Oops, I did it again!

Last night I went to the midnight showing of the new Twilight movie, Eclipse. We waited in line for like 5 hours and sweated our little behinds off in the 110+ degree weather. It was AWESOME. I want to go again:)

Custom Bridal Jewelry

I often make custom bridal jewelry for people who want that handmade touch in their wedding. I also do a lot of custom bridesmaids jewelery gifts. Sometimes you know exactly what you want and you just cant find it in the store. Sometimes you need something to match something else that you already have. Whatever the reasons, its a frequent thing that comes up and is fun for me to do. I'm slowly working on updating my website with a bridal/wedding jewelry section. I probably won't have it up for a month or two, but its coming soon. As summer is the season for weddings, I just wanted to put it out there that I am totally open to custom orders and would love to create something beautiful and unique to make your perfect day that much more special. Here are some pictures of the most recent bridal jewelry I've done. The bride is actually my niece, isn't she beautiful?! She wanted something simple to match the tiara that she had already gotten, so we came up with this necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. I think it went perfectly and she looked so lovely! All photographs were taken by Tami Webb. Click on any of the images to enlarge.For bridesmaids gifts she chose simple pink crystal and pearl cluster necklaces with matching earrings.

Email me at [lynette@lynetteandreasen.com] if you have any questions regarding custom bridal or bridesmaids jewelry.

The Heat is ON!

In the last month since I have been out of school I have been managing to stay really, really busy. I don't think I have officially announced something really big I am involved in yet, so I'm doing it now! The Society of North American Goldsmiths has an annual conference every year, and in 2012 it will be coming to Phoenix. I am Co-Chairing the conference along with Tedd and Becky McDonah and we have already had tons of work to do.
The conference usually has about 800 attendees, and SNAG has an overall membership of over 3000.
The hotel has been confirmed, our conference will take place at the Westin Kierland Hotel in Scottsdale. Mostly what we have been really busy with is securing exhibition venues. We are still in negotiations with several exhibition spaces in town, but have already secured spaces at Mesa Contemporary Arts, and the Heard North Museum. Exciting!
We also have a conference theme which is, "The Heat is On!", because the conference is in Phoenix in May. Its going to be hot! Also because of all the ways that theme can apply to the field of metalsmithing. We also secured an awesome graphic designer to brand the conference, Melissa McGurgan.
Phoenix 2012, its going to be HOT! I'm sure I'll post updates on how the conference planning is coming along, but that is all for now.

David Clarke

A couple of friends emailed me a link to this guys website and his work is absolutely amazing. I love love love it. David Clarke is a British artist whose work relates to the "entrenched traditions of silversmithing, often taking it to surprising extremes." He challenges ideas of historical silver and metalwork and creates completely unusable flatware that is beautiful and flawless.
He is a newly discovered hero of mine:)
These are all electro plated nickel silver and pewter.

POOL

So, a couple of days ago I stumbled upon this amazing opportunity being offered to small business owners here in Mesa, AZ. I cannot even convey my level of excitement to you. I am so excited!!! The opportunity is with a new marketplace in downtown Mesa called POOL. POOL is having a contest for merchants, and the winner will get one year of free rent in the POOL Marketplace. The winner will also receive free business coaching and logo design. Wow. The applications are due June 15th and will be chosen by June 28th. The public can vote online for their favorite entries. I will be applying and will be asking for votes from all of you! I've been working on my application non-stop for the last two days and will let you all know when I have submitted it. I wish I had known about this sooner! How amazing would it be to win??? The idea that I am submitting is to have an Art Jewelry Gallery here featuring the work of both local and national metalsmiths. We don't have anything like that in the whole Phoenix area so I think it would be really great. Anyway, that is all for now, I just wanted to let you all know that I will be working very hard on this and will be counting on your support! Oh, and here is a little more information about POOL from their website.

