spring cleaning

Deep in the last weeks of one of the largest production orders of my life. Yesterday took some time to re-organize my studio's work area with better shelving and easier to reach bead/stone organizers. Half the time I have Galatea on my lap and couldn't reach the higher bead drawers, now I won't have to disturb her at all...everything within reach.

Now re-energized and ready to make those last 2 necklaces and 16 pairs of earrings~ ~tag, ship, release, breathe.

Viola inspects her favorite bed, now on a pedestal 

so that she can watch the birds out the window . 

or the dogs that visit during the week here at Walk-About!

Emerge ~ Enchanted April

Emerge...

 Spring Editorial  & Interview with New Brahmin!
There are links to all of the jewelry that is currently for sale on Etsy,
everything else is will be up later today.

I am so in love with these photographs and will be sneaking

them into just about everywhere PR with much gratitude to

 Photos: Gillian Leigh Bowling

H&MU: Rose Fortuna

Styling: Liana Krupp

Model: Amanda Gordon

For anyone curious about the High School Art Teacher I mention who sent me in the direction of jewelry design (I still owe her a piece of jewelry ~ "not snakes or crosses" as she teased all those years ago) Anytime Rosalie!

http://www.rosaliesidoti.com/

Before Sundown ~ Rosalie Sidoti

On her website I learned that she studied at Oxford University’s Ruskin School of Fine Arts! I would love to have heard about her experiences there but didn't know or didn't ask, being a self-involved and painfully shy teenager back then. The PRB were not officially in my view yet, and was much more obsessed with music than art at the time  ~ 

Duran Duran, Bauhaus, Depeche Mode, Adam Ant, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Marilyn, Berlin, Marc Almond and on and on. I think I spent most of my less engaging classes writing band names on my notebook, making sketches, daydreaming of the next concert!

Ok, I'll admit to still being obsessed with music, and many of the same bands.
Duran Duran's latest is REALLY GOOD! A great mix of retro sounds and new production, catchy tunes. I never tire of Simon's voice and my teen idol Nick Rhodes is still very dear to my heart. 

Still deep in production on the latest gift shop order from 

The British Museum for the upcoming "Treasures of Heaven" Exhibition  

Oh, to be able to get to London for this...a girl can dream. And play the lottery!

Escape into green...

This winter had been particularly brutal, so I was thankful to be able to take a long weekend away to visit my Mom in sunny Florida. Back re-charged and ready for Spring (even if it is snowing again in Boston!) 


Just before I left I found out that my next British Museum order for the "Treasures of Heaven" exhibition will be close to ten times the amount of work of the last, so it will be extremely busy in the PR studio for the next two months! But work I am looking forward to so much, and very grateful for.


Here are a few of my favorite sights from the trip, miss you already Mom! Thanks again for being such kind and gracious hosts.

lovely Spanish Architecture of Historic Downtown

A generally slower pace, but feeding the seagulls in a frenzy! 

Swarms of catfish gathered below, overwhelming

the few turtles we were trying to get fed.

Mom, surrounded by Ibis!

Geese attacked our ankles when the bread ran out...

Maya, Mom's beautiful rescue kitty.

At a birding trail wetland, many alligators were

seen and gratefully undisturbed. 

Birds of all kinds, it was magical and so very peaceful.

Melbourne Zoo is small but lovely, flora & fauna abundant.

my husband, the bird whisperer...

I was lucky enough to be able to hand feed a sweet doe...

many precious memories of a great weekend.

thanks for coming along~ xxJen

gratitude & inspiration

In the continuing rearranging & organizing of the studio, I have set up the area directly across from my work desk to inspire and to remind me how lucky I am to do what I love for a living. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports my business in any way whether it is purchasing something or spreading the word. It is sometimes really difficult to be self employed but when someone thanks me for creating something that they love to wear, all the negative disappears and I know it is all worth it. (tax time again?!) 

I have included some recent gifts also, inspired by the creativity of  friends and my gratitude in finding such kindred spirits thanks to my business. 

Projects in progress to remind me to finish them, 

Etsy jewelry waiting for a home. 

And of course my constant studio assistant, Galatea!

sitting pretty.

Birthday Pilgrimage

Today I took the day off to visit Earth Mother, a painting by Edward Burne-Jones. Had only found out about her existence a month ago and she had been calling to me ever since I saw the painting listed on their website. Every bit worth the drive, even worth the odd looks from the security guard who seemed puzzled by my reverence and length of visit. Likely he was afraid I was going to try and run off with it or get it wet with my misty eyes. :) 

Worcester Art Museum, or WAM !

Happily surprised at how many pieces of Medieval Art was to be found there, paintings and sculptures and even a reconstructed Medieval Chapter House with glorious Stained Glass.

Took notes, was inspired, made sketches, took some pictures. The photos were taken with my Droid Phone and without flash, so none really captured the work very well, but wanted to share them here just for memory's sake and for some fun pairings.

Looking forward to visiting again!

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!

super cold

super cold
Originally uploaded by parrish relics

Days like these I am so glad to work from home...

keeping out of the frigid winds

 and thankful for the sun pouring into the studio.

also keeping me warm today...