Flash sale for my Birthday--Today only!!!

Today is my birthday and I'm having a Flash sale just for today to celebrate!  Use coupon code FLASH15 in my online etsy store to save 15% off any purchase! I am going to have a happy day, and I hope that you will too! Its a good day for a treat! Thank you again for all your loyal support!

Road to Health.....

I have not blogged in a long time, because I have been very ill.  After a year and a half of suffering, I finally figured out what caused me to have a variety of mysterious symptoms like: vertigo, joint pain, crushing headaches, memory loss, word retrial loss, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, loss of use of my right arm, loss of strength, tingling in my fingers and toes, loss of feeling in my fingers and toes, partial blindness, and fatigue so complete I could barely do anything.  I was chronically tired, in chronic pain, and my memory was like early onset dementia.  All this from a tiny tick bite that I had on the back of my neck.  It is Lyme Disease.  I have been treating my illness for 15 months now alternating between western and eastern protocols.  I am working full time again, although I do get tired more easily than I used to pre-Lyme.

I have had to adopt some very healthy habits too.  I now eat an anti-inflammatory diet (no wheat, no dairy, and no sugar), practice yoga, and meditate.  I eat organic fruits and veggies, use natural soaps and shampoos, and I am learning about essential oils. I have learned to take better care of myself and to listen to my body. Its startling to see photos of myself from the blog, because my treatment and commitment to health has allowed me to drop over 40 lbs.

I'm excited about participating in a project started by Victoria Takahashi, who challenged jewelers from all over the globe to make one earring a day.  I've made over 80 single earrings already! It has been quite challenging to make an earring a day and then list it on etsy.  Sometimes I have to do them in groups because some days I just do not have studio time!

You can see some great earrings on this pinterest board!


Visit my Etsy shop for single Earring a Day earrings, or put "EAD2015" into the Etsy search bar to see all of my colleagues' fine single earrings! Mix and match and be the artist who designs the pair!  

Next blog, I'll introduce you to my new "Guardian" series.... :D Stay healthy!

"Shaping the Forms of Life" Magazine Feature by Cece Nunn

I was thrilled to have freelance writer Cece Nunn write an article about my life and work for the new Wilmington Magazine, "Edge of the Carolinas".  This photo was taken while I was trying to work during the photoshoot for the article!  Orange Slice, our sun conure, was trying to get a better look and used my hair as a ladder.  Although silly, this photo is my favorite image from the article! I've had a few years that have been full of difficulty and now I'm looking forward to making new work!

byzantium brooch by Sara Westermark, 2011

Click on the link below to read the full article:

http://edgeofthecarolinas.com/articles/shaping-the-forms-of-life/

 

Sara in the studio with Jasper (green cheek), Orange Slice (sun) and Lemon Head (jenday)

Shop anytime online for my work at my Etsy Store:

making wedding bands from wire

I love the process of turning a length of wire into a wedding ring. 

Here's a brief tour.....

cut length of wires according to the size of band

hammered, formed and ready to solder

after soldering, the rings need lots of filing and sanding

finished rings have a polished interior for comfort and patina

Right now I'm having a sale on my custom handmade wedding bands in my Etsy Store!  I can also sell them individually if you would like just one.  As always thanks for reading!

Medieval Rings and Moon Rings

Today I'll be listing some rings in my Etsy store!  The light was perfect in my studio this morning, so I took photos.  The medieval rings have the barbells through them while the moon rings have the wide bands with holes.

L-R: Tapered Moon Ring with London Blue Topaz, Big Bang Moon Ring with Citrine, Medieval Ring with pink tourmaline, Twin Moon Ring with London Blue and Blue Topaz, Medieval Ring with London Blue Topaz, Aquamarine and green Tourmaline, and Big Bang Moon Ring with Prasiolite.

Don't forget to use coupon code SAVE20 to get your 20% off a purchase of $50 or more!

Save 20% when you spend $50+ at my Etsy store!

Thank you all for being the best customers!  Here's a coupon code to thank you for your continued support of my work. Click here for my Etsy Store or go to http://www.sarawestermark.etsy.com.  Use coupon code SAVE20.

Wedding Season is Here! Come celebrate it with me!

I have always loved weddings--and I have been to many weddings--some very traditional and some very non-traditional in which the bridesmaids dressed in their favorite comic character/heroine! For me the act of two people pledging their commitment, friendship, and love for each other is very moving and an enduring sign of hope.

