silvercocoon handmade

FAB.com Sale-2

2012-01-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

Sale-2 on Fab.com is now live and viewable HERE. I put together this little facebook/twitter "campaign" promoting some of the products included in the sale. Get them while they are available - the sale runs through this Friday, January 27th at 9:59am.

You can also find a smaller selection of my jewelry in Fab.com's Design Your Valentine Pop-Up Shop HERE -- this shop is open til February 12th .... it's never been so easy to find a good Valentine's Day gift!

1 more day to be FAB(.com)_ulous!

2011-10-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! My sale on Fab.com started promptly at 10am on Saturday the 22nd .. right about the time I was shivering under a blanket with a pounding headache and an ever aching sore throat. This was not the way I had envisioned experiencing such an exciting event in my little jewelry-making existence. Luckily, my sickness didn't/doesn't prevent the sale from going on! We are entering the last day of the sale -- you have until 10am Tuesday morning to make your last purchases. If you haven't joined the (free) site yet, use this link as your invitation: http://fab.com/yl77hd

already pretty - silvercocoon giveaway

2011-10-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine from highschool introduced me to his friend and local blogger Sally McGraw of Already Pretty. Turns out she's kind of my neighbor and I love her blog ... and everything that its title suggests and stands for. I am honored to be partnering with Sally to do a give away of what I consider my best everyday earring - the medium POD earring. I often tell people that one could have a pair in several colors because you'll want to wear them everyday - I speak from experience -- so we're giving away 3 (yes, three) pairs of POD earrings to 1 lucky winner (yes, you get all three pairs!) Just hop on over to Sally's blog, follow her instructions for entering ... and take some time to explore her blog - it's full of great stuff!

Katharine and Garnet's Wedding

2011-08-17T17:06:00.001-07:00

I had been waiting months to share more about the Hall/Kindervater Wedding since giving you a sneek peak at the wedding invitations back in early May. The wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty (the premier wedding blog) back in August and honestly my life has been so unbelievably overwhelming (being a work-from-home/stay-at-home mom) with one thing after another, that I never even made it here to share the excitement of it all. With somethings it is better late than never -- so here is a link to the Style Me Pretty post that my dear friend and the photographer who shot the wedding, Anne Ingman, worked so hard on coordinating.

(And because my baby just woke from his nap, I will share Anne's amazing photos, of the wedding and my work, another time.)

PREVIEW: photoshoot

2011-07-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Last year, when I decided to offer my collection in oxidized sterling silver and sandblasted acrylic - I more than doubled the depth of my collection -- creating the need for photographs of the designs in these new finishes. I enlisted my good friend, Anne Ingman of INGMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, to photograph my first round of new finishes AND new work. Here is a preview ... with more to come.

McAllister Addition & Outdoor Masterplan

2011-07-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

We met Pete and Beth McAllister almost 7 years ago when our house was on the Minneapolis/St.Paul Home Tour. They later hired us to design their basement renovation in 2005. Beth was with us as my doula during the birth of my first son, and we then worked with them again to design their dining room addition and a master plan for their backyard. Souliyahn recently (and finally) went over to photograph the addition and outdoor project. The grasses have grown-in so beautifully and everything looks fantastic! Next step: photograph the basement!

Building Contractor: Sahlstrom Construction
Landscape Contractor: Avocado Green

Apartment Therapy

2011-07-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Speaking of my photographer friends Anne and Jake, their house was featured on Apartment Therapy yesterday.....along with one of my original pastel pieces (in their bathroom) -- Thanks for the shout-out in the list of credits, Anne! Your house looks so great!

Wedding Design: part 2

2011-07-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

So, the wedding that I spent all spring working on went off without a hitch. Everything turned out soo beautifully and was captured with unbelievable delicacy and attention to detail by my friend & wedding photographer, Anne Ingman & her husband Jake of Ingman Photography. I'll be able to share a more in depth collection of the images she took, as well as more commentary about the visual concept and aesthetic approach at a later date, but for now check out her blog post here.

THANK YOU cards

2011-05-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

These days, I feel like I am working on such a variety of things - just like I've always dreamed my work-life could be. I am thankful for the myriad of inspiration that comes from working at different scales and materials ... and products. A very dear friend of mine gave birth to her second son the day before Mother's Day. I had designed her some flat thankyou cards years ago when her first son was born and reused that same graphic on these folded thank yous that I brought her on my last visit before the birth. Probably not best to say that I like this folded version better than the original ... so I'll say that they are perfectly of their time. Which reminds me of a quote that was posted in the office of my son's montessori school director: "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." -Omar Khayyam

Walker Jewelry Mart

2011-05-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

It was, once again, a wonderful day at the Walker Art Center last Saturday. We were in a new space (the Medtronic Gallery) this time and it worked great. My sister Brit helped during the show -- for the fourth or fifth time -- and I couldn't have done it without her. (thank you, Brit!) Great turn-out, great sales ... my only wish is that I had made more necklaces. These photos were taken at 10:59am and my table looked really picked-over by the end of the day. Not a bad problem to have, I guess. :)

New Directions:New Forms {sneak peek03}

2011-05-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

It feels like it has been a reeeally long time since I allowed myself time to design - as in, design a new collection. Last summer and fall I realized that I just didn't have enough energy to pull together a new line. Instead I thought I would "buy myself some time" by simply offering my existing line in a new set of oxidized+sandblasted finishes. That decision, in the end, took nearly as much energy as designing something new, but it was equally as pivotal in determining the direction in which my entire jewelry collection would move forward. {Today I'm sending out my second largest order to date -to a new account: a store on Martha's Vineyard- and it consisted entirely of the new finishes.} So, I was bound and determined to have some truly brand new work for this Spring and for the Walker Jewelry Artist Mart this weekend. Refining details always takes longer than it should, but I will have some of this new collection on Saturday.

A lot of my brainstorming tends to stay in my brain, but lately the thoughts that make their way into my sketchbook have made their way into actual physical pieces. After working so intently with flat wool to create voluminous (CLOUD) earrings and (COIL) bracelets I found myself anxiously waiting for the next big idea that I hoped would come to me, but like so many things, it was the small ideas and small moves that brought me to these new pieces.

I had read somewhere that polka dots were a new trend (not really sure that it's true) and it got me to thinking about trends and timelessness. I started thinking simply about the earrings I used to make for myself 15 years ago - stringing beads on stems that would hang straight down. Then generally about beads and how pearls are the truly timeless "bead" and how beautifully imperfect pearls are. Then when flipping through my supply catalog, I learned that the thread that one of my favorite necklaces (by Emily Johnson) hangs from is historically and traditionally used to string pearls. (The silk thread is less expensive than chain, making it possible to have a more affordable version of each necklace. Always nice.) The details started to come together. My sketches ultimately brought me to the opposite of what I was trying to accomplish with the wool. Instead I found myself thinking about the visual flattening of voluminous shapes - of beads and pearls .. and then chains (which has only partially been refined, so stay tuned for more about the development of that line. )

sneak peek_02

2011-05-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sandblasted YELLOW with oxidized sterling silver - shown in the small JUMBO earring (also available in medium and the original large size.)

sneak peeks

2011-05-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 7th is the 2011 Walker Art Center Shop's Local Jewelry Artist Mart. More than ever, this year's event has served as an impetus for me to produce some new work after my several month hiatus. I plan to share some of the new items on my blog this week ... as a means of enticing you (all) to make your way down to the Walker on Saturday between 11-5. :) That said, here is the new sandblasted orange acrylic paired with oxidized sterling - shown in the small DRAPE earring.

Wedding Design?

2011-04-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Late last year, as I was nearing the end of my pregnancy, I was asked if I'd be interested in helping to plan/design a wedding. I'm not a wedding planner, but I am a designer who easily gets inspired by a new scope for a project ... so of course I said YES! I've been working with the bride and her parents for the past several months, fine-tuning concepts, developing designs, fabricating mock-ups, and most recently meeting with florists. We are still in the midst of finalizing the fine details for the ceremony and dinner (which will both be held at The Walker Art Center) ... but the invitations are done and have been mailed out - and I've been dying to share them!

So, neither the bride or groom are from Minnesota originally, but they moved to the Midwest to pursue their PHDs from the U of MN and have fallen in love with Minneapolis. The bride's parents just officially became Minnesota residents as well (moving from Washington DC to Duluth, MN) and so the majority of the guests will be coming from out of state for the wedding.

The concept for the invitations was to have a sculptural paper element wrap and enclose the flat written portions of the invitation. When the outer piece was unwrapped, I wanted it to be able to stand on its own and be a beautiful teaser before the wedding and a visual reminder of their weekend after they return home from the wedding. Given that most of their guests will have never been to Minneapolis, it only seemed appropriate to have the city greet them when they opened the invitation ... and be the sculptural paper element that wrapped the invitation.

We decided to use stock paper from PAPER SOURCE for all elements of the invitations using a mixture of Lux White that has a bit of texture and Lux Silver that has a bit of shimmer. The invite and response cards & overall envelope in white, the city-wrap and response envelope in silver. {side note: it was only after these had been finalized that I heard Jeremy Messersmith coining Minneapolis as the Silver City. How appropriate!} All printed text was done in black ink. I etched the bride & groom's names on the front flap of the city-wrap (and included the .silvercocoon. copyright on the back side where the Walker Art Center is revealed.)

During our first discussions I assumed we would have someone print the invitations for us, but in the end I produced the invitation cards, response cards and the city-wrap and we had only the envelopes printed by a printer. I even designed a little "logo" for their wedding {as seen on the response card} that might transfer to other elements {like thank you cards etc.} I thrive on finding a good process and developing a system for producing multiples of the same item, so I was well suited for making 130 invitations! And even better ... they've been received well.

blog feature

2011-04-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

I send special thanks to local photographer, Jennifer Simonson, who featured some of my jewelry in her recent blog post. I love this photo of her jewelry collection on the wall-mounted Minus + Hanger by Steve from Danish Teak Classics. (You might remember seeing them at their debut back at my Catalog Release Party in 2009)(Steve and I have since developed a table-top version that I use for jewelry shows ... which deserves its own post another time.) In Jennifer's collection of photos you will see that she has the small POD earrings in cherry wood and a single strand STONE necklace in paduak wood - both with oxidized sterling silver.

the start of "new"

2011-04-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm ironing-out the kinks in some new prototypes and can't wait to start sharing some new pieces soon. In the meantime, I can give you this little teaser ... a small-scale earring that is so light and easy to wear that I've been known to sleep all night with them on and not notice! Available in the online shop in a variety of colors of sandblasted acrylic and wood.

playing a bit of catch-up

2011-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

So, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and being so-pregnant last November & December, I neglected to share any of my new jewelry work from my "winter collection". I revisited an idea that was such an integral part of my initial collection back in 2007 = SANDBLASTED acrylic. And then I added a new element - OXIDIZED sterling silver. I have talked before about how the even the smallest moves have the power to completely transform the feel of an object. I knew how beautiful the translucent acrylic was when sandblasted, as well as sandblasted red. But I was entirely blown away by the effect of sandblasted black: it was transformed into the ultimate (architect's) charcoal gray - pure excitement! If the sandblasting was transforming, then the oxidizing of the silver was the perfect mature match to the look -- it had the same effect with wood. These changes breahted new life into my collection, making it feel fresh and mature.

For the Walker Jewelry Mart back in November, I offered Translucent, Matte Black, Matte Red and Matte Brown as well as Cherry, Walnut, Paduak and Maple wood - all with the oxidized sterling. It was very well received and I will continue making/offering these material finishes going forward. In fact, I'm adding sandblasted ORANGE to the list for Spring and Summer! (Updates have been made in my online shop, but if you notice something I've missed, just send me a note.)

back from maternity "leave"

2011-04-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

When you work from home, and give birth at home, a maternity leave seems a silly thing to call it. The only thing that I really seem to have left is this blog....but it takes time to do all the things that one should when you have a baby, and when you transition into the new old routines again. It all takes time, which doesn't leave much for blogging. I won't go into too much detail, but I will say that I had an amazing second birth experience - one that I couldn't have imagined making happen a year ago when I first found out I was pregnant again. My first son's birth happened to me. My second son's birth transformed me. Veli Hanka arrived at 10:16am the morning of December 26th after six hours of smooth, natural labor. Our second boy was born in our basement, in a birthing tub, next to a roaring fire. The Japanese try to avoid fours ... but so far my little family of four is very harmonious - it's like he allows everything to fall into place. Veli - (sounds like belly) - means 'brother' in Finnish and 'guardian' in Turkish. Hanka is my mother's maiden name and the surname of my late grandfather who passed just over a year ago.

