NEW! In my shop

My etsy shop is re-stocked with all new work for the holidays. Be sure to scoop up your favorites before it's too late! And remember, all purchases automagically include my lovely holiday gift wrap.

Thought Bubble Necklace in black

Sweet Embrace Necklace

Quote Bubble Necklace in red

Smooch Necklace

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so thankful for all of YOU; my loyal collectors, followers and fans! You enable me to continue to do what I love, day in and day out and for that I am forever grateful. Have a wonderful holiday!

Making Progress…

I have been furiously trying to meet my deadline for completion of the work that I'm sending to to be exhibited in celebration of Barbie's 50th birthday in March at crazy hip designer boutique Colette, in Paris.

I've only had one month to make the work for Colette, so thank goodness I had my assistant Ashley to help me out! I definitely would not have been able to finish everything I had aimed to without her.

Here she is hard at work…BIG thanks to Ashley for all her hard work and extra hours!

She might kill me for this…

Today is a special day, so I wanted to post a special Thankful Thursday in honor of someone very dear to me who is celebrating her birthday today…

my best friend, Kate Cusack!

If you don't already know her work, go check out her website www.katecusack.com In addition to her life as a costume designer, Kate makes incredibly inventive jewelry out of zippers, which began with her zipper pin…

…and has grown into an extensive and amazing collection of art jewelry, inspired by a humble zipper.




If I had to choose one person in my life that has made the biggest impact on my career, it would definitely be Kate. She is a constant inspiration for me and I admire her in many ways.

Kate and I met as roommates freshman year in college. Our friendship has grown and evolved over the years and even through long distances we remained friends and kept in touch. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kate was a big influence in my decision to finally move to NYC. She is driven, confident and a source of endless creativity. Kate is a someone who thinks big and always achieves.

Kate has helped me become a more professional, confident artist in every way. She genuinely believes in my work, but also in me as a person, and has always been there for support and encouragement. She never lets me forget that my work is unique and special. For this, for her, I am so thankful.

So here's to you Miss Kate…

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y !

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I'm upstate with Dave visiting our families, and looking forward to the big feast later today. For today's Thankful Thursday I thought I'd make a brief listing of some of the things I'm thankful for in my life, so here goes, in no particular order…

• good health
• cheese
• the internet
• my college education
• the genuine, sensitive, loving man in my life
• growing up on a 32 mile lake in the middle of the Adirondacks
• knowing how to swim
• being introduced to sushi
• my studio
• this american life radio show
  
• good eyesight
• flexibility
  
• ice cream
• my big sister Sam
• Smudge and Charlie (our cats)
• my red hair
• 28 years with my father
  
• the ability to sing
• bathtubs
• fresh air to breathe
• my genuine friends
  
• feminism
• being an artist
  
• affording life in nyc
• turkey and family on thanksgiving
  

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for…
My mama!


Oh man, where do I even begin with this one! There's too many reasons to be thankful for my mom, and I could obviously never cover ALL of them, so for the purpose of this blog, I'll focus on just one memory in regards to her helping me along the path of my career…

The year after I graduated college, my parents helped me set up my metalsmithing studio in the basement of their house. I created a series of work around the holidays that year of what I like to refer to as my "easy, everyday, wearable type of jewelry," simple sterling and stone earrings, bracelets, etc. - not my barbie work in other words - to try to make a little extra cash for the holidays. My mom works as a secretary in the main office at the local high school and offered to take in a batch of my work to school to sell to the teachers, aides and various staff members. It was the perfect plan! She's located at the social hub of it all, and as a result, The 'What's Everybody Looking At?!' effect took over her desk and most of the female population there wanted to buy some of my jewelry. However, it turned out to be A LOT of hard work on my mom's part. On top of acting as cashier, coordinating the exchange of money from all the on-site purchases, she also was taking custom orders left and right. She kept track of all the names, quantities, and sizes, essentially acting as my own personal jewelry sales rep on the front lines, all the while trying to do her own job.

My mom owns quite a few 'margaux lange originals' and never hesitates to brag "my daughter made it!" when wearing one of them. She believes in me, and her efforts to help me succeed that Xmas meant the world to me. I made what, at the time, felt like of a lot of money for a fresh-outta-college grad! She even offered to do it again the following Xmas, which I gladly took her up on ;-) And my bet is, that if I asked her to do it again this year, she would still say yes!

