Stu Stu Studio Tunes

As I get closer to the One of a Kind show, I find that I need musical motivation to help with the long work hours. Well, that and lots of caffeine. Anyway, here's a sampling of my studio playlist. Enjoy.

New Riveted Jewelry

My cold-connections jewelry class has really inspired me to use more riveting in my own work. In preparation for the One of a Kind show, I have been creating some new riveted pieces including necklaces, rings and bracelets. I'm so excited with the results.

The necklace below features hand-cut silver geometric shapes. They have been hammered, oxidized and then riveted together. The rivets allow the pieces to be arranged in different positions. The necklace is finished off with a silver hook and eye closure. I really love the finished piece.

Thinking up Some Wall Jewelry Displays

I've got the One of a Kind Show and Sale coming up and the booth sizes there are huge. It's in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and each artist gets a 10 x 10 booth with three walls. I'm used to just having an 8-foot table, so I have absolutely no wall displays. As a result, I've been spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out some simple but attractive wall decor.

I have decided to use round discs covered in fabric to display my necklaces. They create a simple visual element and can be placed in a fun pattern on the wall. Each disc is also perfectly suited to display a necklace. I'm using decorative embroidery tacks to hold the necklace in place.

Along with the discs, I will have some small black floating shelves that will hold bracelets, earrings and rings. I am thinking about placing rocks and moss on the shelves. I can then place a ring or a bracelet atop the organic elements.

These displays will be on my side walls, which are white. The back wall will be painted grey. I will place a vinyl sign in the middle of the back wall and hang some birch bark panels on either side to go with my birch bark jewelry. I think it will look quite nice when its all put together. I hope, at least.

I am also working away on some fun new jewelry designs as well as these new displays. I'm really enjoying this opportunity to make a large variety of items, though I am definitely feeling the pressure of crunch time. I hope that it will all come together in the end and that all the artists will have a great show this year at One of a Kind in Chicago.

Walking on the Moon

I've been working in the studio quite a bit lately so I it was a pleasant break from routine to ha ve my Florida relatives up for a visit this weekend. We walked around Purdue University in the unusually warm Fall and took in the colorful trees and red bricks of the university.

We stopped to check out the new Neil Armstrong building and I took a few pictures. It's an interesting building in it's angular design. It was also fun to see the astronaut moon boot footprints that decorate the lawn around the building.

It was so refreshing to take some time out to enjoy the Fall and visit with relatives. Now I feel rejuvinated and ready to tackle some more jewelry. I need to make many more pieces for the One of a Kind show this December. I am excited about the new direction I am taking with my jewelry and I want to make a number of new pieces for this show.

Sometimes just getting out of the studio and shaking off the cobwebs can help to inspire creativity. Hopefully everyone will get a chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful Fall weather.

MAKER Faire Detroit photos

It's been a long while since I last posted. I've been in the weeds with shows and house projects but I did want to share some photos from the MAKER Faire in Detroit. I loved this show because it was more than a craft fair. It celebrated people who make all sorts of things from flame-throwing bicycle machines to life-size mousetrap games. It was an amazing event and I am so glad I got to participate this year. Thanks Handmade Detroit!

If you didn't get a chance to make it to this event, check out the fun pictures below.

American Artisan Festival

Well, It's crunch time for me. I've been getting ready for the American Artisan Festival in Nashville. It starts this Friday the 18th and goes through Sunday in Centennial Park. I'm so excited to be a part of this event. It should be amazing.

I also am getting jewelry ready to send to the Homespun Store in Indy. This new store in the Irvington neighborhood is so exciting. The owner of the shop, Amanda Taflinger, is a former art teacher just like me and I met her last year during a metals' class at the Indianapolis Art Center. I'm so excited that she was able to make this shop happen, as I know it has to be a dream come true for her. It is also such a boon to local Indiana artists.

Aside from that, I have recently discovered that I will be participating in a few more art shows, some of which are incredibly exciting. The Detroit MAKER Faire should be amazing. It is like a giant science fair mixed with an art fair mixed with a circus. It will take place at the Henry Ford museum on July 31st and Aug. 1st. I will also be a vendor at the local Art on the Wabash in West Lafayette in September. On top of all that, I will be sending jewelry to be included in the Emmy Awards gift baskets. So much to do, so much to do.

So, I am going to cut this post short and head back to the studio to get to work. Wish me luck and if you are in the Nashville area, come out to the American Artisan Festival this weekend!

LOST Finale and Other Developments

So the LOST finale is almost upon us and I've got to admit that I'm pretty saddened by the thought of it coming to an end. I do want to see the finale, but it's hard to believe that it will just all be over after that. I almost expect to see a Jacob and MIB spin-off. Just Kidding.

I also thought I would take the LOST finale as an opportunity to do some marketing. I decided to send a dharma bunny to each of the actresses who portray the four main female LOST characters: Sun, Kate, Claire and Juliet. I snapped some photos of the pendants before they went in the mail and I've posted those below. You can also buy your own at my shop.

