Branch necklace

I love to make these copper leaves! I have had this necklace in my brain for a while and I finally had time to fabricate it. I just listed it today on etsy, in time for holiday shopping.

Now introducing! Largest Simple Plain Hoops!

Here is the largest hoop that I feel comfortable doing. It measures 1 and 1/4 of an inch across. It is completely hand fabricated by forming and hammering.

Free shipping through Cyber Monday!

Early start on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

I decided to offer free shipping from now through Cyber Monday at my etsystore! I've already had three sales from this promotion! So please if you have some gifts to get for the holidays, please stop by and get free shipping until Monday at Midnight!

Two of my new pieces have already sold--the new leave earrings and the new leaf pendant. Of course my other sale was a pair of hoops!

I just listed my largest hoops and my smallest hoops!

LEAF gets an update

Well lately I've had so much fun with my rolling mill and dried leaves that it has changed how I'm doing my copper leaves. My first version had a punch in the middle with the forged edges of the leaf. I used a high polish to make this leaf really shine.
Now, I cut the leaf shapes, roll them through the mill and then score them down the middle. Of course that is all the easy part! Then there is plenty of filing the edges and then sanding.

All the sanding has made my carpel tunnel begin to act up. So now I'm wearing some wrist guards. I suppose that I should quit typing too!

See my before and after pictures

Keep eyes open for SALE

Well, I'm gearing up for a huge Holiday sale in my etsy store. I want to sell the old stock, so that I can be motivated to make some new pieces. Sooooo, keep an eye out for some of my old works to be on sale in the SALE SECTION of my etsy store.

Yesterday was lovely at Port City Pottery. Once I was all set up it was fun to greet everyone. Hans remade our wedding cake for our event (not looks, but taste), complete with hazelnut layers, apricot preserves and swiss buttercream. It was lovely and reminded me of our wedding! (I didn't tell him that it kinda slid in the car and the sides were all messed up) I think that was his signal to say "I miss you sweetie" because I've been working so hard lately. Everyone at the event loved it--I made sure that I had 2 pieces! YUMMY!

Louise did such a beautiful job organizing the event and it was lovely to see all her work out in one place. She has such gorgeous scarves and wraps. I'm not a wrap wearing person, but I'm really contemplating one wrap in particular.......I'm not going to tell which one.

So after all of this sale stuff, I was feeling completely beat, but I had to go to a rehearsal for the installation of a new rector at St. John's Episcopal Church. Now most of you know that I'm a classical singer too. I was going to help with their choir at the last minute, which is typically called being a "ringer". I was exhausted and hoped that I could muster some energy to sing. Anyway, Lisa Nichols runs an organized and fun rehearsal and has a dedicated group of singers, so it was fun to sing with them. Everyone was so happy to have me there and was so complimentary of my singing--made me feel like a super star! (Don't worry Larry, I'd never leave you!) It was a lovely way to end the busy day.

Today is the Day!

From 2pm to 8pm TODAY come join Louise, the PCP Owners & Members and myself at the Wearables Art Show at Port City Pottery and Fine Craft in the Cotton Exchange Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Its a Holiday party! I'm going to have fun, if I can get there in one piece......

I'm still putting earrings on earring cards and running around the house. Finished putting together some etsy orders that came in overnight. I have even been so busy that I've forgotten to get coffee. This is a first!

Coffee, yum--with a flax seed cookie. There, there, I'm much calmer now.
Well, who knows what to expect, but as long as there are people there to talk to, I'll be happy as a clam.

See you there!

"Wearables" show with Scarfitup!

I'm in high gear getting ready for a show at the Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts Gallery tomorrow with fiber artist Louise Giordano. The gallery is located in lovely downtown Wilmington in the historic Cotton Exchange. It is the only local gallery solely dedicated to 3-d art in Wilmington.
Louise Giordano of scarfitup is doing a ton of work in organizing this event. Wow! Louise you sure do make my head spin!!!! Everyone from the gallery has graciously donated items to be part of the every half-hour drawing. From 2pm to 8pm there will be a drawing for incredible artwork from many of the artists in the gallery.

