Comings & Goings

Unfortunately it looks like the gallery section of the Riegelsville Gallery & Tattoo shop didn't take off so I went to pick up my items a few days ago. One of the bracelets did sell which is great, but it turns out that I will need the unsold items in inventory for an art/craft show I will be attending in September.

This is my first show in more than a decade and I'm both nervous and excited. It's only a one-day, five hour event as they actually have to shut Main Street down to motor vehicles to host it. It's not an exceptionally large show, but it will be a good chance to get my feet wet again. I'm been working overtime making jewelry and getting prints ready, I bought myself a tent to provide some shade and a more enclosed area for my wares, and I've also been coming up with some interesting jewelry and print display items involving some vintage sewing machine drawers and an old letterpress tray. Hopefully, I'll be prepared for everything.

I haven't the slightest idea as to how much I should make/bring as I'm hesitant as to if my work will end up appealing to a wide number of people attending the event. My work (both jewelry and art) will be a little out-of-place among the handmade American Girl doll clothing, scrunchies, and silk flower arrangements. There are plenty of other jewelry-makers present at these events, but my work is very different from theirs which may or may not be a good thing. Even if it doesn't end up selling I would still like to present a wide variety of work, and what doesn't sell there will go on Etsy where it may have a better chance. I really need to photograph some of pieces I've already finished but I've been in such a "must make things" mode that I don't have much motivation to take and edit photos. Once I force myself to take photos of the new pieces, I will definitely share :)

I've recently discovered some truly amazing jewelry-makers that are inspiring me immensely. I already make extensive use of asymmetry, eclectic materials, multicultural influences, and whimsy in my own work but these artists have really pushed those elements. All of them show a really unique combination of materials and techniques, for example metal & fibers, bead weaving and fabrication, etc. and they don't shy away from incorporating precious and semi-previous jewelry materials with found objects. As a collector and appreciator of strange, worn things this approach appeals to me greatly and it is creeping more into my own designs, which is something I'm pleased with and hope to cultivate further. Below are a series of links to some of my new favorite jewelry artisans:


• Fanciful Devices | Marina: I wish I knew how she was able to find so many awesome things to include in her jewelry

• Mandala Jewels | June Roman: she has recently published a book which is how I initially found her work, A String of Expression

• Sparrow Salvage: specializes in beautiful textile assemblage cuff bracelets and other jewelry with a beautiful, time-worn quality. She describes her work as "found object finery for feral faery folk" which is right up my alley.

• Savage Salvage: another interesting artist who uses vintage finds (I'm a sucker for old skeleton keys and skullies, in case you haven't noticed)
• Sweet Bird Studio | Nancy Anderson: a lot of her work has a strong Southwest current and I love her use of turquoise, silver, and coral
• Susan Lenart Kazmer: makes amazing, talismanic jewelry out of ordinary objects like old pencil stubs, nuts, bolts, and other industrial debris. She authored the book Making Connections
• Green Girl Studios | Cynthia Norton: She doesn't really use found objects in her work, but her book Enchanted Adornments does feature a lot of combined techniques

A Craft Show in My Future

I've signed up to participate in the 42nd Annual Gallery of the Arts, an art & craft show which takes place along Main Street in Sellersville, PA. This year it will be held on Sunday, September 19th from noon until 5pm.

I used to display my work at this show as a "Junior Artist" so it seems fitting that my first art show in more than a decade should be this event. I've been considering getting involved in local shows for a while now and this one seems like a great opportunity to get my feet wet again. I believe Quakertown and Perkasie also hold similar events so if this one goes well maybe those shows are also in my future.

It's months away, but I've already started building some inventory to take to the show. The photo above shows some current pieces on my workbench: components for a bracelet, two necklaces, and two sets of earrings. I've also rediscovered some older beaded necklaces I'm planning to bring, and I'm definitely going to be bringing prints of my artwork as well. There's so much work to do, I hope I can get enough done. My Etsy shop may be a little bare while I'm preparing for the show, but I also hope to still be adding items there if I can.

