Everyday delight: The joy of in-person gatherings is once again on our collective calendars! Hooray!
Thursday, June 10, 2021 marks Silk Road Connection’s 10th anniversary celebration and my first trunk show of 2021.
Drop by Silk Road Connection at Eubank and Juan Tabo between 11am – 4pm. This celebration of summer introduces “Jewelry for EveryDay Wear,” my new body of work.
From enamel earrings (Zoom eye candy) to hand-crafted chain, you’ll find all manner of EveryDay Jewelry in my offerings. During these past Covid months, I’ve continued to study metalwork techniques, experiment with color and design and expand my idea of jewelry that works.
Summer calls for Light-weight. Simple. Comfortable. Totally wearable.
Is this a 360-degree departure from beading, you ask? Not exactly. I’ve come home to myself. It feels amazing and natural at the same time.
Distinctive bead combinations will reveal themselves in these pieces along with treasured elements that enhance the individuality of each necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings.
My beadwork continues to explore vintage African trade beads. Such treasures are now enhanced with handcrafted sterling silver or red brass findings. Hand-crafted metal chain makes a fabulous, wearable statement with each link wildly imperfect and unique, just as we individuals are one-of-a-kind.
Like many of you, during these past long Covid months, I’ve simplified my life. My designs are more interesting for it. I recognize a new appreciation for my interest in both tiny beads and large ones. Finally, I’ve uncovered the courage to experiment with both. See for yourself as the June trunk show gives you an opportunity to witness my new appreciation of whimsey and detail.
I name my pieces, partly because each is personal. Scrapper, for example, which is pictured with this post, evolved in part because I was practicing solder, playing with scraps of metal. Relaxing into the process, I mixed metals, bent wire, soldered pieces of sterling, set a stone and then added beads. Scrapper is part metal collage, part textural experience. Talk about a blast—Unexpected joy. Unpredictable. Yep, that’s the ticket. Sound familiar?
Scrapper #2, described in this earlier post, may seem more sophisticated in its always-fashionable black and white, but it also is the product of play. I found the courage to experiment with flow, with small gauge wire that weaves a tiny trade bead to sterling silver in precise detail.
One thing I know for sure: play allows one to evolve to what’s next rather effortlessly.
My discovery of Jewelry for EveryDay Wear happened as a result of every day courage: the courage to show up and create. Practice during studio time at the solder station, practice puttering on the bead board, or practice experimenting with weaving new possibilities. Weekly. Daily. Repetitively.
I invite you to surprise your senses with Jewelry for EveryDay Wear at Silk Road Connection. Mark your calendar for June 10—bring a friend. I’m excited to share my tiny bits of courage with you, and learn how courage may have set you on a new path in your own journey.