Port City Pottery is now in its 2nd year and things couldn't look brighter. There are 21 local artists represented and we all come in 3 times a month to work in the shop. Sales are still going up and that is very encouraging amidst this economic downturn. Earlier this year Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts was awarded the Most Innovative Business Award by the UNCW Business School. I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing group of people. "Working" is so fun!

Of course there will be a cake from Apple Annie's made by my sweet husband, Hans Westermark as well as many other goodies. Apple Annie's Bake Shop has been in business for 26+ years and has supplied Wilmington with the finest baked goods for all of those years. I know they work hard to bring you the very best and I'm in love with anything they do. My husband has been decorating cakes there for 16 years and works 6 days a week. (I'm particularly fond of the pecan rings, cheesecakes, hazelnut cakes, and anything chocolate. My truly guilty pleasure is eating the white cupcake frosting!)

I can't wait for this event and I know that it will be so much fun!!!! Come say "hello" and get into the spirit of the season. You will also get a chance to see our complete fall lines! (And if you can't resist you can buy some of my work too!) :D

The Handmade Market

This past Saturday, Hans and I went to Raleigh, North Carolina for a craft/jewerly show at the Marbles Kid's Museum, sponsored by the The Handmade Market. Their slogan is "because mall is a four letter word". It was lovely, the organizers were delightful, and folks seemed to enjoy my work. It was well organized and there was a lot of incredible work. I was delighted to trade at the end of the show with several vendors. I got the kids some really nice Christmas presents. This picture is a bit fuzzy because it was on Hans' iphone.

One more Etsy Metal Atlanta Picture!

L-R:
Danielle Miller, Me (dumb guffaw, as always), Ashley Akers, Lena Echelle, and Chihiro Makio

Etsy Metal at the Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show

This past weekend I attended the 2nd Annual Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show. The artists in the show represent the pinnacle of contemporary jewelry in the United States. Two of etsymetal's members were represented at this prestigious invite only show--Danielle Miller http://www.daniellemillerjewelry.net/
and Lena Echelle http://www.lenastudio.com/.

While in Atlanta I got to visit with Alicia Istanbul http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5179902 and Ashley Akers http://ashleyakersjewelry.com/home.html. It was great to get to see all of these etsy peeps face to face. I feel like it was a reunion and not a first time meeting. I also got to visit with my talented brother in law, Leif Westermark. We gave him some of Danielle's abacus cufflinks for his birthday and Christmas. He LOVED them.

I got to meet one of my hero's in the metalsmithing world face to face. Harold O'Conner is a world renowned artist who's work has been featured in all the Lark Jewelry Publications, Jewelry Artists by Lapidary Journal, Art Jewelry, and Metalsmith, and his work is in galleries all over the world. For more detailed information please see http://www.haroldoconnor.com/album/index.html

















Lena talking with Alicia and Ashley watching the cases.

Goodbye Enigma Garnets

This past weekend I did a show in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was a lovely show featuring arts and crafts with lots of moms with cherubic infants. In the midst of all this domestic happiness, one of my very favorite pieces was stolen. Enigma garnets was a piece that I drew in my dreams and then fabricated upon waking. I am still "in love" with this piece and I lament its loss, not for monetary reasons, but for sentimental ones. (it was $250) Should you see it, please let me know--I know that it is unlikely, but I'd like to have it returned and will not press charges.

Now I'll have to get cases to show my work in and that makes me a bit sad.

Good bye, enigma garnets.

New Mountain Series

Last week I went to the mountains to meet my EtsyMetal friends at a Gemshow in Ashville, North Carolina. I got some exquisite gemstone beads and loose stones that I am thrilled to get to use in my work. It was estatic to get to meet these metalsmiths in person and I really felt a sense of belonging being in their company.

I got to meet Danielle Miller from http://www.daniellejewelry.etsy.com, Maggie Joynt from http://www.maggiejs.etsy.com, and Beth Cyr from http://www.bcyrjewelry.etsy.com.