The last three and a half months, during the snowiest winter Minnesota has seen in years, have been spent laying low at home and getting used to new routines. I tried to refrain from jumping back into work until the 3 month mark, but I failed. Luckily (and possibly because of the fact that) I work from home! One project that I tackled within the first couple weeks was to design these THANK YOU cards. My husband took the photograph and I designed the cards to fit a specific envelope that I have and use often. I wanted the card to provide a space for a written note but also allow the thank you to be visible right away . The layout also allows people to save just the photo element that has his name and birth details included on the back side. With the immediacy of facebook, we didn't send out an official birth announcement, but I considered changing the thank you to 'welcome' and that would have worked as a great for that, too.

blog/facebook/ huh?

2010-12-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

I struggle sometimes, when there isn't enough time in the day .... I have found myself using facebook instead of this blog and it forces me to question the function of each - because they're not really the same thing. I've found in the past that this blog has functioned like my memory - a record, a diary, a calendar of my creative process and schedule. I started using our silvercocoon-facebook page to highlight blog posts and I felt that it was redundant...that facebook was the "repeat" of what I'd already done.

Lately (and mostly since I've been pregnant) their roles have reversed. I'm not sure if it is because of the way that facebook functions; how it allows interaction and immediate sharing of information ... or if, simply, it is just faster to pop a pic up on the wall with a quick, quirky-like caption and I can call it a day. ---- Even this train of thought is classic blog not facebook. My next thought is - do you even care? Seriously....it is hard (given who I am in this case) to decipher the thoughts that spin inside this prego-brain of mine. Relevant? Not-relevant? TOTALLY wacko!!??

Anyway, I have lost hold of the memory that this blog used to hold. My goal for the New Year is to get back into the habit ... for my sake. (and maybe for yours?)

THERE_craft

2010-11-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

A while back I was invited to write an article for the University of MN - School of Architecture Grad-Student Journal of Design - called THERE. The topic of issue6 was going to be "craft" -- and they were looking to pull together a diverse group to talk about "craft" from a myriad of perspectives. So, I wrote and whittled and edited an article that ultimately seemed reflective of me -- practical, emotional, based on my personal experiences and not very scholarly :) Well, anyway ... I'm excited to share that the journal is printed and out in the hands of real people! I have really been enjoying reading my own copy and am excited to share a glimpse of it with you.

The thick journal/book is beautiful, with a thick glossy cover and nice graphic detailing. For those of you interested in getting your hands on a copy, you can find them on Amazon here.

one of many new photos ....

2010-10-26T21:37:00.000-07:00

PHOTO: Christopher Selleck

MODEL: Elle Richards

MAKE-UP: Tai Rosa

JEWELRY: POD earring - sandblasted acrylic & oxidized sterling silver

OK .... ok ....

2010-10-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

I think it is about time to admit that I am not able to keep up with my normal-self's workload with this baby growing inside of me. When it was other outside sources of distraction, I could more easily ignore them in order to get the work done or take a quick break to reflect (blog) on the progress I was making. But, when I try to do too much, my body literally will not give me that quick break to reflect (blog) ... instead I find myself out cold in an afternoon nap, or worse yet, just sitting ... unable to move from exhaustion. I exaggerate a little - but really only a little.

With this blog, I've tried to keep it as much about my work, creative process and business-related events as possible. But again, my hormones have pulled much of my mental focus to more motherly concerns. My first born is a kindergartner - his first time in a structured social environment since he was born (no daycare, no preschool) which means it is also the first time that I've really had to start letting go. I experienced the initial twang of emotion on those first days of school and I've worried my fair share about how he would do socially, would he find friends, what if someone was mean to him etc. Generally my concern has been for not. He is adjusting so beautifully that I couldn't be more proud.

I mention these things here, now - because I believe that design and creativity stems from one's own experiences and perspective. Even in the most accessible design, there is something of the designer's person contained within it. I am trying to keep this perspective right now and hope to be fabulously surprised by the content and direction that will come from this period of time.

One of the things that fascinates me most about design is the amazing power that even the smallest variables can have on a finished piece. Architecture is BIG and there are so many decisions to make. While the number of design decisions diminishes when you consider the scale of a piece of jewelry or personal accessory, the impact of each move does not. I have been revisiting some old ideas -- back-tracking up the path, if you will -- in order to bring new life to certain pieces in my collection for Fall & Winter. The differences are subtle but they present a completely different perspective ... of maturity and growth and warmth.

WINTER 2010/11: wood, sandblasted acrylic, oxidized silver, rich colors of wool and leather.

where have i been???

2010-06-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I have certainly have taken a hiatus from this blog, and I apologize to those of you who have checked-up on me in the past couple months with nothing reported. And to those who have forgotten, I hope you'll somehow discover that I am back.

My time away has been well spent on a few house projects, a bit of nesting, some gardening, mothering my almost 5-year old who will start school this fall ... and with a whole bunch of napping. My body has needed extra sleep the last 3months to make energy for the new little one that is growing inside my belly. Yes! - I am pregnant and we are expecting a new baby around the 4th of January. We are all so excited. Luckily my Spring schedule was light enough to accommodate the sleep! But, I have entered my second trimester and the energy and motivation is all coming back to me and I have quite a few new things to share with you in the coming weeks. But, I thought I would take this first post to share some pics of the mini house-projects I've completed.
First project that I tackled back in April was to paint the "walls"of our exterior "dining room" (patio) a dark-dark almost-black grey. I painted far wall as well as the large window to the left -- they're somewhat hard to see because they recede back given that they are so dark. I love how it responds to the almost black bricks of the sunken dining area - pulling the defining lines up from the ground onto the walls of the house. >> My husband then continued upgrading our outdoor space by creating this awesome pea-gravel sitting area ... as well as a gravel-pit play area for our son back by the garden.

The next project was a one-day face-lift of our entry way. I completed all the work myself in about 6 hours (actually brought me back to my IKEA days!) -- I started by pulling some carpet tiles from the basement laundry room and then laid & cut them to fit wall to wall in the entry. I then covered the carpet with plastic, while I (removed the TRONES bins from the wall and) painted the walls. This color is the same color as the exterior walls and our front door, so there is a visual consistency that I've started to carry throughout our house.

And most recently........ we've swapped my son's room and the guest room, to allow for the kiddos to share a room come the new year. Major nesting tendencies caused me to take the project on now, and with the help of my mother, we painted both rooms and switched all the furniture around in 2 days! I again carried the same color from the entry, patio area and all exterior doors into the kids' room by painting the wall behind the awesome built-in that came with the house. I actually tried the golden yellow that had been in my son's old room, as well as a royal blue color before settling on the dark "Night fall" by Benjamin Moore. It grounds the room. I'll be sure to post updates in a few months when I set-up the crib - so you can see how the room will adapt.

So....there it is. And here it is - my blog renewed. Thanks for reading!

Summer of Dresses

2010-04-30T06:36:00.001-07:00

Every morning I open my email box and click on my Poppfizzdaily installment. Today they were featuring the blog Summer of Dresses and so of course I went over to check it out and LOOK what/who I found!!! An adorable picture of Nicky wearing a cute little black dress and the necklace that I made custom for her!!! Ah! Loving it! (loving the site and concept, too!)

VOLTAGE 2010

2010-04-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

I had a blast at Voltage this year. Working with Elena Mercurio was so much fun and the process really proved to be inspiring for me. I thought it might be fun to share the collages that I put together for each of the 9 looks that walked the runway - paired with photos from the night (thanks to Stephanie Colgan, Rod Hasse and DigitalCrushPhotography) I hope you enjoy them!

MINI catalog

2010-03-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

One of my goals this year is to, once and for all, simplify the materials that communicate my line. For years I have drooled over the product catalogs for companies like iitala and Marimekko - and even our own Minneapolis-based Blu Dot. With the obvious restrictions (that I am a single individual making jewelry 'on the side' and not a large established company with a huge budget for print and marketing materials) I have produced this little booklet that can be handed out to potential retailers.

Paired with a pretty-little (graphic) pricing sheet and some material sample rings, one can get a pretty quick idea of breadth and depth of my collection -- I would say I'm making a little progress!

VOLTAGE FASHION AMPLIFIED 2010

2010-03-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

So, the VOLTAGE FASHION AMPLIFIED official website is up - and boy do I love it! They have done an amazing job this year of expanding on the people/information that they cover online - plus it is simply beautiful! I am working with fashion designer Elena Mercurio and you can see her dress & my COIL bracelets on the model on the CREW page.
Go to FASHION and you can see pictures and bios of all of the designers involved... there I am - bio and all. They also provide a link to a list of where you can purchase tickets for the show. $25 in advance & $30 at the door. (you can purchase online through ticketmaster but will pay more fees) .... It promises to be a great show - plus: it falls on my birthday this year - That's two reasons to go!

The Uniform Project - 26 Feb 2010

2010-03-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was 'heads down' working last week (until the wee hours of Saturday morning in fact) and so I'm behind on sharing that Sheena of The Uniform Project wore my HIVE necklace in Ivory on Friday the 26th!!

FinnStyle Grand ReOpening

2010-02-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to be a part of the grand reopening of FinnStyle's new store. I'll be there (with my jewelry) from 11am-2pm on Saturday. Should be fun!

New & Improved SHOP!

2010-02-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

As slowly as this year started off, things have really picked-up for me with special projects that I've laid out for myself & my business. I've been plugging away at some improvements to the SHOP link from our website. Last fall when we were giving our site a face-lift, I had struggled with complexities that come with structuring a site that deals with large and small projects, services and products -- and the best way to communicate the breadth and depth of all that we do over here in our little cocoon. At the time, I had settled for putting a new & improved jewelry/shop on the back burner for the sake of the greater silvercocoon good - which I think was a smart decision. It became clear though, that the back burner was getting pretty hot and I needed to get that project off to a new start this year. And so - that is what I've done.
I'm excited to share it with you here - and will explain a bit about how things have changed. BEFORE, when you clicked the SHOP link on our site, you were greeted with a page that listed the brick & mortar locations of where you could find my work, a link to my etsy-shop (online) as well as the ability to download (to view) a digital version of my catalog/book or purchase a hard copy of your own through a link to lulu.com --- and now AFTER, when you click on the SHOP link on our site, you will be greeted with our new SHOP! (yippee!) On that page, you will still find the brick & mortar locations under the Retailers page, a link to my artist's statement/bio, a FAQ page that simply lets potential retailers know that I wholesale my line, the catalog(pdf) can still be downloaded to view. I will continue to make small improvements to each product page so that for example each has a dimensions and color/material options image, but 99% of products are posted and viewable in this shop.
When it comes to shopping, there are many great features. The main homepage gives a great overview. Click 'all' and you can see every item in the shop with it's price. Click necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins if that is specifically what you are looking for -- or search by key words if you are looking for a specific piece. I am so excited that you are now able to select specific options (like color, wood type, or size) when purchasing. The shopping cart is visual and straight forward making purchasing a breeze and safe with the use of paypal. (can you tell I'm excited?)
For the etsy-lovers out there, I will be maintaining my etsy site (and you will still be able to find a link to it from this blog) and will slowly begin to offer more SALE/discontinued and older pieces that are just sitting around my studio (an online sample sale, if you will...)

Soooo, What do you think? I'd love to hear your feedback about all of these new arrangements, and any kinks you might find. ....... and Thanks!

W7 Collective ... 3 days only!

2010-02-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

I will have a well-rounded selection of my jewelry (including some new keychains pictured below) at the W7 Collective this week: Thursday (11-5), Friday(11-9) and Saturday(11-5) ... and will be attending their Friday night party from 6-9pm where they'll have live music and tasty treats in addition to the work of many local designers and artists. I'd love to see you there!

more love....

2010-02-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Thank you Traci (of FilzFelt) for putting a big smile on my face ... by including my grey POD earrings in one of their product photos! I can't explain how seeing my work at home in an environment outside my own (or on someone else's ears) makes me feel... maybe like a school girl when she sees her crush across the cafeteria?

Walker shop

2010-02-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Walker Art Center shop has used my CHAIN necklace to promote Valentine's Day jewelry in their email that was sent out today! (The necklace can now be found in their online shop.) They also have a special selection of my jewelry in red, white and ivory for Valentine's Day in their jewelry case if you're looking for a gift for a sweet someone.