Thank you Mama, I love you with all my heart.
xo

Thankful Thursday

*A revived, mini-series of Thankful Thursday is back through the month of November, in honor of Thanksgiving :-)

I am thankful for…
My friend Leslie Capizzi

I was living in Boulder at the time of the 2002 SNAG conference in Denver, Colorado and decided it was the perfect opportunity to experience my first conference since I could commute daily to and from Denver fairly easily. Even though it was an unforgettable learning experience for me, I met and talked with very few people at that conference as I was too shy to make much of a concerted effort to introduce myself. However, there was a woman sitting in front of me during one of the lectures who boldly turned around during a break and struck up a conversation by complimenting me on my necklace (the first 'hand necklace' I ever made) …that woman was Leslie Capizzi.

Leslie and I became fast friends after the conference. She lived in nearby Longmont, and we got together for frequent lunches and gallery outings, talking shop about jewelry making, etc. We had much in common, particularly our love of thrift stores. We shared many thrifting adventures, her and I. She was right there with me as I rummaged the toy aisle, accumulating mass amounts of discarded Barbie and Ken dolls. Since my move back to NY in 2004, I often pine for Colorado's amazing thrift stores, but it's those outings with Leslie which I've truly missed.

An incredibly talented jewelry artist herself (coupled with top notch sales experience and people skills) Leslie continues to build her business beautifully. Her recent work has an edgy "cityscape" feel to it that I'm really diggin'…

© Leslie Capizzi

Leslie still thrifts (though insists it's not as fun without me ;-) and has become an expert long distance 'Barbie Scavenger' sending me HUGE boxes full of dolls at least twice a year! She knows exactly what to look for and always sends perfectly salvaged Barbies. Results from her latest care package, received just last week:

(All incoming packages subject to search by kitty homeland security.)

(Passed inspection.)

Thank you Leslie! For the dolls, for always believing in me and my work, for YOU.

Thankful Thursday #6

The Mentor: Ed Levin, production jewelry company, Cambridge, NY.

The Lesson Learned: Knowing what you don't want to do with your life is as valuable as knowing what you do want.

Along with the thrill of my anticipated graduation from college in June of 2001 also came the anxiety of stepping out into "the real world" (blahblahblah) …having to get a job, make money, and prove myself to myself. I knew I wanted to pursue jewelry but still wasn't sure quite how I was going to make a career out of it. Moving home to Lake George, NY was the most realistic option at the time given my post-college financial state and so I moved back in with my parents and applied for a job at Ed Levin Jewelry whom I learned had a production company located an hour from LG in Cambridge, NY.

I remember after my interview (which I had convinced myself had gone HORRIBLY) someone said to me that even if I had nothing else to offer them (which of course wasn't true) I possessed something very valuable to them as an established company: my youthful enthusiasm. I was willing to work and work hard, learn and succeed. Perhaps that is ultimately what got me hired.

I began work immediately as a part of the design department team, by far the friendliest, coolest department with the best taste in music/radio! Ann Kearney was the head designer at the time (who has since left Ed Levin to pursue her own gorgeous jewelry line) and she was such an inspiration to me. I also worked one on one with Ed Levin himself, who at the time still had a hand in the F+ Series that I was in charge of - vintage Ed Levin line. It was quite an honor.

After about 6 months with the company I decided it was time to move on. I learned a lot working at Ed Levin, particularly the ins and outs of the production jewelry manufacturing world. The most important thing I learned in my brief time there however, was that I didn't want to be just a pair of hands and work for someone else for the rest of my life. I didn't want to make the same design over and over and over again. I didn't want to design based on target markets and seasonal trends. I decided I wanted to make ART jewelry, not just fashion jewelry. In learning what I did not like about production, I was able to narrow down the field of jewelry further and focus my energy on my own art jewelry designs.

Someday I may end up just like Ed. I may change my mind and decide production is the way to go and desire to employ a team of 50 artisans or so to help produce my line of "wearable, everyday designs" but for now, I like my little art jewelry nook. It's comfortable here, and helps me remember I'm not just trying to make money, but also trying to make Art.

the Ed Levin signature bracelet

Thankful Thursday #5

The Mentor: Biba Schutz, art jeweler

The Lesson Learned: I am the only one who knows what's right for me.

A few months back, I had a phone conversation with the successful, talented Biba Schutz. She was kind enough to spend over an hour on the phone with me discussing all sorts of concerns I was having, such as… did I always have to procure the sale of a "special order" through one of my galleries even if it was unassociated with any of them? The answer: no, I don't have cut out to my galleries if they had nothing to do with the sale in any way, shape or form. In the past I always gave my galleries their percentage on custom work regardless of how I received the order, because I assumed that was what I was supposed to do. I also asked Biba, was I allowed to sell my work on my website in conjunction with consigning at the galleries? The answer: yes, it would be essentially just like owning my own "store" or gallery, and as long as the prices remain consistent, there's no problem. I've been so concerned about not tarnishing my gallery relationships that my business has been suffering and has not been able to grow in the ways that I would like it to. However, it's impossible to know all the answers to this stuff and it's ok to fumble through it at times. You live and learn.