My husband asked if I took any pictures of the leaves, but I didn't need to take pictures because I was taking it all in and I knew that it would come out in my work. After the gem show, we went to eat and then I drove an hour away to Maggiejs store in Dillsboro, North Carolina. I am in love with this quaint little place and I must say that my heart aches to go back. Maggies store was artful and cosy and looked as if you took the mountains indoors.

It was a gruelling trip driving 6 hours there and driving back the next day at night took me over 12 hours. I had to nap a lot! One of the highlights on the way back was having a great waffle at a Waffle House somewhere in South Carolina smothered in butter and syrup.

These women are amazing artists and fine people. I am so blessed to have met them! Please check out their etsy stores for your holiday shopping!

HOLLA: bcyr jewelry Birthday Sale!!! Today only!

Today is the Birthday of someone I've very honored to call a friend, metalsmith Beth Cyr. Her organic and nature inspired work features reclaimed materials fashioned with traditional smithing techniques. Not only is she a talented metalsmith, but she is also a gentle, kind and loving soul. In order to properly celebrate her birthday, Beth is having a 40% off sale with free shipping in her etsy shop. I hope that you will take advantage of this one day sale and stock up on Christmas presents! http://www.bcyrjewelry.etsy.com

I am in love with her tree bark rings and hope to get one like this someday!!!!

Jewelry Contest by Ashley Akers!!!

I absolutely love Ashley Akers jewelry! Right now you can go to her blog and register to win some of her handmade jewelry!

http://ashleyakers.blogspot.com/2008/10/two-contests-two-chances-to-win.html

I've entered her twitter contest!  I'm learning how to "twitter"--I must say that it looks like fun.

Anole lizard just hatched

My husband checked the lizard egg that he has been watching and noticed that it hatched. We couldn't resist taking pictures of this little thing! This is newly hatched anole lizard, which are a type chameleon that are common in the southeastern coastal area. They grow to be about 3-4 inches long and have beautiful color. this one fit on top of your fingertip! When angry or threatened they turn browish black. When happy they are a lovely shade of green. During mating season the males blow up the bottom of their throat, which is a bright red color used to attract females. They can "drop" their tales when threatened to escape an enemy. My cat still terrorizes these pretty little lizards.

Revamp my etsy store

Yesterday I worked on adding more text to my site and improving my announcement. SO here's my ARTIST STATEMENT....I am not sure what draws me to create, but I feel compelled to ornament the human experience with constructs of my imagination. I see beauty in clean lines and in quiet and reflective pieces. The moon, shrouded in mystery, is a constant source of inspiration and the pieces I create resonate with the deepest parts of my human experience, which no words can express.....My style has been defined as industrial chic crossed with organic. My shop features my original designs handfabricated by me in sterling silver, copper, gold, pearls, champagne diamonds, precious & semi-precious gemstones.

http://www.sarawestermark.etsy.com

Prong setting

I got an order mixed lots of faceted stones from a gemstone company, and I never know what's in them. Well my citrine lot of checkerboard stones were not the medium ones I had hoped for, but were these huge ones!!! I decided that this would be a great opportunity to teach myself how to set a prong style ring. So I read up on it and this offset ring is the result of my study. Its very flashy, but it has the concrete hammered pattern on the band and is not as uniform as a stock jewelry store mold.

New Logo Metal Stamp

new logo
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

My friend and fellow metalsmith Rachael Sudlow designed this logo for me to have made into a metal stamp for marking my pieces with my name. I love the streamed lined design with clean edges and a twist. We all agreed at etsymetal that my last name was very "googleable" and that was good, albeit a long last name! It may not fit on all my pieces, but it will do for the smaller ones.
Now I just have to figure out how small to make it..........Be sure to visit her store!

http://www.rachaelsudlow.com/

http://sudlow.etsy.com/

sign up for her newsletter- http://www.rachaelsudlow.com/newsletter.htm

Hoops!

