Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Path Back to Creativity

I have been in a creative rut for quite some time now. I have, what I have heard fellow metalsmiths call creative ADD. I want to make all kinds of things, not just jewelry. I want to work in the garden, sew, make my house look nice, crochet, bake, etc. I just have to make things, but staying focused on making jewelry is difficult at times. This month I think I have done better and am slowly, but surely finding my way back to being inspired and excited about jewelry.

I have a ton of inventory, much of it not yet photographed or listed on etsy. I work hard getting ready for big shows, but I don't do enough shows to keep the momentum going year round. Also, much of what I make for shows is the production work that is easy to sell, and more afordably priced. What I really enjoy making are more complex, larger pieces of jewelry, but these are hard to sell. In all honesty, how well my jewelry sells is a great factor in how motivated I am. It is ironic, that the more new work I make and put out in the world, the more of it will sell. When shows and/or online sales are slow I lose motivation. It is a bad cycle, and I hate the fact that my joy in making jewelry can be so tied into whether or not it is profitable. The work I make is not for everyone. It is kind of funky, pretty modern and does not have gold or diamonds for the most part. I use non-precious materials often and the value lies in the design and craftsmanship of the pieces, more so than the materials themselves. Not everyone appreciates my work, nor do I want it to be appealing to the masses. That said, and I hope I haven't over shared, here is how I am finding joy in jewelry making again.

I started some new pieces, these earrings are one of them. I made these polymer pieces last year, and made this ring from the batch. The design of these earrings is deceptively simple, yet the construction is somewhat complex and a bit time consuming. I made a copper box for each earring with silver tabs on the ends. I could have, no doubt, finished these already, but have worked on them little by little when I'm at my bench. I think they will be great when they are done, but they are certainly not instant gratification.
Almost finished with these earrings

So I moved on to playing around with new ideas.
This one didn't work out, but all is not lost. I will still make something of this ring.
This idea didn't quite work out

The ring above and this little sample were for experimenting with fishing line. I have seen this done before and am not the first to melt the ends of fishing line to capture beads. In fact, I have hesitated to try it because two of the people that I have seen do it are peers and friends. They have used this to great effect and I did not want to be seen as a copy cat. Both of these designs could incorporate balled up silver wire in place of the fishing line, but I don't have the right torch for that. I think there is a bit of a learning curve with the melting of the plastic here, and I was not as crazy about the process or the outcome as I thought I would be. Oh well, I learned what didn't work for me and had fun trying something new. And for the record, I really want one of those Smith Little Torches!
Playing around with fishing line

In the midst of playing around and working on the polymer earrings I came up with a new earring design. I have done something similar before, but these were less planned, and therefore I think more fun. I don't know why, but these simple little studs make me so happy. I think it is because this is a new design, which I really like, and I am enjoying making jewelry again!
Gestural Earrings with Peridot
These are available here in my etsy shop, if you are interested.

Another way that I have been feeling motivated is by photographing and sharing all that inventory that I mentioned. It will take me a while to get everything photographed, but I'm working on it. I unapologetically enjoy getting feedback from my peers on my work. I don't think it is vanity, but just a need to know if others can see the beauty that I do in some quirky thing that I make. I think it also helps for me to see my own creativity in photos. I am proud of the work that I have made, and it is easy to forget what I am capable of when I am in a creative rut.

I am sure my creativity will wane again, I think that is just a part of being an artist and putting your work out there in the world. I hope that I can remember to play, have fun, and learn new techniques in order to keep joy in my work.

If I am feeling low on creativity in the jewelry department I need to:

*Look at images of my work to remind myself that I am indeed creative.
*Play around with materials and have fun, no expectations.
*Sketch ideas for new designs and/or look back through old sketchbooks.
*Try a new technique or material, currently wanting to use etching, wood,
mother of pearl, and clear glass cabochons in my work.
*Work on projects that were started but never finished.
*Expand on current designs and lines to come up with something new.

What motivates you, how do you find and keep your creativity?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Importance of Gardening

I didn't have a vegetable garden last year or this past winter. The last time I am sure that I had this garden planted was summer of 2009. I am so happy that I planted my veggies this year! I love all of my gardens, but I think this one brings me the most joy, satisfaction and tangible rewards. Here is the vegetable patch less than a month ago.


