Pretty Pretty Bang Bang

As promised, I’m posting my artist statement. Thanks to Suzanne for tweaking it and making me sound legit:
Textile and furniture designs of the 1950s and 60s are prevalent themes in my work. The use of geometric patterns is recurring, but the circle is my personal favorite. In my mind, circles signify completion and perfection, two characteristics I strive to achieve in my designs. Influences of notable designers such as George Nelson, Vernor Panton and Frank Lloyd Wright can also be found in all of my pieces as I interpret the elements of line, color, spatial relationships, and negative versus positive.

Initially creating in sterling silver for its forgiving properties, in recent years I have added the challenges of working in 14k and 22k gold, vitreous enamels and nickel. Within these metals, I explore techniques of granulation, cloisonne, and married metal. No pieces are cast, but created by hand from raw materials, ensuring that each piece carries with it a unique fingerprint and human quality unachievable by mass production techniques.

Vitreous enamels, granulation and married metal techniques allow me to add color and texture to my pieces on an individual basis. With the married metal work, nickel surfaces gain their patina from torch firing which allows for the formation of distinctive colors. The result is an organic appearance, similar to leather or rust.

I create my own original cloisonne patterns individually and use unleaded enamels for color. I particularly like the stark contrast achieved using bright colors against a dark background, which is reminiscent of the mod prints of the1960s. The addition of 14k and 22k gold in my work adds richness not achieved by sterling silver alone. By combining the two metals, I can create a warm and cool palette in one piece.

I was just watching the Today show when they did a segment on what has to be the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. Apparently, some new designer has decided to glue rhinestones and crystals on LIVE ROACHES, attach the bug to a chain leash and call them Roach Brooches. Ugh! They sell for $40-80, probably to the kind of people who wouldn’t pay $50 for one of my pieces. Then again, my jewelry won’t carry diseases or crawl all over you. Ooh! It just gives me the willies thinking about it. This is one fashion trend I will not embrace.

It’s frightening the amount of crap I hang onto thinking I’ll wear it, use it or need it sometime in the future. Case in point is my wardrobe. I still think of the time I got rid of a long knit skirt (it was the 80s) I hadn’t worn for several years only to desperately need it the next season. I’ve since adopted the philosophy of purging my closet every season and getting rid of things I haven’t worn in two years, don’t like or don’t fit properly. Today I have a trunk full of clothes, two bags of shoes and three handbags that are all going to a local resale shop. The good news is that I can recoup some of my money. This past fall/winter season netted over $600. That helps me pay for any new stuff I want and the money usually comes in time for me to buy for the next season.

My brain if officially mush today. Last night Steve and I tackled the mind-numbing task of writing an artist statement. I’m applying for a show in St. Louis and the deadline is April 1. I got all my slides done and thought I’d work on the application. Well, I had forgotten that the application included a one-page artist statement. Crap! I wasn’t in the mood to be reflective and deep about my work, but fortunately Steve is great at this stuff. After and hour we had something put together and I emailed it to Suzanne who’s going to look it over today. If it’s any good, I’ll let you know. Hopefully, I’ll get into the show, but with only 140 spots, it’s going to be very competitive. I’ll know by the first of May.

I called Ann at From Our Hands, the gallery in Des Moines who will be carrying my jewerly. She’s going to host a Red Bee Designs trunk show on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 which will coincide with the East Village Wine Walk. Nothing like alcohol, money and jewelry to make for a successful show! Ann will be buying a small amount of jewerly before the show to introduce Des Moines to my stuff. If anyone reading this blog is in the area, stop by and say hello! This is my first gallery outside of Missouri to carry Red Bee Designs!

Last Wednesday I started back on the Weight Watchers program by registering online. I’ve had a good week and have really stuck with the program. So this morning I was all ready for some good news when I weighed. Alas, only .4 lbs lost! Yes, I know it’s a loss and not a gain, but I was hoping for something more encouraging. Still, I’m not going to fall off the wagon. My challenge next week will be eating on the road and not being able to track online. I’ll just have to be careful. I also won’t have time for my regularly scheduled exercise, but will try to cram something in while I’m there. I’m sure I’ll need a mental break from the studio occassionally.

Ok, not technically a song title, but what a great name for a band from the 80s. Today I’m enjoying my new Puma sneakers I’m calling my “Arrowmont Shoes.” I like to commemorate important events with new footwear. I had found a pair in Des Moines, but didn’t get back to Von Maur to purchase them. While out and about last night I stopped by Dillard’s to run through the 75% off racks again. I didn’t find anything exciting, but I did get these groovy new sneaks. They are khaki and tan, but the coolest thing about them is the oversized puma in khaki patent running down either side. So retro! Yes, mom and Suzanne, I know quitting my job would be easier if I didn’t spend money on so many shoes. And yes, I do have other sneakers so don’t waste your time posting the obvious. I still love them and I’ve worn them already so they’re mine now. I just got the feeling that last line sounded like something a kid would say. Oh well, I guess I am somewhat immature.

I’m exhausted. In typical “Tammy Fashion” I’m working myself into a lather trying to get ready to leave for Arrowmont. Of course, I must cram everything possible into my one week at home so I can maximize my stress. Today’s list consists of getting slides ready to send to Best of MO Hands and an art fair in St. Louis. I think the art fair application is due on April 1 so it must get in the mail this week. I’m also stressing (as usual) about product inventory. I had an appointment at Waverly House today and they bought a bunch of my latest line, “Mod Circles” (pictures to come). So now I’m feeling the pressure to produce. I know, I know, this is what my studio assistant is for. But she was at Arrowmont last week and won’t be here until Thursday. Plus, I’ll be gone next week so I’ll have to make sure she has enough work to do. Maybe this is why I keep my boring day job and don’t pursue the jewelry business. I may have the artistic talent, but I don’t think I have the business sense. Anyone want to volunteer to take over?!

It’s becoming more and more obvious to me that I need to quit my day job. My boss is wonderful and it’s a nice place, but my heart just isn’t in it anymore. I think 14 years of doing graphic design is enough, thank you very much. I know I’m staying for the paycheck security and an obligation to my boss but I’m so done. I need to be at home working in my jewelry studio (which pays me nothing) or writing for 417 Magazine (which pays me a little). Friends and family have been dogging me for the past year to leave and I think it’s a combination of security, loyalty and chickenshitness (yes, that’s a word – at least for me it is) that keeps me here. I’m not ready to give up my extra money because it affects my social life. Enough of my pity party. I just wanted to get that off of my chest.

Friday I was in Des Moines visiting my sis and her two adorable kids (I feel compelled to always describe my nieces as “adorable” because they are). Anyway, mom and Ralph were taking the kiddos to the Community Center for playtime and Ralph suggested they drop me off in Des Moines’ East Village so I could browse all the cool boutiques and galleries. I wasn’t really expecting making a jewelry contact; I just wanted to relax and take in the area. I was in From Our Hands, a gallery, and the owner commented on my bracelet. I mentioned I made jewelry and 30 minutes later I had a new contact who wants me to do a trunk show in May. I told Ann, the owner, I’d be back in Des Moines over Memorial Day weekend and she suggested a Friday night/Saturday afternoon trunk show. With East Village being located just a few short blocks from the downtown Farmer’s Market, the traffic potential is amazing. Right now she doesn’t have room for my line, but is planning to clear up space in here jewelry case so mine can be displayed. I’m not sure which lines she’ll be carrying, but we both thought the trunk show would be a great way to test the waters on what will sell the best. I’m really excited about this, especially since she had no other jewelers who make anything like mine. I think this will be a great fit.