Inspiration and Prototypes

2010-01-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

After a super slow start to the year (where I found myself dilly-dallying around because I didn't want to fall back into the same crazy overwhelming sort of routine that ended the last decade)(and where my son has been documenting his thoughts and the world more beautifully than i could have imagined {turtle,elephant,tiger}) I have surprisingly entered a major inspirational and creatively productive period. I think it is in part due to the fact that I will be taking part in the VOLTAGE fashion show again this year, which allows me to give myself more freedom to explore some of (what I tell myself are) the less practical ideas that are floating around in my head. I have filled more pages in my sketch book in the past 2 weeks than I did all last year... using drawing to get ideas on paper, but then immediately allowing myself to spend some time figuring out how to physically make it work. It is an exhilarating experience to go through the design process...to be creatively active on a daily basis is really working for me. The last half of 2009 had me focussing on other sorts of creativity, but not creating. And, of course I still have to take care of all the other less creative work, too - but it's like I'm releasing natural endorphins into my brain with the simple act of testing out my ideas. I haven't been exercising as much as I'd like to, but this creativity is having the same effect on me as a good run...well maybe not on my legs! (note to self: come back and read this entry when I hit my slump...which is bound to happen sometime in the future)

So on Tuesday I took part in a VOLTAGE preview show for press and retailers and I got to see some of my prototypes on models, with my designer's clothes, in a show. I was happy with them and I can't wait to get back to refining the details of these pieces -- and to expand on the collection for the show in April. I'll share a couple things now and some others a bit later.... Again, keep in mind they are prototypes....

COIL bracelets

FLEX bracelet

Order and Chaos

2010-01-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think that my life can be simplified down to the basic goal of trying to find order within the chaos. I'm one who believes that you need a certain amount of one to define the other, so I guess that could partially explain my tendency to attempt to do far too many things at once; to create chaos to order. Or maybe I just crave it because our bodies are made to function in many ways simultaneously.

My son and I were reading this amazing book that he got for Christmas about the human body and all of the systems (and their intricacies) that make our bodies function every second of every minute of every day....and it illustrated for me the greatest example of order ... and chaos, too -- my mind struggles to fully grasp the scale of ordered chaos at work right now making it possible for me to type this.

My sister and I just finished watching the box-set of My So-Called Life ... which has brought back so many memories of being 16 and relating so much to the introverted Angela Chase... While I was perhaps more extroverted than she was, I relate/d to the depths of her analyzation of the happenings in one's life.

I also recall a time, when I was even younger, that I became conscious of the fact that my uncle was 35 and from that point I sort of considered all adults to be 35 years old. When I think about the fact that I am now in my thirties I start to understand the feeling of being differently. My Grampa, at 98, simultaneously marveled how he could have lived so long on this earth and how quickly his days had passed. I understand this in my heart now in a way I didn't used to understand it in my brain. It is how, at 32, I can still feel so similar to my memory of being 16. It is the way in which I still feel so young when I am now what I used to consider old. I realize that I am talking about the essence of things. I am fascinated by the ways in which the essence of something interacts and intersects with the practicality of it.

This week I have begun the process of designing again: pulling the essences of ideas down out of the lofty spaces in my brain and working through details to make them practical. Attempting to create order from so-called chaos. Taking inspiration from my so-called life ... It is the practice of bringing these miscellaneous elements together that fuels me and allows me to find meaning in my work.

new old

2010-01-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

Last fall my HIVE necklace and POD earrings were featured in a fashion segment on Twin Cities Live. I saw the segment live on my TV but they hadn't posted a video back then ... at least at the time that I checked. Well, I've stumbled upon a blog post from the stylist (who just so happens to know my friend Paige) that was featured in that segment and who so generously mentioned Silvercocoon on the air. Thank you Catherine! Here's the link to the show. (better late than never)

how to get back on the horse....

2010-01-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you!!

Well, I had a wonderfully relaxing holiday. I honestly can't remember the last time I took time off in a fashion that resembled a vacation or that lasted longer than an extended weekend. We were literally unplugged from the Internet, with no TV, in a cabin with a wood burning furnace and fireplace, where we brought food in to cook all of our meals - making it possible to just stay there...with no agenda and no distractions...except for the snow, a book, some LEGOs .... and a game of Uno before bed. It was peaceful. Quiet. Quiet enough to not even have to think. Quiet enough to make me wonder why I keep my head so FULL all the time. Restful enough to make me question why I push myself so hard, take on so much and allow myself to get so stressed. It had me confused and somewhat frozen about how to get back to work without falling back into the same old habits.

It's not like this is the first time I've been in this sort of spot. I'm cyclical to a large degree ... so I'll probably be back here again in a year's time. But I think the lessons I've learned over this holiday are directly connected to my mission and vision for my work. Back in September, I spoke about the catalog project in a way that touched on the importance of every day moments ... about how they collectively start to determine more than the sum of some their sometimes-boring individual parts. Over time patterns can be found - cycles (again) - and so I realize the key for me is to work simply on the construct of my day if I want to have an impact on my life as a whole. Making sure that I allow time for all the things that are important to me -everyday- so that they can create routines and then habits. It's the little bits that could impact my life by this time next week or next month or next year. Much like practicing a musical instrument, or training for a running race ... or simply taking vitamins. This has been my gut-instinct for the past several years when New Year's resolutions come around and I've made excuses about why doing just one more bit of work is more important than ____ (fill in the blank), but I think this new comparative insight could be ticket. (as my dad would say..."that's the ticket!")

So I have been (clumsily) trying to find my way into this new place, organizing things around the house to accommodate new habits. For example, while we were at the cabin, there were only 3 of us, so we washed the dishes by hand after each meal instead of filling the dishwasher. It was so easy and quick (and you immediately KNOW if you got the dish clean) but why does this only have to be a cabin-thing?? So I bought a dish drying rack and we haven't used the dishwasher all week. Silly small things....but so far they are rewarding.

Some other "house-cleaning" that I've done for our business to make communication easier, is to create a facebook page for silvercocoon in addition to/in lieu of using my own personal page. If you have a facebook account and want to follow, you can become a fan by visiting the page. I have even opened a twitter account, although I'm not sold on that yet.

New (exciting) things have already started pulling me in and I have great hopes and goals for the coming year (or should I say the future accumulation of 365 days?) Can't wait to share it with you!

believe it or not...

2009-12-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

.....We're taking a break. After a very FULL year and an extra-busy holiday season, I will be spending one week with my little family in a cabin on a frozen lake in the middle of beautiful Minnesota -- celebrating 10 years of being married to my dear husband, celebrating the arrival of a new year ... enjoying family time and simply relaxing and rejuvenating our selves.

Happy New Year to all of you -- thank you for your continued support and ... for reading. ;)

white holiday

2009-12-24T22:16:00.000-08:00

I often marvel at how cyclical I have become as I get older. I like living in Minnesota because of the distinct seasons - it helps to clarify the undercurrent of moods and cravings and attitudes that consume me through the year. When I lived in Finland, the cycle of the sun in combination with the seasons illustrated it even more drastically. We have entered winter ... and I love winter. I love the crisp air, the sound and smell of snow in the air and under my feet. I love the way in which it redefines the outdoor spaces around our house and the city...and I love that we can move it and shape it and make it into things.

So, for someone who loves winter, we are receiving (perhaps) the BEST Christmas gift this year... a blizzard on Christmas Eve!! We are nestled-in with family on the hill in Duluth overlooking a city that is barely visible through the falling & blowing snow. Reports say that we may get 22 inches in Duluth because of lake-effects from Lake Superior. The combination of normal holiday excitement with the excitement that comes with a big snow storm makes for a stellar holiday!

Here's wishing you and yours a happy holiday -- and the equivalent of a big ole' blizzard!!

last day at the Gaviidae...

2009-12-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

This Friday (the 18th) is the last day that I will be at the Gaviidae. If you have some last minute shopping, or are heading out to see the Holidazzle Parade - stop by and say "hi!"

2010 calendar

2009-12-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have put together a 2010 Calendar this year, using some of my favorite images from this summer's photo-shoots. They are printed on a nice satin-finish heavyweight card stock with a simple wire binding. You can find them in my shop --

one thing .... after another

2009-12-13T21:52:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to share this custom BUNCH_Pod necklace, in green & ivory acrylic with camel leather and deep-red stitching, for a couple weeks now. It was a custom piece for a young woman who volunteers at the Walker and who was at the Jewelry Artist Mart back in November. It was fun to make a piece for her after getting to chat with her a bit that day. I had admired the dress she was wearing that day and her overall sense of style so I had a bit more inspiration to go on. I hope she is as happy with the result as I am!

GOLD-en' yellow

2009-12-07T20:52:00.001-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how good results can come out of random moments within a design/making process. Sometimes a vision is so strong that I don't let myself see beyond my prescribed ideas - but then something so simple as having some extra material laying around makes me step back just enough to consider something as simple as a color. Yellow is not a Christmasy color.......but gold is! (Que the tune "Silver and Gold" from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) I'm normally a Silver girl - and boy, I sure am surprised by how much I love GOLD at this very moment! (the gold ornaments are available in my shop)

ornament

2009-12-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

So, I am back from one of the most emotional weeks in my life to date. Everything really played out in the best possible way for my family to say goodbye to the anchor of our family who seemed like he'd always be around. The fact that it took place during the week of Thanksgiving was a blessing in disguise, because it enabled us to spend an extended amount of time together which was really therapeutic. I feel as much at peace with it as one could hope to be.

The week away has created a bottle-neck for me, though. I spent all of Monday catching up on special orders. I'm behind the ball when it comes to getting my new ornaments packaged and photographed, but I've finally been able to get some of the new ones in my shop. (I plan to add the flakes in a few more colors and in plywood before Friday.) I continue to love the simple clear with blue SC sticker -- making them the perfect immediate gift.

Locally one can find selections of my ornaments at Gallery 360, at Simple Luxuries a special holiday boutique downtown at the PR firm ESBEE (M-F 10-5 until Christmas) and again - with me at the Gaviidae Market for the next 3 Fridays.

in mourning

2009-11-23T20:14:00.001-08:00

I had anticipated sharing photos and stories from the Gaviidae Market with you this week. But on Friday, while I was downtown at the market, I received word that my Grandpa had been hospitalized Thursday night because he couldn't keep food down. They discovered Friday that he had developed pneumonia in both lungs. After 98 long & healthy years, something told me that this time might be too much for him and a sense of distracted urgency overcame me. I traveled north to Duluth immediately after the Market on Friday night and was able to spend time with him on Saturday and Sunday along with the majority of my family. He recognized every family member that came to see him, despite slowly entering a state of "spotty-cloudiness" --- He passed away at 1:59am on Monday the 23rd of November. He went quickly and peacefully. I have never had to mourn the loss of someone I love, so this is all new territory for me. I am trying to ride the waves of emotions as best I can, allowing myself to feel the loss and the void while remembering and recognizing the legacy he leaves behind in his family of 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren as well as our spouses and loved-ones. I will be spending the rest of the week with my family in Duluth - for the funeral, Thanksgiving, and the burrial.
I will not be at the Gaviidae Market this Friday the 27th, so if you were planning to come down to see me, please plan to come on Dec 4th, 11th or 18th instead. Thank you for your understanding.

GAVIIDAE MARKET

2009-11-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

The first day of the GAVIIDAE MARKET is tomorrow. I will be near the fountain in the Gaviidae Common Mall on the street level from 10am-8pm (Friday) Stop by, I'd love to see you!

if it's hip its here

2009-11-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

thanks to Gail in London, UK for sharing this:

Walker Jewelry Mart

2009-11-15T20:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday was like a marathon day for me. I knew I'd be on my feet and talking to people from 10am til 10pm with 2 events going on. Usually before a marathon, I try to go to bed early to make sure I am well rested and ready to perform. That same line of logic can be applied to doing shows (perhaps it's required even more?) ... but I didn't follow my own advice this time. I was up until the wee hours (3am) packing everything up on Friday night. The multiple projects & products (tree, ornaments, artwork, jewelry) required more of me this time around.

The extra time and energy paid off. Despite some brain malfunctions with names, my lack of sleep did not stand in the way of me having a fantastic day at the Walker. I tweaked a couple things with my display this time and overall just felt good about the way things looked. Amy Torello and Alice Roche were both in town from Mexico and San Fransicso respectively - again this year for the Mart and it was really fun to catch-up with them. It was fun to see how their work had evolved over the year ... likewise to reflect on the evolution of my own.

My new work for the show consisted of the wool HIVE cuff bracelets, thicker WOOD_STRIPE bracelets (11&12 layers wide), a larger selection of BUNCH necklaces ... and some pieces in PURPLE acrylic! I had to do some searching to find the material, but I was happy with the color and people responded well to it, too. This BUNCH_POD necklace in purple with navy blue leather was a popular piece. A lot of people tried it on and one lucky woman (Robyn) went home with it. (It looked fantastic with her dark brown hair!) These photos from the show are the only images I have of it.

