The Shoe Fits

If the Shoe Fits Bracelet © Margaux Lange.

Pinwheel Vintage Shoe Ring © Margaux Lange.

Silver Shoes Bangle Bracelet © Margaux Lange.

I just received confirmation that all three of my submissions were accepted for The Perfect Fit – Shoes Tell Stories an upcoming exhibition on view at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA from June 6, 2009 to January 3, 2010. Starting in February 2010, the exhibition will also travel to various other exhibition venues around the country. I'm so excited I got in!

Remember tonight is the last night for guessing how many Barbies are in the bucket, so be sure to get in your answers asap! The winner will be announced tomorrow morning around 1oam. Thanks to everyone for playing along and Merry Christmas.

Christmas Contest!

Christmas is all about giving and it's been a year since my last contest give-away here on the blog. So I thought I would spread a little holiday cheer with another guessing game!

All you have to do is guess how many Barbie dolls are in the bucket:

The person who comes the closest… wins!
You may respond in a comment here or on my facebook jewelry page.
Open to all… so start the guessing and good luck!

CONTEST ENDS FRIDAY DECEMBER 19TH

What do you win?! …Happy Holiday Smile Pin:

© Margaux Lange 2008.

Made of: Sterling Silver, plastic Barbie doll smile and pigmented red resin.
She comes with a tie tack pin back, perfect for jackets, sweaters, scarves, bags, ties, etc.
Pin measures approximately 1" in diameter. Oxidized silver finishing and artist signature on the back.

You're never fully dressed… without a smile :-)

NEW Holiday Work on etsy!

My new grouping of Holiday work has posted on etsy… so go shop while they're still available and they'll arrive beautifully gift-wrapped, just in time for Xmas! Happy Holidays everyone!

Busy Busy

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind, I am SWAMPED with Xmas orders and drowning in emails, SO… the blog has been on hold until I feel more caught up. I'll be posting images of new work due to hit my etsy shop later this week though, so stay tuned for that. Thanks for your patience and I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving!

(this photo of Smudge in a bucket pretty much sums it up.)

Wowza!

More press to share! Wow, this month is insane. Big shout out to the United Kingdom!

daily mail - UK

Telegraph - UK

Metro News - UK

Indie Quarter - UK

Female First - UK

Times of the Internet

Thank god for google analytics. For any of you out there not yet using this free google service to track your website traffic, you should.

Hooray for press!

I have a full page spread today in "the Metro," a free newspaper published in the UK. I haven't seen it yet, but thanks to Rachael of Hannah Zakari, my stockist in Scotland, for letting me know the article ran! Visit their website to see whats currently available for sale across the pond.

Also, the UK's Sky News did a feature on my work yesterday with a pretty cool slide-show on their website: check it out!

Rambo Barbie meets 101 Dalmatians?

While hunting around etsy this morning I found this hilarious listing and couldn't resist posting it here:


Is it just me, or is this one of the oddest "fashion doll" sets you've ever seen? There are so many strange elements to this, where do I begin?

She looks pretty dangerous alright, with that oh-so-menacing grin, cowboy hat and, um… dalmatian. Since when are dalmatians considered hunting dogs? Perhaps she's meant to hunt the eagle AND the dog and then cook them up in a bean stew? Hope she brought along some bug spray - that halter top's not gonna cut it.

It's nice to see a doll branching outside the "dress me up in pretty clothes" category, however I'm not convinced Rambo Barbie is going to be a number one seller. If you're interested in purchasing this gem hop on over to Geopillow's etsy shop. (I'm tempted to just so I can add it to my freak collection!)

The Creative Habit

Since becoming a full-time studio artist back in August, I'm not reading for pleasure nearly as often as I used to. I find myself dearly missing those subway rides to and from work if only for the fact that I could lose myself in 25 minutes of uninterrupted reading time. So it took me a while longer to finish reading Twyla Tharp's book: The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life , however I can't recommend it enough. Inspiring and insightful, this book will make you look honestly at your own creative work habits and strive to better them.


I have a confession to make: I'm an Underliner. When I buy a book - and love a book - I underline my favorite passages so I can go back to it and re-read sections when necessary to refresh my mind about its' messages. Some of my favorite underlined sections from this book:

"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering. Combining the two is the essence of the creative life."

"Every artist faces this paradox. Experience - the faith in your ability and the memory that you have done this before - is what gets you through the door. But experience also closes the door. You tend to rely on that memory and stick with what has worked before. You don't try anything new."

"Inexperience provides us with a childlike fearlessness that is the polar opposite of the alleged wisdom that age confers on us, the "wisdom" telling us some goals are foolish, a waste of time, invitations to disaster. In its purest form, inexperience erases fear. You do not know what is and is not possible therefore everything is possible."