Gardening, and especially growing vegetables is in my blood. Both sets of grandparents grew veggie gardens, but my maternal grandfather Pawpaw was the best at it. He grew everything from seed, I believe, and saved seeds from his crops. I can vividly picture his little jars of hand labeled seeds and his tomato seedlings growing outside under the covered patio in their Houston backyard. His tomato plants got so big that they were caged with sections of chain link fence! He grew cucumbers, onions, blackberries, pomegranates, tomatoes, okra, and I'm sure there was much more that I'm forgetting. He was always outside in his garden or garage no matter how hot and humid it got, and it did get hot and humid. I can understand why. Though I don't spend too much time out in this 100+ degree heat, I do feel calm and relaxed in my garden. I love to check on the progress of my rapidly growing plants and vegetables. I feel a great deal of pride and joy watching my babies grow. In this heat, that we will no doubt suffer under for the next two months, I am so glad that I have a drip system for my vegetable garden. We all have to stay hydrated, plants and people alike!

Here are some of my babies, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

A basil seedling
Baby Basil

The first tomato
Tomato

Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes

Zucchini, which still hasn't produced. I never have luck with squash, always get squash vine borers, which this plant had but I killed. The plant is thriving but the female flowers don't open, so they just fall off and die.
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My first successes with cucumbers. They are really good!
I believe the variety is called Tender Green.
I couldn't resist picking the first baby cucumber!

First success with Eggplant as well! This guy is growing so fast. I noticed it at the end of last week, it was just barely swelling up. By Saturday I could see the purple, and it has grown even more since then.


First time to have success with Bell Pepper as well!


Tomato blossoms


Watermelon seedlings


Cucumber flowers


And Zinnias, always have to have Zinnias!




I'm also growing Okra, and Poblano and Serrano Peppers.

I hope I haven't bored you with my enthusiasm for my garden. I know now that I must have one each year. Luckily we can grow veggies year round here, so I am already plotting my fall/winter garden. I am also determined to start my own seeds next spring (and maybe this fall). Though I don't have much invested in plants here, maybe $15, I could get a jump start on the season as well as have more varieties to chose from.

I grow vegetables because:
I am carrying on a family tradition and it's in my blood.
It is good for my health, both the veggies and the stress reduction of being in the garden.
It brings me great satisfaction and joy.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Tidal Pool

Turquoise, Coral and Carnelian Tidal Pool Necklace

I'm so excited to finally have my Tidal Pool Necklace listed on Etsy! I also took new photos of my Tidal Pool Ring. I'm liking my new photo set up and style, it seems fresh to me for some reason. I hope you like the images and the pieces too!

Tidal Pool Ring

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ahhhh Sweet Rain

We got some rain last night and the plants are loving it. I water the newer transplants and annuals daily, and even still they struggle. It is amazing how refreshed they look after a good rain.

Four o'clocks and canna blooming

My Cannas are doing well this year, better than ever before.

My cannas are doing well this year

Salvia Guarantica is one that really struggles with the heat, it looks great today.

Salvia Guarantica, really loving the rain!

The Morning Glories just keep getting better. Now that our new fence is up I'm thinking about putting my trellises along the fence with more annual vines.

grandpa ott morning glory

grandpa ott morning glory

another corner

The veggie garden is going crazy! I was out here last night building these trellises for the cucumbers to climb on. I think they will really appreciate it. I have already picked and eaten several baby cukes, but hopefully they will produce even better now.

Vegetable garden

Zinnias came up voluntarily in the garden. I think the seeds had been there for two years, just waiting for water because I didn't have a veggie garden last year. I have planted a few seeds this year, but am not having as much luck with them as the volunteers.

zinnias

The Veggie garden brings me lots of joy. I'm hoping that eggplant produces. If it does I will be making Baba Ganoush with homemade Pita Bread and some Eggplant Parmesan for my honey.

veggies

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Bill Dennard, Connie and Karl Akers
My parents (on the right) with friend Bill Dennard at an art show in Houston in about 1973.

