Kewish Designs

What to do while navigating the sea of infinite possibilities

2012-01-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

runs with silver platter

2012-01-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

"Shadow Dance" Photo by Lisa Kewish

It is ok to talk about yourself.

It is GREAT to talk up your qualities.

It is amazing to hear about your struggles.

Why not be amazed with your human being-ness? Why pretend otherwise?

No need to apologize for.........anything.

"Sorry" should be eliminated.

(true apologies for a real event that needs mending is acceptable)

Being confused about choices is real and also ok.

Reveal the monsters. Revel in them, even. Why not?

This is called life and the best use of it is to run with it.

If a carrot is dangled - grab!

If a wooden nickel is offered - bite it and move on!

If a bowl of cherries is plunked down in front of you, eat them and have a pit spitting contest!

Of course, you know the lemons-make-a-drink cliche.

Most important...

If a silver platter is handed to you - run!

And tell us all about it so that we can cheer, or cry, or fight the fight with you.

Yes, I am currently influenced by watching "Downton Abbey" and seeing all the rules and regulations that people lived by. Have we really changed all that much? Sometimes I don't feel that we have...

Behavior, propriety, privacy and embarassment.

Pshaw!

Phooey!

Be pissed.

Be aroused.

Be astounded.

Be negative.

Be positive.

Be full on and luscious.

Be real.

and stop saying "sorry" for it.

Wave the silver platter so that we know to give you a standing ovation.

About attempts...

2012-01-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

What is the first creative moment you remember?

I remember writing a play that I tried to get the other kids in my mom's daycare to perform. I think it had about eight lines. "Prince April Saves the Monster." I am still perplexed as to why I named a Prince "April"...? Or did I mean Princess? I do not know. I just remember the writing, producing and directing. This process iIncluded trying to get a three year old girl to remember her lines, and to keep her older brother focused on what he was supposed to do. I attempted - it failed.

But the "fun" was in the attempt.

My greatest fear is that I may run out of energy to keep making attempts.

Photo Ramblin' - New Year's Eve 2011

2012-01-02T20:37:00.000-08:00


Creative ideas look like this in my head. Layers, things that don't make sense, a standard design, something in the background, something up front... a lot of stuff happening all at once. ("Gotta Clear My Head")

Best way to clear my head is to grab my camera and take pictures.
I really like taking pictures of other photographers taking pictures.
Ever look to see what the photographer is taking a picture of?
I didn't look this time.
Just focused on the girl.
("Day Dreamz")

Fabric fascinates me. I did strange things to the exposure and color to find the shapes in this parasol.

Sometimes I wonder if the bored aloofness that many young women hold on their faces...
is from all the mannequins that fill store windows.
("She Needs a New Career")

Kali. How fitting that I bumped into her on my walk.

These were on the sidewalk BEFORE the clock struck 12.
("Left and Right Shoes")

Look at the gorgeous curve on the dashboard...
("Sits on the Right")

I didn't go over and listen...but I did take a picture.
Other wall quotes gathered over the weekend:
"Expect Great Things" and
"Ask Bigger Questions."

2011 Year in Review

2011-12-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

Kewish Designs at High Hill Ranch, October 2011

January 2011
Like most artists...January is the Great Black-Out time. Staying quiet and resting is the game plan. Maybe some cleaning and organizing in the studio...nothing is in my calendar for January 2011!

I gave myself a challenge to do a "Piece a Week"...I did fairly well with that until Apple Hill hit! At that point I was making leaves, leaves and more leaves.

February 2011
Still quiet...but a lot was stirring!

March 2011
We were the featured artists at Arareity! Even had a radio ad that mentioned "Kewish Designs." That created a lot of excitement! It was fun to walk into parties and have people say, "Hey! I heard about you on the radio!" We had a fun evening!

And then...I started running again...one particular day I was having a GREAT run...except I tripped...fell...bounced and slidddddddddddddddddddd. I was at the furthest point out from the house...so...left arm, hands and knees bloody and swelling...I hobbled back the two miles to get back home. And then sat down covered in ice packs. I was unable to do any studio work for the rest of the month.

April 2011
Studio work...to the best of our ability!

May 2011
Fire and Rain Gallery opened up a 2nd store on Sutter Street. We had pieces in both locations!
The end of May (Memorial Day weekend), we began our Tahoe shows...it SNOWED that weekend. Horrible snowy, windy weather. bleh.

June and July 2011 - Tahoe every weekend. The 17-day run from July 1 through the 17th. Not much action for us up in Tahoe. We had to seriously think about that commitment. Frankly, we were losing money and our spirits were really, really down. We did not feel the love. We hung in there. At the last minute we contacted Mendocino's "Art in the Garden" organizer..."we know we are late, but can we still get in?" They were THRILLED to hear from us and were delighted that we wanted to do the show. So...

August 2011
A great kick-off to August by doing the "Art in the Gardens" show at Mendocino's Botanical Gardens! We did well and that helped to boost our spirits. We did one more weekend up at Tahoe and then got ready for...

September - December 2011
High Hill Ranch/Apple Hill!!! What an amazing experience that was! We did very well...almost too well at times. We were working seven days a week at the Ranch, then coming home and doing studio time. Because we make each piece, one at a time...it, well, TAKES TIME! We were so busy in fact...that the calendar on our wall is STILL on September!
Even with all THAT going on - we added a trunk show at Vintners, and a show at Gold Hill Winery!

Our big winners were wire wrap rings, hearts, leaves and the Key to Self. I (Lisa) am sold out of my artsy pieces. I believe that Josh's silver flower pendants have sold...except for one with an opal.

Still available!

We made a conscious choice to not do so many street fairs this past year...it just isn't our scene.
We also made a conscious choice to get into a few more galleries and stores. For now we are in Fire and Rain, PeraDice, Vintner's and Journey. We pulled out of Arareity and The Market Place.

In between everything else we did a few Mid-Town Bazaars and Ladies Night at Vintner's.

Looking forward we are thinking about wholesale...and finding some stores in Berkeley and San Francisco that would carry our work. We will apply for "Art in the Gardens" for August 2012 and we will be at High Hill Ranch next September - December. Right now as I write this, I am aware of an approaching deadline for a show in El Dorado Hills in May that we are pondering... yikes! In March we are going to jury in for the St. John Craft Fair in December. That show is HUGE.

We are also trying to figure out ways to introduce and sell our other creative work...Josh's drawings and paintings and my photography. I still have a few other creative ideas that need to get out of my head!!

It has been a splendid year and we thank you all for being a part of it! I have a feeling that some amazing things are going to happen in 2012...because they have already been set in motion! :)

Have a GREAT New Year and see you in 2012!

Last Show of 2011!

2011-12-14T17:08:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 17. 12pm to 8pm.

Vintner's Cellar Custom Winery

12401 Folsom Blvd

Rancho Cordova, Ca 95742

NEW SHOW! December 10 and 11, 2011

2011-11-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

December 10 and 11 will be our last weekend at High Hill Ranch/Apple Hill! It has been an amazing experience! We have already turned in our application for the 2012 season!

We have also added a show (yes, we will be in two places at once!):

Holidays in the Hall

Craft and Gift Fair

Saturday and Sunday,

December 10^th and 11th

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Hand-crafted items from local artisans.

Unique gift ideas. Pampering Station.

And, of course, excellent

Gold Hill Vineyard wines!

Help support Placerville Animal Services by donating money or items!

Gold Hill Vineyard

5660 Vineyard Lane

Placerville, CA 95667

(530) 626-6522

Trunk Show at Vintner's Cellar Custom Winery

2011-11-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

Yes! We are still up at High Hill Ranch/Apple Hill seven days a week... AND we have added a trunk show!

Vintner's Cellar Customer Winery
12401 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova

Wednesday, November 16, 6-9pm!

We are bringing our top sellers; hearts, leaves and wire-wrap rings!

This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done...for yourself, for others...and support local artists. We even have gift boxes!

These have all sold...but we are making MORE!

Pieces for week 42: Turtles!

2011-10-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the booth last week staring at a piece of copper....wondering...hmmmm ...
and then I heard a little boy yell, "TURTLE!!! Look mom...a turtle..." he had seen one of the sun-catchers that our neighboring vendor sells.

Turtles. What a good idea.

So, I made some...and a key and another leaf...with a dragonfly!

One of the turtles sold the same day I put them out! A woman had just returned from Los Cabos, Mexico and had spent time with the conservationists who are working on saving the sea turtles. She saw my little turtles and ... well... had to have a little reminder!

It's the stories that are told to me that are amazing.
And now that I think of it...interesting timing!

Introducing "Yimmiys" and fun Halloween jewelry!

2011-10-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Introducing "Yimmiys". Yours Is Mine, Mine is Yours! LOVE THEM. Here they are, mother and daughter:

Taylor and Teri Lafferty of "Yimmiys"

What you are seeing in the picture is "garden art". They take old plates and cups and re-purpose them...add a stake and VOILA...pretty art for your garden...they also re-purpose frames - picture, bed, door...and ... TA DA...we are re-doing our booth with their work! I have been wanting to add this kind of look to our shop, but haven't had the time to add the wires and all the other details. But Taylor and Teri do DO this work, and do an excellent job at very affordable prices.

Look!

"Yimmiys" large frame with a strong wire grill. PERFECT for earrings! I got swooshy with the fabric!

The white oval frame is a "Yimmiys"!

The white frame on the left was the first "Yimmiys" we purchased! You can see a larger white grilled frame on the right. For now we are using it as a "prop." Future booth building will have the frame holding our work.

BUSY! And the "Yimmiys" frames look fantastic!

Again, their prices are very approachable. If there are any art/craft vendors out there that would like to add a "Yimmiys" piece or five to their display...here is the info:

Yimmiys
P.O. Box 10614
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
yimmiys@hotmail.com

They said I could put their phone numbers on this blog...but right now that doesn't feel right...but you do have their email address! I believe the next time they will be at High Hill Ranch is November 19! I know I'm saving some dollars to get a few more....somethings...don't know what they will have, but I want more!!

They also make the frames with a cork board backing...one very cool frame has the wire and a chalk board ... kinda want that one, but I would need to have a 10x20 booth!!!

One more share:

Our limited line of "Halloweenies"... Josh made little pendant charms to charm the spirit...

The little family of Halloweenies. Not sure if we have any pumpkins left!

Fierce, yet charming. I think each of these guys needs a name.

"OH NO Mr. Bill"

Boo!

However you think about yourself is who you are! Have the most excellent thoughts about yourself!

Pieces for weeks 40 and 41: heavy panting...

2011-10-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

ok, so, we have made lots of new wearable art pieces...
All have sold. No pictures! Well...I did take a few pictures so that I could have a record, but the pics didn't come out as well as I would have liked (so I'm not sharing...).

This is good...to make something and have it sell just as fast...Some things have taken longer to find a new home...this piece just sold today to someone who "got" that...if she loved it, she had to buy it...because it probably wouldn't be there the next time...


Sold today! "The Experiment"... named after what it was...I wasn't sure my plan was going to work!

Josh and I worked on these hearts this week... Only a couple remain!! Josh is working on more as I write this post...

Hearts! (and a beaded thingy and an abstract something)

Ah...and last night my ship(ment) came in with new silver-fill sheet. Although I was really in the mood to be out and about doing non-artist/designer/vendor things...I just couldn't wait to get my hands on this stuff. 22 gauge silver fill...or silver clad...I made a leaf (on auto I think) and then did these cool scratches on the surface. Filed away the edges to created a silver leaf with a "gold" outline.

I made two more silver leaves while sitting in the booth today! No pics though! :( Too busy! :)

Silver clad leaf. Hand fabricated. Light and delicate.

ok - there you go. 71 days until Christmas by the way....next week I hope to post some pics of our "Halloweeny" line! }:-}

On being a vendor...

2011-10-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

*Your booth is your store and you are the owner/manager/artist/ruler - so be professional.

*Open early and close late. (Even if you haven't seen a single human since 2pm...YOU NEVER EVER KNOW....)

*Follow every rule that the event has...to the letter. Have questions? Find the organizer.

*No complaining, bellyaching, or backbiting in your booth. AT ALL.

*No complaining, bellyaching, or backbiting in another vendor's booth. AT ALL.

*If you must vent then find a neutral space away from it all.

*If you are visiting with another vendor, be aware when potential customers walk into the space. Back off. The event is about connecting with customers and selling.

*Raise your tables. This isn't the 1960s and we are not hippies.

*Use lighting. Regardless of your product. Light it up.

*Smile.

*Laugh

*Ignore the strange comments that passers-by make. They aren't your customer anyway.

*Do you know who your customer is? Write a profile of your perfect customers. Review this profile when it's slow.

*Keep a mirror handy to make sure spinach isn't stuck in your teeth...or other such debris!

*Stay out of vendor gossip. Some of it can get so far off base it's ridiculous.

*Don't worry about that other jeweler, photographer, fabric artist in the show. You have your unique look and customer and s/he has their own.

*Stop talking about the horrible economy. There are individuals who WANT to spend money on original work. There is plenty of money.

*Make a quality product with a guarantee.

*Customer service is EVERYTHING...

