Gratitude

Today my heart is filled with gratitude. I finally have received a reprieve from chronic nerve pain from my back injuries. I am still in some pain, but it is manageable. I am out of my neck collar from my last neck surgery! I am in the metal studio and getting back to work--albeit slowly--but I'm working. Thanks for all your patience. I've been feeling stuck and a bit blue from having to take time to heal from my December 21st cervical neck surgery.

Today, I noticed that all three of my Kiva Loans have been repaid, so I decided to use that money for new loans. Kiva is an organization that lends money to third world entrepreneurs to help them help themselves. It goes where the communities that are most impoverished by war, internal conflict with no government infrastructure. These people cannot get any aid--period. These loans are given in $25 increments by donors like you and me. Its much more than just a donation, these donations are loans that actually get repaid. For me its extending my hand to friends across the world who I just haven't met yet. With programs like these I hope to do my part to help out. I hope that you will consider lending $25 to help.

Here are some of the loans I've contributed to:
Saran from Sierra Leone
Margaret from Sierra Leone
Galeh from Sierra Leone (pictured above--her loan still needs funding)
I wanted to pick women from a region that has been so dreadfully torn about by the diamond trade. Since I'm a jeweler, I felt that this was a fitting place to begin. (Note: I use after-market diamonds in my work)

Another great way to spread Kiva is to purchase $25 gift cards in which the recipient picks their own loan recipient. After the loan is repaid, they can cash it out or reinvest it into another candidate. Thanks again for reading my post. I hope that you might be moved to do one small random act of kindness.

Ring a Day Rings for Sale

RAD For Sale Feb 2011
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I'm cleaning out my boxes of inventory from the past year to make room for new ideas. I've decided to part with many of my one of a kind rings that were made for the Ring a Day group project on flickr. Most are size 6.5 because that's the size of my right ring finger, but some are larger.

You can see the sale section here.

My First Publication

I was so giddy last week when I saw a yellow bubble mailer from Lark Books. I had a hunch that it would be this book!!!! I opened it up and looked inside to see my first piece of jewelry in print. Being included in this book has quite literally changed my life.

In the Spring of 2009, I received an email from Lark Books inviting me to participate in this project. I was confused. At that time I had only been metalsmithing for a little over 2 years--having received my first torch as a present from my sweet husband, Hans for Christmas 2006. My maiden name was Graham and I was immediately terrified that they had mixed me up with a well-known (and famous) metalsmith--Sarah Graham. I consulted with a few friends and then I mustered up the courage to call Lark Books. I explained that they made a mistake and that I probably wasn't the person that they wanted, plus I was entirely self-taught. The Lark representative, Amanda Caresto, laughed good-naturedly and assured me that Marthe Le Van did not make a mistake and wanted me to be involved in this project.

Many of you know that I'm a classically trained opera singer with a master's in voice performance. I had struggled with my life's twists and turns and had really felt like a failure because I chose not to pursue a career and to be a Mom. I had frequent nightmares of being a failure. While I love being a mom, my artistic and ambitious impulses fought to get out. I turned to metalsmithing as a hobby to soothe my pent up frustration. I read every book I could get my hands on and every weekend, I would challenge myself to learn a new technique. I believed that if I had done a technique 100 times, then I owned that skill.

After the birth of my second child in 2006, I adopted my 10 year old niece. I went from one child to three quite literally overnight. I had to make more money, so began to sell my jewelry at church festivals and local craft fairs. It was impossible for me to teach more students because my voice would wear out, but I could make jewelry all night long while everyone slept. I had always wanted to make jewelry, but never knew about "art" jewelry. Now I can't imagine not making jewelry!!!

I want to thank Marthe Le Van and Linda Kopp for believing in me and for allowing me to be in this book. This validation happened at such a key moment in my life and has transformed me as an artist. I also thank my husband and my niece for all their help that allowed me time to work. I want to thank Karen Schoon who has always believed in me and who has been like a second mother to me. I am grateful for my Mom and Dad who have always been there for me. I only wish that my Dad had lived long enough to see me be an artist. And I thank all the people who have purchased my work. I feel so blessed and I am full of joy.

Now I hope that you all will want to purchase your very own copy of The Jewelry Design Challenge!

Birthday Sale!

RAD 87 Palm/Passion Sunday
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Today's my Birthday and I feel like celebrating!!! I'm offering a 20% off sale in my shop off anything over $20. Use "BIRTHDAY" for the sale code in the note to seller. (I'll send you a refund via paypal or you can wait for a revised invoice) I can't think of a better way to celebrate it except with you!!!

visit my shop:
Sara's Etsy shop Link

:D

My favorite jewelry memory: December Etsymetal Blog Carnival

If I was forced to pick only one of my most favorite Jewelry memories, it would be participating in our Etsymetal Jewelry Challenges this past Fall. These challenges were directly inspired by Lifetime's Project Runway with our very own Vic Takahasi from Experimetal managing the project. These challenges really helped me pursue new directions. I had to work within different parameters and stick to deadlines. I also tried to do some new and exciting pieces since we were posting it on our blog. Its so much fun to see what my team members do with the exact same parameters. If you want to see all my pieces made in the season and read a more in depth interview see our Meet the Designers blog post.