I want to thank everyone who came out to the Walker, who stopped by my table and who purchased from me. I had such a fun day talking with everyone and your support means so much! Thank you to my sister, Brit, for helping me set-up, for sitting with me for several hours ... and for looking SO good in those BUNCH earrings! Thank you to the Walker for being such gracious and generous hosts. I am so lucky!

Gallery360 window

2009-11-15T17:43:00.001-08:00

After a full day at the Walker Art Center, I made my exhausted way to the opening at Gallery 360 where Barbara Gilhooly is in the main gallery and in the front window - opposite me. We customized one of our 7ft. tannenbaums by trimming it down (2 branches worth) to fit in the window of the gallery. (We also trimmed/adjusted the branches in order to accomplish the proper taper.) I think it turned out really well and that it looks fantastic in their window!

Merry did a really nice job dressing the tree. I was so plesantly surprised to see my name on the glass - somehow that makes it feel 100 times more legitimate. The gallery has a selection of red and white "ball"ornaments in 3 designs (stripe, flake in ball, concentric circles), small red solid balls, large and small flakes in white and transparent blue - and I will be adding 1-2 new colors to their stock in the coming week. (I will also be putting some in my shop in the coming week for those of you not in Minneapolis)

I also worked hard to make some new artwork pieces. I've been testing and mulling over several directions that I could go in, but this seemed the most logical first step -- an expansion on the pins/brooches I've been doing - for small wall hangings. They are 4.5 inches in diameter and made from layers of solid wood. I sand the end-grain edges so that the "frame" is a beautiful striped edge that is literally connected to the content of the piece. I think I'm happy with the way they turned out. They are still so fresh that I haven't really had a chance to absorb them ... larger scale that jewelry, but still very small scale when it comes to wall-art.

SFMOMA

2009-11-12T20:51:00.001-08:00

My work is officially part of SFMOMA's jewelry offerings for the holiday season. Last week my friend John stopped by the store to snap some iphotos of my jewelry in the case and sent these 2 to me. I think it looks great and somehow seeing in pictures makes it more real for me. Today I discovered that they have included a selection of pieces on their website, as well -- making it 100% REAL. I am honored and excited - but must remind myself that this is just the first step. Now people must buy my work from them in order for it to be worth their while ... and to make my business a business. I sure do hope that San Francisco likes me this holiday season.....

This Friday and Saturday is their Member Only Sale - so, if you are in the Bay Area and are members of the museum -- make sure you stop by and check out my work!

chick pick

2009-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Minneapolis Picks included me in their Nov 6th selections today - number 1 under their "chick picks" They contacted me over a week ago, and after being sick for several days (yes, I do believe it could have been the swine flu -- knocked me OUT for over 24 hours) I've been playing catch-up all week (with my son home, too!) and nearly forgot to look for it today. But... there it is - pretty cute.

I'm entering a heads-down period (well, technically I'm also just leaving one) as I make my final preparations for the Jewelry Artist Mart at the Walker Art Center all day on Nov 14th ... AND ... for a holiday window display at Gallery 360 featuring on of our trees and a slew of my ornaments - the opening for the show is the night of Nov 14th -- a FULL day. Please cross your fingers for me, that I can stay healthy. In past years, I have worked myself like a dog until Christmas and then I spend the week until New Years being sick. I'm hoping it is a good sign that I've taken care of the sick-in-bed part already ... now if I could just get rid of the cough.

Local-to-Global 14 November 11-5

2009-10-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

The current issue of the Walker Magazine has designated a full page to a jewelry collage for the upcoming Jewelry Artist Mart on November 14th that I will be taking part in. I am very honored to have two pieces featured in the spread again. The BUNCH necklace in black acrylic and olive leather and the WOOD_STRIPE bracelet in paduak and wenge woods. I love the feeling of the collection they featured. Very different feel from the local mart this May, but still the same high standards when it comes to quality of representation. (photo by Cameron Wittig)

For the record, it is 7pm on Halloween and I am sitting alone in my house with a bowl of candy, waiting for the neighbor kids to ring the door bell. Only the ticking of the clock and my keyboard are keeping me company. My son is out tricking and treating with my husband. while I am inside nursing a cup of hot tea due to cold-symptoms that came on yesteday. YUCK. I think I'll blame it on the rain....even if the sun did shine for a little bit today.

a vision

2009-10-23T14:04:00.001-07:00

It was raining again this morning when I woke-up. I can't remember the last sunny day we've had. I came up from working in the basement around lunch time and the rain had momentarily turned to big, wet snow flakes. It was quite a sight. At this point, I think I'd rather have snow than constant rain mixed with cool temps. Anyway -- the snow inspired me to wear my favorite winter hat when I went out....and after nearly 2 days of getting used to the new pair of (kinda risky) glasses that I ordered online - it was the pairing of the two that solidified it for me = I LOVE my new glasses.

new work

2009-10-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

As promised, I am sharing images of some of the new work that I showed at last weeks trunk show. I have a tendency to draw-out my design process - where I "live with" pieces before revealing them to others. I draw things out to the point that even after a new piece is made and shown to people, I need to see it in a photograph to really know how I feel about it. Probably just helps me step away from the work to see if from a more unbiased perspective - but this also is part of the reason why it takes me a while to post images on my blog. I have to feel ready - to be vulnerable.

That being said - I feel really good about these new pieces. I feel like I've been exaggerating my moves - taking them further, making them bigger, thicker ... more rich in material and statement, while also achieving a classier look - that hopefully has longevity. This first image is of a BUNCH_STONE necklace in paduak wood. And the WOOD_STRIPE bracelets in 11-wide versions below.

I've expanded the BUNCH necklace to the POD forms and I just can't get enough of this new Ivory color with the warm rusty-leather on the neck-band. The ivory BUNCH_POD earrings were the first to sell at the trunk show and the red pair wasn't far behind them! They are super fun, a bit heavier than my other earrings, but still lightweight in comparison to large metal earrings.

I made a smaller version of the BUNCH_POD earrings as wels as a smaller version of the DRAPE earrings (and the POD - not pictured)

And on a simpler note, these RAIN earrings also had a great response. Somehow they seem perfect for fall ... maybe that is simply because we have been having so much rain these days?!?

one picture

2009-10-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

The trunk show at Gallery 360 last Thursday was a lot of fun. I dropped off 2 boxes of jewelry for the show on Wednesday and then just showed-up on Thursday evening to find that Merry had done a wonderful job setting-up the displays. There were 3 featured jewelry artists and we each had a pedestal on wheels that was set-up with a plexi-glass case, hanging rack, "slab" and a mirror - like you see in this ... the ONE picture that I took that night - with my cell phone! (arghh) I realized when I got there that I forgot my camera. The "documentor" in me just about died. Luckily I had at least photographed the work before dropping it off, so I will be sharing some of the newer pieces from the show in the next post. --- My friend, Martha, from Uniform Natural (formerly Uniform Studio) was there all evening and it was so much fun to catch-up with her. My mom and aunt drove down from up north for a day of shopping that ended at the trunk show (thanks for making the treck!) Thanks to everyone who came to the show. I met many lovely women who (if I do say so myself) looked so smashing in my jewelry!

gallery 360 / cards

2009-10-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am honored to have my jewelry (on Phon, in one of Paige's lovely photographs) on the postcard that Gallery 360 sent out for their annual Jewelry Trunk Show where I will be one of 3 featured artists. It is happening this Thursday October 15th from 6-9pm. They've just updated their website today with the details and for any of you not sure how to get there, they also provide directions. They have a great selection of local art & goods - and if you notice, they are offering 20% off everything in the store that day! I would love to see you there!

*I should give a little disclaimer about the image of the card - as I have used my little stamper to round the corners of the card (which is not the way they sent them out) ... because I've been doing some experimenting -with rounding the corners of our existing business & post cards to tie it back to the new detail on our website. During the redesign of our website there was much discussion with my brother, Kai, about whether or not to round the corners of the images on the main page of the site. I felt there was a strong connection back to the floor plan of the airstream - but we also discussed the level of trend associated with a rounded corner. I actually feel that the BIG trend has already passed, which is partially why I felt good about doing it. One shouldn't try to be too cool... (he he) But seriously, I am in love with our new site and the way the collection of images creates a larger pattern and texture. It just isn't the same without the round-ness..... and I like that I am able to tie that little detail into other parts of our 'brand'

kiddie_name_cuff

2009-10-11T16:17:00.001-07:00

My son is always asking me to make him some jewelry. In the past I've just thrown something little together for him to play around in, but now that I am working with wool, I've been throwing around some ideas with him in mind. This is a name bracelet that I made for him. I kept it really basic in order to make it as sturdy as possible since he loves to take it off and put it back on all by himself. I could probably shrink it down even more (with a smaller snap perhaps) to make it even more scaled for his little wrist.
I made a pink one as a gift for a neighbor girl (with her name on it) who just turned 3 and I've been thinking it might be fun to offer these custom KIDDIE_Cuffs exclusively through my etsy shop - so that I can try to bring the price down -(closer to a wholesale price since I wouldn't retail them anywhere else)- and into a more reasonable range for "childware". I could offer them in the same colors that I've selected for the HIVE cuffs. My question is, would anyone buy these? ... and, how much would one pay for such a thing? Maybe they are simply destined to be special gifts for friends.......
Since he was such a good sport to model for me, I tought I'd include a shot of my son in his bat costume. He can't wait to go trick or treating!

two and three....

2009-10-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

While I was working to fill the order for SFMOMA, I was also working on filling my second purchase order for the Grand Rapids Art Museum store in Michigan ... and a third purchase order for the Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota campus. Both have been filled, delivered and received. My theory is that my work belongs in museum shops - all part of the "master plan" I spoke of earlier this year. Now, is the waiting period to see how people in these new markets will respond to my work. I will hold my breath (lightly) and hope for the very best!

milestone

2009-10-08T20:55:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of my first official purchase order. That means that up to this point I have only consigned my work to local shops. Since I was new to the market, it has been a way for them to test out my work to see which pieces will sell better than others, and it is a way for me to get my work into stores that otherwise might not take a gamble on a "newbie" -- but this order marks a milestone for me = a PURCHASE order.

But it is more than that, too, because if you look at the address label, the box was sent out to the SFMOMA museum store - not just any museum shop, but the Museum of Modern Art's in San Francisco, CA. I even held my breath when I typed that! I am super excited! Now let's hope that San Franciscans will like my work.(cross my fingers)

Another thing you will notice resting in a pile on the box are my new wool HIVE cuff and band bracelets. They come in a variety of wool colors and 3 different sizes (the medium and large should fit men, depending on their size.) Both items are now available in my shop here and here. You specify the color and size you want and I'll ship it out to you! They say it is going to snow in Minneapolis this weekend, so this wool cuff can help keep your wrists warm - well, at least one of them!

catalog model profile eight & last

2009-10-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Our last photo shoot was the first shoot that Paige and I had discussed on our second meeting about the project. Our mutual friend, Amanda, seemed only appropriate in hindsight, considering that Paige and I didn't really know each other very well when we first started discussing the project. But the subsequent reasons really stack-up. Amanda is a mother-earth sort of woman. She has a calmness about her that can sooth even the most restless one among us, a perspective that brings her wisdom, a little family that nurtures her as much as she nurtures them, and beauty that resonates beyond face-value. She is a beautiful friend and I still have much to learn about her.
In terms of the catalog, and considering the previous 3 shoots we'd already completed, I suppose I was also thinking that she/the farm represents the part of me/us that yearns to feel connected to the land, to the basics of "organic" food, to the slower pace of life in a rural setting.....whether literally or figuratively: it might also represent the need to feel more connected to the simple things in life. with the economic downturn, I think a lot of us are yearning for that?
Amanda is a farmer. She probably wouldn't call herself one, because she knows farmers, married the son of a real Minnesota farmer and she knows the details of such things much more than I do (despite the fact that my father grew-up on a dairy farm.) But in my eyes she is. She works on a "small" CSA (community supported agriculture) farm just outside Northfield, MN - is part of the planting and growing and harvesting routines. She is like a little red hen, working through every step of making food from seeds. She cooks and cans and freezes just like our grandmothers used to. Before we increased the size of our garden this year, I used to be amazed that she did all of this. Now that I know first hand how much work it is (especially at a larger scale) I am in awe.
So given all this, Paige and I had envisioned photographing her at the farm. The evening we went for the shoot, was the first time I'd been there. I didn't feel overwhelmed like at the Walker shoot, but I definitely was visually-stimulated. It had been overcast and even rainy the entire day which gives the photos an entirely different feel than if it had been full-sun -- almost like you can feel the weight of the air in some of them.
NOT a horse-lover, Amanda was a trooper for feeding the horses! Her son was a sweet pea the entire time and I am so glad that he is in a few shots. I love the connections between the BUNCH necklace with the apple tree, the TABS necklace with the sauna, the DRAPE with the horse, the HIVE with the sunflower. Some of these were intentional, some were discovered after the fact - not sure if we were lucky or maybe just intuitive? Either way, I am happy it happened.
I've said that with each shoot there has been something that is really meaningful, or has personal connections, or pays tribute to something in one of our lives. Well, in these shots (which are perhaps my favorite from the shoot) Amanda is wearing the jean-short of her father-in-law .. the farmer I mentioned earlier - who passed away just a few years ago. she said he would be proud - i hope so.
Thank you, Amanda!