*Smile (worth repeating)

*Laugh (ditto)

*Ditch the "victim/artist" mode.

*Artists are visionaries and innovators. That is a powerful position.

*Offer the world something irresistible.

Pieces for Week 39...How to Make a Copper Leaf

2011-09-30T00:26:00.000-07:00

My painted leaves are a big hit at our booth at High Hill Ranch! That is all I have been making. Instead of sending another batch of pictures of leaves...I thought I would share some pics of the process!

I cut out a piece of 18 gauge copper for the leaf using metal shears.

Using a template that I designed, I scratch the outline of the leaf.

I use the metal shears again to cut out the leaf. I prefer the shears over a jeweler's saw because the shears create shape in the leaf...as opposed to the saw which creates a flat piece with no movement.

While the shears create "movement" in the copper, they also leave behind a rough edge. Lots of filing is needed.

More filing....

Filing in the corners...I file at an angle to begin to sculpt a shape in the leaf.

A leaf!

I use a colored ink to create unique designs on the leaf.

We will be at High Hill Ranch, Apple Hill, CA every day through December 11, 2011! I am already coming up with a ivy leaf designs for the Winter Solstice!

Pieces for week 38: Happy Fall Equinox!

2011-09-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Lisa's Leaves...celebrating the Fall Equinox. Top leaf can be found at High Hill Ranch, leaf on left at Journey Spiritual Center, leaf on bottom (sold!) Hand fabricated copper with silver. Inked for color.

Little matching earrings! Hand fabricated, ink on copper.

At High Hill Ranch. Hand fabricated copper with copper wire, fused silver. Light ink coloring. On jade beads.

Crescent Moon. Hand fabricated copper with copper wire. Fused with silver. Silver granulation. At Journey Spiritual Center.

Pieces for week on hold...I have something to eat

2011-09-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Homemade peach cobbler. Want some?

The official name of this is "Wheat-free, Refined Sugar-free, Vegan Peach Cobbler."

And yes, before I began this project...I was a doubter.

I lu-UV ooey-gooey peach cobbler. (one moment, leaving the computer to go grab some of this luscious stuff....).....

mmmmmmmmmmmmm....wait....now I need a cup of coffee to go with this................. brb.

ok. So the Kewish household has been following the Ways of the Vegan. Also going wheat-free (due to my allergic reaction to all things wheat)...and toss in refined sugar avoidance to help with blood sugar levels. You ask...what is left to eat in the world...?.... I've taken it on as a challenge.

(and if you are wondering where we get our "protein sources"... we get it from plants...) ok...

So...peach cobbler. Made my way. (btw...this recipe DOES contain calories. I do not know how many. I do not want to know.)

Kewish Designs.....FOOD!

Provocative Peach Cobber

(that title is much sexier than Wheat-free, Refined Sugar-free Vegan...blah blah blah)

Preheat oven: 375

6-8 desperately seeking meaning for their existence peaches (meaning: very ripe)

Make them naked and without seed. (skin and pit)

Cut into slices. With awe and wonder...put in large bowl.

Bathe them in Agave Syrup (about 1/4 cup)...delight them with cinnamon...mmmm and sprinkle in some ground cloves. Just a touch.

(Aw....come on...this is the BEST way to cook...makes all the ingredients happy to have such attention!)

Mix up this wonder and let it all sit together and co-mingle. They are all happy together. Let them have their time.

New large bowl.

1 cup Gluten Free Bisquick

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup Earth Balance Spread

a bunch of cinnamon

Squoosh this mixture up (I used a potato masher, you can struggle with a fork)...keep squooshing/mashing until the Spread is broken down into little pea size nuggets.

add:

¼ cup + 2 tbsp So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut milk

1/2 cup pure maple syrup (yes, I used two different sweeteners...try it...be wild)
2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix it all together.

Feel free to taste. Nothing "raw" in it...make sure you have enough cinnamon....mmmmm

Spray an 8x8 baking pan...place the happy peach slices in pan...pour the batter over....kinda urge it over all the peaches with a knife or spatula.

Place in oven for about 40 minutes. Do something vibrant and time absorbing...for 40 minutes. There are many options.

When your 40 minutes are up...take the yum out of the oven. Let cool...a bit.

Add icecream...we used Luna's and Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss...

indulge, eat, wallow...gasp with wonder.

It's amazing.

ok...here is something else I made. It can be found at Journey Spiritual Center's gift store.

Sterling silver on copper moon with silver granulation

Pieces for week on hold ... I have something to say

2011-09-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

A ten-year old girl said to me, "I am stupid. I didn't know what four plus two was, so I'm stupid."
I had a talk with that ten-year old. I made it clear to her that she wasn't stupid.

Ten. T.E.N. Ten...already deciding this belief about herself. It doesn't get better.

I have heard twenty-somethings' say things like;

"I am stupid."
"I am bad."
"I can't do that."

I have heard thirty-somethings say things like;

"I am stupid."
"I can't change."
"Oh well, that's just the way life is."

I have heard forty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."
"I give up."
"This is all too hard."
"Life sucks."

I have heard fifty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."
"I should have, could have, ought to have..."
"I'm gettin' old."
"Sex isn't all that..."

I have heard sixty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."

These lies that we tell ourselves...these insidious, flat-out-wrong beliefs about who we are - male or female - are keeping us all from evolving and advancing and progressing and being alive and vibrant.

There are many writers out there that write about loving your self and being gentle on yourself...peace - light - and all things holy.
I am not quite on their page.

Sometimes an individual has to take the warrior's stance against the bullshit that inundates us.
From our upbringing, to our media choices, the music we listen to...even the food we consume....

Few understand the challenge of "inner-warriorship." Many are apathetic. There IS a fight. There IS struggle and temper-tantrums and a whole lot of things "I don't wanna give up..."

Most settle in with, "Oh, well....things seem ok...why fix what doesn't seem broke...."
Life is adequate. Life is satisfying.

I would challenge you on that...
You may find that you are more apathetic than you think...
Apathy will bite you in the ass.
And then it's too late.

A good way to move past apathy is to ask questions. Really? Yes, really.

Last night I was making a purchase and there was another customer with questions. She kept apologizing, to the other customers, for asking questions. I had to step in.

"There is nothing wrong with asking questions."

What I should have said was, "Asking questions is a sign of intelligence."

The Less-Than, Not Good Enough, Not Worthy, I'm Stupid labels...will be ripped off by me. One by one. As I find them.

And frankly - sex should get better and better with age. Because you SHOULD be learning more and more about all the bodies involved, your own and any other body involved.

Nothing about us is stupid, is lost, should ever whither...
We can break patterns, change, create new things, invent lifestyles and constantly educate ourselves.
This is why we are not stupid. We have amazing minds that move us into amazing lives.

I can write of this because I know.
Ask me.

[Lisa}

Good Day...or not!

2011-09-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 10, the vendors at High Hill Ranch/Apple Hill received a notice that "Good Day Sacramento" would be filming a segment...and if we were interested in being filmed...be at our booths at 7a.m. "working."

Well...what artist wouldn't love some free promotion?

We did. As did others.
So, most of us crawled out of bed EARLY, to show up EARLY...and then wait.

Note: usually we show up at 8:30am-ish to open at 9am. So...many of us were minus sleep and coffee. By the way - not a drop of coffee to be found anywhere. :-/

To make a short story - shorter - We did not get on the segment...nor did most others. Just two. The candlemaker and the glass blower.

I can't find the segment to embed. But I did take some photos...just for fun.

Camera guy sets up while artists wait....

More set up....

And yet more set up...wait...it gets better...

LIVE!

More LIVE!

LIVE! Explaining how a glass bead is made...

Setting the glass bead in the clay to cool...

Wrapping it up...

"Did ya see us on TV?"

Mike vows he will never EVER show up early again. Three years in a row...he's done this and has never made it on TV.

Dazzling Dawn...I think she should win the most beautiful booth award...if we gave them out! She hand-paints all her glass!

Meanwhile, while most of us were just standing around being disappointed...he just kept working.

And Josh and Michael did some yoga.

And least our booth was pretty.

So...I think next year Good Day Sacramento should send someone up the day before...have him/her choose the artisans they want to film. That way only TWO will have to get up early...and the other TEN won't be sleepy, grumpy and without coffee.

(such are the things that make stories in our lives!)

:)

Pieces for week 36: Losing track

2011-09-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

We have been creating so many new pieces that I am, frankly, losing track of what was made when. Some pieces I have posted on the Kewish Designs Facebook page...others are sold before I can post pictures!

I decided to show a representation here...

Copper teardrop, added a layer of silver, ran it through the rolling mill with textured fabric, hand painted. Green has been an extremely popular color!

Hoops with sterling silver

Some of Josh's wire-wrap rings. Made with bronze wire and various beads.

Sterling silver flower on a sterling silver band

Hand painted copper leaf

Sterling silver on copper.

Pieces for week 34 and 35: Pictures DO NOT do these pieces justice

2011-09-02T12:39:00.000-07:00


My buddy/artist/vendor friend Pennie suggested I do a paisley in my style. I am not a big fan of paisley, so I struggled with this one. The little purple one didn't photograph very well, but I'm quite fond of it. Silver on copper. Smaller paisley is inked. (Large paisley SOLD!)

My friend Toddy (since 10th grade) wanted to see a wing...and asked for a cross "that was different." Easy-peasy - I had JUST made the "different" cross...and a wing...next she wants a halo. No really...hers keeps slipping! Silver on copper.
(Spoken For)

Just for fun I made some hearts. Silver on copper, inked.

Here is my "love" for this week. Copper and silver on copper, inked. SOLD!

Here are some of Josh's most recent work...dragonflies...just made them last night! The stone in the lead dragonfly is a garnet. Silver wings on copper. The garnet dragonfly and one other dragonfly can be purchased at PeraDice.

Another one of Josh's pieces. I love this Heart and Skull. I think it will be available at PeraDice. Hangs on a double 18" chain. Sterling silver with copper swirls. Can be purchased at PeraDice.

AND Josh has been working on a LOT of wire-wrap rings. Most are in brass with stones and beads. A few are now in silver-fill wire. AND we have lots of earrings and beaded pieces that I have not posted. I am hoping to carve out some time next week to do a huge photo shoot (with the "real" camera and not the phone camera) in order to post things up on Etsy.

Afterall - it's time to start shopping for Christmas! ;)

C'mon up and visit us at High Hill Ranch at Apple Hill. Grab a fritter and relax!

Pieces for week 33: What a fail looks like...and then it gets better

2011-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is what a "fail" looks like. Yeah, thought I would "try" something and it just didn't work. I had a vision...I really did.

Don't ask.

ok, for this week I worked on a stash of simple pendants. Here is what they looked like before their "glamor shot."

And here is how they look after 'make-up' and 'wardrobe' had some time with them (can you tell I have a 'theatrical past?') :)

Dragonflies - SOLD!

Large flower on left - SOLD!

SOLD!

Next week I am challenging myself to do AT LEAST one piece with a set stone. It has been awhile and I really need to do some self-pushing.

Pieces for week 32: Something Old, Something New, Something Repeated

2011-08-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just a peek! Pre-staging prior to a show. We keep coming up with new product and need to have new ways to display it. It is best to figure out space, how things work and does it generally "feel" right in advance of the show. Table coverings are kept tucked away until the last minute. Kitties are way too fond of sleeping on everything!

This moon has had many lives! This is my favorite. It is actually three separate turquoise necklaces. I like the look! I can't decide if this is what I want to start wearing when I'm doing a show....

SOLD!

More keys, a bit bigger than the first round...and more dragonflies, hearts, flowers...some painted some not...these pieces will be ready for Midtown Bazaar tomorrow!

Pieces for weeks 30 and 31: Keys to _______ (and beads!)

2011-08-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

Funky chunky skeleton keys...Keys to Love, Self, Joy, Wisdom and the Universe...and lots of beaded necklaces. Just for something different to do! update: ALL SOLD!

Pieces for week 29: Be The Pebble

2011-07-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend the soundtrack from "Black Snake Moan"... some wicked, awesome, fierce Delta Blues will come blaring at you. Perfect for hot summer days and a tall glass of lemonade.

I'm listening to this soundtrack right now...lemonade consumed and ice cubes melting. We don't have a/c here in the house. I'm ok with that. There is something about fake weather that bugs my body. Yes, the heat can be oppressive...yes, I take cold showers...yes, I can get grumpy and enjoy the frozen food isle at Safeway...

Despite all that...I love the "real" feeling of heat...maybe that is why I love the blues. It's "real" music.

Speaking of heat...it's too hot to work in our garage studio.

So, I'm sitting in the middle of two fans and one overhead, playing with leather.

While in Tahoe, our neighbor vendor was "Joe"...a master leather worker. He has an amazing booth...belts, wallets, leather journals, key chains...well...all things leather. He has his work bench set up right there in the booth. Receives shipments of hides every few days... and sits there and makes things of leather.

To make a long story short...Joe began to give us scraps of leather...and challenged us...
"What can you do with this?"
Apparently he has asked other jewelers, and none met his challenge.

Except...he challenged us.

We have already sold one bracelet made of leather...that didn't take long to fly off the shelf!!!

One of my answers is a combination of Joe's leather scraps and a concept I've been thinking of...