I've been excited about the low prices of metal--so why not celebrate it during my wedding season with sales on my wedding bands!

photo by Ben Forster

This picture was taken at an Etsy customer's wedding by photographer Ben Forster.  What a wonderful photo of my square wedding rings.  These rings were created for my friends April and Mic, who are still blissfully married!

artist photo

At the Orange Street Arts Festival I met a sweet young couple who were both actors.  This was the wedding set created for Tia and Matt which reminded them of tree bark.

handmade round wedding bands, artist photo

Each set of bands are listed in my Etsy shop for $50 off regular prices.  I don't know how long this sale will last, so order soon!

Thanks again for reading!
Sara

Home for a few weeks...

I am home for a few weeks after an intense marathon of doing four back to back Art Shows. I do enjoy meeting all my customers and seeing their faces light up when they find the right piece.

ART SHOW Highlights:

At TACA in Nashville, Tennessee I met a woman who commissioned me to work with her on designing her wedding band with diamonds from her family. We decided on a tidal pool type of ring with a wide band with the diamonds set in rose gold. I am so excited to begin work on this.

At the St. James 4th Street Art show in Louisville (where I won an honorable mention prize), I met a lovely woman and cancer survivor and who unbeknownst to her just happens to be my new muse. (insert a smile here) She has incredible creative energy and I immediately connected with her and her daughter. She bought a hammered organic circle pendant with a champagne diamond in an 18k gold bezel. My mother and sister live in Louisville, so it was nice to get to visit them.

In Waynesboro, VA at the Fall Foliage Art Show I was thrilled to win 1st prize in the jewelry category. Its wonderful validation when your work gets recognized in a public way. Plus prize money is always a bonus! I don't know who does it, but the kettle corn popcorn at the show was the biggest and fluffiest I have ever tasted.

Stockley Gardens Art Show in Norfolk, VA was a great show and I got to room with fellow jeweler, Dolores Fawkes and her sister Pauline, who specializes in lampwork beads. The Virginia shows are closer for me to do than the Asheville NC shows, so I'll be looking for more shows in that area.

Now that I am home, I have taken my art show pieces and have them for sale at Port City Pottery and Fine Crafts located in the Cotton Exchange, Wilmington, NC. If you are in the area, stop by to see my larger pieces of work. On Tuesdays, I work in the gallery as well--so feel free to come by and say hello! Now I will have to get to work on my commissions. :D

Fall Shows!

I have updated my

2011 Fall Show Schedule:

September 23-25

TACA Art Show, Nashville, TN

September 30-October 2

St. James Court Art Show, Louisville KY (booth number FS-729)

October 15-16

Stockley Gardens in Norfolk, VA

November 25-26

Wilmington Art & Craft Show, Wilmington, NC

December 2-4

Columbus Winterfair in Columbus, OH

"Roman Ruins Necklace" photo by Larry Sanders

Men's Jewelry

Mens Square Wedding band with Diamond, a photo by sarawestermark on Flickr.

I have been busy making custom pieces this week. This square band is typically part of my wedding set, but I wanted to add a champagne diamond to make it stand alone.

It makes me think about making more jewelry for Men. It is very heavy with a hammered and brushed texture.

Bottom Left: Men's Link Bracelet

Fabricated by hand out of sterling silver. Its got a nice heavy weight to it. Each link is 6x2mm in height and depth.

Project Runway 9-2 Ceylon Necklace

Project Runway 9-2 Ceylon Necklace, a photo by sarawestermark on Flickr.

This weeks Project Runway challenge was the Pet store challenge. Initially I have to confess that I was not excited about it--sometimes I doubt my ability to manipulate unusual materials. When I saw this dog bone--then I was excited! I was thrilled with how it turned out! I took a rubber dog bone and cut it with my jewelers saw. I connected them with a rust resistant steel wire I got at Harbor Freight. (I bought a pound of it for $5--that's how it was packaged too!)

I may even keep this piece. I made earrings to match--but its a bit busy with the necklace. They touch.

If you want to play, come and check out the EtsyMetal Blog for details!

Art Fair on the Square

I am absolutely thrilled to be invited to be a part of Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI this coming weekend. (July 9-10) Its a far drive, but I think that the trip will be worth it. I have never been to Madison, and I'm anxious to visit. I hope that if you live nearby that you will stop by and see my work! I'm booth 351, just in case.

