The Amazing "Facebook"

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I posted in my blog. Talk about been busy and juggling family, my real job, and my artistic passion - jewelry. On top of everything I need to exercise to keep healthy and if you do this you know it takes time and determination to keep an exercise routine.   But I can't complain, I have the energy and drive to do it and I will not change it for anything.

This time I wanted to write about how amazing is the Social Media in the web. I wrote about it before, but it was not until last week that I really grasped the concept and how powerful it is.

On August 15 a company called Paradise Tanning Salons in California posted a picture of one of my art jewelry pieces, "He Listened Necklace". From what I can see they specialize in posting beautiful resort/beaches pictures from all over the world.  This piece was very special because I designed for a contest so I carefully selected all the components and had a story behind it. Well....the responses were amazing, I never imagined the amount of views I got, the complements, the conversations on Etsy, and finally I sold the piece.  I was receiving a lot of conversation requests through my Etsy store about this necklace and I was wondering where was all of this was coming from and it was all because of Facebook! One of the Etsy members told me about it and I really thanked her for letting me know.  It is a strong community out there. 

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope I can keep it up. It is amazing to come back and read about my journey through these pages.  Looking forward to the next years!!!!!

Jewelry Classes

It is official. I am now offering jewelry classes to share my knowledge and love for Jewelry Art.

My first class was Stamping 101. It was a great success and the students and the teacher leaned a lot. My next adventure is going to be Metal Clay 101 for beginners. I'll let you know about that one later...
See some pictures from the class and the projects the students made...I'm so proud of them!

Hope to see you at the next class.

Elizabeth

Steel Wire Jewelry

Brenda Schweder came to the South Florida Jewelry Arts Guild three weeks ago to teach us about making jewelry with steel wire. The look of steel is great and let's not talk about the price. Five pounds of 16g annealed steel wire at Home Depot costs only $ 5.98 (they called it Rebar Wire - don't try to be fancy and ask for Steel Wire..lol).

Steel Wire is hard (similar to bronze), you have to have a good breakfast before taking that class. You feel very creative because you are not worried about the cost. I was the brave one of the class and I tumble my first pieces when I got home. It was a success. The steel shoots were happy with their "brother" and I just clean them very well after I finish. Once tumbled, I seal the pieces with a museum quality wax to avoid rusting.

Some jewelry pieces made during the class:



Brenda made this cage using my Roman Glass...gorgeous...

I loved the class. We asked Brenda to show us how to make everything that she brought. She is very generous and we had a great time.

Even tough I love the look of steel (similar to oxidized silver), I am hesitant about selling steel wire jewelry to the general public. I may experiment with some pieces and will let you know how it goes.

What I took from this class in addition to practice my wire skills is the appreciation for Calder Jewelry and his style. Brenda did a great job with some of her Calder inspired pieces and that motivated me to read about this great artist. I went home and bought a Calder Jewelry Book. It was very hard to find but I got a hold of one copy at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

I hope you enjoy the posting and maybe want to play a little bit with steel wire...hey is cheap!

Summer Sale

It's that time of the year again where everything is on sale at Elizabeth's Store. In order to reduce inventory I am selling most of my jewelry at 50% off. YES 50%.... Who says is too early for "one of a kind jewelry" holiday shopping?

Aquamarine, Larimar, Copper and Silver charm bracelet

Before $75...now $37.50

I have most of the pieces at my Etsy store, but if you are local you can give me a call or e-mail me and the house will be open for you. If buying from the store use the coupon code SUMMER50 at check out.

Polka Dot Ceramic Heart Necklace (Pendant from Jennifer Haynen)

Before $40...now $20

Hope you will enjoy the sale while it last and thanks for your support!!!

Metal Clay World Conference

At the last minute I decided to join Bernadette Denoux and go to the MCWC in Bloomingdale, IL(just 30 minutes from Chicago). I really enjoyed the conference and the presentations, but the best experience was to meet these great artists that you read about all the time and see their art published.

My favorite part of the conference was the charm exchange. Everyone that wanted to participate in the exchange made as many charms as they could (of course in metal clay) and exchange them with their business cards. What a nice way to remember everyone.

I also participated in the Mystery Bag Challenge. You have to make a piece of art with a mix of "things" and you have to use them all. I decided to go on the safe route and used the "things" as texture or shape for my piece...but that was not very creative... see some of the amazing art that entered the contest... anyway I enjoy the ride and have some ideas for the next conference :)

Mystery Bag Content: brown bag, cocktail umbrella,

Jelly fish, cotton, gauze, cardboard, cereal, and CLAY....

My final piece!
Last but not least, there were talks about an International Metal Clay Guild or Association completely brand neutral. Extreme ideas from the freedom country...no? I'm in favor of it. You will hear more about this in the future, it is still just a thought but with these amazing group of people anything can happen.

Until next time

Elizabeth

Laurie Yoder and Bernadette with me at the final lunch.

Miami Metal Clay Artists participation in the Art Clay Society and International Exhibits

Bead and Button Show

Well it's about time I tell you about the 2011 Bead and Button Show. The Summer started very busy and now I'm trying to catch up.

The show was great as always. I took amazing classes with great teachers. See some of the projects below.