Leather bangles with "Be The Pebble" stamped into them...

So many individuals these days seem to be riding the waves of circumstances...play victim. Oh, how we love our victim stories.

"Yes, but I was traumatized as a child..." "Yes, but I was ridiculed and laughed at..." "Yes, but....."

You know...all we need is to make a choice to not be that.
Simple.
You can argue all you want. The more one argues the more I can tell you are attached to your story.

Here's my pebble. I drop it in your little pond...or maybe I am stuck in your shoe (thank you, Tania for that visual!!!)...

Make a different choice.

Be the one who initiates change. Within your self, your circle of influence, your world.
Of course, I am talking about being "positive." Not pebbles of chaos and havoc...

A pebble of gentle ripples and changes.

These pieces are a reminder...and one piece as a message for Norway...

"Peace."

New homes...

2011-07-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just an update on some of our pieces...and where they are now...

"Bacchaus" was purchased as a gift to a woman who has a tracheotomy scar. I am absolutely fascinated that this piece...a piece that came into being because of an error on my part...is going to cover someone's scar. (Copper got too hot and began to melt...the holes are a result of that! It was supposed to be a solid piece.)

This mermaid sold QUICKLY to a woman who fell in love with it....

Mermaid on the left is at PeraDice, mermaid on the right...made a trade with Pennie Pyle (of Pennie Wrapped Western & Wire Art Jewelry)for some amazing beads for our upcoming "ocean show" as Pennie calls it! :)

"Persephone" found a new home with a lovely lady...who wanted earrings to match. We whipped out a pair of earrings and gave them to the woman. I got a big hug from her! :)

I already told the story of this piece...about it being purchased by a woman who lost everything in the San Bruno fire.

Doodles and Dreams

2011-07-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

(originally posted in December of 2009)

A frequent question we are asked is, "Where do you get your inspiration?"

(since the original writing of this post, I heard a great comeback for this question: "Where do I get my inspiration? Every time I get a bill in the mail I am deeply inspired!!!")

Anywhere! After almost back-to-back viewings of "Avatar"... I have walked away with TONS of ideas! We have a vine growing around our front porch that has these spiral tendrils...I've made lots of spiral tendrils out of wire! Leaves are another favorite of mine...plenty of those blowing around this time of year! I look at a lot of pictures on line. I like to do a google search on different pendant images. I keep my favorite ones...I don't copy those pieces, I just study them for my own ideas...here's an example from my notebook...

Another source of ideas are from my own doodles...mostly done during meetings at work! (I'm listening...really!!!)

Another source...my dreams! In the image below, there is a sketch of a broken wine glass with wine flowing out of the break...the wine becoming a chrysanthemum on top of a snake spiraling around the wine glass. I drew that sketch the next day at work...along with some other doodles. The wine glass/snake was actually a tattoo on a woman's cheek in my dream. Don't know what any of that means...but the image was so powerful that it stayed with me and even translated well to paper! (sketching is NOT my strongest skill)

Last night I was having another dream. In the dream I was opening a jewelry box to show a buyer an amazing piece I had made. In the dream I had the awareness that this piece was outstanding and demanded a very high price. I was opening the box for the buyer to see it one more time before it was sealed for the recipient. As I moved the lid of the box to the side, I caught a glimpse of the silver with a spiral...and then...

one of my cats FREAKED OUT AND SCAMPERED ACROSS THE BED...waking me up before I could see the entire piece.

DERN CAT!!!!

The frustration of not seeing the entire piece is about as frustrating as the time I dreamed I won the lotto...and was staring at my winning ticket...and could not read the numbers!!! ARGHHH!

Most of my waking hours today have been trying to remember what I knew in my dream. :)

Anyway...inspiration...comes from anywhere... from anything... at anytime. The artist's goal is to catch it when it happens...and in the meantime...always be working...sometimes it can be an accident while working on something else. You just never know.

(authored by Lisa)

Focus<-----highlight in yellow

2011-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

(This post is from June of 2010...it is still applicable!!!)

We are busy. Events in May handed us opportunities that astound us. Josh used a "slight" bit of downtime to move our studio from the dining room to the garage. We did an inventory on ALL our pieces of jewelry. I made list after list of "things to do"..."things I wish I could do"..."things I had better do..."

So MUCH! And it's all GREAT!

And...with everything we must focus on...there are also many tempting distractions. This is how the picture played out in my head. I ended up with realizing that life is one big ritual on focus.

Pieces for Week 26: Leafs, Twirls, Roses and not quite matching earrings

2011-06-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

I actually have a whole new set of ideas that I am going to work on...eventually - until then I am "practicing" my ideas on these pieces...some seem to be more of the same, when in reality I am trying new and different techniques.

One of my leaves...more layers of hand fabricated silver and copper wire. Tried to place some silver granulation on it...didn't work very well. Photo really does not capture the detail. I'm not going to paint this leaf...leaving it all silver shimmery.
SOLD!

Another leaf. Again, detail is missing. I used a piece of copper scrap to make the large swirl on top. This one has a bail in the back. This may be one of my favorites!

More use of copper scrap to make little roses. I was so pleased with how this came out that I made...

a crescent moon...with a single rose and silver swirls. The rose kinda fell apart when I got the torch going...but I learned from my mistake, and...

This is the result. A single rose made from a thick gauge of copper scrap...silver twirls...I LOVE this piece.

Love this piece so much I put it on...will wear it today while out and about in the world!

Attempt at earrings using this same technique. It is SO VERY DIFFICULT to get earrings to match. I thought that maybe I would just turn these into little pendants, but Josh insisted, "No...they are earrings!"

While I am excited about heading off to Tahoe for a 17-day art and craft show, I am bummed about not having studio time for half a month. That part bugs me... I DID realize that I can take some copper scrap, tools and shears with me to sit and form some shapes...this is a good thing.

Have a fantastic 4th of July! Peace!

I Met Her...

2011-06-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

In early June I posted a picture of one of my pieces:

and wrote "This next "dress up" was unexpected. I found myself drawn to the flat abstract painted disc and these big re-purposed beads! I could almost SEE the customer in my head. I will let you know how that goes!"

Yesterday this was the first piece of this series to be sold.

The woman who choose it lost everything she owned in last September's San Bruno explosion.

Lost everything.

She was out and about with a group of her friends, and was having a great time choosing new fun pieces to rebuild her jewelry collection.

I knew who I "saw in my head" was a fun-loving adventurous woman. I would say...this woman fit the bill. She also picked up some earrings and an chainmaille anklet....

Her infectious excitement over finding our work...lead another friend to purchase some pieces.

And then they all went for drinks.

It was a great lesson in perspective. You can loose it all...and have a lot of fun in re-building.
I was really glad I went with my instincts to create that piece. It knew it belonged to someone special.

Apparently Posting On Facebook Status Lines Speaks To The Universe

2011-06-27T00:23:00.000-07:00

What was all this broo-ha ha all about?

The McCollum Studios Tahoe Show is going to do a 17-day run July 1 through July 17. Those that commit to the 17 days get the prime locations.

Kewish Designs really needs a prime location.

Because we have been only doing Saturdays and Sundays, the organizer gives us the best he can do spots...We do the best we can do. We have a stunning booth and great art jewelry. But...but...we are just not making our numbers. At all. It is surprising us, the organizer and fellow vendors.

I woke up Sunday morning with the clear thought/image of: I am the CEO of a huge artisan company, and am sitting in my corner office overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge...I have this little art jewelry business that I really believe in...I can see all the potential, but was it really bringing in the numbers that I would like? No. Not all all. This business is costing more than it is bringing in. The galleries and stores are doing fine for this time of year. Online sales have come to a screeching halt, but the overhead is minimal. But these street shows are just not cutting it. The decision needs to be made. I have to cut out the Tahoe shows. I think about that while the fog covers the Bridge. I feel sad.

Yet...the street shows are my personal favorite thing. I have a soft spot in my heart for them. It satisfies the gypsy that makes up the core of my being. I love the grit and dirt, the drama and the friendships. But I needed to go completely hard-core business minded in order to meet my numbers.

The street shows have to go.

Or do they?

I'll skip a lot of the day here...but then the show organizer asked us about the 17 day run.

Here are the "challenges":

1) Where would I stay? (Since Josh works during the week, I would be carrying the show solo.) We can not afford a hotel room...we have friends there that have said we can always crash at their place. Great...except...their place is, while walkable, difficult to comprehend walking back and forth while lugging product and a cash box. I could drive back and forth...however...Josh would not have a car. How would he get back up to Tahoe to give me some days off?

So needed: a place to stay for next to free...and a vehicle.

2) No studio time. Josh can get 3 to 4 hours in the studio after work...but I would have no time. I have been putting in 10-12 hours a day...this is a huge loss...

however, the show organizer pointed out: "That is the BEST problem to have...to sell OUT..."

Good point.

We do have a couple store spaces that we can take work out of...

3) Should we risk it?

And then I posted this on Facebook: Such a huge (but not bad) decision to make regarding Tahoe shows...I may write a blog post tonight to empty my brain...if you love me, you will read it and offer up helpful input....no pressure...just sayin... :D

Moments after I posted I had a very clear thought of: "Now is not the time to be half-assed" and "Choice, not circumstances, determines your success." (Don't know who said that but I really like it and it popped into my head.)

I made the choice. "I want to do this...help me out Universe."

I would say...two hours later...the pieces fell into place.

Friends that had the time to help me get to all the stores to pick up stuff...
Another vendor ("I Would Dye For You") ((LOVE their tie-dye bamboo t-shirts!!!)) has a wide open opportunity for me...staying with her at a hotel right next to the show...completely walkable...therefore not needing the extra car...at all.
As far as studio time...I suppose I will be on hiatus from July 1 through July 17.

I'm very very good with selling out...
When that happens I will just order a drink and hang out by Lake Tahoe.
I think at that point I will have truly deserved it!

Re-cap: Basically...all has been provided. And we will sell what we have. Period.

So...I will be temporarily re-locating to Tahoe for July. Josh will still drive up on the week-ends. I pointed out that since the booth will already be set up...he doesn't have to leave home until 8am! This makes him very happy!

We shall see how it goes...I think the organizer is pondering doing a second two week run in August.

And then there is Apple Hill to think about.
But enough for now.

Thanks for listening. I welcome any other ideas or suggestions!

BTW...a couple years ago I did a vision board. I put all kinds of pictures, goals and statements on it. One of the statements was "More time for Tahoe" with a picture of the lake. I MEANT for vacationing...but I wasn't specific enough!!! But I'm good with having "more time for Tahoe" and selling my art.

Pieces for Week 25: of myths and legends...and rebirth

2011-06-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

I love old things. Old falling apart buildings, rusty junk, legends, myths and treasure chests.
This week's pieces reflect my love of old...AND have a sense of opening up, tearing away, new growth spiraling out...little seeds tucked away. Because, that's where I'm at in my life.

I just had fun. I either had A Perfect Circle or goth belly dance tunes blaring. I was HOT in the studio this week! (and you can take that in any direction!!!!)

I remembered to take a "before" pic this time! Here are the pieces. All hand fabricated, silver on copper, twisted, bent and fused.

And then...I hand-painted each of them!

"Bacchus", or "The Scream"....actually looks more like "Oh!"
SOLD!

"Old Tapes"

"Persephone"
SOLD!

"Poseidon"


"Torn by the Stag King" update: SOLD

"Torn by the Stag King" has already received many ooohs and aaaaahs even before it was completed.
Yes...there will be lots more in this style. I snuck in the studio and made two more this morning (sneeking because I don't usually work in the studio the day before a show...)

I still need to make leather cords for these pieces to hang off of (I am preferring leather over silver chains), but they should be good and ready to be sold this weekend up at Lake Tahoe!

Pieces for Week 24: about 210 in fact

2011-06-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

I believe that every artist should take a break from their usual medium and so something completely different.

For example:
Painters should try beading, bead artists take up paper mache, sculptures take up embroidery and metalsmiths take up painting. Or some sort of combination. The point is to step away from your usual tool/creative toy box and do something totally different.

Don't say to me:
OH NO!!!! I could never do that.

Yes, you can. You may choose NOT TO do something different...but you CAN do something different.
It's good for you. Makes you younger, more interesting and sexy.

That being said...last week, at the last minute, I tried something different. After hours in the studio my creative brain, while still very active, needed a break. While wandering around I discovered some interesting components and my very active creative brain screamed "WHAT IF????"

And so I ran with it. I hand painted some acrylic components, put earring findings on them and took the results up to Tahoe...

AND SOLD OUT!

Every artist who vends has to have that balance between their "art" and the "bread and butter" work. The trick is to find the "bread and butter" work...and still be true to "art." Low materials cost, quick to make, low price point, grab and go, but still quality and hand-made....and holds the attention of the public. More than holds the attention... CHARMS the public. Delights the public. Never seen before and, WOW, it's HAND-PAINTED? For only this much money? (don't worry, materials, time etc...was all factored in...)

I had stumbled across the charm+delight+novel+wow-factor+hand-painted+silly low cost= SELL OUT! formula!