If you want to know more about these projects, please visit our etsymetal team blog.

Other metalsmiths who are blogging on their favorite jewelry experience too!
Andes Cruz Designs - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Danielle Miller - http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
Bijougirl- http://amandaconley.blogspot.com

Happy December!

turquoise ring
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I decided to start off this month with a section in my etsy store for December birthstones. The traditional stone is blue topaz, but the alternate is Turquoise. I really love mottled turquoise with lots of green. I have a section on etsy where I have all my turquoise and blue topaz listed. If you need a birthday gift this month, then you know where to go!

Cyber Monday Sale!

I really wanted to see how the Cyber Monday Sales are going to go, so I put a few special items in my sale section in my etsy store. If you want to see them, go to my sale section. Free international shipping until Midnight on Monday too.

I've stocked up at Blue Moon Gift Shops and Port City Pottery, so you can always find my work there as well!

See you Saturday at Art for the Masses

labradorite ring 006
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Well today I'm busy getting ready for one of my favorite Wilmington shows, Art for the Masses by Creative Wilmington. All art work is between $25-$250 and there will be over 200 local and regional artists there. I hope that you will come out to see me on Saturday, November 21 in the brand new Bank of America building at 319 North Third Street in downtown Wilmington. I'll have my newest work with me at this show. If you want the first pick, come at 8:00 am and pay $10 to get in early! The show opens to the general public at 9am and ends at 4pm with a suggested donation of $3.

See you there!!!

Bach's "St. John's Passion"

Bach's "St. John's Passion"
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Its called "St. John's Passion". I used an old score from Bach's "St. John's Passion" for the paper. It killed me to use a score, but this was a modern adaption by a former choir director who basically edited it and then printed out the scores at a copy shop. It was a score in progress, so there were still edits being made, so it was okay to destroy it. I used the beginning chorale and the first aria.

A "passion" is a gospel story about the crucifixion of Jesus. There are four all together written by different authors in the New testament and typically used during Lent leading up to Easter. This particular passage comes from the book of John, hence the name, St. John's Passion. Passions were very popular in Bach's time and later because during lent people refrained from going to the opera house and this was a "blblical dramatiztion", so it was acceptable. Bach wrote hundreds of church cantatas and has a little over three years of church cantatas written--one for every week.

These passions are still being performed and they are like sung mini plays. They are not acted out, but there are parts for someone to sing the Narrator often referred to as the Evangelist, Jesus, Judas, and other characters in the story. The piece is largely choral set for a typical church choir interspersed with recitatives and arias. Recitatives are the "spoken-like" sung solo passages with lots of text and the Arias are the solos for characters reflecting on their particular mood. The arias are more melodic.

This piece is a made to complete the Etsy Metal Project Runway Challenge, season 6, episode 5. To read more about out challenges coinciding with the hit show on Lifetime (formerly on Bravo), read the etsymetal team blog.

EMJC-PR Nostalgia Bone Cuff

EMPR 6:4 Nostalgia Bone Cuff
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

My challenge for this project was to create a piece from these parameters: bracelet, bone, and Byzantine/Victorian. I knew right away that I wanted to do the Victorian style.

I did some research and this hinged style of cuff was quite the rage in the Victorian Era. Most of the pieces found were 2 styles: wide band bracelet with hinges or a wide wire with ornamental balls on the end that overlapped in the front. I used the same square wire reinforcements on the edges to add to the strength. It was fun to use my experience with antiques to help guide my work on this piece. As a young girl I helped my father with his antique business. I love the jewelry part the best!

I had Hans (my stone cutter hubby) cut a section fossilized bone for this project. He had to recut a second stone since I broke the original bone. He trimmed down another one to make it work. (Did I say how much I love my digital calipers?)

The clasp is my favorite part. Its a spring pin clasp with a spinel set into to top of the pin. There is a safety chain as well. The side where the pin lives is secured by a wire that is soldered across the tubing and goes through the pin. (I really sweated this one out!!!)

I am so grateful for Vic from Experimetal for all her hard work on this project to help motivate us to reach for higher and higher artistic goals. I've decided that these challenges are just as important to me as commissions. I learn so much from each challenge. For more on our team challenges, please visit the etsy metal blog.
etsymetal.blogspot.com/

I am also grateful for my sweet Husband and my oldest Alyssa, who are my very best diamond finders! I managed to drop both of these on the floor and they found both of them for me! Everyone in my family is so supportive of my work and I am truly grateful that they lend a hand when I need it. I will have this piece for sale for my local shows. I'm not sure if I will list it on etsy yet.........