The Lovely Coffin

The centerpiece of this rustic, earthy necklace is a unique coffin-shaped pendant. Straddling an odd line between creepy and cute, its motif of skull, heart, flower, and scrollwork is inspired by various forms of folk art including designs on the gravestones of German immigrants in the artist's native state of Pennsylvania and Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) imagery.

The pendant is suspended from three strands of deep brown leather cord and closes with a lobster clasp. All of the metal elements of this necklace are sterling silver which have been oxidized to achieve a dark, nearly matte appearance to harmonize with the rest of the piece.

The Lovely Coffin pendant is handcrafted of vegetable-tanned leather which has been carved and tooled into a low-relief sculpture. It was then stained to highlight the details and has been signed by the artist on the reverse. It has been sealed with a protective coating to help ensure that it retains its loveliness for a long time, but please keep this necklace dry to help ensure its longevity.

measurements • necklace is about 16.75" in overall length (an extender chain could be added for additional length: please convo for more information about this option); pendant is approximately 1.5" wide by 2.25" long
materials • hand-carved & stained leather coffin pendant; oxidized sterling silver wire; suede lace; glass beads
price • $45.00 plus S&H; Available at my Etsy shop!

Lotus Blossom in progress

This is a quick photo of another Lotus Blossom cuff bracelet that is currently on my work table. Unlike the first version which was in shades of black & grey, this one is in luminous sunset (or sunrise) colors of pale reds, oranges, and yellows. All of the coloration was done with successive layers of dyes which are translucent and absorb into the leather which gives this lotus beautiful depth that is hard to capture in the photograph.

It hasn't quite been completed yet as you can see, but it should be done soon for placement in my Etsy shop.

Prints now available

I now have a few matted prints available in my Etsy shop, just in time for the holiday season. A few more should be added soon.

Featured Artisans: JungleTribe

In addition to highlighting my own art & craft, I'd also like this blog to be a place to draw attention to other artisans whose work has inspired and influenced me. I plan to especially focus on fellow leatherworkers because 1) leathercraft has become one of my profound joys and 2) it doesn't seem to get nearly enough attention in comparison to other contemporary crafts and artforms.

As my first feature, I'd like to introduce you to the wonderful work of the two nomadic twin brothers, Beau & Dust, of JungleTribe. I'm particularly fond of their Steampunk Militia series of hip bags which feature cabochons of turquoise, brass filigree, and skeleton keys along with their signature use of layers and hardware as design elements. This elegant yet industrial aesthetic is continued in a line of cuff bracelets which they offer in collaboration with RockLove Jewelry.

Being versatile in style, they also create pieces with an edgier, darker and more thickly textured feel under the title of Galactic Gothic Graveyard. Their collective talent isn't limited to leatherwork though, they also make jewelry. To see more of their amazing work, head over to their Etsy shop.

Little Finch • Necklace with Leather, Silk, & Sterling Silver

This little songbird was inspired by the House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) who came to nest in a tree which I can see from the window by my desk at work. I saw them for months darting into and out of the Arborvitae and posing to sing on its branches. I always enjoyed their visits. Although they are native to the US, House Finches were only introduced to the northeastern region where I live in the 1940s, but they have naturalized well and are now very common.

This little finch hangs asymmetrically from a sky blue silk cord strung with beads in colors to compliment his feathers: primarily various shades of warm grey and brown, scarlet red, and black. These beads include labradorite briolettes with brilliant blue flash, freshwater pearls, and glittering swarovski crystals. The necklace closes with a delicate, handmade hook closure of sterling silver.

The House Finch is handcrafted of vegetable-tanned leather which has been carved and tooled into a low-relief sculpture. He was then dyed and painted with acrylics to highlight his plumage, and he has been signed by the artist on the reverse. He's been sealed with a protective coating to help ensure that he sings to you for a long time to come, however, he is not suited to bird baths so do keep him nice and dry.

measurements • necklace is approximately 26"(66cm) long; finch pendant is about 2.5" wide and 2.25" high at its broadest points
materials • hand-carved & painted leather finch; silk cord; sterling silver clasp; labradorite briolettes; freshwater pearls; swarovski crystals; glass beads
price • SOLD!