ideas, new hopes and plans for the coming year. And of course, reflection on the year that's quickly flying away…

"Joyfulness" My first ever cuff bracelet featuring Jenny's polymer mixed-media focal. I loved creating the layout of the scattered beads and stitching each one in place.

It's been a great year for me—so much better than I had dreamed in a lot of ways! It's been another fabulous year with AJE—I feel honored to be a part of this talented group of inspiring ladies! And it's been such a joy to connect with all you awesomely supportive readers.

"A Love for Autumn" This necklace is my very favorite necklace of the year! I used Melissa's enameled heart, but I gave it a little twist and turned it backwards to create a heart-shaped leaf for an autumn inspired necklace.

One of the things that I've loved most about 2014 was getting back into jewelry making. I had mostly abandoned it for bead-making, but this year I used writing tutorials for AJE and the wonderfully inspiring CoM challenges to push me to create more jewelry. And more and more jewelry! In fact, believe it or not, I've very nearly depleted my entire stash of beads and supplies. I sure hope 2015 will bring me a bigger jewelry supply budget… along with a good sprinkling of art beads to keep me inspired!

I had so much fun writing tutorials for you all! It gave me a good excuse to dig deeper into my little bead stash and create new things.

"Fly with Painted Wings" I really love Kristen's beaded beads!

My goal for jewelry creating this year was to spend as much time as I needed (sometimes that meant I was very late to a challenge reveal!) to make it something that I totally loved—to really develop my voice in my jewelry making. Lots of wire wrapping, working with various fibers and leather… and always trying to dream up new ways to use a component. Looking through my bulging jewelry box I feel that I did just that and I'm so happy!

"Wings of Gold" Caroline's stunning gold moth was quite a challenge for me—probably one of the largest focals I've ever used, but I'm so very pleased with the results.

"A Countryside Spring" This necklace is a relatively simple design, so simple in fact that the only work that is my own is the stringing and arranging of beads. The star of the show is Lesley's button clasp which paired up beautifully with my sister Bethanne's rose pendant and my mom's fabric covered bead cord—it's all about the art jewelry elements!

"Sweet Flower Dreams" Sue's sweet little chicklets were another fun challenge! For this bracelet, I pushed myself to create without any wire or metal components and supplies.

That bulging jewelry box also makes me wonder if I keep too much! I have such a hard time parting with my jewelry, especially when it's become the home of a long coveted art bead from an artist I really admire. With my own bead-making I always keep it in my mind that the bead I am crafting is meant for someone else and I very rarely get attached to a bead I make… but jewelry making is totally different.

"Wood Fern" I am so very thrilled to be one of the first owners of Linda's new ceramic lovelies! I tied it all together with a scrumptious batik ribbon from Karen and added a little creek-pebble for a necklace that will always remind me of the woods that surround my home.

"Crimson Raven" My leather feather paired up with few speckle beads and a couple black rustic beads from Lesley. There's something so fun about using mismatched elements!

"Star Burst" More beaded beads from Kristen!

Still a few more lovelies to inspire in the new year…

All made by the AJE team!

Do I have plans for the new year? You bet! Nothing too big, a couple wild dreams and some realistic goals, but mostly I hope I just get to keep on doing what I love. I'm excited to see where that all will lead me next! And I'm looking forward to sharing in all the new adventures with you all!

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my jewelry box at some of my jewelry creations from 2014 featuring AJE components. Thank you to my AJE teammates for making all these inspiring lovelies!

Happy Holidays to you all and wishes for a most wonderful and creative New Year!

Rebekah Payne

Tree Wings Studio