I've also included a photo of some Dharma candy that my friend Megan, of Stinkybomb Soap fame, sent me. She was so sweet to send it and the candy cracked me up so much I just had to share a pic. She knows what a huge LOST dork I am.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys the LOST finale. I know I will love seeing the ending, but I'll really miss looking forward to the new episodes every Tuesday. Oh well, all good things must come to an end, that is, unless we DO see a Jacob and MIB spin-off. Listen up ABC! It's a great idea. ha ha.

Reggae and Tax Preparation are a Nice Combo

I did my taxes myself this year, with a little help from H and R Block. I did a program called the best of both worlds where I basically fill out all of the forms, and then an accountant reviews them before they go to the IRS. Needless to say, my head felt like it was going to explode today as I was working on the forms. Not only did I have my teaching W2's, but I had my new business and my unemployment forms. Yikes!

Anyway, about halfway through doing my taxes, I decided to listen to some reggae. Can I just say that it was a wonderful decision. It is nearly impossible to stress while listening to reggae music. It just naturally relaxes me. So now I am making it a requirement for reggae music to be playing whenever I attack sales tax forms or business book-keeping. I highly recommend it to anyone else who has to wrestle the financial forms that go along with a small business. In the meantime, enjoy these great tunes below.

Bloomington Handmade Market was a Success!

Last Saturday I worked my first craft show of the year, The Bloomington Handmade Market. Even though it was pouring rain for half of the day, a huge crowd turned up and everyone had a great time. There were so many amazing vendors and the customers are always so nice and supportive. I just love going to this event and hope to participate in more BHM's in the future.

I also found out this week that I will be participating in the American Artisan Festival in Nashville, TN. The fair takes place on June 18th, 19th and 20th in Centennial Park. This will be my first year participating in this event. I hear it is a great show though, with a beautiful setting, great entertainment and a wide variety of established artists. It should be a fun event for anyone living in the Nashville area, so make sure to mark your calendars.

First Show of the Year: Bloomington Handmade Market

For those who haven't been to the Bloomington Handmade Market, you've missed a fun and exciting show full of interesting artwork and crafts. The Bloomington Handmade Market was my very first show when I was starting out as a jeweler. Now, I'm happy to announce that the Spring BHM is my first show of 2010.

I'm really looking forward to this show as I will get to see some friends who live in Bloomington. I'm also excited that my friend Megan Green, of Stinkybomb Soap fame, will also be selling at the show. We met at the One of a Kind Show in Chicago. Her soap, molded into the shape of grenades and baby-doll heads, is fun and playful. I'm excited that we will be booth neighbors for the upcoming show.

If you live in the Bloomington, Indiana area on April 3rd, come over and check out the work of over 40 original artists and crafters. Get directions and further show information here.

Buy Jewelry and You Could Get a Free Spa Peel

I'm offering a great promotion for the month of March. Anyone who purchases Quite Clever Jewelry in March will be entered to win a jar of Aloette restorative enzyme peel. This great product sloughs off dead skin cells and leaves skin glowing. I am personally addicted to it, and use it every other day to brighten up my skin. You can read more about this product here.

Time-Traveling Bunnies Make Cute Jewelry

I am a complete Lost geek. I watch, rewatch, read the message boards, listen to the podcasts and research quantum physics and religion to figure out new theories. So, it should come as no surprise that I was inspired to create some Lost-themed jewelry in honor of their final season. I've had so much fun thinking up little Lost-inspired designs.  I've only posted one piece so far, but more should be up soon. My first offering is my little Dharma time-traveling bunny. He can be purchased without the number on him, for people who aren't as geekily into lost as I am.

Great Books for Jewelry Artists

For those artists who are looking for great reading material. I've written an article on some of the best jewelry art books. These books are great for instruction and inspiration.

Metalsmithing is a skill that spans the border between art and craft. Metal artists not only need to perfect construction techniques, but also refine and hone their artistic voices. The books below provide. . . . Read more at Suite101: Five Books Every Metal Artist Should Own: Metalsmithing Books to Instruct and

Order By Feb 1st for Valentine's Day Delivery

As Barry White would say, "Love is in the Air". Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I would love to help provide gifts for the special day. If Quite Clever jewelry is on your shopping list, get your orders in by Feb. 1st to guarantee delivery by Valentine's Day.

I am also providing free Valentine's gift wrapping upon request. Just let me know in the note to seller when purchasing your jewelry.

Happy Shopping and Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year! Free Shipping!

It's 2010! Happy New Year! I'm back from vacation in Florida. I wish I could say it was a sunny and warm vacation but alas the cold snap extended to the Tampa Bay area. We did get a few days that were warm enough to walk the beach and bike the trails, so I'll take what I can. It was also great to see my parents and grandma and spend some quality time with the fam.

Now that I'm back in the winter wonderland of Indiana, I'm celebrating the new year with free shipping within the U.S. on all orders made in January. I'm also offering reduced shipping to all areas outside of the U.S. This is my way of saying happy 2010! I hope it's a great one for everyone!