The biggest question I had been wrestling with for quite some time, was whether or not to pursue wholesale. I had asked one of my galleries their opinion on the subject (about a year prior to my conversation with Biba) because I had been getting a lot of inquiries about wholesaling my work… their answer: it wasn't a good idea. Their reasoning: because the type of work that I do is "really more appropriate for one-of-a-kinds." I took their advice, blindly, because I assumed they just knew better than me.

hmmm.

Fast forward a year… I'm unhappy at the slower pace with which my one-of-a-kinds are selling and frustrated at the idea I may need to have a part-time supplemental job for the rest of my life. Wholesale was becoming more and more appealing as a concept. I began to wonder: why was I letting someone else decide the direction of my work and control my economic stability? Many art jewelers tend to either hold teaching positions or wholesale their work in conjunction to one-offs because it makes for more consistent income.

Enter Biba. Her advice and guidance regarding wholesale was invaluable. Most importantly, she stressed how it was a big decision to make and that there were a lot of aspects to consider and that only I could know whether wholesaling my work was the right move for me or not. After our conversation, I had renewed confidence in my ability to decide the direction of my jewelry line as well as a restored belief that ultimately I am the only one who knows what's right for me.

Wholesale world, here I come.

brooch by Biba Schutz

Thankful Thursday #4

The Mentor: Susan Kasson Sloan, jewelry artist and teacher.

The Lesson Learned: Ask for guidance from someone who knows.

In 2003 I took a two week workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts with epoxy resin artist extraordinaire Susan Kasson Sloan. Not only was the workshop life changing in terms of my work and the introduction and development of the epoxy techniques I employ in my work to this day, but also because it was my first real experience with something crucial to my business… establishing my prices.

It was the last day of the workshop and there was a school wide "exhibition" held throughout each craft department, exemplifying the fruits of our labor - two weeks worth of uninterrupted, focused devotion to our various crafts. During the exhibition, I was approached by a woman interested in purchasing (GASP!) one of the bracelets I had made (the very first of the eye bracelets, Eyes in Line)…

I was caught off guard for a couple reasons. One: I was dumbfounded that I had an opportunity to actually make money at a workshop I had barely scraped together enough money to take, and two: because I had absolutely NO IDEA what to charge her!

…Susan to the rescue! Susan was/is amazing, as an artist and a teacher. She keeps it real and is so confident, and accessible and easy to talk to. She taught me more in those two weeks than most of my college professors did in four years. When I told her someone was interested in one of my pieces and asked her what I should charge, she was very frank and did not hesitate at all with what she thought the bracelet was worth. Ultimately, I have no idea how she came up with that number but I suspect like most of us, she used a completely arbitrary pricing system and chose the number roughly based on my level of experience, the originality of the design and, well, other completely random factors. Regardless, it was a starting point for me. I quoted the woman the price Susan suggested and without hesitation she wrote me a check. From then on, I had my price point. I knew the approximate amount I should charge for a bracelet based on the advice of someone who knew the field. And thus my pricing structure began.

It's changed quite a bit since then, but if I hadn't asked someone who has had more experience with pricing jewelry art I would've been clueless as to where to begin and I might have been all over the place, either charging too much or too little. Pricing can be one of the most difficult tasks, but once you get to a place where you know the general range for which your work will sell it starts to feel a little less daunting. Art is worth what someone will pay for it after all. So thank you Susan, for your help in getting me started, in more ways than one.

(Susan came to my first big exhibition opening in 2004 at Julie Artisan's Gallery in NYC and brought me a Barbie doll as a gift - too sweet!)

Thankful Thursday #3

The Mentor: Todd Reed, jewelry artist.

The Lesson Learned: Meet your deadlines.

Fresh from college and recently relocated to Boulder, Colorado, I boldly emailed an introduction of myself to art jeweler Todd Reed to ask if he would mind reviewing my portfolio (also hoping he would want to hire me as a production assistant in his studio) He said yes to a review, and I spent an afternoon at his house with my jewelry portfolio (aka: a shoe box full of pieces wrapped in paper towels) listening gratefully to all he had to say. He encouraged and appreciated my Barbie work, and offered some interesting tidbits of advice leaving me with many things to ponder. When I left that day he said he would call if any freelance production jobs came up that he might need assistance on. I kept my fingers crossed.

