Sunday, April 24, 2011

April Has Been Very Very Good to Us!


Especially if you leave our never ending cold Spring weather out of the equation.
April brought the inaugural edition of Our Towne Malta, a monthly publication that concentrates on our community and shares information about local events and businesses.

We were very excited to be featured as one of those businesses. Colleen Pierre, managing editor, was impressed with our use of salvaged and found objects finding it a unique method of recycling. See page 16 of the April edition to read the article.

April also found us making our reservation for shows for the rest of the year. We are happy to report that we will be returning to 3 of our old favorites Art on Lark, Adirondack Nationals, and Goold Orchards.
We have also learned of a new opportunity here in Malta called the Malta Drive In Market. Our local 2 screen Drive In movie theater is going to have a great new market on Sundays beginning May 22. It will feature local artisans and a farmers market as well as antique and collectibles dealers. The FamiLee Jewels will be there once a month this Summer, will you?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

WIP: Gauntlets

My daughter Melissa is teaching herself to knit. She has crocheted for years making blankies and scarves and hats for many of us in the FamiLee.

Knitting has woken in her a creative passion. She has found the joy of not merely following a pattern.  Lissa is learning to make a project her own by  imposing her own ideas on it.

I am the lucky recipient of a soft and lovely pair of her gauntlets. I love wearing these fingerless gloves when we do Fall and Winter shows. They keep my hands warm while allowing my fingers the freedom to make adjustments in clasps or changes in necklace length that are often associated with their purchase.
Melissa knows me well and appreciates the dark brass and copper colors that I prefer to work with. She made the gauntlets in a soft and muted amethyst color that complements these metals. Lis also left the embellishment off the pair and instructed me to finish them in a way that will showcase both of our talents.
I have sorted through some likely beads, salvaged hardware and findings and am working on a plan.
Welcome to my Work in Progress.


My soft and lovely yet unadorned gauntlets.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Progress on a Goal

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

~ Henry Ford

Update: I was challenged earlier this year to set a lofty personal goal. In response to that task I became determined to see some of my work in print. I wrote tutorials and sent off jewelry pieces of my own design to be evaluated. I waited and waited and waited to hear back from prospective publishers.

I am thrilled to report that this Summer I will have work published in 2 of my favorite magazines Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Belle Armoire Jewelry.

I can hardly wait to see the magazines and have been encouraged to write more tutorials which will soon be available in our etsy store! Thank you 52 Weeks of Blogging for pushing me to take the risk of rejection. It hardly hurt at all.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Treasure!

The FamiLee Jewels were vendors at a Spring Shopping Spree at the Women's Club of Albany a couple of weeks ago. The Women's Club is located on Madison Avenue in a beautiful old Victorian house right near Washington Park. It boasts high ceilings, original hardwood floors, magnificent wood molding, fabulous fireplaces and stained glass windows that are a treat to look at. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon in that lovely environment.
My newest Treasure. Brass coat check  disks.

The Women's Club is doing some Spring cleaning and they came across this basket (actually a take out food container) full of brass tags from the old coat room. They gave them to me after seeing our jewelry, knowing that I would make good use of them.  The only caveat was that I drill #22 for attachment to a necklace that one of the members had purchased from me. I was happy to do so.
I worked up #3 in a necklace for myself and have plans for many more.

My number 3 necklace

You will see many numbers in the coming weeks at The FamiLee jewels on etsy.

Friday, April 8, 2011

My Impatient Season

It is officially here.
The only season that I dislike.
That foolish time between calendar Spring and weather Spring that raises your hopes daily and then cruelly gives you a snow storm.
Some call the fifth season Mud, others Early Spring. I prefer not to name it at all in hopes that it will slink away.
It is my season of impatience.
I long to have the rest of the snow melt so that we can see the garden sprouting. I wish for days without rain in order to see the new buds on the trees. I want the mud to dry so that we can rake the rest of the oak leaves and get the yard ready for Summer play.
Be gone you last remnants of Winter...Bonnie wants to go outside!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Great Mother's Day Giveaway

I don't think that I have been this excited for a Giveaway that I can not enter.
The Starving Jewelry Artist's Team has created an event to honor Mom's everywhere.
We will be giving away 3 gift certificates.
First Place $100.00 gift certificate.
Second Place $50.00 gift certificate.
Third Place $25.00 gift certificate.
The gift certificates may be spent in any participating Etsy or Artfire shop.
Deadline is May 1st.

Visit The Starving Jewelry Artists Team Blog for instructions on how to enter and a list of participating shops.