Happy Birthday Sale

flush 4 sapphires
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Today's my birthday and your lucky day! I'm having a sale in my store until midnight tonight. Every purchase over $30 qualifies for a 20% off discount and free shipping--domestic and international! Come and shop at my etsy store and get that piece that you have been saving up for!

500th Etsy Sale SALE!

In honor of reaching my 500th etsy sale and my birthday, I'm having a sale until Monday, March 30th at midnight. Every purchase over $30 in my shop will receive 20% off and free domestic and international shipping. Just pay with paypal and I'll refund you the sale price--or request a revised paypal invoice if you prefer.

Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 Finished Charms

Deadline for the Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 was this past Saturday. I've already received 9 sets of charms in the mail and I love it! Its a bit like Christmas being the curator. I have all these interesting small boxes and envelopes arriving and I am thrilled to get a first peek. Here is your first peek of the finished charms. Limited edition individual charms make great pendants and will be for sale in the Etsymetal store. There will only be two for sale in the store, one for sale as an individual charm and one in a complete charm bracelet. Be the first to get yours!


Experimetal sterling shielded rock charm.


TreAnelli sterling concentric circle charm.


nyhedy with her unique castings.


erosas 14k gold foil and sterling charms


deliasthompson's cobblestone collection


Tuizui's enameled copper and sterling charms


Maggiejs petal and gemstone charm.


NinaGibsonDesigns brass and sterling teacup


KathrynRiechert hand stamped sterling disks with brass rivets.



IstanbulDesigns etched bronze owls.


Ashleyjewelry's charms use copper and polymer clay


rubygirl has filigree and enamel charms


sarawestermark copper and sterling leaves

C'est fini!

EMCS 3 finished charms 004
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I am finally finished with my charms! I am pleased with how they turned out and I think they will work well with the other charms in the works for the etsymetal charm swap bracelet 3. Here's a list of my fellow team members etsy stores and when they send me pictures I'm going to post them on my blog. Let's make this the best Etsymetal Charm Swap ever!
1. howlindoggie
2. TreAnelli
3. tuizui
4. duckduckgoose
5. nyhedy
6. stamp
7. aubergine228
8. experimetal
9. budgie
10. ashhilton
11. rubygirl
12. ninagibsondesigns
13. sarawestermark
14. ashleyjewelry
15. maggiejs
16. deliathomson
17. ninadinoff
18. IstanbulDesigns
19. KathrynRiechert
20.eRosas

ETSY Weekend Deals!

I was doing my morning work, getting orders made and ready to ship when I noticed this picture in the etsy Storque Weekend Specials. I was thrilled to say the least and I feel very blessed for all the recent good fortune. I am grateful to my family, friends, etsy, etsymetal and to God. I really feel that there is some divine force steering my life for me. So I will continue what I'm doing and remember always to "pay it forward" and to "do the next right thing".

Etsy Front Page

Thanks to Sophie at duckduckgoose, I have a wonderful screen shot of my five minutes of etsy fame. Enjoy. I need to blog on my new favorite shop on etsy: pocomedio.

champagne diamond stacker

champagne diamond stacker
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I just finished this today and I'm really excited! I already listed it in my etsy store and I hope to have more ready soon. I want to do a series of gemstone 18k and sterling stacker rings in round and square ring shanks. My next project is to begin on the 18k chocolate diamond ring for the 7th Annual Chocolate Festival here in Wilmington!

small black hearts

small black hearts
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I just listed these itty, bitty blackened sterling hearts today. I cut the hearts, drilled them and added a black patina. Earwires are gold fill. I was probably in a dark mood because this is the listing description on etsy:
"These are for the girl your mother warned you about. She is a bad, bad girl. She loves to go out for Thai food then kick back her heels and dance. Your friends complain that you haven't spent much time with them. You can't seem to help it, she's all you think about."
You can check them out on etsy.

Ashley Akers Jewelry

Blue Topaz Starburst Ring
Originally uploaded by ashleyjewelry

Great Sale at My Friends Store!
Ashley Akers makes gorgeous jewelry and I've just bought 4 of her rings--2 for me and one for my mom and one for my sister. I'm currently wearing the ring pictured. You need to go and check out her shop, but don't forget her sale section! I have a serious ring problem! I always seem to need a new ring!

Last week I made a few rings that I hoped would give me practice for a gold and diamond series I want to premiere at Wilmington's 7th Annual Chocolate festival. My supplies finally arrived, now I just need to find time and right mental space to create. I need to work quickly, but I'm still not rested from the Christmas rush.