Tonight I'm in the studio finishing up some custom pieces. I always get nervous before a show and the best way I know to combat my nerves is to keep busy. Its quiet in the house and everyone is asleep. Pretty soon, I'll sleep too.

I feel such joy and hope when I think about this show. I'm excited to see what adventures lie ahead! See you at the Fair!

Fall Show Schedule--Back in the Saddle!

After my back surgery at the end of February and my burnout from last fall, I took some time off all my online communications and re-connected with my family, did physical therapy for my back, and am slowly but surely getting back into the studio! My husband Hans built this lovely pergola and Tuscan style dining table for our backyard. He is training grape vines to grow up the supports. Its been lovely having this time off, but I'm ready to get back into the studio!


Show Schedule 2011

JULY 2-4 NC 4th of July Festival Art and Craft Show, Southport, NC

JULY 9-10 Art Fair on the Square 2011, Madison, WI (Booth #351)

JULY 30 International Day Festival, Waynesville, NC

AUGUST 20-21 Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Mount Gretna, PA

SEPTEMBER 2-4 Queeny Park Fall Art Show, St. Louis, MO

SEPTEMBER 24 Artsfest, Winston-Salem, NC

SEPT 30-OCT 2 St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY (Booth Fourth St #729)

OCTOBER 9-10 Fall Foliage Art Show, Waynesboro, VA

OCTOBER 15-16 Autumn with Topsail, Topsail Island, NC

NOVEMBER 20-21 Wilmington Art Show, Wilmington, NC

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.

SNAG Tool Review Continued--Micro Forming Tools

I was enchanted by the tools offered by N. C. Black Co in the vendor room at the Society of North American Goldsmith's conference.  N. C. Black Co. specializes in micro forming tools for shell forming, raising, and spiculums by offering a full range of hammers, mallets, stakes and forming blocks for metalsmiths.  

These tools are available only at ALLCRAFT TOOL Co. and are 100% made in the United States.  I couldn't find a website address for Allcraft, but I do have a phone number to call for the tools, (212) 279-7077.  People were constantly at the booth trying out various hammers.  I don't remember a time when they had an empty booth!

They also had handouts available to show how each hammer was used to create these different micro forms.  I decided in the interest of time that I would visit them after I get home since they are located in North Carolina.  I am planning to travel to the Sawtooth School to get a lesson on these beautiful tools.

Going to my first SNAG Conference!

Tomorrow morning I take a 7 am flight to Houston to attend my very first SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) Conference.  One of the first things done at this conference is the legendary "pin swap".  Its a meet and greet event in which the members trade pins that they have made.  I made over 50 pins out of copper, sterling pin backs and large fresh water pearls.  I'm really excited, nervous and nearly ready to go.  

I'm torn with leaving my family.  At first it sounded like a really great Mom only vacation, but now I'm getting a bit anxious that I will miss them terribly.  Of course they will get along fine without me for a few days.  (I'm going to keep telling myself that!).

One highlight for me is that I get to wear Erica Stankwytch Bailey's extraordinary recycled junk mail necklace.  It is spectacular.  I will try to post pictures while I'm out there.  

Haiti Auction

Tomi from Metal Riot is graciously hosting an auction to fundraise for Haiti. I donated a turquoise and sterling ring to be auctioned off on Ebay to raise these much needed funds. The listing just went up and I hope that it will generate some money for Haiti. The bid begins at $35, so on your mark, get set, GO!!!!!

To bid on it click here.
To bid on other rings to be sold for Haiti Relief click here.

Lark Books Used my Rings on their Call for Submissions!

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!"

Ring a Day nos. 1-9

Ring a Day nos. 1-9
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I've really loved participating in this challenge. They say that a habit is not truly formed until you have been doing it 21 days. These self-imposed limitations help me to work. Everyday I'm inspired to see what my friends make. I'm the kind of person who won't go workout unless I have to meet my friend there too! This challenge makes it fun and I feel that all my friends are there plucking bits out of the collective consciousness. I really wanted something that would allow me to be creative a little bit every day. So far I'm not selling my collection yet, but I can remake most of these for anyone who just has to have one!!! If you want to see more rings from a lot of different artists, then check this link to the RING a DAY.

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