NW Folklife Festival

I have returned to Portland after four full days selling my jewelry at the NW Folklife Festival in Seattle, Washington. It was really fun being part of Urban Craft Uprising's new project of bringing quality indie-crafts and music to Folklife. Thank you Kristen, Lindsay and the Folklife staff!

A very beautiful and happy customer wearing my vegan feather fringe earrings!

I met some amazing people, artists and customers, and feel so lucky to be able to live the life I do, being creative and sharing it with the public! Check out these talented artists, who are not just creative, passionate and unique, but warm, friendly and thoughtful people, too!
slide-sideways
materialandmovement
sewmiishka
memecosmetics
glamgarb

Alexander Calder

Today was my last day teaching art to four and five year olds. Our last project was making mobiles based on the work of Alexander Calder, sculptor and painter, AND jewelry designer!!! While I was searching on the internet for images of his mobiles to show the kids, I came across some images of his jewelry. His pieces are timeless, elegant and sophisticated, somewhat comical, extravagant and odd - I love them!



One of my students is the daughter of a kinetic sculptor here in Portland and he wonderfully agreed to speak to the kids about his work and mobile sculptures. The kids sat quietly, listening, totally into it! They drew with pastels on small, irregular pieces of cardboard and matte board, used various yarns to tie these pieces to a re-figured wire hanger, and I, along with my awesome co-teacher and my student's dad, finished the tricky part of assembling their creations. Of course I wanted to learn more about Calder, and so I asked my student's dad about Calder's jewelry. I learned that he made many pieces and basically gave them away to friends! Boy, I wish I had been around!
Calder was a prolific artist of many mediums, an inspiration and intrique, and someone I am glad to know a bit more about now. Thanks kids!

Custom Necklace

I recently was contacted by a customer who envisioned a fusion of a few of my necklace designs. She purchased my circuit bracelet a while back at a craft fair, and loved my circuit necklace, but wanted the movement of my Canvas Necklaces, and the organic flowing quality of my Mermaid Necklace with a bit less dramatic flare.

Canvas Y-Necklace

Mermaid Necklace


Circuit Necklace

It was a lot of fun creating something new from already realized designs. I really enjoy creating custom orders because of how the process surprises me and brings forth something that I didn't see.

Finished Custom Necklace

Buckman Art Show & Sell

Fun and success at the Buckman Art Show & Sell!
Thank you Buckman students, faculty, volunteers and coordinators! I bought three pieces of student art, a pin for someone special (you'll know who you are soon enough), and hand drawn card for someone funny (you will always know soon) and a lavender eye pillow for myself - ahhhhhh!
There are many things that I love about participating in local craft shows; i love seeing and interacting with returning customers and meeting new ones, catching up with artists and designers I met at previous shows, trading artwork, and knowing that my work will help young artists grow (30% of sales are going to Buckman School, K through 5th grade).
Shout out to some of my favorite artists and people!
Lolly Jamerson
Jill Bliss
Brook Tuveson of Brooklyn Blue Jewelry
Talia Jewelry Design
Tasi Designs
Cathy Pitters of Bossanova Baby
Christopher Bibby
Jo Brody
Jolby
Susan Freedman
Jennifer Mercede

inspiring painter: laurie danial

First Thursday Trunk Show @ Little Things

On Thursday March 3rd, AMiRA jewelry will be showcased at Little Things in Portland, Oregon. The craftiness factor is getting pretty exciting here in my studio. I am experimenting with hammering, filing and drilling into found metal pieces and metal wires, adding canvas, chain, stones and string! There will be many new designs on display perfect for the Spring & Summer seasons! Come support! Come celebrate creativity and local craft!

oui madame!

vintage alligator leather necklace with macrame wrapped stone
the background painting is part of a new body of work...still in progress...

cleopatra necklace with hammered brass and red jasper stones

bohemian treasures jewelry (bracelets & anklets)
also available as long or doubled stranded necklace
so versatile!

beaded circuit necklace with chain dangles
available long or short