We have a three day weekend up at Tahoe coming up. Three days and a huge carnaval in the parking lot behind us. This type of crowd draw does not lend to people making big purchases, but they WILL make small token/momento purchaes...this is what we are ready for.

We spent $60 in materials and spent ten hours hand painting 210 pieces (all day Monday*). This will make 105 pairs of earrings that we are selling at $10 a pair...the math is good.

The pictures I took are purposefully not the best. These must be seen in person...with light shining through them...but I at least wanted to document this week's "Pieces."

And yes...it's only Tuesday. I'm gonna take Wednesday and Thursday OFF, and then Friday at 5am we are off to Tahoe!

the smaller painted pieces with have beads and chain incorporated

*Yesterday I was all poised and primed to take myself out on an adventure, but was so excited about making these, that I cut the date with myself short, came home and started painting. This is what PASSION is about.

Pieces for Week 23: Just a whole lotta....creativity

2011-06-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy week. So busy, that self-care (work-outs) fell off the schedule. I am going to get back on that wagon next week...

In the meantime - here is a re-cap of the work that is flowing out of the studio...all of this is ready for Tahoe this weekend!

First I did a batch of hearts! I did five and two are already up at Journey Spiritual Center's gift store. Here are the "Tahoe Three." Silver on copper...all hand formed with a nice big bail at the top to be able to put them on a favorite string of beads, a chain...whatever suits the client! :)

Next up were the mermaids. The mermaid on the right has this wonderful copper and silver wave at her feet...er...fin. She got LOTS of attention on Facebook! Thank you all! And no...I have not seen the new "Pirates" movie with the mermaid...it is on my list though!

And now for something completely different. I had the need to channel my Inner-Painter! A little alcohol ink on copper! These are the "advanced" versions of the pieces I did a couple years ago. A bit bolder. And yes...a mermaid. I used my pattern for my silver mermaids as a stencil!

Here's the mermaid all dressed up!

SOLD!

This next "dress up" was unexpected. I found myself drawn to the flat abstract painted disc and these big re-purposed beads! I could almost SEE the customer in my head. I will let you know how that goes!

SOLD!

Last weekend I saw some girls wearing some big funky crosses. It gave me ideas...here's my version.

A quick shot of my assembly line...I make my own leather cords...

AND... Josh did another gorgeous commission piece...this ring was for Deb...one of the women who works at the Fire and Rain Gallery. She wanted something special for her Alaskan cruise! :) She handed Josh a blue topaz and other than a couple ideas...just wanted him to do what he does. It is a beautiful piece!

Whew...a busy week. I should be in bed...getting up at 3:30am to head up to Tahoe! Creative energy has me bright eyed and spinning! :D

Pieces for Week 22....

2011-06-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

I decided that too many pieces were being overlooked with my "Piece A Week" focus...so I have decided to do "Pieces for Week......"

This week I really only had Thursday to work on pieces. Monday we were up in Tahoe, I don't remember Tuesday (!), Wednesday I spent the day up at Journey Spiritual Center (LOVE it there, I highly recommend going there if you need some meditation/energy work time)....so Thursday is when it all happened. I fiddled with a couple pieces today - but I am DONE. I need to get ready for this weekend's Tahoe adventure.

My main focus this week was on a piece that I have had in my head for several weeks now. I think to really do this piece like I envision it, I would need to have it cast. On the other hand...I challenged myself to see what I could do with fabricating the piece. The idea was a mermaid sitting on a crescent moon...her tail hanging over the edge...all flowy.

Before I share the pics with you...she was a royal annoyance. The EASY part was sawing out the shape...except I sawed out too much leaving the shape weak, with no reinforcement. So I had to change my plan...decided to fuse a full moon behind the mermaid, thus giving her some "support"...except my moon reticulated nicely with the heat....it just withered up....some choice words...then I decided to turn my withered full moon into a crescent moon. I also wanted to have some silver "bubbles" around her...so I made a bunch of silver granulation balls...all fell off of her but two. (no, I am not going to make a comment like, "My mermaid lost her balls....") At the end...somewhat success...but it was so "silvery"...it bugged me. Anyway - here is the shot of the silvery mermaid...rather difficult to make out:

Mermaid on a crescent moon...difficult to make out the details...

I really wanted some color...so I decided to rough up the silver a bit and add in some alcohol ink.

Mermaid in color!

Again, not a great shot - but I like how she looks. Her tail now looks like abalone shell! Anyway, this is one that looks better in person! She is going up to Tahoe...she needs a name...any ideas? I really like this style and will be working more with this.

I also made these yesterday and finished them up today:

Basic silver on copper dragonfly

This dragonfly was actually a "scrap"...I used the cut out dragonfly on another piece. The cut out was in silver. I took the silver and fused it on copper. Then added some alcohol ink for some color.


Silver dragonfly. I felt artsy so this shot is in black and white!

Next week I have five full days to work on pieces. I have some ideas for rings and may focus in on that!

Piece a Week #21 - Tonbo Two

2011-05-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

Another dragonfly!

This is before the final 5 hour tumble (rotating drum filled with water, soap and steel shot).

She still looks pretty good!

She has some texturing, fusing, one little granulation ball...there were four, but three came off after the ultra-sound bath.

Boo.

The granulation balls lasted through tripoli and rouge...but I guess the ultrasound was a bit too much. I decided to not go back in to fuse them on...I kinda like the one little ball.

Tondo Two

I have these new ideas of layering shapes so that the top shape looks like it is rising out of the layers below...like something archeological...a fossil type thing.

And now...to pack for the McCollum Studios Tahoe show!

Piece a Week #20 - Tonbo

2011-05-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Japanese word for dragonfly is "tonbo." I love Japanese art and I love dragonflies. I have done all kinds of dragonflies...and I have purchased many kinds of dragonflies. The deciding factor on the glasses I wear is that there are dragonflies on the frame.

This project actually was going to be something completely different (I love all things Monty Python too!). I wanted to capture the look and feel of a field full of dragonflies. I also wanted to work in sterling silver again. So...I created, what looked GREAT on paper, a cut-out and layered piece that I was going to run through the rolling mill with the silver.

YUCK. What a mess. It didn't make any sense at all. There were no dragonflies to be seen...just a lot of lines and a curve here and there. I found a very light pattern of a dragonfly so I began to saw out the design. I elongated the tail..and...cool...a very nice silver dragonfly.

Now what?

I fused the dragonfly on another piece of silver, and began to saw out shapes...
I then hammered around the border.

Eventually this piece emerged. I am delighted with the results.

Tonbo

Where Women Create/Where I Create

2011-05-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

There is a delicious magazine on the market called "Where Women Create." Every issue is full of amazing female artists in their studios. Studios that make me say, "Really?" I presented the magazine to one of my art teachers and she, after drooling over the studios, slammed shut the magazine and said, "No artists studio looks like THAT..."

Imagine. What if...wow. I would never come up for air! Take a peek for yourself...click and check it out (I receive no monetary anything for sharing this..)

Where Women Create

The studios are magnificent...the articles about the artists, inspiring.

It seems that most women have taken huge risks to be an artist...many left corporate positions, tossed the Master's Degree...OR realized how to blend architecture into jewelry design. Love that!

In the spirit of the magazine, I thought I would share "where I create..."

I was inspired to write this post while sitting on my couch enjoying my clean living room. The mantle is filled with all kinds of shamanic type things. My photography on the wall...calendar with paperwork for shows...the usual cat.


The eclectic bookshelf. Old cameras, a teddy bear, a mask made of hemp, more photography, golden mouse ears and various crystals. Various important books and art magazines.

Really - I work a lot at this table. Catnip or squishy food often lures them away for a few minutes.

...but they always come back.

Here's a sneak peek of the work we are taking to Tahoe this year! The cat is staying at home.

I am beginning to define my space more that I have more time in the studio. Josh began a 40-hour a week job today...now it is my turn to fine tune my skills and "find my voice..." This is gonna be fun!

Piece a Week #19 - Roots

2011-05-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

I love roots. The way they protrude from the earth...all scraggly. They inspire me...

This is my rendition...

A cuff bracelet that I am keeping for myself!

Piece a Week #18 - Waterfall

2011-05-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Last week was a "white rapid/going over waterfalls" type of week. Many, many things changed...our beloved cat, Booger, had to be put to sleep...Josh made a decision (more on that later, it's a good one) that will dramatically change our lifestyle...opportunities were added in and other choices were taking out.

All I could really do was to go along with the flow - talk myself into relaxing and just going...sometimes the stream was peaceful, a couple times it felt like I was going down a waterfall...and thus, this piece emerged out of all the white rapids. It is called "Waterfall."

The Waterfall

Kewish Designs at Rediscover Sutter Street Celebration Saturday, May 7!

2011-05-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

Fire and Rain Gallery is opening a second location!! Join us on Saturday, May 7, from 10-2 on Sutter Street for the Rediscover Sutter Street Celebration! We will have a small trunk show out in front of the gallery! I am busy working on some new designs...flowers, hearts, butterflies, dragonflies...and whatever else we may come up with!!

Note - this is not a "street fair" with a lot of vendors. Fire and Rain has asked us specifically to do a small set up in front of the gallery...and to bring in balloons!!!

Fire and Rain is at the end of the street in the red brick building, a few doors away from Planet Earth Rising and across the street from Chicago Fire Pizza!

Everything begins at 10 a.m. with colorful Chinese Lion Dancers, the WellsFargo Stagecoach and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Attendees have a unique opportunity to be a part of history by participating in a community photo in the 700 block of Sutter Street immediately following the ribbon cutting.

The street will be alive with activity including James Garner's Johnny Cash tribute band on one stage, and more live entertainment on a second stage. A series of 9-foot-tall graphic totems depicting Folsom's fascinating history will be unveiled. Tours and historical re-enactments will be on-going. Vintage cars, the City's antique fire truck and project construction equipment will be on display.

For your convenience, catch a shuttle at the Walmart parking lot (Glenn Drive behind Chevron) between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or ride Light Rail. There will be limited parking available in the Historic District Parking Garage.

Sunday Coffee .. in the evening

2011-05-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

There is a coffee place in San Francisco that is one of my favorites. I recently met up with a friend there....
Cafe Flore. Check it out here.

I would love to be there right now!! Kick back, put my feet up...have a margarita! It has been a busy weekend....and it continues to be busy!!

We have something like 26 days before we begin our weekends at Lake Tahoe!! We pulled some of our work out of The Market Place for Lake Tahoe...that includes the dragonflies! ;)

We are both excited and stressed and...excited! AND there are lots of things happening here in town...

Arareity is having a special earring sale for May...so we are taking additional earrings and bangles there in a couple days...
Fire and Rain is opening a 2nd store on Sutter Street in Folsom...big opening day for Sutter Street is Saturday, May 7 and Fire and Rain will also be open and having champagne...we will be there with a small table out in front...we will have all new jewelry!!!
There is a new store opening on 24th Street in mid-town that we are going to check in to...
And then there is The West Wind up in Grass Valley that has shown an interest, we need to follow up with that as well!

So all of that AND creating new pieces...and getting laundry done and the yard mowed once in a while.

Whew!

Piece a Week #17- A Path With Heart

2011-05-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you. (Teachings of Don Juan)

A Path with Heart, Copper and silver, hand fabricated

Sunday Coffee

2011-04-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

When I lived in San Francisco, one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday was to roll out of bed, splash my face, then go to the nearest coffee house. I would order a latte - add shot - grab the most recent issue of The Bay Guardian, and if I was lucky, grab a window seat.

I would spend several hours reading up on life in the Bay Area and people watch.

This isn't so easy to do living in the suberbs. Rancho Cordova, CA is not a hotbed of edgy journalism.

So...now I roll out of bed, splash my face, feed my cats, make strong coffee and sit down and search for interesting blogs.

Here is what I discovered today. If you are interested in meandering along with me...just click on the names.

Austin Kleon - This is a fantastic read about how to steal like an artist. He points out that nothing new has been made...that artists just steal from each other. This is a long post - but worth the time spent. My favorite part is how 1+1=3. Today I subscribed to his blog.

Lavender Cottage - I read all over the blog and can not find the name of this artist. I love the work. Absolutely love the work. I have made it a favorite over on Etsy and desire to buy the dragonfly ring. I know I could make one...but I also believe in supporting artists. Oh...the quandry!

Michele Bowers - "Waves Arms Wildly" blog... scroll down and read her "About Me"... I feel like I found a soul sister. Yes...I sent her an email this morning. Haven't heard back.

Sakurako Shimizu - ok...this work is amazing. Lazer cut...designs are based on sound waves. How freakin' cool are the wedding bands???? "I Do" sound waves cut in the metal. Such clean gorgeous work. Oh man...I need a lazer cutter.

Zack Davis - I am seriously biased on this one. Zack was my first art teacher EVER. I love Zack. I miss Zack. Zack dresses like a chicken and guzzles beer during his art shows...or he used too. Sometimes he sits in a hot tub. Mostly...he is just an amazing being. He's in New York now...too far away to hang with.

Enjoy....read...wander.

(Lisa)

Piece a Week #16: Getting closer

2011-04-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

I almost completed a piece for this week. Visions of wire forged on the necklace mandrel filled my thoughts while trying to fall asleep.

