Favors

I recently worked on a special little project out of the ordinary for me. I was asked to make about 65 favors for a baby shower. The shower was for graphic designer Angela Hardison. Being a graphic designer, her friends thought it only appropriate for the shower to be an alphabet theme. The friend that asked me to make the favors had Angela write out the alphabet for us and I made little initial letter charms for all the guests. It was fun. I only wish I knew Angela so I could have attended this straight out of a magazine, adorable baby shower!!
My friend Debbie is one of the ladies that planned the shower. She throws some pretty gorgeous parties:) She also helped me make the charms.
All photos were taken by Angela unless otherwise noted.
And if you like design, be sure to check out Angela's Blog.

(photo above taken from here)

This was the alphabet I was given, and below are the charms. This project was such a fun little disctraction from the current chaos that is my life!

Commission

Just wanted to share some images of a recently finished commission piece. This was commissioned by a husband for his wife as a gift for her 50th birthday. The silhouette was taken from a photo of their 3 kids.

My favorite detail of the piece is the untied shoelaces of the son. materials: found silver platter, copper
size: approximately 14"x10"x2"

Here and There

I feel like I have been all over the place lately. Lately as in the last several months. I have a 7 month old baby now. 7 months!!! How did that happen?! Needless to say the last few months have been busy and somewhat non-productive in the studio. I love life as a mom but have been struggling to find balance between that and all the other areas of my life. Things are getting better, I feel like I am settling into a fairly steady routine now and I've gotten a bit of work done in the studio these last few days. Here are just a couple of snapshots of some things that are on my bench at the moment. Nothing finished...just bits and pieces waiting to be fit together.

These are a few of my favorite (handmade) things...

I've been meaning to post this for a while. We got a TON of baby gifts before we had the baby, and though I loved and appreciated all of them, I wanted to post some of the handmade ones on here. Of course I went through a little nesting phase getting ready for the baby to come and had to make some stuff for her room (above). I've always wanted to learn how to sew so I made it a little project to make some scalloped bunting for her walls. I also did the little yarn wrapped letters of her name that hang over her crib. In my dream world, everything would be handmade...from her clothes to all of her toys to her furniture. But yeah...thats not reality. She does have some amazing handmade things from people I love though and I'd like to share a few of them with you. Some of these are gifts, and some are things we bought, but all are awesome in their handmade craftiness!

This gift was totally awesome and so special to me. The picture really doesn't do it justice at all, its so cool. My graduate school professor, Becky McDonah, made this baby spoon shaped like a shovel. It's sterling silver and copper and the coolest spoon you will ever see in your life!!

These awesome little bandsaw boxes were made by my friend Ellie, who I just happened to name my baby after. Check out her etsy shop here.

This crocheted blanket was made by my friend Allison and matches the colors we chose for the baby's room.

My grandma Hanson made this quilt for Ellie and it looks a lot like the quilt she made me when I was born. Its hand stitched and quilted with so much love you can feel it in the fabric:)

And this amazing quilt I dont even have words for. I LOVE love love love love it. My super talented and creative friend Debbie made it. I wish you could all see it and feel it in person. She used a mix of new and vintage fabrics and it is just so sweet.

She also made this darling banner for Ellie's room. It makes me happy every time I see it.This is me with Debbie and the gifts she made for us. Seriously, this is one talented lady and she is also an amazing mom. I want to be a mom like her.

I made this whale out of old jeans for Ellie for Christmas. The one pictured above is from the tutorial I followed here, and the one below is the one I actually made. Its pretty cool. Now I want to make a whole fleet of ocean creatures out of old blue jeans. Maybe this summer:)

Thats all for now!

Collecting Pulls

I started collecting antique drawer pulls a couple of years ago. This is a small part of the collection, but these are all cast brass pieces. I'm planning on using them for some new work in the very near future...just wanted to give you a sneak peek before you see them made into new bling!

Year in Review

2011 whizzed by in a blur and I really felt like I didn't accomplish much in my first year out of grad school. So, I decided to sit down and write out a list of my accomplishments, and when I did, it really surprised me how much I actually got done. Here is my 2011 year in review:

The biggest thing I did this year? I had a baby and survived to tell the tale:)

I celebrated 8 years of marriage.

I was published in 2 books: 500 silver jewelry designs, and Hiding Places:Memory in the Arts.

I participated in 7 exhibitions:

Contemporary craft exhibition at Mesa Art Center

Charmed at the Society for Contemporay Craft

Hiding places memory in the arts at the Kohler Art Center

Broche del noche at Equinox Gallery

Alchemy at Arrowmont

10x10 Benefit show at Mesa Art Center

Trunk show at snag

I taught a total of 18 classes!!!