I have made a slew of hoops. Very simple round and hammered hoops. Somehow it seems very theraputic to just think with my hands. I begin with 19 gauge sterling silver wire and I wrap it around a dowel rod, or some cylindrical object with the desired diameter for the hoops. I snip the wire after two loops and "voila" I have two semi-curved pieces of wire. Then I take my wire rounders and make tiny loops on one end of each of the wires. Then I take a chainmaille or needle nose pliers and bend the loop to a 90 degree angle from the wire. I put both around the dowel and coerce into a round shape. Then I take a file (like a metal nail file, but for metal) or fine grit sandpaper (300) and file the sharp edges off of the non-looped wire end. Then when I get the shape I want, I take my favorite little hammer and gently hammer the bottom of the loop to give strength and thickness. Be careful to leave a centimeter or so of unhammered wire at the end that goes into the ear. I'm a fan of the brushed/satin finish, so then I take a green 3M scrubby kitchen pad (dry) and briskly brush the metal. The final step is to wash, dry and wear! You can also make a plethora of gemstone drops to dangle from the hoops! Have fun!!1

Happy Easter

Well I'm pleased to report that EXPERIMENT MERMAIDSTONES has worked out quite nicely and has kept me really busy. This morning the children came and opened up their Easter Baskets with sleepy eyes. I have to wake them up because they like to sleep in. I don't remember being like that as a child, so its funny. I have soooooo many things that I need to create and I am unable to because of lack of time. But I'm not lacking inspiration! We all had the flu here and we are still recovering--with I suspect secondary infections of some sort. Happy Easter to you too and wish us luck on eating 72 boiled eggs in the next few days!!!!

This drawing was for an alchemy request on Etsy, but it was rejected. It was going to hold rough garnets, but wouldn't it be lovely with any stones, or pearls in it? This is one project that I hope to get to in the coming week.

Enigma Garnets

This piece is one of my favorite pieces that I have made. I show it a lot, but I have been very reluctant to sell it. (I am wearing it a this very moment--I will sell it too if you are interested!! www.sarawestermark.etsy.com) The time that goes into setting the garnets is still enormous. Well, perhaps I should challenge myself to set stones in several pieces and that might make the process go faster. I drag my feet because these pieces have not sold as quickly as I would like them too, so I'm sort of afraid to put more time into them. This is part of the risk of being an artist. I should just get over myself and do it. When have I ever shied from risk? I do have good instincts--so yes, I'll do it. Today begins my challenge of quicker bezel set stones. They will sell with the right buyer--You are out there!!! Ready or not here I come!!! I started out with a jewelry making dream nearly 4 years ago and I have been surprised with the enormous positive response. One of my closest friends is also my biggest patron (see first blog). Its hard to have much self-doubt when I see her and she thinks that everything I do is brilliant. Truly I wish everyone had support and angels in their life as I do. I am truly blessed with a creative life and my dear family and friends. You know who you are. Without you, my life would not be possible.

Valentine's Day

Today I was trying to get around to my design with hearts on a pendant, but I got stuck making some heart hoop earrings. I also wanted to get these done, but alas I didn't get everything on my list done. There's still tonight! I am pleased with how this photo turned out. I experimented with light--used natural light, but also put a cloth up to have less shadow. The stone I use in my photos was found outside by my 1 and a half year-old son. I love this stone--color, shape, size and texture. My daughter picked up every stick when she was a toddler and now my son picks up every stone. Perhaps I need to do a piece themed "sticks and stones".......Aha! the inspiration I needed!!!

Art Promotion

I have spent all morning trying to get organized to promote my art online. I haven't even made anything today. I do have lots of ideas though...sometimes I wake up with them.......Pehaps if I stay up all night, I'll get some new work done. I just got accepted into the etsymetal group from the online handmade market place www.etsy.com...so I've been trying to navigate all the new technology there to promote my pieces. I have an etsy store that shows my work online (www.etsy.sarawestermark.com). This piece is called understated moonstone and the light hit the matrix just right. One of my best friends bought this piece before I had a chance to show it.