I had a plan.

This is as far as the plan went:

Necklace mandrel with copper shaped and ready to forge.

My left arm and hand still doesn't have the strength I need to hold down the wire while I hammer with the other hand.

I stopped that plan and began to look at the copper wire. As usual, I began to see something else...two somethings as a matter-of-fact.

I ended up cutting the piece into two other pieces and plan to add in a third piece that I have already completed.

I sat down with my, now THREE pieces of silver-on-copper wire, bronze wire and some very pretty faceted pink opal beads - and immediately dumped out a container of findings. Ok...there's a mess to clean up. Next - the bronze wire won't go through the opals. Plan B - other wires do not go through the opal beads. Try another bead - how about a pearl?

How about I stab myself with the bronze wire ... ? Blood everywhere.

*sigh*

It was time to say "uncle" and push the pause button on this project.

Meanwhile I have the new Ornament magazine - I am always in awe of the work that they feature - and read a magnificent article about Charles Pinckney. He calls his work "wearable sculpture." Each piece has a name and narrative to go with it.

I've had an interesting idea for my work that I have not acted on...and that is going to change.

Stay tuned to future "Piece a Week" posts...I have a feeling they are going to be a bit different!

(Lisa Kewish)

Piece a Week #15...still on metalsmithing hiatus

2011-04-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

Still resting my arm.
Thinking a lot.

Coming to terms with many things. Making plans for other things. Time to throw out some things...
Moving on...stepping aside...looking upward/outward/inward.

In healing comes much change.

Sunday Meanderings (and where to find a FREE cup of coffee!)

2011-04-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

A short business trip to Fire and Rain Gallery in El Dorado Hills turned into a fun photo shoot and a nice relaxing afternoon.


We parked the car in front of this scroll. My immediate thought was, "Hm...how can I use that design?"

Love the glass work and the design.


This reminded me of a galaxy-big bang kind of moment. Again, more yummy glass work!

Time for a coffee ... this sunny table by the window? or...

Nice big chairs in the corner?

An excellent reminder!

This may be one of my favorite shots! I like how the candle is in the center...and this glowing light off to the right...it's like how sometimes our mind/spirit is not quite in our body...and is sitting somewhere -----> over there.

Up high on the wall, in a nook, a teapot! Good place to hide secret messages!

Another nook, another teapot!

We took our coffees and headed outside. Norcal Sings was set-up. We heard people singing pop, soul and even opera! The man that sang opera was really quite good! Every time the wind shifted, the spray from the water wafted over us.

Josh decided to work on some chain mail. I people-watched!

By the way - Olympus Cafe (on Town Center Blvd, El Dorado Hills, CA) is serving cup a FREE cup of coffee through April 15. And not a little cup of coffee...a generous cup of coffee and it is quite good!

Piece A Week #14 - Pay No Attention!

2011-04-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am still working on healing my arm. Studio work was limited and nothing came of it. That's ok...I was able to stir up some other ideas. Eventually those ideas will manifest in physical reality!

Meanwhile...a reminder:

World Wide View

2011-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

Did you know that I (Lisa) am a statistic geek? What is it about stats that geek me out? The patterns. I look for patterns in behavior…

I am fascinated by the stats for this blog…

Pageviews for this week:

United States – 99

Canada – 2

Switzerland – 2

Egypt – 2

Italy – 1

Russia – 1

Pageviews for the month:

United States – 188

Japan – 11

Canada – 6

United Kingdom – 6

France – 5

Russia – 5

India – 3

Switzerland – 2

Estonia – 2

Egypt – 2

When I chose the “all time” for stats…I also come up with views from Finland, South Korea and Czech Republic!!!

And the winning page for MOST page views…

“2010 Review”… with 75 Pageviews!

Makes me wonder who is peeking in from all over the world!

Who are you? I would love to hear from you!

Note: When you subscribe to this blog, or request to receive email updates...I don't receive information on that or you. On Blogger the only people I can see are the Blogger "Followers".

(and yes, this is actually a “test” of sorts … but I wanted to make it a little more interesting than just “testing, testing.”)

Testing testing!

2011-04-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

I always wondered about blogs in my Reader that just said "testing"!! Now I know what they were doing!

(I am testing to see how this will look when someone subscribes via email!)

Thank you for your patience!

Would you follow?

2011-04-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are toying with the idea of slowing down Facebook activity and bumping up blog posts...

Facebook...has ........challenges. Ok...we are not real happy with it's "editing" of the news feed. Not happy at all.

We would put everything in our blog...what we are doing...ramblings, musings, special events, dull days, exciting days, photos, videos, how-tos...

You know, all that day-in-the-life stuff...

Interested?
Just subscribe... -----> over there on that new RSS box/feed...

...we will still do little ditties on Facebook...just nothing real important! ;)

Something Very Different (by Lisa)

2011-04-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sharing something new. A collaborative piece.

My friend, Tania von Allmen, handed me a moldavite...

I tossed in an onyx...

she said my favorite line, "Go for it...whatever you come up with."

I did some drumming and journey work and kept seeing the same vision.
I argued with myself...
"No...I don't do that kind of work..."

Repeat this scenario two more times!

At the end of the third journey session I realized that I needed to contact another to work with - and so I did.

So here is my design with the beautiful craftwomanship of North Marques.

North did the wax carving, silver casting and stone setting.

(Actually, she carved the hand and I did the surrounding work in wax...and she fine tuned it a bit.)

When amazing minds come together to create - amazing new life forms emerge!

Had I stayed "small" and argued with myself..."I can not do this..."

this never would have made it into the world.

End Credits:
Friend and amazing artist....Tania von Allmen... check out her work as a Symbolist.
Friend and amazing artist....North Marques... check out her artisan designed sterling silver sculptures.

A Piece A Week #13. Really Week THIRTEEN?

2011-03-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

Ominous. Week 13. I am not one to give in to superstitious numbers, black cats, or what the moon is doing...ok, yes, what the moon is doing (it is Void of Course right now btw).

Week 13. A week where I injured myself on Monday and can not do any of my usual creative work. I tried...but I do not have the ability to grasp things in my left hand...important in metal work, wire wrapping and even beading. Tried it all. Even tried to lift my camera the other day, can't quite get the left arm to work right for that either...ok.

Well, now what?

(For those who don't know, I tripped, bounced and did an amazing slide while running along the American River Bike Trail...lots of skinned skin...and a left arm that, while nothing is broken, is extremely strained. Lifting, grasping etc., is coming back in very slow increments...)

Anyway - I am about to take a huge turn in another direction...get kinda motivational, kinda philosophical, kinda in your face about something.

Over the past few weeks I have had conversations with females - of all ages - who poo-poo the idea of cooking a delicious meal JUST FOR HER SELF.

"Oh no....I only cook for others, there is no point in cooking for myself..."

That is the biggest piece of molarky...and one that I will instantly get in your face if you say the same to me.

Why you should cook solo meals:

1) "Cooking is the ultimate act of self-appreciation." (click HERE to read the whole Washington Post article).
2) How else are you going to practice? If you practice on yourself first, you will have more confidence when serving others. (this goes a long way with all kinds of .... things.)

Sure, I have my favorite "pop in the microwave" foods...there is a place for that - but it is an amazing thing to give to yourself an amazing meal. I believe it is a sign of incredible self-maturity AND unstoppable self-worth.

I think there is a difference in the food when the cook has this confidence and love of cooking versus someone who just follows a recipe. Big difference.

Not unlike an art class...there are individuals who just make what the instructor makes - and there are those who learn the technique and then make something different.

Those that just follow along...well...how to say...mmmmmm there is no "soul" in the food. It tastes fine...maybe even GREAT...but food with no soul doesn't make you "moan." (this applies to many other ... things.)
I think that food served should make people moan with wonder.
Like a great piece of art will make people stop in their tracks...
A beautiful piece of jewelry will make people gasp.

So...cook something for yourself. Keep working with the ingredients until you can make yourself moan.
This works for many other ... things.

Once you KNOW you have a great plan for that fresh basil and garlic, because you have made it for yourself first...

Then share it with someone else.

Piece a Week #12: It's a Twister! It's a Blob! It's really kinda ugly :D

2011-03-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I take chances. Sometimes it works and I am pleasantly surprised and sometimes it "works" and I am humbled by how much I need to learn. This next piece is one that I probably would not "share"...I would tuck it away under "that was fun, I learned a lot - mostly, I learned how much I don't know."

Thursday was wild and stormy and FREEZING in the studio. I made some messes with things just because I was moving too fast (to get OUTTA the studio), got discouraged and decided to move into the dining room.
I pulled out the container with polymer clay and started to play.

One of the things that people do with the clay is to make "canes". This is where you take various colors of clay, stack them, roll them and then slice off pieces. Like making a jelly roll then cutting off the pieces. Anyway, you take the pieces and do amazing things with them. There are all kinds of patterns one can make depending on how you build your cane.

So I did this and found myself attracted to black, blue and a little red. Roll, layer, roll the layers...slice.
Now what? I felt the black and blue whirls were like the weather outside, so I ran with it.

I smooshed the swirls onto a piece of black, then added the blue and red lines and dots. And smooshed it a little more. Baked it...and here you go. An extremely primitive tornado.

Take a look at how beautiful this work can be...

The artist is Caren Goodrich. These pieces are made from mokume gane slices Check our her blog "The Bead Bunny."

I will be spending some time there absorbing some knowledge! :)
I have some ideas...just need to know how to make it so!

Peace.

Piece a Week #11: Something New and Intimidating and Without a Teacher, OH MY! (by Lisa)

2011-03-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in the middle of my "40 in 15 Day Challenge", I read an online tutorial on chasing and repousse.

I was particularly fascinated because this technique usually requires a pitch pot.

Pitch pot

I do not have one of those.

The tutorial uses a bench anvil, cardboard and neoprene rubber. I can do that! I did some price comparing online and found a 12x12 piece of 1/4 inch neoprene for $14.00 from Grainger. Ordered it...and then waited.

It arrived.

And now it is waiting for me.

I am intimidated.

The last video I watched on chasing and repousse, the artist tells the camera (thus me), that is takes many, many years to do this technique...and if you make a mistake THERE IS NO CORRECTING IT!! You have to KNOW HOW TO HOLD THE TOOLS!!

THE PROFESSIONAL ARTIST TOLD ME SO.

And then I stumbled across this video (this one is long, but is art in itself...) Not only do I love Hiroyuki Shimokura's work, it just seems so peaceful. His concentration. His inspiration. And again...lovely work.

I admit I am writing this BEFORE I have even tried one hammer-stroke.
It is 9:19am.
I will come back to this after doing SOMETHING!

10:30am. Ew. That didn't work.

10:47am. Hm. That worked.

10:50-11:26am. Thinking about what worked.

11:30 Eat a cheese sandwich. Have coffee.

1:03 This is what I came up with.

I decided to go easy on myself. Do "my style" with a little more movement in the metal. The leaf is copper with a design imprinted via the rolling mill. Then a piece of silver wire. Torch. The wire leaves an imprint while the silver spreads over the piece. Some hammering and repousse. A gentle repousse, if you will. Buffed it out and applied a light flame to add the patina.

In summation. I used the repousse technique for adding to the overall effect rather than doing an entire piece where the chasing and repousse defines the piece. That will come in time. More practice and having the right tools.

The picture isn't very convincing! But there IS more shape and movement. Anyone who has seen my recent "leaf" series and hearts know that they are very "flat." Both of these pieces have more shape. A nice addition to what I do.

...and I already have another idea to work on.

Peace. :)

Piece a Week #10: No Perfect Circle/It's Complicated (by Lisa)

2011-03-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

The center piece was once a "perfect" circle.
Then, some news came my way.
The perfect circle had to go.
It seemed to take on the look of a cave entrance...or a gaping hole.
That is how the news I received made me feel...like suddenly I had a gaping hole in my life.

I added chains.Chains are difficult to work with...they tangle and knot up. Like life.

Life is messy and tangled and knots up.

A case of art reflecting life.

(Rest in sublime peace, my friend. You have left a gaping hole in my life...but I will do my best to fill it with beauty, grace and generosity. Those qualities that radiated from your being.)

Piece a Week #9 - Braiding (by Lisa)

2011-03-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

I have been doing something interesting this past week. Right before I fall asleep I think to myself; "Wake up with new ideas to try, solutions to problems and helpful realizations."

I have to say that every morning I seem to wake-up with some kind of new idea....solutions...and realizations.

I'll start with a realization...then a solution...then introduce my Piece a Week for this week...

Realization:
When one is in the performing arts...many of your friends will attend the show/concert/reading. Why? Because individuals are entertained. Friends know that when they go to a play/concert/reading/poetry slam that they will spend two hours being entertained, and probably have a very cool party to go to afterwards.

This is not the case for attending a visual art gallery event.

You have to stand there...and think of witty things to say. If you don't really get, or like, your friend's work...painting, photography, sculpture, wearable art (jewelry)...then you are in an even more uncomfortable situation. The situation is even more acute if you can not afford the art that your friend is making.

When I was twenty-something, one of my jobs was at The Academy of Art College (now University). I worked in student records and served as the receptionist in the art gallery. One of the "perks" was to attend the gallery receptions.