I travelled to Seattle and Forks Washington.

I spent countless hours planning the 2012 SNAG conference (I am serving as a co-chair)

I did a BUNCH of home renovations (mostly while hugely pregnant).

I went dairy free for 4 months.

And, I bought a new car.

Thats pretty much the big stuff. Not such a dull year after all.

Spring Classes

This semester I will be teaching a new round of classes at Mesa Art Center. Info here.

Marriage of Metals
Findings and Finishing Touches
Tips and Tricks in the Jewelry Studio
Soldering Techniques
Earrings
Pins and Brooches
Fabricated Chains
Filigree

I will also be teaching 2 classes down in Tucson at Pima Community College West Campus.
ART 170: Metalwork I Jewelry
ART 270: Metalwork II Jewelry
Sign up Here.

Holy smokes am I going to be a busy girl. Good thing I LOVE my job!

2nd Place

Just wanted to share that my booth won 2nd place at the Mesa Arts Festival:) It was a great weekend, beautiful weather, lots of shoppers and my last big thing before Christmas. Great way to hit off my month long break from work:)
Thank you to all my friends, family and students that came out!

Oh, and I should mention that it was baby Ellie's first art fair. She was a great sport and charmed all my customers! My husband had this little onesie made especially for the weekend. So CUTE. Made by my friend Randi.

Mesa Arts Festival THIS WEEKEND!

I am participating in the Mesa Arts Festival this weekend, please come by and check it out. See details below!

Mesa Arts Festival

When:

Saturday, December 10 - Sunday, December 11, 2011

Where:

Mesa Arts Center

Time:

10:00 a.m-5:00 p.m.

The 2011 Mesa Arts Festival is the premier place to find unique gifts for the holidays! The annual festival will feature original works of art for sale from local, regional and national artists in various mediums; live entertainment showcasing local and national talent on two stages; live artist demonstrations; a variety of children's activities and an array of culinary delights.

Kick off the holidays at Mesa Arts Center and experience this fun and exciting community event!

Click HERE to download complete Entertainment Schedule.

Click HERE to print complete Weekend Program.

For more information call 480-644-6627.

Event Admission and Parking are FREE!

La Broche Del Noche

I made a new piece, I made a new piece! Sorry...its just been awhile since I've been productive in the studio:)

I am participating in the show, La Broche Del Noche at Equinox Gallery, coming up in December.
Curated by Jillian Palone, Gary Schott, and Laura Wood, this exhibition will feature one hundred jewelry artists from all over the nation who celebrate the brooch! This exhibition will be accessible online in addition to the Gallery.
http://www.alejandrosifuentes.com/
See pics of the brooch I made for the show below, as well as the show announcement.

If you are in the San Antonia area, be sure to attend the exhibition!

Website Down

Just wanted to post and let you all know that my website is temporarily down. I am working on getting it back up and running as soon as possible.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the whole Happy Meal:)I feel like a real mom now! I made Halloween costumes:)
Now if I could just get some jewelry made too...

It's that time of year again!

It's time for the annual 10x10 benefit show and sale at Mesa Art Center!

Here is the piece I made for the show. Its made from laser engraved poplar wood, paint, and features a detachable brooch in sterling silver, bronze, embroidery, and a freshwater pearl.
It can be yours for $100! Just come to the show, info below!

When:

Tuesday, October 4 - Monday, October 10, 2011

Where:

Mesa Contemporary Arts

Mesa Contemporary Arts' (MCA) is pleased to announce its Third Annual 10 x 10 Benefit Show & Sale, which features the work of more than 100 artists from Arizona and beyond. Participating artists are asked to create an original work (2-D or 3-D) of art in keeping with the 10 x 10" theme. The competed pieces will be on display at MCA from Oct 4-9 and sold at the reception on Oct 10. Each piece will be available for $100. First come, first pick! Doors open at 7pm sharp! All proceeds benefit MCA exhibitions and educational programs.

Reception & Sale: Monday, Oct 10, 2011, 7-9pm

- $10 per person at the door

- MCA Members (and one guest) get in free and 10% off their entire purchase*

- Sweet treats will be served
- Cash Bar

Custom Order

Just wanted to post a picture of this custom order I just finished up for an etsy customer. She wanted a brooch made to match these earrings.I love how it turned out and think I may make more! Feels good to be making something...even if its just a little something! This whole being a new mom business is hard work! I feel like all I get done all day is feeding a baby. Oh, and speaking of the baby, here is a picture of little miss ellie at 8 weeks!