The Magpie's Treasure

Holy Macro!

It's incredible what a point & shoot camera with a macro lens can do!

 

I've been trying to get great crisp close-up photos of my jewelry, but have had minimal success.
That problem is solved with my new camera!

I love my Canon Powershot A590IS & my Opteka Macro Lens!

Blue bird, blue bird through my window

I forgot to tell you--that in addition to having a great time at the Heron's Way Gallery this weekend, I was also surrounded by incredible works of art created by local artists.

As you may have guessed, I'm a bird lover and there are a few birds in my jewelry collection. The Heron's Way had many, many bird-themed pieces to chose from. There was one in particular that I just could not resist... it was a painting of one lone swallow sitting on a fence post. Created by Maryland native Robert Bevard, the painting captures the swallow before it flies off to a tree, and Bevard shows him looking straight out at the viewer.

 

I LOVE this painting, because it reminds me of an elusive little bluebird that lives in a tree at the back of my yard. He never sits still long enough for me to get a good look at him. He'll swoop across the yard and land on a branch. I'll just have time to see the bullet of blue as he darts through the air, but before I can locate him on a branch he'll be on his way to another tree or over the forsythia bushes into the neighbor's yard. I would love to be able to get him to sit still for a few seconds, like the bird in this painting--so I could take a long look at him and try to memorize his vibrant blue wings and soft-orange breast.

(Beverly at the "Behind the Bins" blog has some great photos of bluebirds sitting on posts--wow! She had an amazing moment and was quick with her camera!)

On with the show!

The BIG day finally arrived and I'm happy to report that I was ready for it!

Friday was perfectly sunny and crisp--a great day for my drive to Southern Maryland. By 10:30 am I had loaded up my Jeep and hit the highway. I cruised into Leonardtown around 12:30 pm, just in time to meet Kim & Ellen returning to the gallery with coffee & chai tea in hand.

We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging our display frames on the gallery walls, arranging our jewelry, making price tags, and writing our inventory lists.

At 5 pm, the opening reception began, and I held my breath... wondering if anyone would actually leave their home on a cold winter night just to come see our work. Well, thankfully the chimes on the front door began to jingle and a steady flow of passers-by made their way into the gallery. One woman told us that she had received the gallery's electonic announcement, and had come all the way from Washington, D.C. to see the show.

(Me with my jewelry collection at the Heron's Way Gallery.)

Kim's aunt (Rose Beitzell, co-owner of the Heron's Way Gallery) kept the wine flowing and the appetizer platters full of cheese and grapes. Early in the evening, Kim's mom dropped in to see our exhibit and to deliver a steaming pot of homemade Ribolita (Tuscan soup with lots of bread!) Needless to say, there were no starving artists on the premises that evening.

(Ellen McBride's witty, vintage-inspired necklaces)

(Kim Nelson's gorgeous lampwork beads)

The next day (Saturday), we headed back to the gallery for our demonstration day.

The Three Hip Chicks (from left to right) me, Ellen McBride, & Kim Nelson

I set up my soldering iron and showed how I magically seal my designs in glass.

Meanwhile, Ellen & Kim set out a trays of their handmade charms and encouraged visitors to select a few. Once the selection was complete, Ellen & Kim attached the pieces to bracelets or necklaces.

People designed beautiful charm bracelets (like the one below) for themselves.

It was a fantastic, creative weekend! And I met so many people--even a few fellow artists, like Tammy Vitale--who came down to support us & the gallery. Sharing my jewelry and my techniques with other people felt really good. This was the first time I've done a demo, and I'll definitely look for more opportunities to do it. And, as I suspected, working with Kim & Ellen was inspiring! We all agreed that we're want to do a show together & demo again--maybe as soon as this spring.

 

Construction Zone

The clock is ticking!

I'm still whipping up the charms for the show this Friday & Saturday, and they're looking great. I've tried to keep the theme simple and very feminine--so they'll be perfect for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day gifts.

There's not much time left, though. I have to finish making jewelry, design the display for the new pieces, and get everything packed into my car before midnight. I'll be getting up bright and early tomorrow morning to start my 2 1/2 hour drive to Leonardtown.

I am sooo looking forward to the weekend!

The show at the Heron's Way Gallery will be a great opportunity to meet people and to show my work. Since this will be my first time visiting the gallery, I'm eager to see the work other artists display there (and maybe come home with something beautiful for myself!!) Plus, meeting up with Kim, Ellen, and Aunt Rose is always energizing. After some time with these incredible women, I know I'll be inspired and am sure that I'll come home with 200 more great ideas for my jewelry-making adventures.

Eye Candy for Valentine's Day

Oh my gosh, there has been such a flurry of activity in my studio in the last few days!

 

I'm busy getting ready for the show at the Heron's Way Gallery this weekend. And I've been having a blast making tiny glass charms inspired by Valentine's Day Hearts candies. I hit my stride this afternoon and got a couple dozen of these ready to be soldered.

They really are sweet eye candy--very simple, shiny, and colorful. So much fun to make!