Those gallery receptions were very boring.

A lot of people standing around coming up with witty things to say.

My next job was at the American Conservatory Theater. Opening nights were MUCH MORE exciting...with a loud and drunken opening night party after the show.

Much more interesting.

So....unless individuals are really REALLY into the art scene...or there is some amazing food and wine being served...friends will probably not show to a gallery reception.

Although I do have one artist friend that dresses as a huge chicken and guzzles beer during his receptions. That usually draws a crowd!

Helpful tip: if you are not into going to an art reception...keep your artist friend in mind for a possible brunch the next day. Artists miss their friends. :) The only reason we invite friends to opening night receptions is to have a chance to actually SEE you and to show you why you haven't seen US! But hanging out the next day or two is cool too! :)

[changing the subject...this will only mean anything to metalsmiths!]
Solution:
Use a touch of baking soda in the tumbler. This will ensure that any acid residue (from the pickle) is cleaned and neutralized on your metal work.

[changing the subject again]
Idea:
Kick up copper wire work...braid it and add some silver...here is the results:

I took some copper wire, braided it and melted silver on it...what you are looking at is a peek at a necklace and another peek at a bracelet. I also made a ring and a pair of earrings that are braided...

These pieces will make their debut at A-RARE-Ity on March 12. We are the featured artists for the 2nd Saturday Artwalk. We would love to see you there...but...are open to meeting for brunch or coffee something...!!

Piece a Week #8: Dragonfly (by Lisa)

2011-02-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

(Music playing while in the studio. Peter Gabriel Live and Paula Cole.)

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but I really love to make dragonflies! I love to take pictures of dragonflies and I love to wear dragonflies. I have made all kinds of dragonflies the past few years - flat fold form dragonflies, wild wire dragonflies, beaded dragonflies...so on and so forth.

This week I challenged myself to make a more "planned" dragonfly - and one that is a bit more approachable.
(My one regret is that the final picture of this dragonfly is not so good...). I have been working in a newly discovered style and wanted to make a token dragonfly in this particular way.

The backplate is in the shape of an aspen leaf...here I am sawing out this shape.

A chunk of sterling silver quivers in anticipation...ok, I am the one quivering. I LOVE molten metals. Metalsmithing tip: the outline of the shape is from the black sharpie...once you introduce the flame, the black sharpie ink will disappear when the copper is annealed (soft and pliable).

My absolute favorite part...melting the silver.

While the copper and melted silver is in the pickle (acid compound used to clean the metal), I'm back at the workbench shaping the wire. This is layed on the piece and I heat the silver up again. Tricky...copper wire can melt too...I have to watch out for "the signs."

The piece is pickled again, and then I go back through and de-burr and smooth out any rough edges. This part of the process makes the studio sound like a dentist's office!

The entire piece is polished with tripoli (a pourous, decomposed siliceous rock which results from the weathering of chert and siliceous limestone...glad you wondered?). The piece is tossed in a tumbler with steel shot and soapy water. The tumbler runs through out the night.

Final piece...and it really does look more impressive than this!!!

The Aspen Dragonfly is now located at A-RARE-Ity...and yes, while each piece will be unique because of the flow of silver, it is one that I can actually re-create.

For the next few weeks I am giving myself a very interesting challenge...designing pieces SPECIFICALLY for face shapes; oval, square, round, heart...fun, eh?

And btw...Sponge Bob Ol' Yeller Chunk of Opal...still sits there. It will happen. One day.

Peace.

Piece a Week #7: String Theory (work by Lisa)

2011-02-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

First, the inspiration:

Raphael Delgado

I have loved Raphael's work for several years now. His "String Theory" work inspires me. What follows are my first attempts to explore my fascination with lines as movement...lines as possible meaning...abstract, yet oddly familiar. These shapes are everywhere in our lives.

When I started out, I had different intentions for this piece. But the "mistake" took on a life that I could not ignore.

Taking what I learned from my "mistake", I made this piece with "purpose." Even added a pretty agate. I call this piece "Fire Within."

This piece has been around for awhile. It has the same stringy feel. Silver is reticulated. Silver wire is fused on...some granulation balls for fun. Little garnet tucked in at the bottom. I call this one "Waiting to Bloom."

Piece a Week #6 - Display/Booth Project and a Super Genius at Work

2011-02-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Today Josh declared himself a Super Genius. Here are some shots of Super Genius Man at work.

Super Genius Man at work.

Stalking Super Genius Man...what makes him tick?

This week our focus has been on redoing our booth display. The challenge has been to do the re-do with limited finances. Some cool finds...tin cans that once packaged alcohol - Frangelica, Jack Daniels...etc. Nice tall tin cans that can serve as pedestals. (ready made pedestals can run $10-70 EACH depending on the style). Our pedestals may be, at the most, $2 each).

Another great find...FOR FREE...are the cardboard innards that fabric is wrapped around. I saw one at JoAnns, and ask the clerk if they recycled? or threw them away? "We just throw them away..." "DUDE...can I have them?" (yes, I said "DUDE.") She had several ready for the garbage...so I claimed them.

Took our tins and cardboard innards (what ARE they called???) home, picked up some spray paint... VOILA! The cardboard is strong and sturdy and perfect for hanging jewelry. Tin cans, also spray painted, make incredible pedestals.

Here are some little peeks at our new display:

The "green" in the center is a tin can with round one of spray paint.

More flowers, lots of earth tones with purple and cream highlights...and some new work I have not shown yet!

The bamboo backdrop is supported by one of those fabric cardboard innards...a jewelry tree picked up at Goodwill for a dollar...a brown can peeks in (lower left corner)!

The entire display, and the new work will make its debut at Vintner's Cellar for Ladies Night, Wednesday, February 23.

On Harmonicas and Finding Opportunities in Unexpected Places

2011-02-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

The other day, while setting up our shop on Art Fire (http://www.artfire.com/users/KewishDesigns) I came across an area called "Forge." Being a metalsmith, I could not resist a tab with a name like that. It turns out that "Forge' is a for people to post special requests...Looking for a bear sculpture sitting like a laughing Buddha...or...lampwork beads shaped like roses...or this one: I am looking for crafters to create a case/box to hold my harmonica.

For some reason this last one caught my attention. A case for a harmonica? Really? Turns out, the musician's name is Robert Hoffman and he has a collection of more than 300 hand crafted harmonica cases. Apparently it is a passion in his life. There is even a you tube video:

Intrigued, I sent Mr. Hoffman an email and after a bit of correspondence he commissioned me to make a harmonica case. Today I received a letter in the mail with a check and a harmonica. The former is a down payment, the latter is to assist me in making the case. Cool!

I guess the lesson here is to always be alert to opportunities. You never know from where they might come.

Peace. Love. Happiness.

Joshua Kewish

Piece A Week #5 - PieceS, Actually And a Really Long Thank-You

2011-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

This was a productive week in the studio for both of us! All kinds of metallic thingies sprung forth...meanwhile, "Ol'-Yeller-Sponge-Bob-Yellow-Opal" still sits there.

Ol Yeller Sponge Bob Opal

Fine. Sit there.

I made nine rings all in this style (some of you who are friends of mine on Facebook have already seen this shot)...

What you see are actually two rings that I stacked. Lots of lucious silver on copper...twisted, turned and polished to a bright sheen.

I am keeping those two for myself.

Here is a stash of rings that are now at Fire and Rain Gallery.

(yes, they are sitting in a bed of uncooked rice) ... smaller sizes, but lots going on.

Also - I wanted to share some of Josh's latest work...some really cute critters:

Teeny Tiny Critters - dragonfly, seahorse with opal and a butterfly.

These little sweeties can also be seen/purchased at Fire and Rain Gallery.

All in all an extremely productive week. :)

AND

I wanted to publically thank an individual (who shall remain private) who sent me a very touching chat message this morning.

"I go back & read that facebook msg you sent a while ago every once in a while. Thank you. You two inspire me."

That is what I woke up to this morning and I have been thinking about it all day. The message is poignant because it came to me at a rather stressful time (will that check clear today? We really need that money to pay bills...it did by the way). Should we ONLY do these particular shows? Or should we add some others in? Should we have made more hearts for Valentine's Day? Or stay true to my personal beliefs that most holidays are commercial money-making driven days and I will not make things 'just because' it is "Fill In The Current Holiday" time. If I make a heart (and I have) it is because I am probably thinking of things of the heart and am expressing something I am feeling. I make abstract fine art jewelry. I work from the right side of the brain. The shapes, lines just "happen" and I go with it. Yet, sometimes I wonder if I am shooting myself in the foot for not plugging in to the current month and making something to just fit in. These thoughts cause stress. These thoughts freezes the ability to express and create.

I have done many things to "fit in." Yet...it seems I have more potency as an individual when I become selfishly authentic and go with my own flow. This is called personal power. It is not an easy adventure. It is not for the faint of heart. I am realizing that I am a Wayshower...and am being watched. This is also not for the faint of heart. (I think I like that as a title for a piece; "Faint of Heart.")

My friend who sent that chat message - Thank you. I am humbled and empowered by your words. You are also an amazing artist and I have been watching and waiting for your own emergence. You have an incredible gift to give to the world. I continue to say: If there is anything I can do for you to help with your launch, let me know.

Piece A Week #4: Yellow Opal Versus ... Me

2011-01-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

Here it is. The yellow opal.

Ol' Yeller

It taunts me. Sits there on the workbench and keeps her secrets. "I'm not telling what I want to be..not telling, not telling..."

I have tried a couple attempts and received a big thumbs down from Ol' Yeller. Fine. I was trying to set it to be a pendant - when, really, she wants to be a part of a bracelet. Someone I just met mentioned "a big chunkin' ring..." Hm. A ring like that would be amazing. When wearing, all one could do would be to sit and show it off. Maybe that is not a bad thing. I am seeing it in bracelet form. I guess I can not put a timeline on it. She will happen in her own time.

Meanwhile...I sat in front of a fire the past few nights playing with suede, silk cord and crochet thread. Experimenting. Asking "what if..." and, tonight, I came up with this:

Hand knotted silk cord

I am not a "beader"...and chains don't really go with my style of metalwork - however - a suede or silk cord DO balance out my pieces. I have figured out a way to knot the ends for a nice clean finished look. I dug in to my knowledge of knitting to do that! ;)

Before I go I want to share a find...

Sunday I attended a gathering of women. One of the women was celebrating her birthday and was given a gift. It was a handmade doll. The doll was passed around the circle and each woman spent time admiring her. When I had the doll all I could think was, "I would LOVE to have a doll of my alter ego...."

Today, while re-setting up our space at The Market Place, the booth across from us had....a collection of these dolls! Each one unique and original. In talking to Gloria, the doll maker, I learned that she had indeed sold one doll...the one I saw at the party! (I love how life circles around like this!!)

Here is a shot at Gloria's Girls:

Gloria's Girls. Each has a distinct personality, her own name, her own clothing and her own story!

Listening to Gloria talk about her ideas and the creation of the dolls is just as enchanting as the doll's themselves! Here's more about the dolls and Gloria (click here). You can also check out the doll's at The Market Place.

Piece a Week #3: Creating Peace

2011-01-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

I can not work in chaos. I get frustrated and grumpy. Too bad I don't have a before picture of the workbench. Trust me - it was piled with...stuff. The bench was a confused multitude of things. I needed to get rid of the excess.

After we expanded the entire studio, I began the process of making sense of the confused multitude of things on the workbench. Scrap copper goes in that bin. Little bits of silver saved. Tools have their space. Pieces of paper towels tossed and dust swept up.

Cleaning was its own creative act.

The Zen Workbench

Pristine! Clear of clutter! No stuff! A peaceful place to create!

I thought about pushing through and making something "just" to have a piece to post - but realized that creating a pleasing space is just as valid.

For next week: I have a rather wild idea for setting a chunky raw cut yellow opal...

#2 Piece A Week...or....huh?

2011-01-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

This week's piece involved a medium I have never used before, taken a class on or read a book. Well, maybe a few magazine articles and a few online blogs.

This was pure....WHAT THE HAY....HERE WE GO!

I'm that way.

Polymer Clay. Currently on sale at Michael's for 88 cents.

I conditioned and played and made weird shapes. Ran it through the pasta machine...goofed and fiddled.
Finally came up with this heart shape with a bunch of doo-dahs.

Much like our hearts.
Full with people and dreams and memories and future hope. Everything winds and loops and drops...there ARE empty spaces in the piece...just like there are spaces in our heart waiting to be filled. Very symbolic. I love the design...
then I baked it...and baked it...and baked it.

Then I decided to add some ink to it -
I added the ink...and then began to blot the ink...only to realize what I had really done was to make a very groovy heart stamp! hm...ok...place that idea on the back burner.

The colors were vivid - but the ink stayed tacky - so I decided to bake it again.
It washed out the colors and created a whole new look.

I learned a lot and I enjoyed learning on my own.
I definitely will continue to explore this medium.

I am ok that my #2 Piece A Week isn't a "final piece" worthy of mass consumption.
It actually says a lot about where I currently am in my life.

Explore, experiment, play, try, reflect. Begin again.

Piece a Week #1

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

And you thought it would be jewelry, huh?

