While I work on my next post. I thought I'd give a little something to tide you over. So please to enjoy pictures of my dog, Monty riding the wild waves of Costa Rica. Hang 20 little furry dude!
12/10/2010
12/04/2010
Offering Beautiful Silver Trinkets a Bribes
In the past year my voice as a designer has become clear. I gravitate towards modern organic pieces with a rustic touch. So I've decided in the coming year to resurrect my kitchen inspired spice line.
I'll be making more Star Anise rings and maybe a necklace too.
Along with other lovelies like clove earrings. I have a few other spices cast in silver and ready to go. I just need to sit down and create.
My original plan had been to promote the collection via cooking blogs. I lurk on some and comment on others. My favorite cooking blog, henceforth known as Blog X, is incredible. Based on her food and the lvoely photos, I had grand designs of sending her one of the pieces. Obviously, I had hoped she would feature it in a post. Then, of course, foodies and food porn enthusiasts alike would flock to my shop buying Star Anise rings by the dozen.
My genius plan went awry when I saw the following information in her profile, "As I mentioned above, I never plug suggested products, accept freebies/samples or conduct product reviews on Blog X, and ask that you respect this by not sending any of the above."
So that left me with a quandry. I heart this blog so much that I take the time to comment. There are literally hundredes of comments every post. But I comment because the recipes are incredible, the pictures gorgeous and the writing so very lovely. So as a thank you I thought why not send a little culinary inspired trinket. She may love it. Obviously, she won't promote but perhaps I'd gain a new blog follower. It would be lovely to be able to count readers on more than one hand. Then I became worried that it would seem like I was trying to brown nose my way around her very clear boundaries. So I abandoned the idea.
Next, I began looking for another food blogger. I regularly s dozens of sites but none are as lovely as Blog X. Finally I gave up all together. Soon after the collection itself fell by the way side.
So now what? I am still inspired by spices and items I use in the kitchen. I dream up jewelry ideas while checking that my stock isn't getting clouding or rolling out pie dough. The Kitchen Collection will be back but without a food blogger willing to take the bribe of a lovely silver trinket. Sigh.
12/03/2010
Lovely Little Birds
More bird jewelry. This time it is one of my first attempts at enameling. This lovely copper pendant with an elegant bird silhouette is hung on a sterling silver chain.
I adore the worn finish that gives it the feel of a salvaged vintage piece.
Lately, I have had bird on the brain while I am not a huge fan of birds, I adore their silhouette. So I keep playing with the image and creating piece after piece. Seriously, ironic for a gal who fears pigeons. Is that the proper use of ironic or did I go with Alanis Morrisette definition. Either way keep an eye out for more pendants to come.
11/30/2010
Un Paseo Por La Tierra
The ability to take idea, put it on paper then make it a reality in metal is unreal. There is an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride when a piece is finished. Normally, I post a few pictures on Facebook, list the new little treasure in my etsy shop and then blog. Kind friends and family leave comments. I give myself a pat on the back. On occasion the piece sells. Then I move on to the next idea.
This time the routine was totally different. A theme was picked and a show organized. Then I, along with several other talented artists, designed a piece inspired by the theme, Un Paseo Por La Tierra (A Journey Around the World). Rather than blog and post pics, the finished necklace was displayed for all to see at a gallery. It was over the moon lovely! Here's how it went.....
The exhibition was held at Cali Rivera in Tres Rios, Cartago in Costa Rica. I had never been to this incredible gallery, work space and cafe. It is gorgeous and was the perfect spot for the show. My deisgn, Bird's Eye View, was located near the entrance. So after arriving and saying my hellos, I made a beeline to see the necklace displayed in all it's upcycled glory.
Then I moved on to look at the other designs from my uber talented classmates. Some were breathtaking beautiful and others were marvels of ingenuity.
I must confess that the break in the routine was lovely. I can't wait to do it again.
11/27/2010
11/26/2010
Begin the Begin
Starting up a new blog and relaunching my jewelry business with a new name is quite a bit of work. I am, of course, well behind schedule. Though, I have one very important step completed. What is that step you ask? Why its a logo silly. So without further adieu for your viewing pleasure -
I love the simplicity with a slight elegance. Not to mention that I adore the turquoise color. Hopefully, it will soon be adorning boxes and boxes of my designs as they depart for destinations unknown.
11/24/2010
DIY Jewelry Display
Forgive me for stating the obvious but I am the kind of gal who likes to make her own stuff. Whether it be steamed Chinese buns or a flowered barrette. I like handmade, especially when made by my own hands. So when I started to look for a necklace display for an upcoming exhibition I decided rather than spend fifty smackers on a new display I'd make my own. The theme of the expo is "A Trip Around the World" so I chose a recycled theme for my piece. Then figured why not do the same for the display. I had a few kooky ideas that didn't pan out. Most far too embarrassing to fess up to on a blog. Even if it is a blog read only by my mother, four friends and the odd sucker lured here by a poorly worded google search.
In the end a truly simple idea won out. Take a plain jane white necklace display and cover it. So using nothing more than newspaper, white glue, a brush and a bit of water I transformed the display. It took me back to the good ol days of kindergarten and learning paper mache. Fortunately, the final product this time around was far more lovely than the painted clump of dried goo I made back in the day.
I loved the result so much that I did a second version using the brown paper used by baggers at the market to wrap glass bottles. Viola! Gorgeous recycled necklace displays that are truly original. I plan to cover my ring and earring displays too.
11/16/2010
Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
As my father is fond of saying "Rome wasn't built in a day." Neither was this site. So rather than wait until the banner up, the etsy shop is done, the pictures are perfect and world peace achieved, I decided to throw caution to the wind and launch Chica English.
And so it begins, Chica English is up and running (or hobbling as it were). Soon I'll be posting pictures of my jewelry and other pretty little things. I'll throw in the odd tutorial and plenty of food porn. I can't resist sharing pictures of my food. Some people are just so weird.
Feel free to give me an ego boost and post a comment. And don't be shy, if you have a question ask.
