Nature Inspired Work & Cabin Fever

Sometimes looking out the studio window is my only connection to nature, the outside world for days. I am grateful to the many birds and squirrels that stop by to find shelter in the old pear tree.

This winter has been so hard on so many people, I'm sure the animals have had it bad but they seem to flourish and thrive all the same.  Survival. Hope. Cycle of Life.

Here is a group of creatures coming with me to the show on Sunday... 

if they don't find homes there they will be appearing on Etsy soon!

Fragments of Time

So excited to finally unveil this collection I have been working on with a friend for more than a year!

Medieval Incunabula Jewels

Wanted to do this amazing project justice, and as you can imagine the first test was an intense one! I am really happy with what I have created with the beautiful fragment supplied by Michael Laird Rare Books, and hope you enjoy the first four of hopefully more to come!

photography

For anyone looking to improve their skills at small object photography, I highly recommend Steve Meltzer's  Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles . I just purchased it the other day, and haven't delved very deep into it, but have already seen an improvement thanks to his explanation of how to best light a piece of jewelry with reflective surfaces.

Here is an example: the Lumina Window Necklace from my Etsy shop. I was never quite happy with how my photo captured the beauty of the stained glass and patina of this necklace.

now, with Steve's lighting suggestions and a more textural background

Here's to learning and improving! I'm sure to do both with further reading of this in depth book.