Journal
Another day in and around Blind Bliss Jewels Studio
March 14th, 2024
Created by a very talented student in the Lentil Bead Pendant Workshop
Created by a very talented student in the Lentil Bead Pendant Workshop
March 18th, 2023
Lentil Bead Pendant Workshop
Sept. 17th, 2022
What a fun day we had making note card art on Conkling Street. It’s never too late in life to experience an artistic epiphany!
Aug. 20, 2022
Happy couple, Kevin and Sherry modeling their “Safe Leaf “ earrings. They participated in a 2-session workshop at Highlandtown Gallery, where they learned how to make fine silver earrings from leaves that they picked off of a sage plant. Kevin is also wearing a Medusa necklace that I specially made for him.
January 16, 2022
This is one of two single earrings created for a commissioned client. I thought I’d share the process with him and anyone else interested.
December 25, 2021
Last weekend’s pop-up trunk show at the Highlandtown Gallery in Baltimore.
October 21, 2021
All of my black velvet necklace busts which I use to display some of my necklaces in the studio are needed in the gallery for the holidays. In the interim, this torso will have to be shared by all of the other “homeless” necklaces in the studio. I hope they play well together.
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
So, the gears in my head are turning and I’m wondering how else I can incorporate the inks with my silver jewelry and another idea comes to my head. So as a test, I painted the textured surface of fired fine silver metal clay with the same cobalt blue ink. The ink did not bead up. It just dried evenly on the surface. I then polished off the raised areas of the surface. This is the result. I think it looks pretty cool, but will need to seal the ink on, in case they somehow come in contact with alcohol. The ink would run off and that would be a disaster. I have several sealant solutions here, Some are meant for ink and some for jewelry. I just have to run some tests. My workspace will be going from studio to lab.
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Now that I have my kiln functioning again, it’s time to pick up where I left off with the jewelry. Since I spent all of last week playing with alcohol inks, it was only natural to have the inks influence my work. These earrings are embellished with Rutilated Quartz cabochons contains naturally occurring strands of Rutile. Normally, these strands are not very obvious from a distance when the backs are just plain silver, but ink the silver underneath the stone with cobalt blue and tada! The gold colored strands shine through!
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
So, fast forward to February 3rd. I started the New Year off with the realization that my kiln was firing 20º too hot. This resulted in burned and/or melted stones and gems. I was not a happy camper. My kiln is 9 years old and has always been trusted. I sent the mother board panel to the manufacturer, Paragon, where it was diagnosed and repaired at no charge. What sweet music that was to my ears! In the interim, while waiting for the diagnosis, I decided to give alcohol ink painting a try. I have nothing great to show, as I am still a newbie, but here’s a couple of trials on ceramic tiles.
DECEMBER 18, 2020
Getting a few holiday gifts together. Some are for the shop. Here we have a couple pairs of labradorite earrings and a funky microcell pendant with a sapphire nano gem. All are made from fine silver metal clay. The necklace has a magnetic clasp which is a complete game changer to wear. No more procrastinating whether its worth it to put the necklace on or to take it off. Once you try it, you’ll never go back. Just saying…
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Straying from my usual work with precious metals, I challenged myself to create a number of Alice in Wonderland themed charm bracelets for my daughter’s baby shower. All charms were purchased accept for the resin charms that I made myself. The bracelets will be tucked away in a beautiful gift bag along with other items for each attendee. Pinterest…”eat your heart out”.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
It’s been a challenge trying not to let the state of the world hold me back with my studio productions. In trying to bring a sense of joy, I created these two floral rings. Both are sterling silver. One of them spins!
AUGUST 5, 2020
I made this beautiful seven strand necklace for myself, several years ago. I created it to wear with an evening gown for a special occasion. I wore it (once) and put it up for sale. It sat in the display case for way too long. Time to reincarnate. Six of the seven strands are now available by the piece. These individual necklaces are less lofty and easier to wear. See below.
JANUARY 29, 2020
How lucky was I to happen to be on the beach in Barcelona last week just as it was reopened after the largest storm in 30 years. These stones were a birthday gift from the Mediterranean Sea! Gracias Madre Naturaleza.
DECEMBER 23, 2019
These three tiny pieces were created as a test. I wanted to see what I can fire without the use of a kiln. I will be traveling to Marbella, Spain to visit a friend. I’ve been telling her about my metal clay passion for years. Now I can finally show her. But, wait…she doesn’t have a kiln. How can I show her the magic of metal clay without a kiln? The answer was right in front of me all along. All I had to do was get off my high horse and explore the basics. When I first began using metal clay, I had a kiln. I never had to learn the crude art of torch firing. Another electronic device that I had from the start, was an electronic tumbling machine, therefore, never having to hand burnish the silver. Oh, and liquid (gel) liver of sulfur, as opposed to the crude rock form. Since my friend, in Spain already owns a creme brûlée torch, we will be in business! Packing the bare minimum, as my destinations will take me to some exotic places, where hopefully, I can learn some Moroccan jewelry skills. By the way…these pieces tiny pieces range from 5 to 12mms.
OCTOBER 9, 2019
This piece was created by covering two crab’s leg shells with silver and then embellishing with starfish, octopus tentacles and other sea creatures with molten glass oozing out from underneath. Too heavy for earrings, but looks great as the weighted ends of this hand dyed silk ribbon. Can be worn two different ways!
JUlY 31, 2019
Learn how to create a simple prop box to photograph your wire earrings with this tutorial.
JUNE 30, 2019
While I am still creating jewelry and offering workshops, I have been delving deep into the photography end of the jewelry making art. This is my current photography studio area. I finally have the lighting worked out. All images are automaticaly sent to my computer, where they are transformed for the better and ready for internet distribution.
