De-Cember is De-Clutter Month

I've been thinking a lot lately about where I want to go with my jewelry and other creative outlets. I've been revising an order to my wholesaler for over a month-yes, it's become an epic struggle to figure out what I want to concentrate on next year. So far, here's what I'm planning:

Teaching is a big one. Half of my wholesale order is materials for kits for classes I'm planning.

Chainmaille is high on my list because I love doing it and I want to do it in more colors and learn new, more intricate patterns.

Sterling Silver, on a small scale. Sterling is sooooo expensive… More earrings, a few charm bracelets and one spectacular necklace is what I'm planning, as a way to ease myself into it.

Upcycling. I love going to yard sales and finding old jewelry to either resell in my vintage shop, Bearchicksundries, or remake into new jewelry.

So, teaching and the three categories of jewelry are what I'm going to concentrate on next year. And I've decided that mixed media is not something I'm working on right now so for the next few weeks, I'm working on De-Cluttering my stash. Some things I've already given away and I've started one bag of donations and another to resell.

In 2011, my plan is to focus more on having fun with my jewelry and not worry so much about "business". What's the point of being creative if the business side stresses you out so much? I work full time, so my expenses are met.

I want to concentrate on learning more and making better jewelry. Sometimes I get sidetracked by wanting to make things that will "sell" and throw myself off track. It's a balancing act--do I want to sell a lot or do I want to sell the best jewelry I can make. I've decided I want to work harder on the better jewelry and make the little things when I have the urge. I still like to do the simple earrings, memory wire bracelets and things like that sometimes. My goal is to make my Etsy shop the better jewelry--chainmaille, sterling, upcycled, Swarovski, lampworked elements-- and the Artfire shop the "sellable" things--Simply Simple earrings, memory wire bracelets.

Bear Chick has been such an adventure. It's interesting to look back and see how far my little business has come. Next year is my tenth anniversary as a Jewelry Composer!

Do What You Love!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchicksundries.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Russian Icons at Muzeo Part 2

Along with the beautiful artwork in my last post, Muzeo, in Anaheim, CA, featured wood and metal (sometimes together) Russian Icons. This exhibit continues till January 9, so you still have time to see all these works of art for yourself.

Many of the features in the small metal icons are smooth, from people rubbing them as they worshipped.

I was fascinated by these artworks that combined paintings with detailed metal "covers". Both the paintings and metalwork are so detailed and textured and seeing past the metal to the art beneath is like a little secret.

Here's a different example of a mix of painting and metal. See how the metal pieces on the left above are hinged and sitting slightly above the painting. The painting below also has this interesting mix.

This was something I'd never heard before: That under the cross on which Jesus died were discovered the bones of Adam, the first man. See the detail of the skull and bones at the bottom of the cross.

Loved these wooden monks

Naturally, I was drawn to this colorful plate...

Couldn't help thinking that those two skulking about on the right are villians straight out of a melodrama!


Do What You Love!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchicksundries.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Russian Icons at Muzeo

Ready for some pictures?!

My friend, Anneliese, and I went to the Russian Icons Exhibit at Muzeo in Anaheim, CA, last weekend. Such a great display of art and history! I’m just going to post these pix, some with detail, and hope that you get a chance to see these. If you’re not in Southern California, maybe this collection will come to you or you can find something similar in your area. I know there’s a Russian Icon Museum in Clinton, MA…

Anneliese's favorite, Paraskeva, the patron saint of shopping and the affairs of women

I’ll be doing another post with metal and wood icons--so beautiful, I just have to share!

Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season so far. I’ll be happy when I have everything wrapped and mailed--should be by the middle of next week. Wish me luck!

Do What You Love!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchicksundries.etsy.com
http://www.bearchick.artfire.com/