Off to....

Well, I am off to Seattle tomorrow. I am a bit nervous about giving my first lecture, but I know it will be GREAT! I've never been to Washington, so it should be really fun. I get to spend 2 full fays sightseeing. Any suggestions on what to do?

Bad Blogger

I know I have been neglecting the blog as of late. School started last week and this semester is my first time teaching. I am teaching Three Dimensional Design at ASU, and so far it is going pretty well. I have a new piece in the works and will post on that soon. Also, my trip to speak at the Facere gallery is 2 weeks away so I will have lots to post on that when I get back!

For now I just want to remind you about the Mesa Contemporary Craft show, where you can come see my work (pictured above) this friday! This piece is from my undergrad and pretty old. It is small rollerprinted and formed pillows with handmade books.

Details about the show to the right.

29th Annual Mesa Contemporary Crafts

I'd love to see you at the opening reception for the Mesa Contemporary Crafts show! The exhibition space is beautiful and the show is always very good. The reception starts at 6pm on January 25th. Come, come, come!

"Highlighting the finest in contemporary crafts from around the country, the 29th Annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition has become a benchmark for innovation and quality. This year’s exhibition showcases 58 artworks by 21 artists from 20 states. These artists work in traditional craft mediums including ceramics, fibers, basketry, metals, wood, glass, jewelry, papermaking, and book arts.

Guest juror for the 29th Annual Contemporary Crafts was Michael Monroe, who is the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, Washington."

Animales: Part 3

These are all the pieces I completed for the Animales show at the Facere Gallery. I have two more that are so close, so I will mail them separately when I finish them.

The show opens in Seattle on January 30th with a lecture and reception. I will be flying to Seattle to speak at the lecture and attend the reception. I am so excited about this opportunity I was given to participate, and I am looking forward to the lecture. I have never spoken at a lecture before so I am a bit nervous, but I know that it will be good for me. Wish me luck!

Animales: Part 2

Here are the necklaces for the animales show. Hopefully I can post the rest of the images within the next couple of days...

Animales: Part 1

Here are some images I took of the pieces I have completed so far for the Animales show at the Facere Gallery....

This one (below) shows the tracks of a white tailed deer...

The back...An Owl...
The Back...
A Big Horned Sheep... The Full View...
And my favorite piece, this one shows roadrunner tracks. I love the colors...

More tomorrow...I have so much photographing and editing to do before I mail these off...

P.S. The above pieces are hand fabricated using sterling silver, brass, copper, and embroidery floss, and have been treated with different patinas.

First Friday: Craig Randich and Jen Urso

On Friday, I went out to the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Phoenix. Friend and sculptor, Craig Randich, had a show at the Ice House Gallery, (iamge above taken from their website). The space is this really cool old warehouse downtown, and the entrance room has no roof. It is a really cool art space. A few of Craigs sculptures were in an adjoining room, pictured below. His pieces are constructed in wood with a tansparent fabric stretched over them. A light inside glows through the structure. His work is breathtaking and very quietly beautiful. I wish these images could do it justice, but they just don't. I think the show will be up until the third Thursday of this month, so if you get a chance, check it out!Also at the space was Jen Urso, a graphic designer and artist who was doing an interesting performance piece.

She was slowly chiseling shards away from a 350lb boulder, until it was nothing but a pile of small rocks. Explained in her words in the image above, I think the idea is interesting but would like to see her push it a little farther. It did get me thinking though. It is an interesting concept, and I'd like to see more of her work.

Animales...

The countdown has begun! I have exactly 16 days until my work for the Animales show has to be at the Facere Gallery in Seattle. The show will be, "Nine contemporary studio jewelers presenting a bevy of animal inspired sculpture to wear in metal, polymer clay, and found objects." Artists include: Ruth Altman, Lynette Andreasen, Melissa Calohan, Robert Coogan, Patricia Phillips, Jeanie Pratt, Gail Stefanek, Sarah Wilbanks, and Kristi Zevenbergen.

(The little red arrow is pointing to an image of my work.) I am SO excited and can't wait to send off my pieces.

Here is an image of a piece by artist Sarah Wilbanks who will also be participating in the show. Check back soon for images of the work I will be sending...

On Etsy and Blogging in 2007...

If you don't know what etsy is, you need to! Watch this video and learn what Etsy is all about!

