My Swan Song

My jewelry is now being shown at Swan Song in Maiden Rock, WI.

It is about an hour from St. Paul and in about the quaintest little town you ever did see. The Gallery owner is a women I have worked with in the past. She kept saying how excited she was for me that I found this new media and was doing so well with it.

I am excited too. While I have had paintings in galleries before, having my jewelry sold somewhere (especially somewhere as special as Swan Song) is an important benchmark in becoming a jeweler. The nicest thing about the whole experience is that I have a ton of new ideas for displaying my work, for new pieces, new ways to approach galleries, and an overall better clarity on what I am doing! Things that can only be learned along the way.

I am excited too!

swansongcontemporaryarts.blogspot.com

Big plans for a lil' pendent

A bad photo of the newly pierced pendent I'm working on:





















I'm going to mold it, cast it in Antique Brass, then solder it on a sheet of Silver. I'll cut the silver out with a bit less detail, so the piece will have the effect of a topographical map.

I'm interested in the flat silhouettes of an ornate Victorian jewelry.



I've had the pendent that inspired the project since I was a child. I think my Grandpa found with his metal-detector.

I used only one 4/0 saw blade and it is still intact, exemplified with this photo:



I'm good!

Someone Needs an Artist Statement

I need an artist statement for my new jewelry website.

Please incorporate all or most of the following bullet points:

• traditionally trained artist
• wearable art
• inspired by the tradition of inheriting the jewelry that was important to others
• enriched by the alchemist medium of the metal smiting
• interested in translating the ornate traditions of the past in a new modern context
• I like fashion

Two to Four sentences preferred, but I will consider all entries.

ETSY

I finally have an etsy account and as of three minutes ago I finally have an item for SALE!

Check it Out (Please!!)

margigirl.etsy.com

Please give me feedback! Or tips on successful etsy selling!

More me

I just made a new mnartists site for my metal work, using my alternative name Margaret.

Check it out: mnartists.org/margaret_grill

What's mnartists? It's a free web space for us lucky artists who live in the fabulous, art-centric state of Minnesota!

I'm done with school....again.

I've finished necklace school, also referred to as a Jewelry Manufacturing and Repair.

This is a picture of me before I had finished school, making some bad-ass lockets. That is my friend Andrea in the background, making something equally as bad-ass.

I've "finished school" before, so I know not too get too relieved that I'd never have to eat in a cafeteria again, as I may just get the urge to pursue computer science or something.

The thing is there is always a sense of sadness or loss when you can no longer count on the familiar. It is especially difficult considering they (the man) are planning to "discontinue" the jewelry program at MCTC in a year. As if finishing school again weren't frightening enough without the administration telling me they devalue a program I've worked really hard to complete. The man claims there's less than 5 jobs available for graduates (which I'm counting on being a miscalculation).

In other news, I'm looking for a bench jeweler job, so if you know anyone looking to hire a bench jeweler.....

The summer is proving to be fruitful thus far. I had a great year at Art a Whirl this year. Thanks to my friend Caitlin Karolczak who let me show at her studio and wrote down my contact info for everyone who asked (I had no time for business cards, school and all). Caitlin makes beautiful paintings. Caitlin's website (careful they're nudes)

I've also turned 27, which means I'm practically an adult. I ordered business cards today in an effort to grow up and so Cait will invite me back.

Jewelry Photographs

Here's what I've been working recently. 

 

Fruits of my Labor

Lately I’ve noticed that when I sit down to think out a creative problem, more than likely I’m ruminating on a jewelry project. It seems painting has taken a back seat to items of personal adornment. This worries me some, but I need to remind myself that craft is an art, if you make as art.

Here’s my recently finished jewelry project:

The plan:

The Process:

Finished:

The Future of Jewelry

I was discussing my going back to school for Jewelry Manufacturing with one of the older guards at work. He suggested that I try to sell earrings, necklaces, and stuff to the discount stores like Wal-Mart or K-mart, because they've been the least effected by the economy. Maybe I will. Thanks for solving that pesky what-I-should-do-after-I-graduate dilemma.

Or maybe I should just not tell people I'm in school.