Press Release

Working Jewelry Studio

and Workshop to Open in Mount Dora

For immediate release;
November 21, 2011
Mount Dora, FL

Well known Mount Dora Jewelry Artist Sonya Watson and Silversmith Barbara Boyce, of Minneola, are proud to announce the opening of their Working Jewelry Studio and Workshop in the Baker Street Artist’s Lofts, 301 Baker Street, Suite 211 in downtown Mount Dora.

The duo are joining forces to bring a variety of classes to the area such as Beginner and Advanced Beading as well as Silver Fabrication classes ranging from Basic Soldering to Advanced Techniques.


An Open House on December 3rd from 4pm-9pm will allow visitors to meet with both artists, visit the studio space and see a variety of sample work.

For further information contact;
Sonya Watson; 352.409.2442 earthdiva1@gmail.com

Barbara Boyce; 352.638.0001 barbboyce@earthlink.net

Changes All Around

This will be a season I won't likely forget for quite some time.

There is an abundance of things to be thankful for this holiday season:

Friends, long time and new.

New Spaces

and

Places.

Seeing familiar things with new eyes.

I finally got one of my showcases into a gallery in Georgia, Roswell to be exact. Mary Jane the owner of Galerie Matilda was gracious enough to allow me the room amongst her fabulous collection.

If you are in the area, please swing by to see the space, you can't help but smile each time you walk in the door! 

One of the best parts of heading up that way is to see my long time friend Melody. We have known each other since elementary school. We have come and gone from each others lives for the past 30 years but I don't think we will lose touch again.

Jeff and I arrived to Melody and Lew's home much later than we expected too so I was so thrilled to look out the window in the morning and see this:

Beautiful colors!

(Coming from Florida we don't see this in quite this abundance.)

We have always been made to feel welcome, (even if we do get into town 4 hours later than we expected too...) and will always be thankful to her and her family for that.

Mel and Kendall.

Earlier in the month Tom and Kay Benham taught a piercing class at the local Florida Society of Goldsmiths studio, what a great way to spend a Sunday!

We, here in Central Florida, are so lucky to have Tom and Kay right in our own backyard! They travel the country teaching differerent techniques along with answering questions in the "Ask the Experts" column of Lapidary Journal.

 If you are a subscriber you have undoubtedly seen their projects in the magazine as well, they are always sharing! A big thanks to both of them and the Northeast Chapter of the Goldsmith Society for hosting us!

There is a lot more to come before the end of the year so stay close!

Land and Sea

I am torn,
undecided,
but there is no need for decisions,
not now,
not yet.

Every once and a while Jeff and I have this discussion:
J: "Where do you wish to live?"
(Other than Florida.)
B: "Why do we have to move?"

We don't you see,
but this happens at least once a year.
Savannah (SCAD?),
California?
Athens (GA)?
NC?

I love the mountains
but... I can never leave the ocean,
you see.
The ocean has been a part of me since I was small,
swimming before I was walking.
I must have the sea.
(Sorry, a lake will not do.)
But at least once a year...
...I must have the trees,
the green,
the distance to look over
to see the next mountain top.

Once the sping comes I long for the height,
the trip that will take me from the salt of the ocean
to the dampness of moss underfoot.

For now we will be happy where we are,
we will continue to build our dreams of
..."where to next?"

Land and Sea Series:

Land and Sea II;

Land and Sea I:

Both in The Shop tonight!

Sandy Springs

I spent the past weekend in Sandy Springs Georgia visiting and showing, what a great trip it was. This was my first out of state show and first large Art Festival show alone...no Jeff for support. I got the van packed up and drove out of town a couple of days early to spend some much needed time with Melody. The night of the setup the temperature dropped, what a joy to wake up to 60 degree air!

I had such a fabulous collection of artists around me.

Directly on stage right was Andrew Jackson Pollack, yes that is his name and I could spend hours looking at his glasswork. I am so used to lampwork being just beads, his pieces opened my eyes to so much more. It was not till later that I realized that I had not taken any photos of his work!

So here's a photo swiped off his website...go take a look you will be amazed.

Just a bit beyond Andrew was Deb of Knick Knack Patty Whack Creations, Melody and I took to Deb right away. Her work is very creative and both Melody and I are pround owners of a piece of Deb's world. 