Etsy has been a great experience for me! I signed up to be a seller on Etsy just 6 months ago and think that it is the coolest thing ever! I have sold 60 items to people in 4 different countries, and 12 US States! I am really excited about the possibilities Etsy holds for me and can't wait to see what happens in my shop this next year!

In addition to Etsy, I have really enjoyed keeping a Blog this year, (and I think I need this T-shirt from thinkgeek.com!)

I feel like this blog is a great way to share my current doings, and a nice way to work out ideas. Also, I love knowing that people visit it (and even better, COMMENT on it!)

These maps show the cities that people have viewed my blog from in the last 30 days. How cool is that?! So, all you readers out there, feel free to comment anytime, I love hearing from people especially with feedback on my ideas!

So, here is to a great 2007, and an even better 2008 on Etsy and Blogger!

Navigazione Gallery

Just got these postcards in the mail and wanted to share! My work is now being carried at the Navigazione Gallery in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. If you are in the area stop by!

Snow in the Desert

Just proof that Christmas in the desert can be white! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Featured on Wickedly Chic!

Cool! A pair of my earrings was featured today on Wickedly Chic in the Daily Ditties Section. Check it out here.

Thanks Liz!

A Christmas Story and Some New Years Resolutions

So, this isn't exactly a Christmas story, but it definitely has the Christmas spirit. Yesterday I went and spent some time at my local Boys and Girls Club. I actually worked there for over a year as the Creative Art Supervisor. Now, I just occasionally go back as a volunteer. Anyway, I was there yesterday and I had SO much fun playing with the kids. I saw one kid that I knew when I worked there and was reminded of a special experience I had with him.

Many of the kids that attend the club are in disadvantaged circumstances. Every year the club puts on a program they call Child Spree, where they select as many kids as possible who get to go on a $100 shopping spree for clothes for school. For many of the kids, this is their only opportunity all year to get the things they need. Each child is assigned a volunteer to help them pick out necessary items such as socks, underwear, school uniforms, shoes, etc. Well, I was helping this particular boy pick out some new school clothes for his shopping spree. He had just about everything picked out that he could afford with his $100, when we walked by the jewelry counter. He looked up at me , with all his cool new clothes in his hands and said, "Miss Lynette, I want to put all this back and buy a gold necklace for my mom." His mom was a single mom and so he didn't ever get the chance to buy her gifts for her birthday or Christmas or anything because he didn't have anyone to take him. His mom doesn't have any family or anything, it is really just the two of them. It just really touched me that he was so unselfish, when all those things he was holding were things he needed, and wasn't going to be able to get them any other way, and he was willing to give it up to get a necklace for his mom. Can you imagine how exciting this was for him? To get $100 all to spend on himself?! And he wanted to spend every cent on his mom. I really was humbled by this experience.

Later when I told his mom what he had said, she just cried. It made me realize how much I take for granted and how much more I can give (and how much we can learn from kids!) . So, as a new years resolution this year, I am going to try to give more. Hopefully that means spending more time with the kids at the Boys and Girls club!

Other Resolutions:

Exercise More

Eat Better

and I'm still working on more...

Merry Christmas!

Break

Well, I am now officially on Winter Break. The word hallelujah has a whole new meaning! I survived my first semester at grad school. Over the break I will be working like crazy to accomplish some of the many goals I have set for myself that seem to always get put off. One being to get my work into a local gallery. Over the weekend I approached a gallery in my hometown of Tucson that I have been dreaming about being in for at least a year now. That was the first time I have approached a gallery. I'm not sure if they will want my work or not, but I am just proud of myself for finally getting up the courage to go and put myself (and my work) out there. Next step is to come up with some sort of a cohesive collection to pitch to them (I am thinking along the lines of what is pictured above). That is goal #3 for the break. Goal #1 is to finish all the things I have already started! Goal #2 is to do all of my planning for teaching next semester. I will be teaching 3-Dimensional design at ASU and am a little daunted at the task, but am getting more excited as I plan out projects and get things sorted out. Wish me luck and Happy Holidays!

P.S. If you have any great ideas for 3-D class projects feel free to send them my way!

The Wrap Up

With the end of the semester approaching rather QUICKLY, I am wrapping up unfinished projects and trying to tie up loose ends. (There are many ends to tie, believe me!)

These are some small enamel panels I am working on. I think they will turn into a series of 3 or maybe 5. They are about 5" square. The colors are a little off because I scanned them instead of photographing them (its raining outside today), but you get the idea.