The jellies are taking over my workbench and swimming through my thoughts. I have been looking at images of jellies, and realized that the tentacle position varies by the species - so shall mine! I have moved the tentacles onto the outer edge of the bell, and i like the depth it gives to the earring. Here are a few shots of the new members of moonwyn jellies:)

Rocking the RickRack

Copper rickrack has hit my workspace. I have enjoyed creating the folded wire - and encasing it in glass. The new series of earrings are ocean-themed - hoping for summer, I guess. I love the way the glass clings to the rickrack and shows both the copper and the glass coloring in the final earrings. I am definitely making more jellyfish! Swish!

Still Exploring with Glass and Copper

Tweaking temperatures, textures, folds, and types of enamel are lending themselves to new forms and colors for my earrings. I have also been into creating natural patinas and using those bits of copper in my jewelry. I am in search of more primary colors and ways to keep them from getting 'muddy', but the results still look pretty good. Bending my own earwires has allowed me to embellish the wire as well as the earring, which is fun. I plan to take a new batch of designs into Natural Selections, Arcata, this next week, and hope that my sales continue!

EXTRA....EXTRA....

My earrings are being carried at Natural Selections in Arcata. This is a delightful boutique on the Plaza - great lighting and good products created locally and abroad. I was pleased with the retail response in Eureka during the holiday season, and have decided to try again! New designs abound - fans and folds, wraps and rings...all coated in new colors - like nitrate blue, periwinkle, and transparent red.
Reds continue to stump me - the glass scorches easily and is just plain pissy! I shall continue on my quest while I learn to like the colors that appear (no matter what the glass label says)=>}

Changes

I was disappointed that the Ink People were forced to cancel their holiday fair, but decided to let that lead me in a new direction. I spoke with Pierson's about carrying my torchwork in their Made in Humboldt room for the holiday season. I like the idea of selling in a local store - I just hope my earrings aren't lost in all of the products they display!

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Confucius

Ink People Holiday Gift Fair

I will be joining the Ink People Holiday Gift Fair on Saturday, November 27, at the Sapphire Palace, located in the Blue Lake Casino. My booth is Number 28, located against the wall across from the entrance. I'm very excited to join this event as I have always looked forward to attending it in the past. They have a wonderfully diverse offering of arts, and 15% of the sales go to help continue the efforts of the Ink People in Humboldt County. They sponsor the arts in so many ways locally. Their website is http://inkpeople.org .
There will be live music and tasty treats available at the Fair. This is a wonderful way to kick off the season and get some unique gifts at the same time. I will have my expanded line of pins and earrings available, as well as soap and garden art.

Fire 'er up!

Since my website design skills didn't work as desired, I've decided to set up a blog to share my torchwork and earrings from Moonwyn Designs.

I have been working with copper for about eight years, first with acid and then with enameled glass. The rolled copper, though, is a new experiment. The great thing about working with fire, copper, and glass is that they are unpredictable. The colors change by proximity, temperature, and supplies. I am learning how to monitor the variables in producing my earrings so I can reproduce colors and results, but I also revel in my mistakes and where they lead me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first craft fair and the feedback and requests are leading me to new designs and creations. A BIG THANKS to the lady who suggested I create pins with my botanical designs. I'm refining them now and hope to have them at the Ink People Fair in November.

Time to burn!