Last but not least was Mike Snowden of Snowden Guitars, who was to my left. Mike was our constant source of entertainment before the show opened right to the end. I strongly urge any musicians out there to visit Mikes pages, and I do mean pages. Mike builds and plays cigar box guitars...and he is amazing! Right on his homepage he has a YouTube link to a rock'n piece you should not miss.

Here is Mike in action in his booth entertaining a crowd as he did most of the weekend!

Show-off!

So back to the show, my booth looked great this was the second time I have used the new displays and they worked out well.

 I even got compliments from the show manager, that makes me happy!

My next event will be at Church Street District (formally known as Chruch Street Station) in downtown Orlando on the evening of September 24th.  They are sponsoring the first Art and Wine event, come on down and check-out what is going on downtown in O-Town!

I will also be posting more fall events on my facebook page so keep an eye out!

You Can't Fool Me!

I was in bed reading early this morning when Jeff walked into the room saying "you really should run this morning, it's beautiful outside". Now first off he knows I ran yesterday...which means another form of exercise is scheduled for today. What it is can be anyones guess..but it won't be running, maybe the bike? But what exactly does he mean by beautiful?

We live up on a hill just one house behind the top of the hill and it was only 6:30am, it was still a bit grey, maybe we were just in that other houses shadow or was it really just dawn? (Oh damn, it's September already!)

I got up and looked at the thermometer, what? 72 degrees?

Well, that got me out of bed! It's 2:30pm and I still have yet to do any exercise but I have gotten a boat-load of stuff done, yes, really.

The boys are still outside, which is unusual, they are typically asleep in the AC but there is NO AC today! All the windows are open and the fans whirring, it's just what I and the house needed. I know, soon enough it will be back up in the mid 90's but I'll take it!

So I've gotten a shop update done, and am here to show you today's features!

Another Crazy One

Facing West

Zion

As far as The Shop is concerned, summer is over and new pieces will be hitting often. Some other changes are taking place, mainly a banner and name. Everything is turing over to Two Bee's Design's. OUR new cards are in and yes, Jeff is included. I have begun setting more of his glass not to mention that he has always help cut the stones. Credit where credit is due. Lot's of pieces will be re-photographed, I'm getting back to some basics as far as my photos are concerned.

Please let me know what you think of the new look and keep an eye out for new work.

Thanks for swinging by!



Finally Home

My second week at William Holland was a week I won't forget anytime soon.

Mr. Allen Jewell (Yes, that really is his name. When I lived in Las Vegas I had a pottery instructor who's name is Potter...) was kind enough to allow me the pleasure of sitting in his Silver One class.

When it comes to this craft I still have so much to learn. Some Silver One teachers only want beginners in their classes and I understand this so I promised Allen I would do all of his projects and stay with the rest of the class. Well, we all flew through the six projects he laid out for us! By Tuesday night we were all asking "what's next?" and were hungry for more. Although the majority of the student were indeed beginners, we all kept Allen moving on coming up with new projects! (He has this great binder of projects and material kits that go right along with them, I am envious of his organization!)

One evening Allen invited me back to the classroom after dinner to work on another project, I chose what I thought would be the most complicated of his projects...I think I was right, his square ring;

I love the lines of this ring!

It was fun working along side Allen and playing with all of his tools.

(He introduced me to a steel jig that I MUST get.) This jig was really the only way to get this ring square. Allen made the exact same ring and they both came out great! Our other projects were simple but were techniques that I had yet to learn:

Allen's Split Shank Ring.

Twisted Wire Bracelet

(and a ring from leftover's!)

Spiral Earrings

As we moved through the week Allen challenged us all in our own ways, for me it was setting faceted stones and making my own prong settings:

All of the rings and prongs were made from wire and soldered for a total of 11 solder joints!

I now have a small pile of nails on my solder bench!

I have since completed my Captured Ocean piece. 

Spending the additional week up at school was invaluable and I thank Jeff from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity, it was a long week of driving for him. 

Last week I got the news that I have been accepted to the Sandy Springs Art Festival near Atlanta in the middle of September so all my current efforts are to get as much as I can get done for that show. Then the season picks up for all of us on the circuit.

