Thank you from Mary Lu

I was happy and grateful to see my collage pendants mentioned on The Carrotbox jewellery blog this week. If you are not familiar with The Carrotbox, then you must go NOW and check it out. But be warned, it is addicting and there is new delicious eye candy everyday. If you are not an art jewelry addict yet, especially for rings, you will soon be chanting, "Feed my Fingers".

Thank you to The Carrotbox!

I'm also thankful to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ, where you can now find some of my art jewelry for sale in their Museum Gift Shop. I love that place, it is so unique and inspiring. I'm so excited to be able to offer my own art jewelry there. Please make the trip this Spring or Summer, especially if you are in NJ, PA, NY or DE. It is worth the trip!

Finally, I'm sending a belated thank you to the folks at Artella for publishing my how-to article on Making Found Object Art Jewelry. The article was published in December 2009 in Artella's *Art Journaling Journey* online magazine Issue 14.

I always feel good when I see others recycling as a part of making their art. I was glad to share some techniques.

Back to my studio now. Every day I am making something..usually rings. They are starting to appear on my new website. Take a look at www.MaryLuWason.com .

Ring a Day and Tears for Haiti

This year I joined a flickr group called Ring a Day. It was started by Nina Dinoff as a challenge to jewelers of all types, to be inspired each and every day of 2010. The challenge is to create a ring and then post a picture of it on the Ring a Day gallery. Sometimes the pictures don't get posted until a few days later (almost always in my case). But the day of creation is listed, so at the end of the year, there should be close to 365 rings for each participant.


This has been a fun and inspiring challenge. The concept of a ring is all that is required, so we've come up with some silly and some artsy examples. There's a freedom to this, to play with different ideas or techniques. As an artist, my creativity floodgates are open. Some days I can't stop writing in my sketchbook all the ideas. It's wonderful to think, maybe I'll actually get to try most of them, since I've dedicated a part of every day to it. And I've been pushed to make some ideas that I've had gathering dust (always a good thing for an artist to do).

It's also becoming a bit of an addiction to watch each day as new rings are added to the group. There are so many artists with different styles and approaches. If you take a look, you are sure to be surprised, awed and have a laugh too. I'm reminds me of the Lark 500 series books. This summer I was traveling for a month. Suitcase space was precious, but I packed both 500 Wedding Rings and 1000 Rings books. Why? It just gives me energy and inspiration to see forms of pure creativity. I get the same surge checking out the new additions to the RAD gallery. So do take a look and enjoy!

The link to the whole group, with over 100 members is here. The link to just my (Mary Lu Wason) ring entries is here.

Tears for Haiti

Since we are making the ring each day, they are reflecting our lives and concerns, in some cases like a journal. As you can imagine, this past week our concerns about the conditions in Haiti have shown in the rings.

On January 13th, as the news of the earthquake was on my radio, I decided to make a carved ring. Often when you see a carved ring, it was originally carved in wax. Wax is easier and more forgiving than metal to carve. It's also less wasteful, which is important for gold or other precious metals. But carving in metal is more immediate. When it's done, it's done - no casting. And the final product is one of a kind, a testament to the time involved, unique to a memory. I wanted something to reflect my concerns of that day.

It took me several hours to work from a ring of square sterling silver metal, to the ring pictured here, which I call Tears for Haiti. Stylized tears flow one to another, in a circle of silver.

I am donating this ring to be auctioned, with other rings from the RAD group, to raise funds for Haiti relief. Thomasin Durgin of Metalriot has generously offered her time to run the auctions soon. Watch her blog for updates. I'll post details here too, when available.

Try Something You've Never Done Before

I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

-Pablo Picasso

The last few weeks have been frustrating for me. I am always trying out new ideas and sometimes the final product is not what I was attempting. These "challenges" seem to come in clusters and so, I've had one disappointment after another recently. When you are working with found objects or just trying something new, there's often no clear cut method. It takes so much experimenting to not only get the technique, but to then get it to do what you need.

It is difficult sometimes to go against the norm. If only a simple clasp or a traditional setting were all I needed to complete a piece of jewelry, life would be so simple. But, there is something inside me that just doesn't see the purpose of creating another piece of jewelry that you've seen a million times before. I always have to be different and so do my creations. Believe me, this does not make life easy, even though it does make it interesting.