all photos by: Paige DeWees

digital catalog can be downloaded here
printed catalog can be ordered here

catalog model profile seven

2009-09-27T09:44:00.001-07:00

After the Walker shoot, Paige and I were exhausted and a little overwhelmed. We kind of over-stimulated ourselves with the 2-waves of multiple models all packed-in to a few hours. But we learned a lot! We had our last shoot scheduled for 2 weeks later - but as I was driving my son to my mother-in-law's house one morning, I started thinking ... about the progress we had made, the pieces we had shot and those that I needed to make sure to cover in our last shoot. The MATTI pieces were at the top of the list and suddenly I had an idea! Some of you (who've been reading for a while) may remember the history of MATTI necklace : last summer a group of my distant Finnish relatives came to Minnesota and my aunt Marlene asked me to design a piece of jewelry as a gift from their trip and the necklace (& pin) are the results. I named the pieces MATTI after their/my family name on my father's mother's side of the family.
So, as I was driving that morning, it occurred to me that it might be nice to have my 70-year old Aunt model those pieces for me - because she was the one who commissioned me, because she is a Matti descendant, and because I think that she is one of many types of women who (I imagine) wear my jewelry.
When I called to ask her if she would be willing to model, she was hesitant at first - probably for the same reasons I would be hesitant (because of the prescribed standard of "beauty" that we associate with models) - but I hoped she was also honored to be the one wearing the family jewelry in my catalog...and of course she agreed to do it! So, this is Marlene. She is the one in our family who has kept an exceptional record of all of our distant relatives in Finland, as well as kept us all in contact with them.
For the shoot, we decided to keep it very simple. Just Marlene, at her home, with a strict, pre-determined number of pieces (I didn't even bring back-ups to the shoot) ... and I would have to say that it was the smoothest shoot we did of the entire project. We were like a well-oiled machine, we were there for about 2 hours and that included a nice snack after the shoot of banana bread and iced-tea. It felt so good to have it go so well!

The house that you see in the shots is actually the very first house that my father designed - over 30 years ago - for his sister (Marlene) & her husband Ernie (whose hands you see in this shot of the the WOOD bracelets on my wrist) and they still live there today. Somehow, the inclusion of my father's architecture allows me to pay tribute to the role that he has played/continues to play in my design career.

I really could not be happier with the photographs from this shoot. Thank you so much Marlene!

All photos by: Paige DeWees

catalog model profile five & six

2009-09-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

One day last spring, after Paige and I had met a handful of times to define the scope of our project, she called me. "I just did something I NEVER do...." She had been shopping at Target and had noticed 2 women in the shoe department that she described as "stunning" and because she never does this sort of thing, she had to circle the aisle where they were about 5 times before daring to approach them. She told them about our project, said she'd love to have them model for us, but to think about it and call her if they were up for it. There was a glimmer, of that adrenaline-rush that you get from putting yourself out there, present in Paige's voice even over the phone.

One thing led to another and Betsy and her grand-daughter Latilah became our second-round of models at the Walker shoot. I had never met them, but within minutes we were chatting-up a storm, as if I'd known them for years. Betsy told us stories of how the timing of this project fell in line with another recent spot of modeling. Latilah told us about her pregnancy and the baby-name she had picked-out. We laughed a lot and had so much fun!
Paige and I had previously decided that we'd try to change the scenery/feel of the this second shoot, particularly because we were at the same location. We had asked the models to bring a couple changes of clothing, but we ended-up using what they arrived in.

My stomach does flips when I see the Drape earrings in purple-heart wood next to Betsy's soft purple-checked dress.
And when I see her hair paired with the breath-taking concrete work at the Walker (this is the entrance to the underground parking garage) .....
And the rolling topography of my TOPO necklace with Latilah's belly and the rolling green grass.
All of these things are beautiful, subtle connections that we noticed and that Paige translated like magic - but the one thing that she captured, that cannot be mistaken, is the love between these two. The look in Latilah's eyes in this photograph captures the loving energy that bounced back and forth between them the entire time we were together. You can't make that up and often it is even hard to capture ... but there it is. Wow.

catalog model profile four

2009-09-22T20:09:00.001-07:00

This is Connie. Connie was scheduled in the first "wave" of models for the Walker shoot. She is someone that Paige has known for a few years and I met her for the first time at that day. She was full of positive/playful energy and you can see it in the photographs of her. She was ON that day, ready to be a model and I can't thank her enough for that!

I love so many of the photos of her and Mohannad and this one that I chose to print as a postcard for my trunk show preview party invitations and for continued promotion of my work. But, I also love the photos of just her.

Paige had told me that Connie worked as a cashier for Cub Foods in Fridley and so you can imagine my surprise when I walked into the Cub that I frequent (not in Fridley) and found Connie standing there in the Self-Checkout aisle. We made eye contact and it was as if you could see little gears clicking back in our brains to all the times we had seen each other before technically meeting eachother at the photoshoot. Months and months of encounters. (She's seen me with my son, my friends from Finland, my husband...) We have many more meetings to look forward to in the future.

In fact I've just come from visiting her this morning at the store. I went to drop off these temporary business cards that I whipped-up last night for her. She is starting a small box-lunch business and I hear she makes a mean peach-cobbler. I can't wait to try it for myself!

Thank you, Connie!

all photographs by: Paige DeWees

(snapshot of cards by me)

catalog model profile three

2009-09-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is Mohannad. I don't even know where to begin telling you about him. I first met him close to 10 years ago, when he was a roommate of a friend of my sister-in-law. I hadn't seen him for at least 4 years when he came to our house for a bbq on Memorial Day this year. It was a pleasure to see him again - and I had almost forgotten the wonderfully fresh perspective he brings to conversations, the honesty and forth-right nature that he possesses, and the depth of vocabulary and artful mix of words that he uses. I think it comes from the fact that English is not his mother tongue -- in fact he speaks with a British accent because he started learning English at the age of 3 from a tutor in Saudi Arabia who spoke Oxford English. (yes, it all makes sense now!) He was born in Pakistan (moved to Saudi Arabia) and came to Minnesota (Mankato) to go to college and is still here. (I hope I got all of the history right.)

So, he showed up at our house on Memorial Day and was full of stories about an independent film that he was working on. He is a producer and the lead actor in the movie, which completed filming in August and is currently in post-production. But that day, he also could not stop beaming about his new love - this vintage Mercedes. I won't try to tell you about the make/model because it all just went over my head - but he let Souliyahn take it for a spin, and I got to sit in the front seat - and let me just say that it was a lot of fun to cruise down the highway with the windows open. As Mohannad says,"She is a high-performance vehicle" .....

The night of our first photoshoot, Paige, Phon, Souliyahn and I were sitting down to a tasty stew and one thing led to another and I ended-up calling Mohannad to see if he would let us use his car for our next shoot. He said he would love to support me in that way and of course.

So, he arrived to the second shoot (the one with Beverly) right from work (he's a teacher at Dunwoody)and Paige thought that in addition to the car, it would be fun to add Mohannad as model in some of the shots - and I am so glad she did, because I think he brings something entirely fresh to the mix. He is a natural in front of the camera.

I hadn't spoken to Mohannad much after the shoot because I knew that he was in the middle of filming. But I shared some texts with him on a random day off .... and he informed me that he had crashed the car. Yes. This car! He had rear-ended a big truck of some kind and the whole front-end was smashed-up. NO WAY! Can't even imagine it, and I don't have to, because I can look at it fully intact. These photographs are a time capsule of sorts. Lovely timing!

Thank you Mohannad! For the car and for you.

All photos by: Paige DeWees

catalog model profile two

2009-09-18T20:38:00.001-07:00

This is Beverly. I met Beverly after our first shoot with Phon and about a week before our second scheduled shoot. My husband had invited a small group of neighbors to our house for a light dinner before heading over to the grand re-opening of the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis. Beverly and her husband Bill were among the group that came for dinner. I took Beverly on a tour of our garden, we chit-chatted about numerous things before dinner.

That night as I was getting ready for bed, I asked Souliyahn if it would be weird if I asked Beverly if she'd want to model for our project. She had a beautiful energy about her, a wonderful smile, and she carried herself in a way that was wise. He said I should call her. A day or two later we received a thank you note from them and I decided to go for it. She was my neighbor, after all. I got ahold of her right away and she was free and willing! Perfect.

At the (second) photo shoot, we had scheduled multiple models and arranged for them to come in 2 'waves' so that we only took a couple hours of each person's time. I was about to introduce Beverly to one of the other models and before I could get my words out they held their had out to her and said something like "Oh, I have admired your work from afar for quite some time." (I had no idea, but I do now.) A friend of mine who works doing fund-raising for the arts asked me at the trunk show, "How'd you get Beverly Cottman to be your model? She's like Arts Royalty." Perhaps I should be embarrassed that I did not know who she was, or all of the art/work that she has done in her career and in our community - but I'm not. I think this is but one of many magical relevancies that simply happened during this project. In each shoot, and with each person, there is something more than the surface shows. There is meaning and there are ties to something bigger than simply my jewelry. And collectively they tell a story about this place that we live: Minneapolis: Minnesota. It reveals depth - even if I'm the only one who knows all of the connections.

Thank you, Beverly!

all photos by: Paige DeWees

catalog model profile one

2009-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Over the next several posts, I will be featuring some of the people involved in the catalog/book project.
This is Phon - a total city-girl. She works in downtown Minneapolis for a major bank and I can't even wrap my mind around the work that she does. It involves processing/testing projects & data. She is a very social person and loves spending time with friends and family.

Despite being extremely fashionable when it comes to clothes and shoes and hair-dos -- she very rarely wears jewelry (even engagement rings!) I was hoping these photographs might convince her that she SHOULD wear more jewelry, but I'm afraid old habits might die hard. Only time will tell....

Her dog is named Charlie and he behaved (and performed!) so well during this photo shoot that he should get a medal!
I have known Phon for 10 years. She is my husband's sister, my sister-in-law, and god-mother to my son. She lives 1 house down from us and the majority of these photos were taken in/around my backyard, driveway and alley. Thank you, Phon!

More photos can be viewed on our website here and in the digital catalog down-loadable here (11MB).

all photos by: Paige DeWees

post-show post

2009-09-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that the trunk show & catalog release party that I've been preparing for for months is over...not in a longing way, but more in the amazing way that time can pass when there is work to do. I thought I'd share a few snapshots of the way the space was set-up for the show.

The Danish Teak Classics showroom is a huge, gorgeous space in and old factory building. There are columns throughout the space that create order and my little L-shaped space was nestled into 2 of these such-bays. on one end of the L were 2 tables containing my jewelry. It also hung from hooks on the wall. On the other end of the L we set-up a projector showing all the images from the 4 photo shoots that Paige and I completed as a slide show.

when people entered they could also explore our website and look through the physical catalog/book.

Steve, the proprietor of Danish Teak Classics, made a bunch of these gorgeous white wall hooks that housed my jewelry so perfectly. He made a batch of them and I would encourage anyone who is interested in them to contact DTC. --- You can see that I had several BUNCH necklaces for the show - each one of a kind - that sold really well.
I also "unveiled" the WOOD-STRIPE bracelets that I've been working on for a while now. They are yet another refinement upon these original wood-layer bracelets, only they are much thinner which makes them extremely elegant and refined in a way that makes me almost amazed with myself. I started with even stripes (inspired by marimekko t-shirts) and have since been playing around with the composition of the layers & am experimenting with a glossy finish.

an enormous THANK YOU goes out to Danish Teak Classics for hosting me so graciously in their space. Thanks to the lovely family and friends who helped prepare everything. Thank you's also go out to the local press that gave my show a mention: MN Monthly magazine, MSP's SWAG email newsletter, Star Tribune and the Popfizzdaily blog. and of course Paige DeWees, who I've thanked before, but will continue to thank for an amazing collaboration that is hopefully only the start of many more fun projects together.