"POOL is a brand new kind of retail environment tailored to the particular needs of a community. It is built from the ground up around the idea of creating engaging experiences that aren't being met by traditional retail projects. Centered on local retailers, restaurants, and grass-roots community groups, the social interaction is grown from the surrounding community.

Gathering spaces blend seamlessly with shops and restaurants, unique community spaces and entertainment venues to create an environment as unique as each community itself. A flexible framework of infrastructure and a canopy of support services provide a backdrop for small local merchants. A welcoming, comfortable atmosphere all come together to make POOL the heart of the city."

New Work at Heidi Lowe, Opening this Saturday!

Heidi Lowe Gallery presents “Earrings Galore” featuring the earring in all its glory. Concept, material and aesthetics vary through the interpretation of 43 artists from around the globe.

Join us for a night of art, fun, food and drinks on Saturday, June 12^th from 6-9pm at Heidi Lowe Gallery. Show on display through September.

Heidi Lowe Gallery

328 Rehoboth Avenue

Rehoboth Avenue, DE 19971

302-227-9203

heidilowejewelry.com

Featured Artists

Lynette Andreasen
Eliana Arenas
Megan Auman
Jill Baker Gower
Arden Bardol
Thyra Bessette
Kristine Bolhus
Allyson Bone
Melissa Borrell
Brenda Bregman
Ashley Buchanan
Laura Buckland
Raissa Bump
Analya Cespedes
Jim Charles
Susannah Fitz
Christina Goodman
Julia Henscheid
Anna Hinkes
Sarah Holden
Janet Huddie
Chris Irick
Yevgenia Kaganovich
Soyeon Kim
Kristin Lora
The Opulant Project
Jimin Park
Mary Pearse
Beth Pohlman
Shella Robinson
Alice Roche
Jessica Rosenkratz
Hyseung Shin
Amy Tavern
Jennifer Theokary
Stephanie Tomczak
Katja Toporski
Karola Torkos
Ben Ulsh
Veleta Vanza
Stephanie Voegele
Sadie Wang

New Workplace

I just wanted to post some pictures of my new studio/workplace. I'll be an artist in residence at Mesa Art Center for the next couple of years. I'll be able to work in the studio making my own work, and also will teach community metalsmithing and jewelry classes. I'm excited to have the opportunity to work and teach at such an awesome facility!!!Here are some pictures from inside the studio.
My empty little bench!
And here are some pictures from the grounds.This Ned Kahn public art piece is really cool. I could watch it move forever. Here is a video of the piece in motion, but you really have to see it in person.
I'm so excited to be at Mesa Art Center!!! I think it will be strange at first to be in a new studio, but I am sure I will get used to it soon.

Arizona Designer Craftsmen 50th Anniversary Exhibition

This year is the 50th anniversary for the organization, Arizona Designer Craftsmen. In celebration of the anniversary, there is a juried exhibition at Mesa Art Center. I have 2 pieces in the show, but have tons of friends with really great work in the show as well. My friend Victoria's work is on the postcard, I can't wait to see those pieces in person! My friend Danielle Embry will have this piece below in the show, which I can't wait to see in person as well. Danielle and I went to school together at ASU when I was an undergrad, her work was amazing then, but has gotten even more amazing ever since!
So, be sure to check out the show, it will be full of work from artists all over the state working in clay, glass, wood, fiber, metal, and mixed media. Details below.

The Arizona Designer Craftsmen
50th Anniversary Juried Exhibition
Mesa Contemporary Arts Center
June 11 - August 8, 2010

opening reception: Friday, June 11th from 7:00-10:00.

Etsy Metal Charm Swap

A few months back I signed up to participate in a charm swap with some other fellow EtsyMetal members. Well, we finally all got our charms and it was so exciting to open the package and see them all! Yesterday I made myself a little bracelet for all the charms so I can wear them. Here are all the charms I got, I love them all! There are so many talented, creative people in EtsyMetal, and I feel so lucky to have a little piece from each of them.I already signed up for the next charm swap and cant wait to see what comes from that.