Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Living and Working in LA

Well, well..............here we are............Le Chat and me........doing what we do. For those of you who follow Le Chat on Facebook, she is doing a good job as editor of the blog and resting after a hiatus. Only a cat takes a nap after a hiatus.





So, here's what we're up to at jbaxstudio...........We are enjoying the beginning of summer on the West Coast. Our wonderful landlord and good friend, Paul, is cultivating an amazing art garden which will be featured in coming posts. For now, here is a bit of art from the garden floor because it is pertinent to what we've been doing.



So that's what we're doing here.....we're having a life. Le Chat has been posing for fan photos and I've been getting through a great and transformative year. I'm making jewelry, writing, and gearing up for more changes, all of them good. I'm learning how to use my camera, bought a new and fantastic computer, found a new haridresser, and am preparing for a few trips and visits. Life has become very, very good.


For now, I'm suspending my online jewelry shop at Etsy.com indefinitely because I've decided to be happy and productive but not kill myself. I love taking classes, moving forward with a new career of which jewelry is a part, making art and cupcakes. And working out. I'm starting with a personal trainer. Starting is the operative word......... So for now, I'd prefer to spotlight my pieces here on the blog and make them available privately. And yes, a website is on the horizon.


Here are a few samples of rings I'll be making. They are fine silver, hand sculpted and oxidized. These are one-of-a-kind pieces and therefore no two will ever be identical. Metal clay is an extremely popular jewelry art form. You will find numerous gifted craftspeople working with this medium and we all have our own way of working. My interest is to create highly detailed silver jewelry, organic and fluid in form and unique. The pieces below are representative of what I'll be making in the near future in addition to other pieces I'll be showing shortly. Stay tuned because I'll be showing a variety of pieces including sterling silver, copper, gemstones both rough and cut, etc. And, for loyal folks, a few fun giveaways. Game is on, as they say.

We have............................


The Rose Ring Series


This is the second in my Rose series. I adore roses. I might make these forever. This one has one bloom, two leaves, and a stem that trails down one side of the ring shank. The center of this one holds a clear cubic zirconia. I will be making rings in this series with single blooms and multiple blooms. If you are interested, please let me know how many blooms you would like. Please remember, each ring is an original work and therefore will not be identical to another but these photos should give you a good idea of availability. They are available sizes 5 - 12. Please specify. Prices range from $125 to $160 depending on detail.




The Apple Ring Series

I love apples. Love apples. New York is an apple. I was raised in New York. Apples are symbolic of good health and prosperity. Taking a bite out of an apple, for me, means opening yourself to life. The one below is a friendly little snake with an apple in its mouth. The first photo shows the apple detail. The ring shank is the body of the snake itself (oh, come on, snakes are cute), as opposed to a snake sitting on top of a ring shank (the shank, by the way, is the actual part that goes around your finger). Sizes 5 - 12 are available. As above, each is a one-of-a-kind piece and will not be identical to the photos here. Price is $100. This makes a wonderful pinky ring for male or female!



More in the Apple Series

.....One beautiful plump silver apple sitting on top of your finger and flanked by a curious little snake. Yum.........you'll see in the detail that there is a leaf to one side of the apple and a lovely little stem. The sweet little snake peeks out from underside of the apple. Sizes 5 - 12. Price is $100.



There is more to come but for now, I hope you enjoy the pieces above. I will be in California's Central Valley for a week visiting relatives and photographing whatever doesn't run away from me. Le Chat will be protecting the fort and Paul will be making art in his garden. My friends here will be doing all sorts of fun things and you, the reader, will be running around making magic. We are all having a life. I hope yours is good and blessed and wonderful.


Namaste'