"More often than not, I've found, a rut is the consequence of sticking to tried and tested methods that don't take into account how you or the world has changed."

"Repetition is a problem if it forces us to cling to our past successes. Constant reminders of the things that worked inhibit us from trying something bold and new. We lose sight of the fact that we weren't searching for a formula when we first did something great; we were in unexplored territory, following our instincts and passions wherever they might lead us. It's only when we look back that we see a path, and it's only there because we blazed it."

Lately I've been feeling a big change coming on in regards to my work… can you tell? In going back through the book for quotes just now I realized almost everything I underlined speaks to me about that.

Creepy… but Cool

This is the phrase I hear most often in response to my work. So I decided it had to be the name of my new tumblr page (yep, yet another web 2.0 application for me to manage!)

I get a kick out of reading the responses I find online when someone posts about my work; the people who get it, the people who don't, and everything in between. I've learned that if nothing else, my work always manages to invite reaction, and that's a beautiful thing.

So I decided it might be fun to find a forum for which to compile the many varied responses publicly and enthusiastically offered up online. Tumblr is the perfect format for this because it allows for quick and easy updating. So without further adieu… my new side project:

Creepy… but Cool

web press

My work has been making some blog rounds again lately, generating some interesting responses as usual, which got me thinking about a new project. I'll reveal what's up my sleeve soon, but for now, cheers to all this web press… thanks internet, you're the best!

jezebel Nov. 12

boingboing Nov. 11

craftzine Nov. 8

cool hunting Nov. 5

zipper artist extraordinaire

My uber-talented friend Kate Cusack (whose zipper jewelry I blogged about back in September) has finally opened an etsy shop where you can purchase amazing zipper jewelry directly from the artist herself!



Kate has also started a news blog called Kate Update where you can get the latest on Kate's happenings. Check it out!

It is a happy day!

I am so proud, relieved and more than anything, hopeful, about where our country is heading.

Because it's important.

Positivity

It's not easy to stay positive given the current economic situation in our country. Alyson Stanfield has just created this

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Dave has been helping a friend out with this website for a couple weeks now and the photos just keep on coming! It's a great idea and has gotten some major press… go check it out:

www.yeswecarve.com

If you haven't carved a pumpkin yet and would like to utilize your skills in support of Obama, you too can submit your photos, and even have a chance to win an ipod!

Levi van Veluw

…an artist from the Netherlands that I am currently captivated by. Particularly his "landscape" series. For his full portfolio visit: levivanveluw.com

Hilary Pfeifer

© Hilary Pfeifer

When I was living in Boulder, CO in 2002 I was working with jeweler Todd Reed on a project and while visiting his home studio, I noticed these amazingly colorful sculptures "growing" across the walls of his stairwell. I asked who the artist was and he told me it was Hilary Pfeifer. I've been a fan of Hilary's work ever since. So when I heard about the telephone interview "Insights" with Alyson Stanfield of artbizcoach.com and Hilary Pfeifer, I jumped on the chance to be in on the call. And they did not disappoint. It's a new series Alyson has been promoting lately called "Insights," phone conversations with artists about how they've achieved their level of success. A great idea because instead of having to attend a lecture in some designated location in the US, anyone can participate and be in on the call, right from the comfort of their own home.

© Hilary Pfeifer

Although trained as a metalsmith, Hilary works primarily in wood. Though she cites metalsmithing techniques as playing an important role informing her designs. Colorful and bold with a nod to the organic, her miniature plant-life, creature-esque sculptures captivate the imagination. Although unique on their own, the character of Hilary's pieces truly come to life when assembled in groups, each sculpture relating the next in a conversational way.

Hilary and Alyson discussed the advantages of having a line of installation art pieces that allow collectors to add to as they see fit. Whether one piece or fifteen, arranged in their homes as they please, accumulated as quickly or as slowly as their wallets will allow. I think this is a fabulous way to appeal to a variety of art collecting budgets. I hope to "grow my own" collection of Hilary's work on my walls someday.

It was interesting to hear Hilary talk about the paths she took with her career to get to where she is now. Particularly resonating for me was the way Hilary found a balance with her production work and the one-of-kind gallery pieces.

© Hilary Pfeifer

Check out more from her portfolio here, her production line "Bunny with a Toolbelt" here. And for more upcoming artist talks in Alyson's "Insights" series, click here.

© Hilary Pfeifer

Metalsmith Call for Entries

Metalsmith Juried Exhibition in Print 2009 Call for Entries:

"Saturated: Metal and Color"
Jewelry and metalsmithing in which color plays a significant conceptual or visual role.