Let me also just say that Todd is one of the nicest jewelers out there. SO approachable, friendly and willing to share information. Many artists are guarded about what they do, living in constant fear that their ideas will be "stolen!" Not Todd, which I find admirable. Knowledge should be shared! So when he finally did call with a freelance jewelry job for me I was thrilled. Honored, really. I met with him for instructions and then he sent me on my way to produce the bits and pieces for a sterling and ruby custom neckpiece at my own studio. But before leaving his house he asked me, "so when do you think you'll be able to have the work finished?"…

"mmm, I could probably have it finished by Friday."

Famous last words! Well, I didn't finish them by Friday. And when Todd called to see if they were ready I had to fess up that they were not. even. close. He was not happy. His rationale went something like this: if he had taken me on my word that the work would be finished by Friday, then what if he had told his client the piece would be in their hands by Saturday? Everyone loses. It's not professional. And just like being late to meet someone when you say you will, it's rude and really when it comes down to it, selfish. He was diplomatic about it all: hard on the problem, soft on the person (as a wise friend of mine likes to say ;-) I think ultimately he realized I was a straight-outta-school-youngster at the time who wasn't quite ready to take her life too seriously yet and still needed to learn a thing or two about what works in the real world.

It's a lesson that stuck with me. He was right. I never got over feeling like I blew it with him, BIG TIME. (Although somehow later on I still mustered the nerve to ask him for a recommendation on a grant application?!) Todd Reed is extremely successful, there's no doubt about that. He obviously keeps his word, and meets his deadlines.

(sterling silver, 18k gold and raw uncut diamonds: the work for which he's known)

PS. This is my 100th blog post! wow, weird. I really had no idea it would last this long.

Thankful Thursday #2

The Mentor: Kirsten Rook, jewelry artist and teacher.

The Lesson Learned: I want to be an art jeweler.

Kirsten has been teaching classes for over ten years at the Maryland Institute College of Art's Jewelry Center - an expansive metals studio located off campus. In my junior year at MICA I began taking jewelry classes once again after being introduced to the medium back in high school. Kirsten was the first teacher I had at the Jewelry Center, and by far my favorite.

First, just on a superficial level, she was both intimidating and inspiring to me: she dressed cool, had a hip haircut, was super friendly and easy to admire. More importantly, she was an excellent teacher. Attentive, patient and great at explaining the many intricate processes involved with jewelry making.

She's also the first teacher I had that turned me on to the possibilities of what jewelry could be. She gave slide presentations of incredible, inspiring, vastly different types of contemporary jewelry being made around the world. The boundaries melted away. There were seemingly endless possibilities! I became particularly fascinated by art jewelers that employed alternative materials or found objects in their work. I was inspired and awed by: Robert Ebendorf, Fred Woell, Caroline Broadhead, Harriet Estel Berman, Judith Hoyt, Gijs Bakker, Bruce Metcalf, Tone Vigeland, etc… Any jewelry that was atypical, conceptual, or thought provoking beyond mere aesthetics became my passion.

The line between "Art" and "craft" was blurred for me- even to this day I see little distinction between conceptual jewelry and art with a capital "A." I never realized jewelry could be that way before that point in my life and I've been forever hooked as a result.

So… thanks for all the inspiration Kirsten!

Thankful Thursday #1

I've been thinking a lot lately about the impact certain people have had on my career thus far and wanted to start a theme here on my blog for celebrating these people over the course of the next few weeks. Once a week, in no particular order, I'll pick a different person and focus on a way they have directly contributed, shaped and/or influenced my life, particularly the business end of what I do (aka: the stuff they don't teach you in art school).

My mentors have given me an assortment of both big and small "life lessons" regarding how to conduct myself in business. All of which has been helpful as I navigate how to make a living doing what I love while remaining true to myself, my goals, wants/needs. So without further adieu…

The Mentor: My dad, Mark Lange (graphic/industrial designer)

The Lesson Learned: Use the person's name in conversation.

Often when visiting with my father down in his office in the basement of our house (aka: 'the cave') he would get a phone call from a client of his and I would sit patiently, overhearing the conversation from start to finish. The one thing I noticed from listening to him on the phone was how many times throughout a conversation he would address the person he was speaking to by name. If not sewn throughout various points of the call, than at least at the very end. For instance, "Thanks again for calling Richard" or "Have a good day Pamela." Using an individuals name when speaking with them can make a person feel "important" or well attended to. It shows you're paying attention and you care. People enjoy hearing their own name, just as people like to talk about themselves. We all know how helpful it can be to repeat someones name aloud upon first being introduced to them: "Nice to meet you Susie" This is also an extension of that idea. The more you say it, the more it sticks in your head, the better that person feels about the way you're addressing them and the conversation.