I just got back from doing two back to back art shows, and was so thrilled to open a package with my "Ring a Day" book inside! "Ring a Day" is a beautiful book full of images from cover to cover. With its field guide type of feel, this book is brilliantly edited by Marthe Le Van and demonstrates the project's breadth and endless variety of rings. Some rings are novel, some are funny, some beautiful, some challenge practical notions of what is a ring.
For the reader--it is a book of inspiration, imagination, and a visual snap shot of the creative process. For me, it is eye candy. I have several rings in the books as well--so I'm slightly inclined to be in love with this book!!! Enjoy and be inspired!
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.
I am addicted to people's life stories and especially their successes. I normally do most of my reading via audio books when I'm traveling, but I've come across a book that has made me want to sit down and study it! "Craft Corps" by Vickie Howell published by Lark Books is a colorful and engaging book about the lives of hundreds of crafters. The tag line says it all, "Documenting the Crafting Revolution" with "celebrity interviews, profiles of everyday crafters, and tales of making a creative life." I am fascinated with the grassroots community and their overabundant dose of Do-It-Yourself combined with ingenuity. I love that this book instantly captures my attention and makes me want to read more. I think that you will love it too!
This weekend I'm traveling to Asheville to participate in The Big Crafty at Pack Square. I'll be outside, so if you are in the area please look for me! It was such a fun show last year--I'm really looking forward to it again.
Lark Books has a really cool blog and included my etsy store front in their blog post about the event. I have many new things to show you and I'm thrilled to feature my "lily pad & reed" series.
I'm organizing my life at the moment and if I get a second wind, I might make something special for the show! I'll travel to the western side of the state and stay with my friend Maggie, who will also do the show. (Maggie will be set up inside and upstairs in the Asheville Art Museum.)
I love to travel to see my friend and to have a show. Its work, but its so much fun that it doesn't feel like work! I hope that if you live nearby, you will come and see us! (me and maggie, that is!)
Last Wednesday I got a call from Lark Books requesting some photos for an upcoming press release to announce a "call for submissions" for their latest 30-Minute Ring Book. I was thrilled to let them use photos of my work and very humbled as well.
I don't know about you, but I have to work quickly to get things done in the studio. I have a family of three with my youngest still at home, so needless to say, I've been working with mastering the 30-minute challenge!
Lark Books is challenging metalsmiths and jewelry designers to submit designs for their newest book in the 30-minute Design Series.
"We challenge you to design a ring that can be made…start to finish…IN 30 MINUTES FLAT. Artists exceeded expectations by submitting stunning work for 30-Minute Earrings and 30-Minute Necklaces, the first two books in this series. Now we ask you to join the fun! Winning jewelers will be paid to create their designs. Winning designs will be published in a new Lark jewelry book, 30-Minute Rings.
Proposals due March 19, 2010 (and not a second later!).
For details and entry forms, click here. GAME ON!"
This Sunday I'll participate as a vendor at the Big Crafty at the Asheville Art Museum from 12pm to 6pm. I'm really excited because this is my first time doing this show and I get to go and see Maggie too. As part of a fundraiser for the Big Crafty, I made a belt buckle and donated it. The "Organic Leaf Belt Buckle" will be auctioned at the show.
I'll also get to meet some of the folks from Lark Books! I'll be included in two Lark books for next fall and I'm absolutely thrilled.
