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