Approximately 40 artists will be selected for the publication, which will include four-color reproductions of artists' work. All jewelers, designers and metalsmiths, including students, are eligible and encouraged to apply and need not reside in the United States. All work must be original and produced within the last two years (2007 or later).

Jurors: Jamie Bennett, Professor of Art, Metal Program, State University of New York at New Paltz; and Marilyn da Silva, Professor, Chair, Jewelry/Metal Arts Program, California College of the Arts.

Postmark deadline December 5, 2008.

www.snagmetalsmith.org

Somehow I always miss the deadline for the juried EiP every time it rolls around… this year I will NOT be missing it. I encourage all you metalsmiths out there to do the same!

Arcadium Magazine Feature

My work appears on page 41 of the October issue of Arcadium, a fashion & style magazine out of Hungary. As always, if there are any translators out there…?!

the review

Dave and I went to see the movie I mentioned in last Friday's blog post, Who Does She Think She Is? and wow. This film is so. good. REALLY. Hopefully you're fortunate enough to have it traveling to a city near you. (If not it will also be coming out on DVD!)

I was all goosebumps and tears through a good majority of this film. The movie follow various working artists dealing with the struggles, as well as the joys involved in making art, cultivating relationships and raising children. It examines these complexities while questioning the way our society often forces women to choose between mothering and a career in art.

Under-appreciated, under-represented and generally lacking support by society women have a more difficult time pursuing art careers than men, despite the record number of women enrolled in college art programs. The film makes its point extraordinarily well without beating you over the head with its message. The imagery, the soundtrack and the inspiring, compelling artists the film follows left me feeling elated and determined. Please see this film and tell me what you think!

more info on their website: whodoesshethinksheis.net
NY Times review: movies.nytimes.com

Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy

A fan from Ireland sent me this poem by Marge Piercy which reminded her of my work:

Barbie Doll


This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:
You have a great big nose and fat legs.

She was healthy, tested intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.

She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her legs
and offered them up.

In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.


…Thanks Nicola!

Who Does She Think She Is?

I just saw something on tv about this last night, and then this morning Alyson Stanfield mentioned it on her blog. Watching the trailer just now gave me chills. I HAVE to see this movie:




It's amazing that women in the arts and their lack of recognition, appreciation and acceptance is still an issue even today. We may not always realize it, but it is. More information about the movie here.

PLAY

I've been glued to NPR and all the political/economic coverage on the news these days and have been wondering what it means for the upcoming holiday season and future sales of my jewelry. Sometimes I really abhor having to think about the financial end of my business even though I know it's a necessity.

Lately my studio work has been feeling rather uninspired. I've decided to take some time to PLAY! and see what new ideas I can come up with. Hopefully I'll have some results to post soon. Perhaps I need to blast some fun music instead of listening to all this depressing news in my studio?

If you need a little happiness and a distraction from political/economic stresses I highly recommend renting this movie. Dave and I watched it just recently and really loved it.

definitely been there

by Lev Yilmaz.
Hopefully this is not how my Monday will turn out today cause I really have to get a lot of stuff done.

BUSTed!

This is perhaps the most exciting magazine press I've ever received…
I'm in the new Oct/Nov issue of BUST!

One of my favorite magazines for the past 10 years, BUST is a young women's mag with a distinctly third-wave voice.

(page 32)

The article, while brief, is one of the most well-written, spot-on representations of me and my work. (click the image below to enlarge)

This is a huge deal to me and such an honor… Thanks BUST!

Lisa Kellner

I was turned on to amazing Brooklyn based textile artist Lisa Kellner via Emily Barletta's blog and have fallen in love with this wall piece made of head pins. Lovely. Just had to share! Go see more.

If the Shoe Fits…

I completed this bracelet just this morning for an exhibition call for entry entitled The Perfect Fit – Shoes Tell Stories on exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum from June 6, 2009 to January 3, 2010. Starting in February 2010, the exhibition will travel to exhibition venues around the country.

The shoes were originally cast from a vintage plastic Barbie doll shoe in sterling and then the the heels were extended via hand-fabrication techniques to enable a rivet ball head to connect each shoe link. The clasp is an extension hook off one of the heels.

Fingers crossed that I get in! I submitted a couple other pieces as well, but this was the only new piece.

'cause he knowses I don't do roses

My sweetie surprised me with these 'oh so lovelies' yesterday for our 3 year anniversary. So bright and cheery and just what I needed!

Zoë Newsome

I'm not typically ga-ga over flower forms in jewelry work. I guess because it's such a common, typical theme. However, I was floored when I saw the work of London based jewelry artist Zoë Newsome and her take on the subject. Her metal flowers are like drawings that have sprung to life off the page; so expressionistic, delicate and, well… organic. Even if the theme is a popular one, her visual language for interpreting it is so totally unique, I'm officially ga-ga. Enjoy!