Minor accomplishments can sometimes be a big deal

This custom pendant was created for a very loyal etsy customer of mine and I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.

If you're familiar with my work you may realize this piece is the first of it's kind… can you guess why?


Alright, I'll tell you: until now, I've always used just one eye per "bezel." I was pleased when the client requested both eyes for the piece because it forced me to resolve the "double eye mounting issues" I've stumbled upon in the past when designing for a pair of eyes.

In order for the Barbie doll parts to be cold-connected in place after all the metal work is finished on a piece, there typically has to be enough flat surface on the back of the doll part for proper adhesion to the metal "framework" below it. Using one eye is more conducive to gluing because it has a flatter backside. Two eyes creates a natural curve that needs support under it because of Barbie's hollow head. It would look distorted if smooshed flat, which might make for an interesting effect as well…but I digress. I figured out a suitable lightweight under-structure for the pair of eyes that allows for support as well as enough surface for epoxy adhesion.

Hooray! I love it when I have a mini break-through! I will likely be using this technique for many more pieces to come. In fact I already have a very ambitious bracelet idea marinating…

Another Blog nod!

Annie of the fantastic online shop Imogene (that I have been fond of since last Xmas's Craftacular at Warsaw here in Bklyn) has just let me know she's a fan of my work as well! (blush blush) Annie is also a guest blogger for 2modern design blog and she informed me that she blogged about my work back in May. Very sweet, thank you Annie!

Annie reps some fab artists in her shop, including my friend the candy thief, but she also has her own etsy store where she sells her wonderful jewelry. Oh, and if that was not enough links to keep you busy, her personal blog is great as well!

I am currently coveting this gorgeous necklace of hers:

Blog nods

Many thanks to "nature vs. machine" for the feature on her blog Sewcial Suicide on August 8th. Aside from her fun blog dedicated to independent design, "nature" (I couldn't spot a name for her…) makes lovely handmade items herself as well and sells them on etsy. You may check her shop out here!

I was also featured on a fellow MICA alum's blog recently, Made in Mississippi. I love that artist/blogger Amy Evans was reminded of Magritte when she spotted a pair of my eye earrings, as Magritte was very inspirational to me as a high school student. What a great connection, and surprisingly, not one I had ever noticed before now! You may purchase some of Amy's beautiful work at her etsy shop and see many more examples on her website. I am particularly drawn to this etching/drawing below for sale at her etsy shop for just $15 as well as many of the paintings on her website.

Thank you for your kind words of support ladies!

Barbie in P-town

When we were on the Cape, we decided to take a day trip out to see Provincetown, and by happy coincidence we happened upon this funny little Barbie and Ken (or Ken and Ken and Barbie and Barbie) outdoor vignette!

The owner of Romeo's Inn, (which apparently has rooms named after different Shakespeare plays), had to have a great sense of humor to put this little pond and doll scene out front. I stopped in to give them my business card and introduce myself. They told me this little pond is always photographed by visitors. Well, it certainly made my day!

P-town is really cute with all its little shops and restaurants and what not. Definitely worth a visit if you're out there.

What I did on my Summer Vacation

A view from the deck outside the house we rented in Cape Cod. We swam every day in this gorgeous, clean, perfect temperature lake… pure bliss!

See that little speck of sand between the trees? I swam all the way there AND back with Dave and Byron one lovely afternoon. Talk about feeling accomplished! It was totally exhilarating.

And of course, we took in the stunning ocean views.

There's rumor this may become an annual vacation destination with Dave's family! (I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for that!) But for now, it's back to hot, humid, dirty ol' Brooklyn and also back to work…sigh.

I'll be sharing pics of what's exciting and new in my studio later this week so stay tuned.