First piece in 2011 is this soft and cuddly gray scarf with brown fuzzy accents!


It's nice and long and chunky and funky! I love it.

There was a sale at Michael's for this brand! Love it. Bought several different colors. I will be adding hand-made scarves to our Etsy page. Probably once I complete about four more scarves!

A Piece a Week 2011

2011-01-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

mmmm macchiato...photo by Lisa

Josh and I have challenged ourselves to make a piece a week this year. Each of us. Two artists making a piece a week.
Do the math.
104 pieces!

A few hours into 2011, I came up with a medium that is outside of my comfort zone. Outside and unknown.

Dryer lint clay.
Just found a recipe.

Now...what could possibly say "recycled jewelry" better than homemade dryer lint clay?

I once read a story of a women who painted pictures using dryer lint. She would have the entire neighborhood bring her their dryer lint...for the various colors! I probably won't do that...but I am eyeing a few blankets that have distinctive coloring.

Hmmmmm just realized that much of our dryer lint usually contains cat hair.

I think I have just talked myself out of that type of clay...but there is another clay...that I can make at home...

Off to research and play.

Due date for my first piece is Friday, January 7, 2011. Will report back on the 7th with my results!

PARTICIPATE!!!!
We have created a page to showcase the work that other's have done! Send in a .jpg with a brief description of your work to kewishdesigns@hotmail.com and I will add it to the 2011 Challenge page!

2010 Review...

2010-12-29T17:10:00.000-08:00

January – May

Metal Fabrication class with Aleris Hart at Folsom Lake College.

Keep in mind that through all the following shows, we were still making jewelry…some commission pieces, special orders etc…

Hold on, here we go:

May:

Earthday Festival in Placerville…this is where we met Matt McCollum, who recommended his Art Show at Lake Tahoe for the July.

IFest in Rancho Cordova…this is where Lisa met her distant cousins (on the Potawatomie Indian side)…Carol Willmett and Jocelyn Pickens. A seriously wonderful moment! J

June

Made lots and lots of jewelry…getting ready for:

July

McCollum Studios Art Fair at the Horizon. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in July!

August

Mendocino’s Art in the Garden

San Rafael Wine and Food Festival

Placerville’s 3^rd Saturday

Ladies Night at Vintner’s

Set up space in The Market Place

September

The Market Place grand opening!

Paul Bunyan Days at Fort Bragg…three days in Fort Bragg…and Lisa came down with chickenpox round 2.

Park Your Art, Sacramento’s 2^nd Saturday

Placerville’s 3^rd Saturday Artwalk

Polk Street Blues Festival

October

Long Beach – The Great Shark Affaire…and a much needed side trip to Laguna Beach (in the pouring rain) and Disneyland (it cleared up!)

Midtown Bazaar, Sacramento

2^nd Saturday Artwalk

Filmed a commercial for The Market Place

November

Ladies Night at Vintner’s

High Hill Ranch at Apple Hill (three great weeks until we got snowed out!!)

HP Craft Fair

San Rafael

Midtown Bazaar

Journey (metaphysical retreat) asked for us to supply pendants for their gift store.

December

Trunk show at Fire and Rain Gallery…and being asked to leave some of our art jewelry in the gallery…now we have our own nook there!

Midtown Bazaar

Four days at 27^th Annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair…except we only did three as one was a rain-out.

We have a very good tentative schedule for 2011. Just a couple places, rather than all over California! While that was a lot of fun, the wear and tear on the Camry was a bit much for her. She is ready to retire.

Lisa is going to challenge herself to do “A Piece A Week”…and try some challenging stone settings! She also has some other ideas…she always has ideas!!

Josh also plans to do “A Piece A Week” and to push some ideas he tried in 2010 even further in 2011

New pics of work…a fresh look on Etsy – we have a lot of work ahead of us!

2010 has been an amazing year! We have loved every minute of it. We met many wonderful people and seen amazing art. Most important, we grabbed at opportunities and ran with them.

That is always the most important thing to do…run with opportunities rather than hiding from them.

Hope your 2010 was amazing...and let us all push for more amazing things in 2011!

Fire and Rain

2010-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

It is a wonderful James Taylor song. It is also the name of a gallery in El Dorado Hills.

I think the first time I noticed this gallery was maybe a year ago...maybe. The gallery was closed the first time Josh and I stumbled upon it. We peeked in through the windows. I loved what I saw. Interesting and energetic art!! We noted the business hours. We would try another day and time.

When we made it back, I was completely enchanted. I was also filled with ideas for jewelry.

And then I saw the jewelry under the glass. Wow.

(out of respect for the artists and the gallery - no pics here! Although the link below has several pics on the slideshow!!)

I signed their mailing list.

Josh and I dropped in now and again to the gallery to just absorb all the neat creative energy in there. We would always walk away commenting on how much we liked it there.

A couple weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a "girls night out" event at Fire and Rain. I saw on the invite "trunk shows"...hmmmm... I decided to be audacious. I hit "reply" and wrote:

"How can one do a trunk show at one of your events...? And, here is our website..."

In no time at all the curator wrote back and invited us to participate.
The curator likes our work so much that she wants to put it in the gallery.
We left a huge stash of art jewelry at the gallery last night...

And now...our work is a part of that amazing creative space...

Fire and Rain Gallery

And now for something completely different

2010-10-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today the staff of Kewish Designs were extras in a commercial being filmed about The Market Place! We played the part of "shoppers".... Josh lucked out and got his own close-up as someone buying flooring! I didn't take shots of that...you just have to wait until the commercial is released!!!

KCRA 3 Truck in the parking lot!

The spread...because filming a commercial really takes a lot of energy!!

The camera and monitor. I enjoyed watching the director and camera man compose the shots. Lots to consider. Noticing things like white plastic chairs being seen through glass cases... "Someone please move that chair out of the shot!!"

This is a common scene. The actors waiting. While someone moves white plastic chairs, lights are adjusted and blocking the main characters. (blocking=showing you where to stand and how far to move and stay in the light).

More waiting. Really. This is about it.

...and more waiting. Lots of this for shots that last about 20 seconds!!

Director gives Shawn some...direction. She has this great art called "Scribbled Stories." Fun pictures with quirky little stories! I love them.

ahhhh and after a tough morning of shooting, the hot tub. No...not really...but it did seem like a wonderful thing to do!

We are not too sure as to when the commercial will begin airing. But it is KCRA 3 for about 3 months!

And yes, I did make a point of wearing one of my eye-catching pieces... "Luna"... :)

peace,

Lisa

Creative Chaos! Creative Focus! Tutoring!!!

2010-10-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Check out our new page and new offerings!

We are open for business!!!

2010-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Mayor of Rancho Cordova officially opened The Market Place today at 10am.

And here we are:

We now have a store front!

Kewish Designs at The Market Place
11395 Folsom, Blvd.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
(916) 859-9988
Open Daily 10am-7pm

While The Market Place is open every day, we will only be in our store, Monday - Thursday starting next week. Send us an email if you want to make sure we will be there!! KewishDesigns@hotmail.com
We are negotiating to hold workshops at The Market Place...stay tuned for more information!

Some other artists that have store fronts are (partial list):

Fire Arts of Sacramento (Metal working and poetry!)
Jimmy T's Catering (email: jtilton848@aol.com)
Jeanine Kemp (Abstract Art)
Quirky Creations (Fine Fused Glass)
Rohan Beal (photography)

This has been an amazing adventure...getting this up and running while completely re-designing our booth, making new jewelry and planning for the art and craft fairs we are doing!

Another big thank you to Sharon and North, Jayne and Jason!!!

(Jason...I am now going to publicly humiliate you by saying...GET YOUR PAINTINGS IN HERE!!)

:)

Only A Week Ago...

2010-08-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

Ad seen on Craiglist: Free space for 60 days. Only 10% commission if you make a sale.

Yes, we moved on it, we answered the ad. Does it seem to good to be true? I will say that there are individuals in this world who are good and offer good things. It is true. This was an opportunity to grab.

The Market Place. A huge space in Rancho Cordova. And in this huge space, Kewish Designs secured a 10x10 block of realty...a void space ripe with possibilities!

We were told that there were four glass jewelry cabinets available - first come, first served. The cabinet was a mess, but we grabbed it, moved it and cleaned it. The light worked! Su-weeet!!

Now to decorate the space. Mind you, Josh and I have extremely different interior decor ideas. I am the wild bohemian/asian influenced/dumpster diving type. He is sophisticated, streamlined and sleek. Agreeing on how something should look takes us a. very. long. time. Very long. And it can get very heated.

We had recently done major cleaning at home, so all tables, coverings..."stuff" was gone. We had nothing to decorate with and not much of a budget. A plea was posted on Facebook - "got stuff?" and a beautiful couple, Sharon and North* Marques, kicked things into gear by offering up a dark purple throw-rug and a collection of small tables.

PERFECT!! Josh has a painting with purples, blues and gold. We were off and running. Sharon and North's offering probably saved us HOURS of ...um...discussions! A trip to Ross and the perfect fabrics were purchased.

Our space looks incredible, but I'm not going to reveal the pics until after the grand opening on Wednesday.

We have a selection of jewelry in the cabinet, photography, paintings and prints all up or on easels. Stop by sometime and check it out!

The Market Place

11395 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova, CA

There are several artists there who have work that Josh and I love and appreciate! The huge space has become quite the gallery!

*check out the gorgeous work by North!

Just Playing...

2010-08-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

Not everything needs to be an amazing piece of art. Sometimes you just have to play. Play is where ideas come from and skills are discovered...for instance:

I found a store with a stash of white buttons.

a white button

I bought a bunch of these white buttons...and painted them.

a blue button

Yellow buttons

I had a sea of button possibilities.

I have no idea what to do...but painting them is fun!

And then, while outside having coffee, a dragonfly flew over my head, and landed.

And I suddenly had a silly idea.

Actually - while playing with THIS idea, another one developed...and THAT idea is currently in the pickle.

Playing leads to discoveries. Don't forget to play.

Imagination is the beginning of creativity.

George Bernard Shaw

Life outside of the studio...Lisa's POV

2010-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few snapshots of my day today...Josh and I wandered through Sutter Creek and Jackson, California.


For the bride who wants to go vintage, this set up had it all. All very pretty...so not me, but I can appreciate the charm of it all.


Ok...this is me! LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes!! Even the little handbag.

Note it is a Chevy. Note the crunched bumper. Note the Nissan tag.

This vase gave me quite the creative idea. Instead of surrounding a stone with metal, why not surround metal with a stone...????

I am fascinated with old, falling apart buildings. Here is a window that someone once gazed out of...and now...the flora has taken over.

When did this lace curtain fall?

Cafe De Coco. Very good cappucino!

Need to hold a meeting? This strange little room was adjacent to the main dining area in Cafe De Coco. Just a big plain room. This is the view when you exit the bathroom!

I found white buttons...brought them home and began to paint them.

Trying to find it....again

2010-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just seem to make messes.

The big wire mess

I feel clueless...and so I go out and buy magazines.

Seeking inspiration

And...nothing happens. I now have a big wire mess and a stack of magazines.

I try to convince myself that my big wire mess is like writing my "morning pages".

Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages-- they are not high art. They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind-- and they are for your eyes only.

Except - I have not written morning pages in a very long time. Maybe an artist needs to do a daily morning wire mess. Just empty out the brain...waste some wire.

I don't know.

I'm going to eat a breakfast burrito and head out. Look at things. Touch things. Consider things.

Re-fill the well. Let's see what happens.

(Lisa Kewish)

The Business of Learning Business

2010-08-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Recently we set up our booth at San Rafael's Food & Wine Festival at Falkirk...a lovely little Food and Wine event with art and craft booths interspersed between vintners' and restaurants' tables. The day was sunny and warm, the setting was inviting. It seemed like a perfect place to sell our work...and yet we only made one sale all day.

Disappointing doesn't begin to describe it. And for a few minutes Lisa and I felt the temptation to run back to the easy, safe life found in a corporate job. But then we sat down and analyzed ourselves, our booth, our products...pretty much everything about our business and realized we need to change our perspective from artists to business owners in order to make it work. This doesn't mean we will compromise our art, but it does mean restructuring how and on what we spend our time, it means changing how we setup our booth and what we put on the tables. It means taking a hard look at how we price our work.

So, I guess it was a good day after all. It was good because it helped us recognize that we aren't just artists; we are business owners too. On some level we knew this, but our understanding of what that means just stepped up to another level.

Peace.
--Joshua

Life on a Tuesday night

2010-07-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share a little snapshop of my current point-of-view.

That is Josh (right side of pic) working on our table covering for our booth. We are fitting the fabric (Wal-Mart sheets) to be a snug fit on the table. I'm done with using bungee cords!! Anyway, he's measuring and pinning the fabric - I'll be sewing the seams in a bit -

To the left is Booger. Sleeping. The cat is actually helping by weighing down the fabric.

Yes, that is our mantle with my photography, one of my charcoal drawings (15 Pears), and some of Josh's sculptures...and a lava-lamp.

Yes, Josh's hair is actually spiking up in three spots. It has been a long day!

Welcome to our world! :)

How does your potential grow?