I was feeling a bit disjointed today, eyeing all my unfinished projects, when I saw the above quote from Picasso.

Picasso was always trying out new styles and techniques. So, he must have always been doing things he did not know how to do. He did them anyway, and kept on doing them, because he wanted to learn how to do them.

This quote inspired me to take a fresh look at some of my recent unfinished projects. And do you know what? They all came together. I see a solution. I can combine the different techniques I've been working on to get exactly what I was aiming for.

I'm off to do this now. Meanwhile, I hope the quote inspires you too. Don't be afraid to try something you've never done, it's the only way you'll learn how to do it.

What's Going On?

In the past few days, I stirred up alot of changes. Actually, I've been working on all these changes for months, but now they are something you can see.

I have a brand new website called Mary Lu Wason Studio Art Jewelry.. 
Take a look at www.MaryLuWason.com


This site is a portfolio and a marketplace for my art jewelry. I found that I needed a place to showcase and maintain a focus on my collections. It's also a place to point to for show entries, galleries and wholesale accounts.

Every part of the pieces on this site are handmade by me. No purchased charms or earring hooks, clasps or other jewelry supply findings, i.e., no shortcuts.

The site is a little bare right now, but I am so happy to present it. It's a start on this new journey, just a step forward. I hope you enjoy browsing it. Most items there are also for sale, both retail and wholesale.


Amethyst Lobster - Unique Jewelry is undergoing a complete transformation.


Creating the new signature site for my art jewelry required me to re-evaluate the Amethyst Lobster site. I believe it was getting confusing for customers. So, it is now wiped out and I will be building it up again with a clearer and more cohesive style. It will focus mainly on the (obvious from the name) nautical and seaside inspired hand-crafted jewelry. 

Since I was making changes to Amethyst Lobster, I decided it was time to move it to it's own domain. I originally started it as a part of my Lobster Lu Postcards site.  It grew and grew and really should have had it's own domain years ago. So..now it does at www.AmethystLobster.com .

I hope this helps to clear up some confusion. Please feel free to send your comments or concerns. I'm still here and will soon have a few of the old favorites back on Amethyst Lobster, as well as many more new items on both sites. 
 

Expanding My Skill Set

This week, at school, I made this ring. It involved transferring a pattern, sawing two identical pieces, soldering at 3 places, lots of sanding and polishing and finally a little pearl and rhinestone setting.

I like the design of a circle in a shape and the side view profile of space between the two identical forms. I would like to play with this concept in the future with different materials and finishes.

Back from a Renaissance Faire

My sincere apologies to my online friends and customers. I have been spending a minimum amount of time online this summer, as I've been doing several markets, fairs and festivals each week. The outdoor selling season is coming to a close soon, so I will be concentrating more online shortly.

This weekend I did The Lakewood Renaissance Faire. It was my first Renn Fair as a vendor and it was really fun. I had to alter my booth display a bit for the theme, as well as my wardrobe! Here are some photos, courtesy of my son.

The RennFair inspired me to create lots of new products for the Mystic Isle Collection. I promise to get them online soon.

Happy First Day of Autumn!

Soldered Art Pendants Now Available



I've been busy this past month, now that the majority of the 2008 Collection is online, learning some new skills. I am having lots of fun soldering. In fact, I think I am addicted. I want to solder everything! Well, I've added several soldered pendants into each of the 3 collections. I'm starting with my favorite images under glass. I hope you enjoy.
Take a look!

And Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day today! I know someone very close to me is drinking with the firemen on Fifth Avenue right now! :)

Click here for Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

Crystals on Antiqued Chain Earrings - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

I've discovered crystals and stones work perfectly with my hand antiqued brass chain. Here are a pair of the latest earrings. More earrings and necklaces can be found in the Mystic Isle Collection now.

Words on Wood Chain Necklaces - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

Words on wood are split and blurred, allowing us to discover Hope, Love and Truth. Words are powerful, although broken, faded or smudged, we still hear their power.

A few more items added today to the Mystic Isle Collection.

Whispers under Glass - Charm Pendant with Brass Chain - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

Just added to the site, a way to purchase the Whispers under Glass Charm Pendants, with or without chain.