This trunk show really feels like a launching point - as it marks the start of some BIG things coming my way in the future (will share more soon) and most importantly - an opportunity to really step back and take note of where I am in this jewelry business of mine. I feel that I have gained a new perspective and a fresh and inspired outlook on where I need to go from here. Never before have I felt so hopeful for what the future might bring ... and I know that it is the result of 2 years of continued hard work and persistence, and it will require much more of the same, but I love what I am doing and and that is what makes it so rewarding.

live site

2009-09-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

a big THANK YOU must be extended to my brother KAI SALMELA, graphic designer extraordinaire (who btw designed the hot new Hero typeface for Guitar Hero through his work at pentagram. it is all the buzz in the graphic design world) ... who re-visioned and conceptually re-organized our website -- and of course to Jake Ingman, webmaster extraordinaire who is so tech-savvy that he sometimes makes me feel like frank loyd wright trying to turn on a computer! but it is aaaalll good, because we have a new live site that at once encompasses the broad scope of silvercocoon (architecture to jewelry) and then also has a built-in flexibility that will allow me to grow a jewelry business without having to create a separate website. i could not be happier!

as previously mentioned, a download able PDF version of the catalog/photography book that I've been working on all summer with Paige DeWees is also accessible through the SHOP section. (there is also a link that allows you to print your own from lulu.com )

---When the first sparks of vision for this project started prancing around in my brain back in April, i envisioned a book that was equally a representation of mine and Paige's work. i envisioned a book that could function as a coffee-table photography book and a catalog to represent my jewelry designs simultaneously ... we had extensive conversations about wanting it to speak to our midwestern-ness, to speak of real women of different ages, sizes and colors, and we wanted it to capture and tell the story of lifestyle and simple everyday moments. because our lives are made-up of those simple moments - they are strung together in ways that define us and inspire us and allow us to see time and growth and change. we also talked about weddings (Paige is primarily a wedding photographer) and the notion of "big" or "important" days. i want people to think of my jewelry in everyday terms - as if our every days can become our own special occasions simply by the addition of some jewelry that helps celebrate ourselves on a daily basis. logistically, we tried not to style or stylize things too much. we worked entirely with each woman's (& man's) own wardrobe and relied entirely on the hair and make-up that they showed-up with. we also worked with locations that are a part of my everyday, or the person who was modeling for us: my back yard, the walker art center-minneapolis' backyard, the csa farm where my friend has worked for the past several years, and the very first house that my father designed (before i was even born!) ... all in all, i am proud of what our book is and i hope Paige is too. I am grateful to her for this experience!

Always thinking ahead -- I will begin work on a derived version of this book that gives more specific/detailed information about each piece of jewelry - and that could be printed more cost effectively, allowing me to actually print a decent amount of them to disperse. one step at a time, though... right?

the word is out....

2009-09-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

news of the trunk show that i've been planning is out via the September issue of the regional publication Minnesota Monthly. they gave me a lovely mention in their 'The Look' section. so thankful!

invitations/postcards are out in the mail as well! the trunk show is intended to kick-off the fall with some new work, but also to celebrate the unveiling of our new website (can you stand the suspense until next week?) and perhaps most exciting - to celebrate the new catalog that i've been working on all summer with Paige DeWees. a digital version of the catalog will be unveiled with the website. i cannot wait for you all to see it. i am so grateful to everyone who has been involved and i look forward to sharing a bit about each of them here in the coming weeks.

i have been working some long nights - into the wee hours - preparing for all of these elements to come together. i cannot entirely grasp the joy that comes with things falling into place. but they are and the next week will be one for the books...i hope.

TRUNK SHOW: SATURDAY . 12th September 2009 . 11-5pm . Danish Teak Classics - Northrup King Building

step by step

2009-08-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

one by one, things are falling into place (not without a bunch of effort, though!) the other day, i received a box of postcards that i ordered for the catalog release party. i'm excited - they look great! i'm currently updating my mailing list which has emphasized for me the fact that my list of e-mails is much more extensive than my list of physical addresses -- if you would like me to add you to my list, please send me an email with your information: tia(at)silvercocoon(dot)com (hopefully soon, there will be a little button that you can click on our website that will allow you to do the same thing. until then...send me an email)

seconds ....

2009-08-11T21:42:00.001-07:00

it is late. i should be going to bed. i've been working for hours preparing and laying out images for a website refresh that is planned to coincide with the catalog release and instead of actually going to bed, i felt the crazy need to catch-up on some blogs. i checked today's outfit on the uniform project and was looking back and despite having seen sunday's outfit on sunday - it hadn't registered that she was wearing my THIN bracelets again. for a second i thought my mind just mixed things up (because i should be going to bed!) .. but no. she is indeed wearing them again. (i hope that means that she likes them.)
...... wow. i'm so flattered.

*reminder for the locals: i will be one of 12 presenters (am actually going 2nd) at the 2nd Pecha Kucha Night at The Lab wednesday night. mingling at 7pm - presentations start at 8pm. come - it'll be good for your mind!

the uniform project - 07Aug09

2009-08-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

i received a sweet little email just now from sheena of THE UNIFORM PROJECT telling me that she was wearing my THIN bangles today - and sure enough, there she is! (and isn't she so cute!?!) i originally stumbled upon the project through kat's blog and it essentially is one woman's pledge "to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion" - stemming from her childhood in india, where uniforms were mandated. she worked with a clothing designer & friend Eliza Starbuck to design a dress and then they made 7 of them (indentical) - one for each day of the week. she takes pictures of herself each day and the ways in which she layers and accessories her one dress to create a unique outfit. i was so inspired that i contacted her and eliza to see if i could send them any of my jewelry for use in the project. i sent some over last week and today - august 7th - she is wearing one of my pieces! i am so excited to be a part of such a cool venture! i encourage you to check out her site here.

pecha kucha night MSP

2009-08-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Pecha Kucha Night MSP
Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Mark your calender. - Volume 2 will be taking place at The Lab Theater in downtown Minneapolis, August 12th 7:00pm.

Presentations:
Matt Novak: In the Year 2000: A Brief History of the Future

Tia Keobounpheng: inFORMal Inspiration

Brent Stickels: Died for your Sins

Jim Kakalios: Physics from the Nano to the Neuro

Josh Mattson: Inquiry into Wish Fulfillment

Jerry Allen: 5 Great Ideas & 5 Challenges the world needs to address

Jim Foti: Freeways: Love'em or Hate'em? Yes

Chris Pennington: Burn the Galleries: How to bring art back to the people

Val Cervenka: Invasions from Entomology

Dave Machacek: Steamroller Printing

Taylor Hill: 20 Questions with the UMNSVP

Andy & Jenna Kruger: How to run an indie craft fair in your spare time

flip & tumble

2009-08-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

a year ago, i bought 4 reusable bags by flip & tumble from a local design store. i have always had a weakness for bags (of all kinds) and, at the time, had even been sewing my own reusable bags, as gifts for friends, that were based on a simple clothe grocery bag that i had purchased from a grocery store in finland in 2007. i tell you all of this, because i had no business buying another grocery bag - let alone FOUR of them! but, i loved them. i loved the thoughtfulness of materials, colors and design-details. i loved the cleanly designed product-tag. i loved that they folded into themselves and even more that they became a little round ball. the thing i love the most, however, is the fact that i actually USE them. more than any other reusable bag i own. and mostly for groceries because i always have them with me. (sure, there are little things that i would personally like to see - like offering a version with a longer strap for wearing across my body, or a version with 2 shorter handles for carrying in my hand with my arm straight down.) but i must say that it is a fantastic bag! i'm so tempted to get a new one in a different color to add to the mix.

so, you can imagine my pleasure to find their newest offering. a produce bag - sold in sets of 5. i've often hated the fact that i bring my own bags to the grocery store, but use those plastic produce bags for fruits and veggies (granted i've pretty much stopped buying veggies all together this summer because of our garden) ... and i'm not yet convinced i'll transition to this new habit very quickly. but for only $11 i thought perhaps it is a habit i can attempt. if it doesn't go well, at least i can use the bags for packing other items in my suitcase when i travel.

old makes new

2009-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

these are some linoleum block print-cards that i made so many years ago for the first silvercocoon sale (2001). i still have a stash left and they've recently made the perfect 'thank you' cards.

point of no return

2009-07-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

i have been refraining from blogging about one of the big projects i'm working on this summer. it is just one phase of a multi-level "action-plan" that i have set-out for myself/my business - but is certainly the most fun & exciting. i've been working with my photographer friend, paige, on a project that will culminate in a new catalog for my jewelry. we have completed three of the four photo-shoots we've committed to. the last one is scheduled for this thursday. we've reached the point of no return, so i figured i could at least talk about it now.

i have never collaborated with someone in this way before. i met paige late last year through a mutual friend and on our 3rd meeting, back in early may, i invited her over for lunch in the airstream to propose working on a project together. i tend to be a bit of a control-freak, so the fact that i initiated handing over such a huge portion of the "vision" for something that will ultimately represent my work, was HUGE. i can't explain why, but i felt compelled and entirely confident in asking Paige to collaborate with me and i have come to trust her, admire her and am quite in awe of her ability to pull magic into the frame of her lens.

i think that we both have grown and learned an immense amount in the past months. there are many decisions that we've made (or not made) that have molded the scope & content of the work and with each shoot we have mastered a new element. i have to say that i could not be happier with the work that we have produced so far. i cannot wait to share it with you, but really want to wait to share the complete project -- as a complete vision... (for those in the minneapolis/st. paul area, put september 12th on your calendars! i'll be having a trunk show & catalog release party at Danish Teak Classics in the Northrup King Building from 11-5 that day!)

options_preferences

2009-07-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

this is a new necklace i've been working to coordinate with the DRAPE earrings, but i'm trying to decide which connection i like better. simple jump-ring or hand-stitched leather... which do you prefer? i've love to hear your opinion!

inspiration/confirmation

2009-07-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

this week i had a couple great conversations with my friend paige about inspiration & in particular, the act of drawing inspiration from outside sources. i find myself going in waves, like seasons, of looking outward - almost searching for a collective read on what "everyone else" is doing. and then there are times (like now, when i am knee deep in a big project) when i need to minimize my exposure to "everyone else" because it clouds my judgement or impedes upon my own clarity of vision for what i am working on. it is during these times that signs of confirmation reveal themselves and i find connections to things i've already done. i begin to recognize my work in the context of a bigger picture - a larger pool of ideas that transfer through all of us. i really believe that the same ideas are revisited, reworked, renewed throughout the world and they have been throughout time... ideas that help define us, reflect us, and help us relate to each other.

i have been inspired by maya lin's work for many years, and this morning i opened the july issue of Architectural Record and discovered her third Wavefield. the image immediately resonated with me, as if i was looking inside my own brain at my own vision of a contrived landscape = contrived topography ... the TOPO around your neck or hanging on your arm. this Wavefield project (particularly in contrast to the first and second wavefields which exist in rigidly-defined environments) is fantastic and involved and much more complicated than a bracelet. but i also feel that there is an underlying thread - like wearing a necklace or bracelet could make one feel more connected to nature and constructing a natural environment allows one to really see (and thus feel more connected to) its environment that naturally exists.

the video (below) that architectural record features on the project contains some great still-shots of the rolling hills in the context of the natural rolling hills and is essentially a video version of the article that is printed. this video by The New York Times is a nice bit about maya herself. there is much that i admire about her and her work, but perhaps the thing i relate to most is that she works in different scales and scopes - within one project/thought process as well as between the larger worlds of architecture and art. and i love that she says it is hard to exist between the two. "making architecture is like writing a novel. making a work of art is like writing a poem."

(horo) SCOPE

2009-06-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

i'm not one who really follows my horoscope. i might look at it a few times in an entire year -- but this one from a couple weeks ago was so appropriate and timely that i cut it out and stuck it to my fridge.

i have, for a while now, been trying to come to terms with my work in the larger scope of the market.... of jewelry, modern jewelry and particularly laser-cut jewelry. ponoko included me in a list of 40 designers making laser-cut jewelry (scroll to S to find me) and i haven't even used their services. (thank you, ponoko!) i've known about them for some time now, however and it really has made me consider what makes my work unique, when the fabrication-process is so accessible to anyone. more so, this horoscope has me considering what makes my *talent* unique. i think it is more than the fact that i use a laser-cutter. sure, i can say that i execute every step of my process - i man the machine. on one hand this fact reveals a certain level of knowledge, skill and involvement in my work. i'm not just ordering it from a chef in some far-off place. but it also affects the price-tag, because my time costs more. and this is certainly something i am contemplating.