FAUX FLORA RIPPLED BANGLE with Melissa Clabe

COPPER CLAY FUN with Gordon K Uyehara

ETCHED COPPER LOCKET with Richard Salley

COPPER AND SILVER MIXED METAL BRACELET with Katie Baum

PARADE OF EARRINGS with Donna Penoyer

Sorry for the brief post, but hey at least I'm posting :)

Until next time.

Elizabeth

"Lace Surprise" Published!

Every artist want to have their work published for the world to see. We work hard and appreciation of our art is priceless. What I did not know is how exiting it is when it happens. How your heart jumps from all the emotions you are going through, and how rewarded you feel.

When you sell a piece of jewelry that you are proud of, you feel good that someone else appreciate your work and is willing to purchase it and use it. This is a very good feeling but unless you see that person actually wearing your piece, you are left with the memory and a few bucks in your bank account (that will be spent very soon on another creative project).

Seeing your work published is something different. It is out there for the world to see and you feel like all the efforts that you have put on in your art are worth it! That is how I felt when my Lace Surprise Necklace was published by BeadStyle Magazine. What makes my piece special is the way I constructed the links using Wirelace and keeping the form with Ice Resin. That is why it was published in the July edition together with other amazing resin work by famous artists like Susan Lenart Kazmer and Brenda Schweder (Brenda will come to the South Florida Jewelry Arts Guild in the Summer...don't miss her amazing classes).

As if this was not enough, Naomi Fijimoto, Senior Editor of the BeadStyle Magazine, published an article on the magazine website that also shows my necklace.

I don't know when I will come "down", but for now I will enjoy the feeling...

Thanks!!!!!

Elizabeth

See below the magazine pages.

Spring Open House

The Spring Open House was a great success. In addition to my jewelry, we had the collaboration of other artists: Diana Mejia - Healing Bracelets, Mariela Corte-Jewelry Artist, Lola Bellaflores-Flower arrangements, and Denise de Moya - Sugar Art by Denise. As always we had a lot of fun.

Thanks for your support and see you next time.

Cheers!

Elizabeth and Friends

Crystal Chakra Healing

Lately I have been reading about our chakras or energy centers and how an imbalance between them can impact our well-being. The chakras are the areas of the highest density of energy and therefore the easies places to exchange energy with the outside world. Chakras go in a out of balance and alignment naturally, fluctuating with everyday highs and lows.

Do you know that crystals work directly on the chakras to heal us? A balance chakra system allows you to sense the world around you, avoid the unwanted effects of stress, and remain emotionally calm so you can live your life to the full.

For us jewelry artists that work with gemstones this makes perfect sense. Why am I so happy entering a bead store or a bead show? Why I have the need to work with a particular gemstone even though I'm supposed to work on a metal project?

When I was reading the book "The Complete Guide to Crystal Chakra Healing" by Philip Permutt I got the idea of creating a Chakra Line of Jewelry to include gemstones in a more meaningful way than just beauty.

I hope to incite your curiosity so you can read more about the chakras and how to work with energy. Below you will find the 7 chakras, what concepts they are associated with and what crystals work to heal them.

Enjoy!

Etsy's Treasury Lists

I love the compilations that Etsiers do of beautiful art pieces sold at Etsy. The last time I checked it was very hard to publish one because of their popularity. You have to wait in line in order to build yours.

I am lucky that several of my jewelry pieces have been selected for a specific treasury list. See the latest one, Heartbreaker. Isn't it gorgeous!!!

Thanks Carolyn!

My design is the fist one on the second row.

Enjoy!

Swing For Fundraising

I can believe it is that time of year again. Every year I create a special design to raise funds for my Relay For Life Team in South Florida. This year our team name is Cinderella and we will be collecting donations culminating at the big event to be held at Baptist Hospital in Kendall on March 19, 2011. This signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society is a unique team activity that brings together neighbors, friends, coworkers, survivors and families to recognize those who have survived cancer and to remember those who have not.

My 2010 design includes a gemstones swing pendant with a silver or gold filled chain and matching earrings. You can chose from your birthstone or just any color stone that you like. To purchase and be part of this team go to my website at http://www.elizabethdelmonte.etsy.com/.

It feels really good to use my art to contribute to such a good cause. I am very lucky!

Enjoy!

September Birth Stone: Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is the secondary birth stone for the month of September. The actual stone in most of the birth stone of the month lists is Sapphire, but this year I will talk about Lapis Lazuli because it is my favorite stone and more affordable than sapphire. :)

Lapis Lazuli is a relatively rare semi precious stone that has been priced since antiquity for its intense blue color. It has been mined from more than 6,000 in Afghanistan.

Lapis Lazuli is a rock, not a mineral. Minerals have only one constituent, whereas Lapis is formed from more than one mineral. The main component in Lapis is lazurite (blue), but it also has calcite (white), sodalite (blue), and pytite (metallic yellow). The best Lapis Lazuli is found in Afghanistan, but other important deposits can be found in Chile. Regarding hardness it has a 5-5.5 in the Mohs Scale.

Many powers are attributed to this stone including wisdom, spiritual growth, protection, psychic ability, and truth.

This necklace is currently on sale at my Etsy Shop!

Enjoy!