2010-06-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Art expresses life. Jewelry art intimately expresses life. It is intimate because it is worn against the body, it is seen, it is felt, it is experienced. Some jewelry artists draw meticulous designs and hold true to that design. Others, like me, work by intuition. I never know where a piece is going to end up - but it always tells a story. Usually, a very telling story.

I made a series of "copper skeletons"

I posted the pic and received many compliments on the basic copper shapes. The second guessing began; "Hm, maybe I need to just leave these the way most people would expect them." "My designs are very wacky...maybe they are too much for this world..." But I knew I had something in me that wanted out. Ever find yourself thinking, "there is more to me than just this...more than what you see?" Yeah. Still waters run deep.

Reading the bracelet from left to right - it begins with some sense of uniformity. I expected that this design element would stay the same all the way around the band. But it didn't. The uniformity begin to split and get a little crazy. And then "something happened"...a new bead, full of potential hits the scene...and then, all heck breaks loose...

The uniformity is no longer and instead seems to be leaping, landing and then jumping off again. One element ( a bead) seems to be stepping outside of the lines! It is a little chaotic. The brass wire that attaches the beads is NOT uniform and perfectly straight.
Because -

Life is not uniform and perfectly straight. Things happen. Events change things. Thoughts change the self. New paths are tried out. One should be leaping, landing and then jump off again. Some aspects should fall outside of the lines...surprise and chaos IS OK. NOT everything should be controlled and put on the day's agenda. Potential is powerful. Many fear their own potential. A good way to hide from one's own potential is to live inside the lines, plan everything and act as if he/she is in control.

Ever watch a vine grow? A vine just goes...unchecked it can take over. I believe that is how our lives should be. Full of unchecked growth. Yes, jewelry is intimate. I may have some intimate stories to tell in bead, stone and metal. There is unchecked growth ahead. Potential untethered.

FOCUS <---highlight in yellow

2010-06-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Kewish Designs at Ladies Night at Vintner's Cellar Custom Winery

2010-05-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT! 6-8pm.

http://985cork.com/index.html

Kewish Designs at International Festival in Rancho Cordova, CA

2010-04-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

We will have a booth FULL of our new work!! Lisa will be creating a space to honor her ancestors, complete with her recent work, "The Angel." "The Angel" is a tribute to her great-great-great-great-great-grandmother, Archange Ouilmette, a Potawatomi Indian from the Great Lakes area!

Village Green Park is a great place to hang out. There are restaurants right down the street AND a Starbucks!! Have a leisurely dinner, grab a coffee and then walk to the park and check out the incredible World Dance participants and all the vendors! This event was a lot of fun last year and we are looking forward to participating in it again!

More important, we would love to see YOU! :)

Granulation

2010-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

Granulation is a technique used by metalsmiths to create small silver or gold balls for decoration or an accent to a piece. The technique is said to originate from Sumeria from as early as the early to middle Bronze Age. During the Iron Age it was adopted by the Etruscans in present day Italy.

Here is a very short video on the granulation technique!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PaSHtyl3fI

Art and Business

2010-03-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Many artists say they love working in the studio but hate the "business" side of the art business. I have certainly said it and I know many artists who have said it too. And while it is true that it all starts in the mind and soul of the artist, the moment he chooses to sell his work it is a business. Like it or not, art is a commodity like any other.

But we artists need to adjust our thinking about art as business. Commodity isn't a dirty word any more than knife, or fire...or even dirt. Money is not evil. Money is just a tool. And like any tool, it can be used for good or bad.

Lisa and I have chosen to sell our work. But we know it is honest work...and we know we charge an honest price. The work still contains all the love and integrity we put into each piece. And, when one of our customers wears one of our designs with pride, when we see the sparkle in her eyes, we can see first hand the true value of our work.

My point is that art is meant to be shared, to be in the world, not merely in the artists world. And making a reasonable profit from one's labor is not merely acceptable...it is honorable.

I have been slow to arrive at this understanding. I spent decades making art that no one except a few friends and family ever saw. But now I am embracing honest capitalism. Lisa and I have much to learn in order to grow our business, but I know this much for certain: our art is made with love and skill and yes...it has value.

Peace.
Joshua

Artisans Gallery

2010-02-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Chad, called last week and with incredible excitement announced:

"I SAW YOUR JEWELRY AT ARTISANS GALLERY!!! IT LOOKS GREAT!!"

oh yeah...two weeks prior we had dropped off some of our jewelry and have been too busy to go back to see the display! So, after class on Saturday we stopped in to see how everything looked!

Josh standing outside!!

Inside the gallery...our work is on the lower level of the display tower!

Here's a peek at some of our work...

and, I love this ring that Josh just made...

So...if you have a chance to stop in, the Artisans Gallery is located at:
535 Pleasant Valley Road
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
(530) 626-4181

Our instructor, Aleris Hart, also shows her work there...along with many other incredible local artists. We are very proud and excited that we are able to sit along side these beautifully talented individuals.

Facebook "Contest" Now on our blog!!

2010-01-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

I posted the following our Facebook page:

Kewish Designs Lisa wonders.... What kind of goals do you have for this year? I'm looking for themes. I'm EXCITED about working on a special project. :) A name will be drawn from those that participate...and that person will get the FIRST "special project." :) Deadline for submissions is....Sunday, January 17. Winner will be posted on Monday, January 18...and "special project prize" will be sent by the end of the month!

If you want to participate, but are not a fan of social networks...you can post your comment here...

Out and about...Sacramento's 2nd Saturday

2010-01-10T00:37:00.000-08:00

Whew...what a great night. Headed out to January's 2nd Saturday Art Walk in mid-town Sacramento.
We've included as many links that we could to give you an idea of what art life is like around here!

First landed at Jason Thorpe's reception at The Denim Spot...check out what was going on early in the evening. (please forgive the strange ending to this vid...I'm still getting used to the camera and obviously have not checked into any editing software!!!)

We headed over to Crepeville for some food and while there, Lisa saw an ad in SN&R The Jammies.
Info on The Jammies
This is a great cause to support teenagers and music...we are thinking of going next Friday night.

We headed out of Crepeville and found ourselves in front of Jodette's Belly Dancing Studio. Here's what that scene looked like:

Jodette made her way across the room to hand Lisa a flyer with information for belly dancing lessons. (How did she know that I have been wanting to study belly dancing since I was ten????) hmmm $99 for 3 months, 3 times a week...and you get to learn Egyptian meditation... SIGN ME UP!!

Next up was the Sacramento Art Complex....
Stopped and chatted with Joe Tate - Lisa read the first line of his bio "I am from San Bernarndino, California...." and HAD to stop and talk with him (Lisa being from San Berdoo...). He's a very cool dude, here's his MySpace link: Joe Tate

Then we checked out some blown glass at the Los Rios Gallery in midtown.
Nicholson Blown Glass
Fire River Art Glass
...and yes, both places teach classes in blowing glass.
Yes...Lisa is adding that to her list of things to learn/explore.

Here's one of the shots that Lisa took tonight...

Mutual Support

2010-01-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Lisa and I went into a fine jewelry store called Designs by Mike Lim. We had noticed the place a few days earlier while walking around the Birdcage mall. Designs by Mike Lim had taken over the space formerly used by RITZ Camera. This establishment sells high-end gold and diamond jewelry, a bit different than our work, but very very nice.

We were a little unsure how to approach the store owner. Being jewelry designers ourselves, we had no way to know how Mr. Lim would react to us. Would he see us as a nuisance? Or competitors? Perhaps as fellow artists? To our delight he and his master jeweler, Rasmik Carapetian, responded with warmth and proved to be a wealth of information. They shared experiences in the retail jewelry business, providing several useful tips which we plan to use to improve our own business during the coming year.

They also offered their expertise in the event that we have jewelry designs that prove to be beyond our skill level. They were very willing to offer their services as jewelry designers (for a reasonable fee, of course).

It is great to know that people are still open to share ideas and offer advice to others in a similar line of work. Thanks Mike and Razmik!

Designs by Mike Lim info:
6123 Sunrise Blvd.
Citrus Heights CA 95610

www.designsbymikelim.com

posted by Joshua

Discovered in San Francisco!

2010-01-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

San Francisco buzzes with creative energy. There are galleries everywhere with unique expressions of how to view the world. The City keeps my senses on point and my own creative ideas take on new forms...even things that disturb me, intrigue me. Like this window display. There was a lot more going on in the display - but this shot is the one that creates a whole new story in my head.

"Creepy Baby Doll Heads"

Photography by Lisa Kewish

Not only are store displays edgy and unique...there are also all the fantastic artisans selling their items out on the streets. Out of respect I do not take pics of the artisans work, however, I DO collect business cards and web site addresses and I enjoy mentioned them in as many places that I can just to support their work.

Jimothy is a leather worker with an amazing spirit. He has founded Chi Stylez, handcrafted leather goods made from recycled resources. Yes, I purchased a gorgeous clutch and a wrist cuff..and had a GREAT time chatting with him. He came up from San Diego...HE gave us the tip on how to apply to be a street vendor in San Francisco.

We discovered beautiful fine handmade silver jewelry by Emilio Sotelo...simple and lovely. Very elegant designs. We like.

ok...and some work that completely captivated me...(and woke me up a bit...I'll be getting real busy soon) is the amazing copper jewelry by Astrid Walther and Christian Gardelle. What they do with copper is incredible.
The prices of their pieces is ridiculous low for the quality and beauty of the work...but then, that is part of the gift of copper!

I did get one tip...peanut oil. Dip copper in peanut oil and then fire it...apparently amazing things happens.
I'm going shopping today for peanut oil.

(authored by Lisa)

Doodles and Dreams

2009-12-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

A frequent question we are asked is, "Where do you get your inspiration?"

Anywhere! After almost back-to-back viewings of "Avatar"... I have walked away with TONS of ideas! We have a vine growing around our front porch that has these spiral tendrils...I've made lots of spiral tendrils out of wire! Leaves are another favorite of mine...plenty of those blowing around this time of year! I look at a lot of pictures on line. I like to do a google search on different pendant images. I keep my favorite ones...I don't copy those pieces, I just study them for my own ideas...here's an example from my notebook...

Another source of ideas are from my own doodles...mostly done during meetings at work! (I'm listening...really!!!)

Pulling an all nighter

2009-12-11T00:33:00.000-08:00

The nights preceeding a craft fair tends to be chaotic in our house...a'hem - studio. Ok...house. The kitchen is a mess...what used to be the dining room is ridiculous and the dining room table, which is in the living room is covered with product.

The reason why its so chaotic is because we have had back-to-back weekends of events. We will be selling our jewelry this Friday, Saturday and Sunday...and doing the same next weekend as well. And then...we both agree that we are going to take some serious time off and during that time off to slow down and create more complex pieces. We have pages and pages of ideas, just not enough time to bring them into this world.

Despite the chaos, there are moments of fun and frolic. It gets a little scary when the dining room table is covered in product and the frolicking begins...it looks like this...

That is Tarzan-the-monkey-cat above there demanding some quality time with his peeps. He is accustomed to "TV" time, and when that doesn't happen, he finds other ways in which to get attention.

In the shot you can see the backside of some of our new work...here's a front view:

Nice table, huh? We eat out a lot when we are prepping for a show!

Ok...how about a closer look and a sneak peak at some of my new designs:

I've been having all kinds of fun with alcohol ink on copper. Oh yeah.

The next piece was inspired by a recent full moon rising over the hills...I have a thing for anything Luna...and have been trying for some time now to capture it in jewelry. (And even a longer amount of time trying to capture a picture of a full moon!) I spent several HOURS tonight trying to put this piece on a beaded cord, but a beader I am not...that is, not yet. However, I am really liking the results I'm getting with the ink on copper series...

This one is called "Full Moon" -

And here is one more piece "The Rising Moon" -

These pieces and many others will be making their debut in about nine hours from right now (1:00am). I'm excited to see how they are received!

(authored by Lisa)

You Never Know

2009-12-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Josh and I were doing some thrift store hunting. We didn't have an exact shopping list, more of a "let's see what we can find" general/vague idea. Usually that is a dangerous mind-set to go shopping with (!), but for artists out and about it creates an open-minded adventure!

We became fascinated with boxes and were opening them, checking to see if they were usable as booth decor and storage, when I open a long flat box and saw that it was a backgammon set I realized the potential sitting there! The round pieces were smooth and just about the size of a small pendant. We bought the set for $3.50. I figured, drill even one piece, decorate...sell the pendant for $10. The entire backgammon set is paid for!!

Now with all these black and white pieces, I have to admit I've been a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities...but two pieces have turned out quite well. I hand-painted a dragon fly on one, and an abstract spiral snake like thingy on another. I thought that perhaps a teenager would be attracted to these little pendants.

The dragonfly and abstract snake spiral made their debut this weekend at the craft fair at Nimbus.

There have been many teenagers looking at our work.

No one had been noticing either little pendant!

hm.

And then...look who found it, loved it, bought it, went to the ladies room, put it on, and came back to show us....

Yes...that is one happy and delighted customer. And I learned my lesson that all I can do is make and put the work out there...and just not get too caught up in the who's gonna want it game.

(authored by Lisa)