A private class

Recently, I was asked to give a private class on some copper work for a lady who was recovering from a stroke. I've noticed in my summer class, it seems to be therapeutic to engage in fine motor and gross motor activities for folks who have suffered some type of motor skill affliction. I never looked at my jewelry work that way, but if I can give pleasure to someone else that is a joy for me.

Been awhile

It's been awhile since I've blogged. You can tell I am from an older generation where all this new fangled stuff is not on my agenda. Recently, I have been doing a few shows at Hub City Farmer's Market and SLAM Art Market in Greenville and some work at the West Main Artist Co-op in Spartanburg.

Yesterday I took an enameling class st the Beaded Frog but it was too crowded in the work area to make any pieces effectively-oh,well...

Next weekend I will try my hand at non-toxic metal etching in Tryon.

Lately, I have been making copper folded leaves and crazy wire/stone designs. I feel like I am on the brink of insanity with wire going haywired-literally!

It's all about the flower...

Lately, I have been working with copper to make free from copper flowers with natural stones, pearls and crystals. It really is fun and I never know exactly how the shape will come out. Some of them have been dipped in a patina to give a vintage look. What do you think?

Elbow Calamity

Since my dislocated elbow calamity 3 weeks ago, I have been trying to work on different cold connection techniques to strengthen my arm. It is amazing how much we take our limbs for granted. I've been grateful that my pain has lessened even though I have to take things a little slower.

I am looking forward to work on marketing my work and try to do some more art shows.

The West Main Artist Co-op in Spartanburg will have an Open House on Saturday June 25th from 10am-4pm with light refreshments. It is located on 578 West Main St. near the Coca Cola plant downtown. Come by and take a look at all the art work by 46 artists from the local community.

Metal Collage

My latest pendant is a collaboration of different cold connection techniques. In this piece I incorporated rivets, hammering,layers, folding, and patinas to give some interesting effects. It is my tribute to modern collages that I used to do in high school or college on paper.

Surving and enjoying my first Juried Art Show

It was alot of fun this past Saturday in Saluda, NC. It was nice to see husbands take interest in buying a piece of jewelry for their wives. Also,I was grateful to my husband who helped me set up and take down my tent.
Since I was by myself, I could not visit all the art booths, but from I understand there was a nice variety of mediums. It was nice to be affirmed in what I am creating from other folks.

Birth of Spartanburg Art Forms

New galleries, new excitement, new co-op, new Cultural Center, music scene offerings, an Indie book shop are all being energized by a crop of people striving for some level of excellence and creative energy in our community. It has been along time coming but in the size of Spartanburg renewed prospects are coming. There is a new enthusiasm about the arts and more groups are working together. Hope this fever is catching and it will flow into our schools and get young people excited, that they can try and do.

A resurgence and pride is coming back in working with one's hands. This is how our country started. Blacksmithing, making clothes,soaps,homemade breads,etc. were normal chores in the good ole days. It is sad that kids today can't even sew on a button, but with exposure to the arts, more and more people will appreciate the love and detail that goes into a piece of art. The creative process can not be measured by a test like S.A.T.. So more opportunities need to be out there for our children and teens and especially those who are the most vulnerable and can not afford expensive programs.

Oh! My! I did not mean to give a speech! But I feel this important to promote the arts and develop other parts of our brain!

Exhibitions

I am excited to be part of some upcoming art shows, but most of all it's about meeting other artists and the people coming by my tent. My husband is helping me tomorrow by bringing some of my gear to Saluda, NC. It is his day off, so for him to take time off for me was very generous. He has a new workshop,that he has been finishing the inside with sheet rock etc. My husband enjoys working with wood.

I am grateful to Lisa Kiser for inviting me to be part of "Metal Mania" in Seneca,SC for the next month. If you live in the area, this is an interesting exhibit of folks working in 3d metals [sculpture and jewelry],please stop by the Blue Ridge Arts Council Exhibition Hall.

Beauty in Scrap

This is one of my favorite pieces that combines different metals that were left over from previous projects. Can you guess the metals?