JUNE 8, 2019
This time of year, inspiration is all around.
JUNE 8, 2019
Doing some experimenting with painted cabs. When I am finished with my experiments, I will incorporated them onto some silver pieces. The smaller pairs will most likely be used in earrings.
JUNE 8, 2019
It kills me to see other jewelry artists put everything into their magnificent pieces and then, without realizing, taking a crappy picture and posting it online. Unprofessional images need some TLC. A decent camera or cell phone image should be edited prior to posting. Why go thru the trouble of creating beautiful art and putting it online, if the image isn’t doing it justice. I have now added jewelry image editing to blindblissjewels.com on the services page, where I am building a portfolio gallery of before and after images. Check it out at https://www.blindblissjewels.com/services-1.
MAY 3, 2019
Just had to start using some of those great gemstones that I got at the last gem show. This one is a Bumblebee jasper. which vibrates with both the sacral and solar plexus chakras to give you a real zest for life. Connecting with its energy helps you embrace a more positive disposition and have confidence in all that you are doing. The bumble bee jasper properties remove any blocked energy within these chakras to bring forth your creative talents and increase your motivation and willpower. It helps you to manifest your highest good.
MAY 3, 2019
I made these fine silver earrings using a silicone texture that I made from a garden leaf. I then used a teardrop template for the form shape. After altering the silver color with liver of sulfur and polishing toff the raised areas, I hung a beautiful apatite briolette bead from a sterling bead in front of each earring. Those who know me, know that Imam a sucker for that beautiful teal color!
MAY 3, 2019
These earrings were made using Aura 22 painted on gold (3 layers) over fine silver. The texture for the earrings was an experiment with a new technique, that I invented, but probably was one of many pioneers who figured out how to do it without learning about it elsewhere. The world is just too big these days for that level of credit.
MARCH 23, 2019
I just entered these three pendant necklaces in a challenge. I’m hoping to win some great studio supplies, so that the creativity in the studio can live on!
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
What I did on my Winter Vacation…by Jayne Roth. Well first I organized all of my computer files. BOOORING (but way overdue)! Then I pulled out a bunch of unfinished projects aka UFOs. Each project was started with good intention, but during execution, ran into either a design or construction snag along the road. This habit was growing and so was the pile of UFOs (and I do mean PILE). Needless to say, that no longer happens. Before construction even begins, I now take the time to plan my projects out, by drawing out the component of each piece in my sketchbook, prior to working with the clay. Though I have poor drawing abilities, these sketches that I am using as a guide are recognizable enough for me to be able to communicate with the other side of my brain when necessary. In addition to the sketches, I also make a notations of detailed instructions and sizes of all three dimensions of each element. These steps are crucial to successful metal clay usage. The silver clay that I use to create my projects dries out and renders itself useless in less than 10 minutes, so there’s no time to dilly dally about what to do next. Don’t worry. It’s not completely useless. It can be rehydrated to a level that’s almost s good as new (but who has the time and patience for that when you’re a the prime of your creative mode?). Not me. Anyway, where was I? I pulled out the pile of UFOs and one by one figured out how to complete them. Here’s one of the results. The big question is, “why didn’t I do this sooner”?
DECEMBER 13, 2018
I am now a member of Alliance For Metal Clay Arts Worldwide
AMCAWhttps://amcaw.org/
Check it out! I’m listed on their international list of instructors. Jayne Roth.
I also serve on the organization’s communications committee as a graphic artist.
DECEMBER 10, 2018
On December 6th thru the 9th, some of my work, along with others, was exhibited and sold at the MICA (Maryland College of Art) Art Market. Our table represented works from jewelry artists affiliated with the Baltimore Jewelry Center. It was a successful show!
DECEMBER 1, 2018
Last weekend’s Holiday Sale at The Baltimore Jewelry Center.
OCTOBER 8, 2018
I scored these beauties at the gem show today. Hopefully the inspiration will kick in soon.
OCTOBER 6, 2018
This fine silver pendant was made from PMC Flex with a 3mm dark blue sapphire nano gem. It was a given as token of appreciation.
OCTOBER 4, 2018
Here is a necklace that I recently made for myself, using PMC Flex Clay that I recycled from dried scraps left over from previous projects. Using a recycled clay is slightly trickier than using fresh product, but close enough, not to be a deterrent. The inset “stone” is made from the same silver as the rest, but has been treated with liver of sulfur to give it a rich color and distinction from the rest of the piece. The pendant is .999 fine silver with a sterling silver chain.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
I recently attended The Metal Clay Artist Symposium in Winston-Salem. That is where I learned to make these four necklaces. They are all made of .999 fine silver, which is of a purer quality than sterling. The one on the left has a Nano embellished sheath that swings to the side to reveal a secret photo (of my cat). The second and third from the left have dichroic glass set into the openings. For the one on the right, I covered the dichroic glass with alcohol ink and then topped it off with resin.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
So, now that I have returned from The Metal Clay Artist Symposium, here are the charms that the other attendees made and traded with me. As you can see, not all are silver. Some are copper or bronze. Metal clays come in a multitude of formulas and the symposium was open to all those that work with metal clay, not only silver artists. What shall I make? Bracelet?...Typical. Necklace?...Possibly, but not necessarily. Earrings?...Charm earrings?...That's crazy!! I like crazy ideas! Hmmm, we'll have to see.
JULY 11, 2018
I’m attending the Metal Clay Artists Symposium at the Sawtooth School for Visual Arts in Winstom-Salem, NC in a couple of weeks. I will be participating in a charm swap some of the other attendees. These images show some the steps in progression, to create the charms. To learn more about the process, go to the workshop page and sign up!
AUGUST 10, 2018
The jewelry cabinet is all set up now. Displayed pieces are available to all workshop students at a discount.