My dad, Karl Akers, is the best. He has been endlessly supportive of my artistic endeavors for as long as I can remember. He was the first person to show me how to solder when I was in high school, and I knew that jewelry making was something that I wanted to learn from that point. It was several more years before I was able to take a metalsmithing class my sophomore year in college. When I took that class my parents gave me a tool box with a jewelers saw and some other tools that they had used in college. Dad had worked in the Arts and Crafts Studio at the University of Houston while he attended school there. Both of my parents used that studio to make some jewelry in those days. Though neither of them pursued jewelry making beyond those years, both are crafts people, dad a woodworker and mom a fiber artist. I grew up in a make it yourself household, surrounded by handmade objects, and art has always been a part of my life. Dad also gave me a jewelry design book that was an early influence on my aesthetic and interest in the field, Contemporary Jewelry A Studio Handbook. This book belonged to my dad, the original inscription reads, "To Karl, with Love. Happy Anniversary 1972. Connie", a gift from my mom to my dad. Below that reads, "To Ashley, My own Jeweler. Love Dad, Christmas 1995". Dad built my workbench, made my hydraulic press, has made display cases and earring stands, tent weights and many other necessities for an art booth. He has helped me to set up for shows and hung out at shows. I am one lucky girl, and these are just the jewelry related things that dad does for me. More recently he made Frank and I a bench with our names sandblasted in the side and built a fence in our backyard in the 100 degree heat. Like I said, my dad is the best. He even wears my jewelry. He has several bracelets that I have made, and has worn them all over the years. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of those. His favorite bracelet was lost last year, it was a simple woven sterling chain. I plan to make him another of those for his Father's Day gift.

Dad, Mom and I in May 1978.
May 1978

The bench and new fence that dad built us.
The bench and new fence

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there! I hope you have a wonderful day with your family and friends enjoying a celebration of fatherhood.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Silk Anniversary Gift

Hand Embroidered Fiber Pendant

4.Earrings

fiber cuff

Fiber Pendant

I had a customer a couple of weeks ago order a pair of my Embroidered Silk Earrings as a Four Year Anniversary gift. I had never thought of that, and loved the idea. Frank and I have looked at the traditional Anniversary gift lists before, but never knew what to give for paper, cotton, etc. Silk is the modern gift for a four year anniversary. Here is a list of traditional and modern gifts for each year.

I would be thrilled to work with you on a custom piece of Silk jewelry for a Four Year anniversary gift. I think giving an heirloom piece of art jewelry with great significance is a wonderful gift idea, if I do say so myself. I can also create custom jewelry designs with other materials such as paper, cotton, wood, etc.

You can see more examples of my Fiber Jewelry on my flickr stream here.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Goodbye Old Girl

My Grandpa Ott Morning Glory is blooming.


It has been a rough week. I left town last Friday with my parents. We went down to Wimberley with plans to swim, work on their property and meet up with my good friend Christi and her kiddos. On Saturday Frank called me worried to tell me that our old dog Malta had collapsed and couldn't stand. Well, mom, dad and I changed our plans and headed home Sunday afternoon so that I could be with her. She didn't get better and Frank and I had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep on Monday. The vet thought she had had a storke. Malta was fifteen and a half and had a good, long life. She was the best dog we could have asked for, such a very, very good girl. We sorely miss her and feel like our hearts are broken right now. Monday was the hardest and it is getting easier, but I know I will always miss my baby girl. I am going to go through old photos soon, you know the "real" kind that don't exist only in pixels. I will be scanning some and sharing the adventures that Malta, Frank and I had together.

I think Lucy, our younger dog, might be depressed too. She is ten years old and has been chewing on stuff the last couple of days and is even more of a loner than usual.

Friday, June 3, 2011

So Seventies

And so awesome.
My mom made this great top in the 1970's and I am in love with it!


My mom made this top in the 70s before I was born, probably 1973. I need to find a picture of her wearing it. She did the embroidery and everything. I love it and plan to make it into the bodice of a dress. I'm hoping to find a linen or linen blend in the darker green. I will use the skirt from this pattern.

By the way, I scored a 1970's Bernina 831 yesterday and can't wait to sew on it. That will have to wait til next week because I have a busy weekend ahead. I have quite a few projects already cut and ready to go though. If anyone around here is looking for a decent beginner machine I will be getting rid of my Kenmore.

I hope you have a great weekend!
I will be swimming, browsing for junk at a swap meet and hanging with one of my favorite ladies and her family. Should be a blast.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Bloomin'

The gardens have been blooming and beautiful lately.
I love my yard so much.

Mexican Bird of Paradise


Two favorite ground covers, Golden Oregano and Dwarf Plumbago


Daylilly


Spineless Prickly Pear in Bloom


Malta joining me in the front garden.




Santolina Blooming




The Cardoon is blooming too!


A bee in the Cactus flower


From the looks of these pictures my garden is all yellow and blue, but that's not the case. I have red, orange, pink, white, purple and more. I love all colors and don't discriminate, though I do love to make pleasing color pairings and palettes in the garden as I do in my jewelry, my home and everything else that I create.

I hope you enjoy my garden, I sure do!