Humble Pie

Sometimes we just have to slow down and eat humble pie. This week started off with a bang literally on my left arm that dislocated my elbow after falling down on my granddaughter's toy. Four hours later in the emergency room with great care and being prescribed pain pills and loaded with a temporary cast, my husband and I were home. The next few days were frustrating to say the least because it was my dominant left hand that left me sad not to be able to make any jewelry this week. Thursday was the specialist day and the good news was that I could take off my cast but was not provided any information about therapy, so I am doing it on my own. A week later I tried to drive my car slowly and had asked my husband to back it out beforehand. Thursday was also another milestone when my grand daughter, Emma, celebrated her kindergarten graduation with 6 special children. A day for tears and cheers. On Sunday, some fellow artists gathered to hear about some marketing tips from a well know art coach.
Getting ready for some upcoming shows and cancelling shows has been an ordeal for me this week, but life will go on. God Bless!

nEW mETAL wORK

Been Creating

I haven't been here in awhile because I have been creating some new copper, stone and wire work and between all that goes on in my house sometimes it is hard to do. My grand daughter, Emma, started swimming lessons this week and she is really enjoying it. Just found out from my husband, we are going to San Antonio in April during Fiesta week, which should be fun. This week a white tent, that I ordered, got delivered. So I hope to unwrap that soon to see what it looks like.

My websites

www.mcrosedesigns.etsy.comwww.mcrosedesigns.com

Beauty of Natural Stones

Beauty of Natural Stones

No matter what the fashion forecasters say, you can beat the beauty of natural stones and how they play with metals.

Chains and wire

What does it say about my work, when I making jewelry with chains and wire out of copper? I guess I could make a joke out of it, but, hey, it has been my mood lately.
Working with wire really is alot of fun, unless you like to follow certain rules in form. For me, it is taking some wire in my hand and see where it leads me. Any of you out there feel the same way?

New Bangles

Today, I worked on painting some metal bangles with lots of colors. I am trying to think of some adornments to add more dimension to them. Pictures will be coming later.

WMAC Gallery Shop-Getting ready

The local gallery shop that I belong to is getting ready to have an open house this Saturday from 10am-4pm. Some other artists came in today to help rearrange shop items on the shelves to make it look more festive for Valentine's Day. It really worked. Hope to get pictures up soon.

Gallery Traveling Day

New work will be appearing soon in a few area galleries.
Here is a sample or two.

What a Day

Nothing like a drizzly day to make you sleepy...I did get some metal work done today but need to do some thinking about new designs...

Our West Main Artists Co-op store is opened tomorrow from 10am-4pm. It is located in Spartanburg on West Main St.

WMAC Gallery Shop

Here is a picture of the WMAC Gallery Shop

open Thursdays-3-6pm
Saturdays 10am-4pm

"Romancing the Art"

The West Main Artists Co-op in Spartanburg is having an Open House next Saturday February 12 from 10am-4pm. Over 40 artists will have their work for sale. There will be light refreshments, studio tours, and ample parking. Beautiful gifts for Valentine's!

Metal Mania is Coming

So excited to be invited to a show in May called "Metal Mania"-it should be fun!

My first Juried Show

I am so excited to be in a Juried Art Show. The show is about our multi-cultural backgrounds. The piece I made is a jewelry pendant about my grandmother who died in World War II. Two other friends made it in with their work. However, the amazing part was that I was encouraged by a friend of mine to try it. The exercise for me in composing a jewelry pendant was healing and meaningful, even if the piece was not chosen, it was a worthwhile experience for me.

"Avant-garde Collection"

My website now has some new pictures by Eli Warren called "Avant-garde Collection". Please take a look and enjoy.
"Avant-garde"

New Copper Ring

Copper Rings

Today I took my first stab at creating rings with copper and stones. It was fun to use a ring mandrel and hammer the wire.

New work and frustration

I have been working on some Valentine designs but I feel like I am not getting anywhere and am a complete blank. It has been hard to be cooped up in a house for fives days and be energetic about it. Does anyone else feel this way?

Jewelry Handcrafted with An Artisan Spirit

Welcome to my blog. I hope to share my ideas and thoughts with some of you creative people who enjoy working with your hands and trying new processes along the way. My main medium at this time is working with wire and metals mostly in the cold connection process but hope to expand to soldering, sawing and bezel setting by the end of this year. So came and join me on this new adventure. Hope to hear from you soon.