"a lot of people do what you do, but it's not the same" as ponoko's list shows, there are at least 40 people doing what i do. it doesn't take into account the numerous etsy-ans with shops selling their goods at prices that would never survive a wholesale/retail world. "but it is not enough to be different. Understand why you are different and hone that aspect of your talent." this is what i have been doing - even before stumbling upon my aries-message-of-the-day. i recognize that experiences mold people and people mold their visions. after 2 years of lucky-opportunities and trying the things that it seemed i should - i am challenging myself to do the things that seemed the most obvious, that made the most sense ... that could actually equate to a living (not a hobby) that i haven't yet done.

so, i have set a master-plan in action for this summer. with the help of my oldest brother and my youngest brother, a lovely new friend/photographer, a selection of lovely women, a long list and some good old sweat and visual-brain power -- i am hoping to set myself afloat by the end of this year. i am focused - even to the point of saying no to fun projects with friends. i am focused, challenged and ready to hone my talent. i look forward to sharing some of these things as they unfold - alas it is a bit too early at this point. but i will ask you this... if there is a museum, design or gift shop in your part of the country/world that might seem like a good fit with my work, i would love to hear about them and greatly appreciate the recommendation!

ADequate

2009-06-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

this random snap-shot of my son (wearing one of his .silvercocoon. t-shirts) taken with my phone-camera is so cute that it has my head spinning with ideas for marketing ... not too dissimilar from a project that i am currently working on. (more on that later)

a collection of ... things

2009-06-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

yesterday i dropped off, among other things, a batch of summer-y colored earrings at the WALKER. (just in time for the hot summer weather!) new DRAPE earrings and THIN bracelets were in the mix.

this morning i met kelly (and her husband) for a quick hand-off of produce bags. wow - way more than i had expected which means i'm stocked-up on ribbon for a good long while. they were such a cute couple and so lovely for collecting them for me. THANK YOU!

this morning i randomly checked-in on souliyahn's little potting shed that made its way onto the house vote last april. (be sure to also check-out the design vote, the room vote, the kitchen vote & the gadget vote) i was happy to find that the thumbs-ups still out-weigh the thumbs-down.

my son has been home most of this week, meaning a lot of juggling for me, but he seems to be going through a change of some sort. isn't that what it means when they become 'fussy' -- even at three and a half? not sure if it is that his finnish-'brother' has returned home, or if he is growing, or if he is simply wanting to be home in his OWN space. but i kind of cave-in when he cries and states he wants to stay home with me instead of going to his grandparents' house. (is that mother's guilt?) he is becoming more independent and is really into making things right now. his drawing abilities have blossomed, revealing his creativity in entirely new ways. this is the mask we made yesterday. he drew it and i helped with the wear- ability-factor.

growing a green ... thumb

2009-06-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

i've never been much of a gardener - much less a/n (urban) farmer, but i married a man with a magic green thumb - one who has managed to keep our (flowering) rosemary plant alive through 2 winters! this year, after some serious contemplation, we expanded our previous garden of pots sitting along our retaining wall to take-up the entire strip of land in front of the airstream. half of me was sad to see some of the minimalist qualities of our yard give way to the half of me that was excited by the idea of designing an affordable garden and growing our own food - organic and "handmade" all the way!

so, we started by building a frame and then digging/rolling-up the grass in the planting beds and using it to fill the walk-ways. we then covered the walkways with landscaping-clothe (to keep the grass from growing back) and then filled them in with gravel. we ordered a truck full of 4-5 yards of black dirt with manure and other 'organic' things.

by the 29th of april we had the main bed done and ready for planting. we also worked to make a third gravel walkway between the new bed and a narrow ground bed from the previous year. on the 3rd of may we planted numerous seeds (radish, carrots, beets, golden beets, kale, spinach & brussel-sprouts) and a few starter plants (broccoli, peppers, celery, tomato and dill plants) as well as transplanted lettuce, arugula, basil, green onion & tomato starters that souliyahn had started from seeds back in march/april.

you can see (click on image to view larger) how much the garden has transformed in the first month. from empty beds of earth to food that is ready to be eaten already! we had our first meal from the garden on june 2nd: tuna salad on a bed of baby greens & cilantro with radishes. so fresh, tasty and ...... gratifying!

2009 will the year that i can say my thumb turned a lovely shade of green. i cherish my early morning time to exercise and garden before the boys awake. it is easier to grow food than i used to think...it has taken baby steps each year for this big garden to not be so daunting. i must also say a word or two about radishes.....they are so easy to grow! they sprouted first, could almost entirely be harvested already .... but i must ask ... anybody have creative ideas/recipes for radishes????

deeper ideas & on going investigations

2009-06-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

i tend to be creative in one of two ways. i have spurts of inspiration that result in a breadth of ideas and designs -or- i find inspiration by exploring deeper into one design or line of thinking. these THIN bracelets are derived from the TOPO bracelets - three individual bracelets forming one collective piece that creates space & volume that changes based on the way they fall around one's wrist. but thinner for comfort when working at a computer or writing a letter ;)

also inspired by the TOPO bracelet/s are some new wood versions that incorporate layering and more extensive hand finishing. this 3 layer bracelet is solid basswood.

these 5 layer bracelets accentuate the layer/ply effect and are made of solid basswood, walnut and purple heart. i've removed the dark-burned laser-cut edge by sanding them smooth which gives them an entirely different look and feel (to the touch)

the round 5-layer version is the most exciting derivation, where the topographical effect is found inside the bracelet like a secret gem not noticed by everyone. i'm currently exploring these methods and ideas even further...

i've also been considering and exploring the idea of VOLUME within a flat structure/frame. these sketches are from mid-january as i began brainstorming for the voltage show. while many of my original ideas from that time were scrapped in order to better compliment arwyn birch's collection, the sketch below made it into the show in the form of prototypes.

even with this simple concept, there are a myriad of decisions and options to consider. for this prototype piece, i used a thicker satin-y fabric as the volumetric portion. i hand stitched the fabric into a tube and then hand stitched it on each end to the acrylic frames. i added 2 additional layers of acrylic on each end to balance the proportions and to conceal some of the stitching so that it wasn't the first visual impression, without entirely covering it up.

the earrings that i paired with the bracelet were different than i originally conceived, but turned out to be quite powerful on the runway - looking almost like lanterns. ----

there are many details that i am working through on this set and i am trying to find the balance between precise-cut components and the organically driven, exhaustive hand-work that ties the rigid with the fluid. i find this both challenging - and rewarding...

bottom right photo by promotion house

new earrings

2009-05-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

these are the new earrings that i 'debuted' at the Walker sale. -- they come in 2 sizes...

...in black, red, orange, yellow & ivory...

and in a variety of woods including a new species: purpleheart that i am trying for the first time (upper left)

always concerned with the delicacy of cut-material and brittle-ness of certain woods - i've also tried layering 2 woods.

layering the materials makes the earrings thicker and a little more substantial. but the best part is that they are 'reversible' -- the smaller pair show here is walnut on one side and basswood on the other.

right now i am calling them the DRAPE earring (if you have any better ideas for their name, i'm open to suggestions!)

walker:display

2009-05-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

i can't believe it has taken me over a week to post these pictures from the Walker Jewelry Mart! now that the weather is sooo lovely (and we've expanded our vegetable garden by 200%) i'm finding it harder to carve time away to blog --- (i will try harder, though, because the act of blogging helps me feel more grounded in what i've done and need to do)

the Walker Jewelry Artist Mart was a lot of fun this year. it was held in the Cargill Lounge for the first time, and i must say that i liked that space better than the skyline room because it sits between the entrances to two main galleries and it attracted gallery-goers who might not have otherwise found us upstairs. the energy was great and the place was full of people all day long! the added offerings (there were approx. 8 more artists than in previous sales) seemed to bring in more people instead of more competition which was fantastic for me! i had a great day - thanks to all of you who came out to look as well as those who purchased from me. i am happy to report that i sold out of the new BUNCH necklaces !!

i "spiced-up" my display a little this time: using one of our 3ft. trees to display earrings, adding 2 small image boards on each side of the tree, and displaying pricing on formatted cards that included small drawings of each item to keep information as clear as possible. -- i hate having to price each individual piece because tags distract so much from the work itself. it probably didn't save me any time, when all was said and done, but that's OK. i like the way that it looked.

recent press discoveries

2009-05-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

we have received a smattering of exciting press mentions in the last couple weeks. an image of my HIVE brooch was included in vita.mn's mention of the Walker Jewelry Mart as well as in a beautiful print-piece from the Walker that my sister-in-law (in duluth) discovered in her New York Times 2 saturdays ago!

my HIVE necklace was included on designmilk.com as part of her guest-curator role on etsy.com! she was asked to pick 15 things to feature that she felt were "inspiring, different, and brave" {i like her even more because she used a comma after different! -- something that i do but others have debated me on...}

i was also pictured with karin jacobson and adrienne grahn in the "face time" section of the start tribune on may3rd for the voltage show. i've always wondered who those people are and now i can say i was one of them!

and i finally got my hands on a bona-fide hard copy of Nordic Reach magazine - expecting to see the same picture from their web-version of my article .... and to my utter surprise, there i was - a full page of me, frizzy-haired, holding my marimekko umbrella in front of the Spoon and (old) Cherry! the article Finnish by Osmosis, is probably my favorite to date. it really touches on my roots both culturally and in terms of the roots my parents gave me.... as a mother, i now recognize how easily a child can be influenced and how hard it can be do a good a job of it.

on the architectural/interior design side of things, we've also been included in Metro magazine as one of 3 firms to watch for (nice!) and my son Silo's room is featured in the Roomology section of Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine. both of these are in the current, MAY, issues of each respective magazine.

we've updated the press section of our website. use the little arrows on the bottom left corner to navigate and if there is an article you want to read, click on the little PDF below the appropriate image and the article should be legible in the larger format.

saturday 11-5 at the WALKER Art Center

2009-05-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

re-new ribbon

2009-05-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

i've been putting these ribbons around my gift boxes when i send them out to customers -(i've also been known to wrap 1 or 2 baby gifts with them too!)- they are made from the bags that my fruit and veggies ... and other food items come in. i love the structure of it, its screen-quality, as well as the variety of colors and textures that it comes in. if you're going to throw-away your own bags like this and would be willing, instead, to collect and send them to me, i would gladly repay you with jewelry ;)

hand.craft

2009-05-06T14:27:00.001-07:00

i will have a few TOPO bracelets in wood at the Walker Mart this saturday. i've been exploring and experimenting with layers, as well as introducing more "handwork" in the finishing details of these bracelets - creating a richness that i am excited to explore further.

...i've also revisited the CHAIN necklace and introduced "handwork" into its connections as well - using leather as chain instead of the metal rings in the previous rendition. the leather turns it into a more casual piece that can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt - where i envision the original version on a woman entering the guthrie or ordway theaters.

derivatives, variations : derivations

2009-05-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

when i was first asked to be a part of VOLTAGE, my mind started racing with ideas of new things: new forms, materials, and even processes. i have several pages of sketches that are complete departures from what i have been doing the past 2 years and i was pretty psyched. however, i was *technically* asked to design pieces for another designer's collection, and when i started getting images of the actual pieces and certain details end-up being different than my interpretation of early sketches, i paused and took a step back. if it was a fashion show only about my accessories, i would have blown full speed ahead, but Arwyn Birch's collection was bold in a way that required me to boldly contrast, while also quietly complimenting her. i started revisiting my exisiting work, looking for opportunities to exaggerate it for the runway while also fitting each individual outfit.

these hollow and solid BUNCH necklaces are an example of the derivations from my original designs (example below). in addition to a larger bunch of rings, and their orientation, i used leather strips for the neck pieces and hand-stitched them. (one of the processes i had been trying to incorporate) and in the wood necklace, i oxidized (using eggs) the sterling silver to reduce the contrast between the wood and the metal.

i also found it very helpful to create these visual collages for each outfit -(similar to the types of collages i do for interior design projects)- so that once an outfit was complete, i could free up some of the visual memory in my head .... seeing it "complete" helped me let go and stop thinking about it while i was cooking dinner or doing laundry, and allowed me to instead think about the outfits that weren't done. it also worked out well to print them out and put them on the boxes (shown earlier) to keep things organized backstage at the show.

i plan to have a few of these at the Walker Jewelry Mart this saturday... along with some other new(er) stuff that i will share in my next post.

photos by ROD HASSE of Promotion House

2009-04-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

www.promotionhouse.com

my photos (i told you there were BAD)