I started creating these this past summer and sold out every batch I made at local shows. So, I decided to add them to my official 2008 Collection. They are always attention getters at a show. You cannot read just one! Most people must read them all. It's really quite fun and interesting.

I'm working on a way to recreate that fun experience online. Bear with me. We'll figure it out!

New Front Page

Sorry about telling you to refresh and there was nothing new! Oops!
But today we put up a new front page for Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry. Most links aren't up yet, but I hope you like the new look. You can flip through the images! Cool, huh?

I'll let you know when I actually have some items up. Some pictures need to re-taken.

Have a great day!

Wearable Art Exhibitors at the Pasadena Bead and Design Show

So now that I blogged about FOOD in Pasadena, maybe I should say something about some of the incredible people that I met there.

I loved being in the California Ballroom. I was surrounded by such high quality artists, it was incredibly inspiring. The whole show was hand-picked, high quality, but the California Ballroom seemed to have most of the nationally known names. Of course, I must say, I did not have alot of time to visit with artists in the other rooms and I am biased since that's the room I was in. That said, the California Ballroom ROCKED!

First of my new found friends was Kate from L. O'Neill Design. Check out their website here at www.loneilldesign.com.
Kate and her partner make the most amazing jackets and purses. The styles are distinctive and flattering, yet timeless. Kate's booth was directly in front of mine, and I watched many women trying the jackets on. It didn't seem to matter what body type a woman was, there was a jacket to make her look elegant and stylish. Many had matching purses too. I want one of the swing coats! Someday!


My neighbor on my right was Sharon Cipriano from Art Heaven. I've admired Sharon's work through magazines and other publications for years. The quality of her work in person is just stunning. Her handmade pendants are heirloom pieces. And the stones she uses on her necklaces are unlike any I've seen before. She has a great eye for using a strand of stones to pick up a detail in the pendant. It was a treat to meet her and she's such a sweet person. She really took me under her wing and gave some great advice and encouragment. I really appreciated that. I hope to see her again, somewhere down the beaded road.

The Inner Circle
Several of us exhibitors were situated so we formed an inner circle in the room.
Linda McCollister of Eye of the Beholder Jewelry Art and I really bonded. She is just one of those people who has a contagious excitement for beauty and art. I think everyone got a hug from Linda. Her metalwork and beaded necklaces are totally unique. She's out there breaking the rules and it is so fun to see and be inspired by it. I am sure you'll be hearing much more about her art in the years to come.


Linda's good friend Helen Cole of Helen Cole Jewelry Art was at the next booth. Helen has been making fine jewelry for years. She works in copper, silver and gold. Experienced jewelers were stopping in awe at Helen's display case. I especially loved the Amethyst Maker, shown here. Helen told me she primarily does custom work, which allows her to make pieces she knows will be treasured.

On my left was Mary Andreani of Andreani Studios and her friend, Marylu. (Yes, another Lu Marylu - we share all but a space in our names!) You may have seen Mary Andreani's beautiful beaded necklaces and bracelets in Ornament magazine advertisments. She does beautiful work and chooses the wonderful stones. I coveted a a big beaded turquoise necklace that looked like Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise.


There are many more exhibitors I'd like to post about. Maybe just a quick mention and a link will be enough for you to get a feel for the wonderful talent I was surrounded by. Teri from Teripelio Designs works with unique and bold beads and stones. Her incredible work is sold in many shops in California. Lucy Arnold showed one of a kind handcrafted jewelry. Her display is so earthy and elegant, with natural wood and green pebbles, it drew the shoppers to her booth. Gloria Askin had colorful creations that were laugh out loud fun. Gloria bought a pair of Girl with the Big Earrings earrings from me, so you know she's not afraid of funk. Sue Rutherford of Davis, CA showed her custom beadwork. She was so sweet and had such delicate macrame style necklaces, I just had to mention her. Seek her out at the next show. Kitty and her daughter at The Reckless Necklace had an amazing number of all out funky fun and chunky big creations.

Oh yeah, and there was me, Mary Lu from Amethyst Lobster. My Mystery Window Earrings, which are in the current issue of Ornament magazine, proved to be a big seller.

Coming soon - next blog - the 2008 collections finally get to the website!

