A bright, rain-shiney day

I just had such a great day. I taught a PMC class (which always makes it at least a very good day) and had the best kind of students in Linda and Dawn. Curious, creative, asked good questions, could view a demonstration and then work independently. Love it! They turned out some very nice pieces (a bracelet and several cool pendants) and seemed to have a great time. I think I made two new PMC converts!

I finished three more drawings for memorial pieces, and was lamenting the fact that when I am done with those, I won't have a new one to work on. Which isn't to say that I wish harm on any one's pets. But making these pieces is so spiritual: it makes me feel close to Gonzo, it makes me go to a place that making "regular" jewelry doesn't take me. It's just SO amazing to be asked to create one of these memorial pieces. I was so happy to get an email today from a friend who commissioned me to another piece. This is for a woman who works with dogs in Nashville. Her dog is still alive and full of energy, but she wanted a commemorative piece anyway, cause she just loves her dog so darn much! I can understand that! I am hoping to spend Sunday or Monday working on those.

I'm also really looking forward to tomorrow. CNY Glass will be doing a trunk show, and Jackie Rice and I are teaching a class making dichroic glass and PMC sandwich pendants! Here is a photo of one of the samples.

It's been a slow few months, but I'm starting to feel inspired again, and motivated to try some new things in PMC. I was BLOWN AWAY by this video that artiste Jennifer Kahn put together for Etsy. Check it out, have your friends check it out, have your mom check it out... The more people who view it, the better chance Jen has to win! Support Jen and support PMC!

http://www.etsy.tv/video/Etsy-Handmade-Metal-Clay-Moment

By the way, for you regular readers...the Maid of Honor toast to my cousin? I nailed it. Went over brilliantly! I had people I didn't even know approach me afterwords to tell me how nice it was. It was witty, genuine, heartfelt and sentimental, all in one speech! Sometimes, I can be pretty cool. Here's a photo of me delivering said speech, one of me and my "twin" cousin, and a few other wedding beauties. Thanks Chia Lin! You naughty photographer you!

Procrastination Junction, what's your function?

Trying. To write. A Maid of Honor Speech for my cousin's wedding. ACK! Hard to focus, so instead, I'm putting things in inventory, feeding tomatoes to Arrow and otherwise just stalling. Sigh. Hard to be witty, genuine, heartfelt and sentimental all in one speech!

So in the next few weeks, I should be getting a website together for the memorial jewelry I've been making. I'm really pleased about that, because I have never experienced anything like making these pieces. It means so much to be asked to create one, and it helps to keep Gonzo's spirit alive. I was happy with how Meg's ultimately turned out, though of course, neglected to get a picture of the back. I am working on one now for a sweet little kitty. I've been handing postcards and business cards out to every pet-business I can think of in the area. Here is what the postcards look like...(thanks SO MUCH to Jackie Rice of CNY Glass for designing them for me! She's amazing. And I got them through gotprint.com. They did a quick and wonderfully professional job.

I'm definitely starting to forget things about Gonzo, and getting memories blended with Arrow. I have a hard time remembering Gonzo's gait, the feel of his coat, his expressions, his bark, even the way he looked at me. It's such a weird process. It still catches me off guard sometimes-the realization that he is gone. It's nice that Carlton and Colby live with me again. I miss watching Colby and Gonzo play, though I'm starting to forget what that looked like too.

Arrow is a sweet pup, and I'm trying not to expect him to be just like Gonzo. He has his own personality and his own cute mannerisms. He's a lot taller, a lot thinner, and a lot less devoted to me. Would run away for the smallest squirrel or chipmunk. But we're still working on manners and obedience.

I suppose I should get back to this speech. Don't have much time to finish it!

Pet Reliquaries

This weekend I finished my first commissioned Reliquary piece. This was for the Jones family who just lost their lovely girl Sierra. They asked me to make a piece similar to the one I made for Gonzo. I was pleased with the way it turned out, and I sent it today. I hope they like it and that it will bring them some comfort.

Here is a picture of Sierra and the finished piece:



I've also been working on the piece for my cousin's dog, Monster. I am less happy with it, and may re-do it. Here they are, side by side:


I think this is the first time I've felt really fulfilled since making jewelry. When I make a piece, I think of Gonzo, and I feel like I'm doing something that could really help someone hold a loved one close.

I don't only want to do these for sad occasions though. I think it might be kind of cool to do "Baby's first Tooth" or first hair cut, or maybe a wedding date with a bit of the brides dress. I've always liked Victorian jewelry, and symbolic pieces were popular back then (for births, weddings, and even deaths). I find inspiration in that.

Next weekend I'll be making the final trip to VT to help Carlton move. I'm excited to have him and Colby here, but I'm feeling sad about the "loss" of VT. It's been nice to be able to visit and have a place to stay (and not on a friend's couch or floor!). My goal is to get back there some day, own a neat little farm house in the country, and work on memorial jewelry full time. I'll say that's my five year plan! But for now, it's time to write another newsletter. Siiiigh.

Photos from Certification Class

What happened to my store!!


Admiring each other's work

Congratulations to Detta Poster, who "won" the kiln at the end of the three days! I was rooting for you Detta! Enjoy your new kiln.

The store is back in order, and I just received a new shipment of beads! I'm excited to show them off.

PMC Certification Class

We're on day three, the final day of the certification class, being held at the store. It's bizarre to be here 2 years later as the owner! I took my certification class about 2 years ago at DragonFly Beads, with Chris Darway, the same instructor here today. I never imagined the next certification class at DFB would be hosted by me.

It's been an interesting three days. I don't really know what to do with myself. I was delighted to think I'd spend three days working on jewelry...Except I didn't! There are a LOT of people in this class (12 students!) which means the store was rearranged, as was my studio space. It's cramped in here! I did do a little work today, but I feel sort of blah. Creative block. I've got the time to create, I just don't know what to make. I was hoping to work on some enameled pieces, as I'm planning an Enameling on PMC class in June or July. But I didn't want to bogart the kiln or mug warmers.

It's pretty cool to see all of the different pieces these ladies are making. It's the same 7 projects, but each person has their own interpretation of the design, and it's great to see. They're all so different than what I made too. They are working on the pens now. This was the point that I just about reached meltdown, but everyone seems calm, cool, and collected at this stage. I'm looking forward to the final showing of every one's work!