2009-04-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

VOLTAGE...the setting

2009-04-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

i have now completed 2 fashion shows in my career. in some ways i feel like a fish out of water and when i feel even the slightest bit uncertain of myself, i tend to over-do things... particularly when it comes to preparations. (this is something that i get from my mother) this is the box that i dropped off at first ave before the show last friday. as i mentioned before, i simply had to hand off my work and the stylist would do the rest. of course i needed to make sure they knew my intentions, so i included an image of the outfit & jewelry on each box ... control-freak? maybe a little...

it was fun to see the pre-show preparations and the empty venue. i had never been to a voltage show before, so i didn't know exactly what to expect. i particularly enjoyed seeing glimpses of the way the operation was organized. hair and make-up stations were busy preparing model after model. each clothing designer was given a specific hair style and all 10 models were styled the same way. arwyn's models had their hair down, with a braided band of hair right at their hair-line and then a hat. ivan idland's models had these black ribbons that wrapped their heads, emily weich's models had netting for headbands, amanda christine's models' hair was ratted and adorned with colorful flowers ... on and on and very cool!

the show started at 9pm and it (essentially) ran in 30 minute segments. one band would play an average of 4 songs: the models for one designer would start walking at the start of the second song. there would be a brief dimming of the lights between the first and second designers and then the second designer's models would walk. by the time the band was on their last song, all of the models would make their final walk followed by the designer. then the band would come out and walk the runway with the designer who outfitted them. there would be a short intermission (with house music playing to keep the energy up) and then the next band would start and the system would start all over again. this process was repeated at total of 5 times that night. pretty cool concept and very fun ... the place was PACKED!
when each person entered, they received their very own look book for/from the 2009 show that featured each band & band designer and each clothing designer first in a "group" photo on the first page and then again on their individual pages. at the back of the book, there were photos of all of the voltage committee, the stylists, the design panel and web design & development team as well as a list of local shops where items & music could be purchased. it is meant to be a resource for local fashion & music and something that you save...

this is arwyn's page and an example of the spread that each designer was given: huge name, a photo, bio, website and a professional fashion photo that was taken months ago (which was fun to be a part of.) my name & website is listed on the page under jewelry. i love the way my jewelry reads in the photo!

right when the doors opened, my friends and i parked ourselves at the end of the runway - and were able to sit on a half wall next to the ramp that leads to the main floor. the perfect place, right? above the main floor just enough to see over the sea of heads, a place to sit so our feet don't ache and an aisle next to us to keep us from getting crowded-in..... it was a great place to be - until this tall, broad-shouldered guy - with a hat on his big head came and stood right in front of us! no kidding. i have Z.E.R.O good pictures from the show ... thank goodness i met a photographer nearby who did take some good shots - so that i can share them with you in my next posts!

back in the sPRing of things...

2009-04-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

i will be the first to admit that i've been in a rut since the new year. teaching threw my schedule (and my perfectionist-brain) into a tizzy, our housemates' newborn baby has my mind thinking about my own family, and quite frankly the economy has had me questioning what i'm doing. silvercocoon was founded in the spring of 2001 as a venue for me to sell the things that i make (i've always made things) but after september 11th, i went out and got a job and chalked the two 10-artist-sales that i organized as a hobby. i'll admit i have recently considered looking for more stable work, but i figure i should instead look for the lesson in having taken that route once before....i gained valuable retail & design experience and product knowledge during my years at redlurered and IKEA. taking that route then was the right decision at that time in my life. but i feel now that i am in a different place in my life as well as in my "making of things" i recognize that what i am doing now is essentially what i have been working towards my whole life and i owe it to myself to try to get it right. ..... perhaps i shouldn't always be so hard on myself. it is normal to be cyclical, like the seasons, like the grass that has transformed our yard to green again. rest is as important as action - if only so that we can recognize the difference....

these are the things that have been racing through my brain lately (you understand why i have been holding my blogging-tongue)

so, the VOLTAGE fashion show is tomorrow night. i'm excited that is has finally arrived...am thrilled that i'll be able to watch the show this time, and i cannot wait to finally be able to post images of the pieces that i've been developing for the past months. i see now that the creative process saved me yet again, pulling me out of my fears of failure and back into the joy of discovery: sketching new ideas, testing new techniques and materials, pushing and pulling to transform old into new, like the grass. i'm excited to share and will begin posting next week about them, so tay tuned....

"green" grass for easter

2009-04-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

my son's easter basket

acrylic brooches

2009-04-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

i'm now able to make {colorful} acrylic brooches to compliment the wood versions i've been making since last fall. i've been sporting this one on my black "puffy vest" .... an attempt to coax warmer (spring) weather back into our region. i am so thankful for the SUN the last two days -- it's a good start.....

creating a meal

2009-04-02T09:39:00.001-07:00

it is telling of the excitement in our house these days - that it has taken one week for me to get around to blogging about this little dinner that i hosted for the "IKEA girls" {a small group of us, who worked together at IKEA have continued to keep in touch via a monthly dinner that we take turns hosting} i haven't hosted since our house-mates arrived from finland last august, and given the fact that one of my house-mates was 9 months pregnant on the night i was to host, i took the opportunity to host the dinner in the airstream this time. it turned out to be a cold day, despite glimpses of spring weather prior, so i cranked-up the space heater, cleaned the place up (from a previous "boys night") and did about 15 minutes worth of decorating. wish i would have had time to get some FRESH flowers.....

i kept the menu simple - considering the fact that the food needed to be transported (through the cold air) from the house to the camper, and since i really wanted to host the party exclusively in the airstream, i focused on food that could be made relatively in advance. i whipped-up (no recipe) a SPRING ROLL salad: made with vermicilli-rice noodles, sliced romain lettuce, bean sprouts and julianed carrots, cucumbers and red peppers. i made a simple dressing with vinegar, oil, soy sauce & sugar and topped with freshly roasted/crushed peanuts. and FRIED RICE: i started with fresh garlic and onions in some grapeseed oil, then added some diced sausage and let it cook-up before adding already-cooked jasmine rice to the pan. i then drizzled/squirted a good amount of soy sauce (not enough to make the rice brown, though!) and a bit of fish sauce and stirred to mix throughly, before making a hole in the middle of the rice so that i could see the bottom of the pan. i then cracked 2 eggs into that hole, added salt to the egg, and began mixing it all up so the egg started to coat the rice. once the egg wass evening mixed, i stirred periodically until i could hear the rice start to "fry" ... this is when i added the vegetables, adding a bit of salt with them so they take on some flavor. i added fresh snap peas, broccoli and red pepper this time, but my fried rice is different every time.

for desert i decided to try a new cookie recipe that my dear friend, meg, forwarded to me from parenting.com -- the SUMO SWEETS won the top prize in their recent cookie bake-off bonaza. they are very different from the types of cookies that i would normally make, but they sure are tasty! (so tasty in fact, i made a second batch the following day for a shower i was going to!) things i learned: i prefer cutting the white sugar down - either by half (1/2 cup), or by adjusting both sugars and doing half white half brown sugar (3/4 cup each). i also didn't use nearly as much of the honey as they say you need and feel that could be cut in half (while maintaining the same amount of wasabi powder). perhaps the most important part is with the bake time - follow their instructions - they look a bit under-cooked at the 8-10 minute mark, but they taste better than if you let them cook until they look more "done" -- if they start to get golden-brown, you've cooked them too long. if you put the honey on immediately, it kind of gets absorbed into the cookie, which is really lovely, but be sure you sprinkle the sesame seeds right away so that they stick to the honey before it gets absorbed. i honey&sprinkled them in batches of 3 instead of doing the whole sheet and going back to sprinkle. i must admit, it felt pretty good to see that mine looked just like the picture they provided. YUM> i highly recommend them!

fashion shows

2009-03-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

last friday i dropped off a small selection of jewelry for my friend martha who was one of the designers featured in the (first ever) fashion show at gallery 360. i wasn't able to stay for the show but was happy that i got to spend about an hour backstage with martha and the models to test out the outfits and jewelry before hand. i recognized 3 of the models from the fall flair show that i did last fall and just being there before the show got me excited about the next fashion show that i'll be a part of: VOLTAGE is dubbed the biggest fashion show of the year in Minneapolis and is held in main room at First Ave as part of minnesota fashion week. 10 runway designers will be featured along with 5 additional designers who will outfit each of the live bands that will be playing during the show. my jewelry will be paired with one of the runway designers and together we will be showcasing 10 individual looks. the people running the show have proven to be quite organized and apparently have taken a more hands-on approach when it comes to styling the show as one larger entity this year. this means that i am going to get to watch the show this time! as fun as it was being backstage at la bodega - i can't wait to see everything come to life with my own eyes!

honestly, i am so new to the fashion world, i hadn't heard of Voltage until last fall .. but needless to say, i am starting to get excited. i wanted to mention this one early because tickets are already on sale here - and from what i hear it is usually packed .. and a lot of fun! if you are planning to attend, let me know and i'll keep an eye out for you!

release....

2009-03-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

i have officially finished teaching my workshop at the University. the final review was on tuesday and i spent about 18 hours grading and giving what ended-up being lengthy comments to each of my 20 students before the last day of class on thursday. it might be obvious from the lack of activity on this blog, how consuming this teaching-process has been for me. but the sure-fire sign is the fact that i started getting sick on wednesday morning - release of pressure after the review? most certainly!

i have touched on this subject earlier on this blog, but because this was my first time teaching, i found myself over-analyzing every little thing. wondering if my intentions for each exercise worked out as i had envisioned. were my students learning anything? when designing the workshop, there were a couple broad notions that i wanted my assignments to provoke and that i wanted my students to take away:

1) i wanted them to have the experience of working through the design process - to have gone through the basic steps so that they could have a point of reference for learning about the tools that work well for them, the steps of the process that could have informed them better, and simply a means for approaching a new project with some insight into themselves.

2) i wanted them to become conscious of the power of editing and consistency in the presentation of their work -- considering the idea of marketing and how the notion of product could be extended beyond a physical object; considering their ideas or even themselves as products.

3) i wanted to instill a practice of allowing time for documentation ... i set a standard format for all of my assignment sheets and used the same standard format (in print and digitally) as the required outcome for all of the exercises leading up to the final project. the last assignment was for them to compile the work they had generated into a 'folio' of sorts - that was mostly about record-keeping for themselves. part of this allotment of time included intentionally scheduling the review for the 2nd to the last day of class so that the last day of class could function as a recap - an opportunity to talk about how they felt the review went and for me to hand back grades.

the recap day (hopefully) allowed my students to put the final review into perspective. as hard as it can be to get students to converse in a class this size, we had a good discussion about the positive and frustrating feelings that came out of presenting their work to guest jurors who viewed it and critiqued it with fresh eyes and professional perspectives. the recap allowed me to share with them the lessons that i felt they should be taking away from both the review and the workshop - and it also evolved into a mini re-view where they gave me feedback on the workshop itself. they all filled out anonymous course evaluations, which i am sure i will see at some point in time ... but honestly the discussion was the very best closure i ever could have asked for. (that and the handful of students who came and thanked me before they left.) i felt, finally, that i could look objectively at the course and see the opportunities for tweaking, but more importantly (for my sanity) to acknowledge its many successes. {s i g h} now i just need to get over this sickness...

custom_brain_work

2009-02-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

this is a custom piece that i made for a woman in nevada whose business is all about brains. i had conceived of the piece in a similar way to other two-layer pieces i have done, but the intricacy of the brain's detail was too fragile for it to be a practical piece of jewelry.

i ended-up doing an in-lay (sort of) version that incorporated the "waste" of one piece into the top layer of the original design. it is was a simple move, but one that resulted from the making step of my design process.

sometimes i feel like i am moving in slow motion. that my designs develop through a series of drawn-out steps - from mental pondering, to sketching, to thinking in-scale via autocad, to testing it out my making/cutting, and then tweaking and retesting based on the results - discovering different tidbits with each step. (i am fortunate that i can be hands-on with the laser-cutter, because i learn a lot through the act of cutting my own pieces.) perhaps my process is more drawn-out because i am juggling multiple things and my making simply needs to flex with my schedule. however, i've always maintained that design takes time - whether jewelry or interior design or architecture - some solutions just take time to arrive.

i've been thinking a lot about the design process and the importance of having a variety of ways to 'test' ones ideas. my students are in thick of developing their design projects for the final review that is in about 10 days. i have been meeting with them individually and in groups to review their progress and to help them navigate through the process of developing their ideas and determining the best ways to communicate them. for some the making is a result of a solid idea and for others the idea is solidified through the exploration of making. each of us has our own way and our own collection of tools to discover and express our intentions. it has been invigorating for me to witness 20 different ways, concentrated on a similar problem. learning by teaching and teaching by learning.