Keep an eye open, I will be posting  long awaited shop updates with new pieces!

Thanks for stopping by!

Not just another day!

I would like to ask any one of you that are "makers of things" to watch this.

As Ira says I wish someone would have told me this sooner. I think we all have this feeling but are not aware of what it really is. This is what drives us to continue seeking, it causes some to quit and many to have doubt, unnecessary or otherwise. I found this clip very inspirational this week and have watched it over and over.

Many things are changing in my life, causing me to question my direction and goals and more importantly some of my past decisions. I am finding I do not wish to live in the past nor do I wish to go back. None of these things are bad, as a matter of fact the more I question the more confident I am becoming of my new goals. I am being pushed and that is always good for me.

As in my classes these past two weeks, I am learning much about myself and about my craft. Forcing myself to lean into places I have never been, turning corners I would have never found before..and enjoying myself and results.

The finished product is something I am proud of, in my work and the artist I am becoming. 

My pieces last week are a result of letting myself create.

The instructor, students, school, surroundings and my husband are all so supportive and inspiring.

William Holland is such a cradle of growth.

It will be where I mentally come when I need a retreat and feel the need for support in my work.

Week One

For those of you that are new to my blog, Jeff and I spend at least one week a year at William Holland Lapidary School in the beautiful mountains of northern Georgia. For the past two years Jeff has taken classes and joined in what he likes to call "Art's and Crafts Camp" for me, it's time to get to some serious learning. 

This year I was wait-listed for the most important class on the schedule, Reticulation, Granulation and Tube Setting. Three processes that I felt I really needed to learn. At the last minute I got a call that I made it in the class!

In reticulation you melt the top surface of the metal creating random effects, which can be brain-numbing to those not used to working "random", it takes some getting used to but the results can be stunning.

The fine silver on the surface waves, buckles and flows in beautiful patterns, then you need to figure out just what to do with it!

In the Granulation portion we made TINY granules...and I mean TINY. My classmate Susan sat next to me and really took off making these things, she really enjoyed this portion of the class and soon had 6 bottles of different size granules for one project.

 

This is a photo of Susan's second day of making granules. All reticulation put aside! 

This year Jeff took off from the "making" portion to have some water fun. Each day he loaded up the van and took off, leaving all of us to toil in the classrooms and each evening he came back with stories of a new adventure. 

 With the help of Chuck, the schools Maintenance Guru, Jeff had a new destination each morning and we had a new trail or park to walk through each evening after dinner. This is just one breathtaking view of Meeks Park in Blairsville.

As the projects moved along we were all more comfortable with the creative direction of our work. As the day went on we found the classroom became quite except for the sound of torches burning, hammers and drills. At the end of each day as our ideas began to gel our designs took exciting shape.

Stay tuned...



Changes

Lot's of things are changing 'round here but mostly it is my perspective on things.

From now on there will be a lot more of me "seeing" things differently.

My routine, if one could call it that, will be coming into focus, I'm not there yet but I'm working on it!

My mornings will shortly consist of a lot more of this...

These are all different views of my morning running path.  When it's not too hot and I can get away this is where I will choose to run. Otherwise you will see me running the streets of my community.

In the past months I have been focusing on me and things are coming full circle. When is the right time to become selfish? Well I seem to have waited until it was thrust upon me. Months ago my Dr. told me I should lose some weight. Although I was not overweight she was the one to look over the past 4 years and see a pattern. I am ever-so thankful for her words. (Truth be told, she was not tell me anything I did not already know!) So, I've reached my goal in that arena and am much better for it, (Although Weight Watchers is now telling me that I am "unhealthy" weight I do not feel like it!).

I said I would never start running again but I have, this time for myself. I run at my own pace, the path that I choose is my own and I am enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. I am healthier than I have been in years.

I am spending much more time in the studio, although, again, you would not be able to tell by my blog or the shop.  Here is a sneak peek at some of the pieces that are in The Studio just waiting to be finished:

These pieces probably won't make it to the Silver Lining Shop before I leave for another wonderful week at William Holland but once I get back things will really begin to roll.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and remember to take care of yourself!

It's never too late!