Pirate's Mermaid Sterling Charm Hoop Earrings

A pirate ship, a chain, a ship's wheel, cultured pearls, mother of pearl shells and blue kyanite beads on hoop earrings. All crafted with sterling silver.

Coming soon to the Neptune and I Collection of Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry.

Clues from Keyboards Past - Art Jewelry

I've been frantically trying to create enough new pieces to bring to the Pasadena Bead and Design Show, which will start next Thursday. I'm very excited about a new design I've created, a hybrid of a choker and a chain charm necklace. The back is a sturdy oxidized sterling wire and the front is a specially antiqued brass chain with interesting stories and mysteries of beads and treasures. The necklace is very comfortable and easy to put on, as the clasp is in the front. It's also adjustable and can be worn with each strand on either side, or the two together. (I know, I need some pictures to explain this. Coming soon.)

But for now, here's a peek of one of these necklaces, this one called Clues From Keyboards Past. Do you think she was upset? Screaming? Caps Lock! What will that mean in a decade? A century?

Coming soon to the Mystic Isle Collection of Amethyst Lobster - Unique Jewelry.

The truth about stories, is that we are all a part of a story. We uncover the story, we pass it on, we transform it. This necklace contains vintage Chinese medicine bottle, an antique coin, black and white stones and crystals. All suspended on an antiqued brass chain, which adjusts on a unique oxidized sterling side opening choker.

Coming soon to the Mystic Isle Collection of Amethyst Lobster - Unique Jewelry.

Whispers under Glass Charm Brass Necklace
Detail

Words on the wind..some dropped and some overheard. An antique text of goddesses and love, a puzzle to complete. What phrase does Fate give to you?

Coming soon to the Mystic Isle Collection, pendants of antique text soldered beneath bubbles of glass. May be purchased on either an antiqued brass chain of adjustable length or a 16 inch black satin cord with clasp.

A map of place or journey?

A green agate stone looks like a pirate map to me! Don't we all seek a certain treasure, (though some treasures are not made of silver or gold)? A red carnelian carved falcon, a cluster of Baltic amber chips, antiqued brass chain, they all conspire to create the necklace of a journey.

Coming soon to the Mytic Isle Collection of Amethyst Lobter - Unique Jewelry.

Sneak preview of 2008 Mystic Isle Collection - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry



I started to put some of the new 2008 line onto the site. Well..not much yet! As of today, just showing earrings which will be in the next issue of Ornament Magazine. There is also a bit of one of the new choker and chain necklaces. Both of these will be in the Mystic Isle Collection.

The earrings are called Antiqued Mystery Windows Earrings .

These brass earrings with oxidized sterling silver wires are created with authentic antique papers and weathering techniques. Each pair is unique to itself, showing snippets of an antique text. The brass window slides open to reveal just a bit more. You receive the clues as if an overheard conversation, a story unfolds, and you become a part of it.

The origins of language are closely tied to the origins of adorning ourselves with jewelry. The 2008 Collection explores the ties of language, jewelry and above all the mystery that we all strive to solve.

Mystic Isle Collection - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

Save the Date

Upcoming Shows for Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry

Saturday, Dec 1st, 2007 10am-3pm
Atlantic Highlands Holiday Shop
AHES First Ave, Atlantic Highlands NJ

Wednesday, Dec 5th, 2007
Private Holiday Lunch Show
Rumson, NJ

Friday, Dec 7th, 2007
Private Holiday Party
Atlantic Highlands NJ

Thurs-Sun, Jan 17th-Jan 20th, 2008
Pasadena Bead and Design Show
Pasadena Hilton
Pasadena, California

Save the Date

Upcoming Shows
Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry
www.LobsterLu.com

Friday, November 2, 2007

Care-aoke! A benefit for The Suzanne Chevalier Shanley Foundation
Shore Casino at Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor, Atlantic Highlands NJ

Saturday, Dec 1st, 2007
Atlantic Highlands Holiday Shop
AHES First Ave, Atlantic Highlands NJ

Wednesday, Dec 5th, 2007
Private Holiday Lunch Show
Rumson, NJ

Thurs-Sun, Jan 17th-Jan 20th, 2008
Pasadena Bead and Design Show
Pasadena Hilton
Pasadena, California