Ways to say "I Love You"

I hear that Valentine's Day is on its way. This has never been a holiday that my husband and I have really celebrated...at least not in a very traditional way.

Last year for instance, hubby surprised me by coming home and telling me to get ready to go out to dinner and that we could go any where I wanted to go. Any where?

Well my job is not exactly the type you dress up for as I end up most days covered in polishing compound and metal shards and I was really not feeling like changing. I also was hungry and didn't feel like waiting for a table which is almost impossible on Valentine's Day. My only solution to this....SPORTS BAR!

So we headed on over to the sports bar around the corner and were seated immediately. (Shockingly no one goes to places like this on Valentine's Day....no one but us) Guess what! It was all you could eat wing night! Amazing right?!?!

That night I told my husband I loved him over greasy chicken wing fingers and whatever  beers were on special that night, by making this for him.

It was the kind of romance that spoke right to my man's heart.

I have talked about it before, but I have found myself creating necklaces these days with seemingly random thoughts stamped on them. If you knew me, you would know they are not random but the deep, true loves in my life. I will stay on this course as long as I can come up with meaningful things to say like my newest piece...

Now tell me, what could say "I Love You" better than this? I would love to hear the ways you all say "I Love You".  Well, the innocent way that is. 

Tutorial: Tree Pendant

The tree pendant, something I have made since college and I still love making it!

Here is what you need: metal sheet (sterling, brass, copper etc), saw frame plus blades o/2, texture stamp or tool, flexshaft, drill bits, metal files, sandpaper, bench pin, hammer, jump ring, chain (ribbon or cord works too).

Here is how to make it...

Step 1: Draw the shape that you would like your pendant to be and cut that shape out of your metal sheet. I am using 22 gauge sterling silver sheet.

Step 2: Using a pencil, draw the basic shape of your tree onto the shape you just cut out. Then drill a hole inside your tree. Make sure it is large enough so you can thread your saw blade through like so...

Step 4: Carefully cut your tree from your pendant. This is known as piercing. Be careful when cutting the branches not to turn your saw blade faster than your metal or you will break your saw blade as I have done a million times. It is no big deal, they break all the time but it can be very frustrating!

Step 5: Once you have pierced your tree it is time to create the leaves....of course you could opt to stop there and have a winter tree. If you choose to move ahead, select the texture you would like your leaves to be. My tool of choice is unconventional. It is a big wax file that has a tip broken off of it. I love the foliage it give me.

Step 6: Now file and sand you edges down so they are nice and smooth and choose your finish for the pendant. I prefer a brushed finish on my pieces. Drill a hole where you would like your pendant to hang from the chain, cord or ribbon.

Step 7: WEAR IT!!

Resolved.

To say you have a new years resolution is like saying for 2 weeks you will half heartily try to change and ultimately end up the same. Now to say you are resolved to do something somehow changes the sentiment. There is no wiggle room. You no longer "have a resolution" you are in fact "resolved" to change. Having a firm decision versus being firmly determined. Well for a person like me who questions what decision I make from a restaurant menu is the same girl who was determined not to cook that night. For me the difference is huge. So this year I am resolved to spend the year fixing those things that annoy me about myself.  Like hitting refresh, this time the page will open as it should.

I am resolved to keeping my ever present pile of clothes off the bedroom floor. Perhaps this is more for my husband than myself. It is no secret he loathes this part of me. I have always been incapable of keeping the bedroom free of my pile. This year it stops.

I am resolved to getting this 7 lbs of holiday cookies and cheese puffs off my ass.

I am resolved to stop freaking out about the possible Apocalypse this year. This will be the toughest to overcome but I will be a sensible person and not live like someone who has watched one too many History Channel shows on the end of the world.

I am resolved to drink more water.

I am resolved to doing my absolute best at using all the food in the fridge before it goes bad.

I am resolved to limit the amount of bras I buy. When one has had enough, then I can replace it, but I may no longer bring them home just because.

I am resolved to keeping my work space neat and under control. It was such a disaster before Christmas I spent two whole days reorganizing before my family came over for Christmas dinner and saw what a monster I really am. I am determined to keep it that way. I even took pictures to remind myself of what an absolute joy a clean workspace is.

I am resolved to learn Quickbooks this year. I have had it for two years now....this will be the year I finally figure out what the hell I am doing.

I am resolved to stop being such a chicken shit and go to the dentist. If I have to get my wisdom teeth out so be it.

I am resolved to keeping the dining room table clear. This will begin once I have cleared it for the first time this year. OK I'll get back to you on that one...it appears as though I am not off to the best start.

I am resolved to stop all the regret and just take dance classes again. Why not?

Well, I have much to work on this year. I better go clean the dining room table off and get this ball rolling. I would love to hear what some of your resolutions are this year. Post post post!

Happy New Years everyone!

Upcoming Events

Presley, Personal Assistant at Heavens to Bessie LLC

I am well on my way to crippling arthritis this holiday season and while I won't like it when it happens I am having a great time now! My studio looks.....well I suppose like a well worked in studio. I look like a drunk, sleep deprived college student trying to study for finals and my assistant is falling a sleep on the job.
But I have been so enjoying the work, especially the custom orders! I do have a couple great events coming up for all of those who have waited to do their Ho Ho Hoing until the week before Christmas.




Saturday December 17th & Sunday December 18th 10:00am-6:00pm-
The Towson Arts Collective has put together an event that I am so happy to participate in called Off the Mall Craft Ball. There will be other local artisans as well as some live music at the Towson Commons Rotunda. Check out the Baltimore Sun article http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/neighborhoods/towson/ph-tt-commons-collective-1214-20111209,0,6514573.story


Monday December 19th & Tuesday December 20th 9:00am-2:00pm (closed event)-
I will be at the OPS1 party room next to the cafeteria both days. This is a perfect opportunity for employees to get that last minute shopping done!

You can always visit www.heavenstobessie.com but time is running out!

Hope to see you all around!

Find me on Facebook "Heavens to Bessie Jewelry" for updates and on Twitter @heavenstobessie

Goings on....

Well, It's been a busy little bit here in my house. But aside from the ill timed home demolition, recent discovery of Pinterest and the ongoing self improvment missions, I have been crazy busy working away in the studio, filling orders and working on commissions. I have had some really fun ones, these are just a few, but I thought you might like to see them!

"I Like Dirty Men" Necklace.

"I Like Dirty Women" Keychain.

                                                                              

Making 18k gold grain

Attaching grain to ring

 

Finished product, Recycled Sterling Silver Ring with 18k Gold Grain

Fly Your Geek Flags High

A while ago I wrote about my self assigned self portrait, for which I created a necklace that I wear nearly everyday that says "I love tall brown eyed men and nacho cheese". Between this and my recent openness about reading highlander romance novels I am realizing how fantastic and fun it is to just put it all out there and quite frankly I am inspired by it. It is sort of like post secret except with out the anonymity.

The more I talk to people about this discovery of wearing one's weirdness on the outside, the more people I find that are feeling the exact same way. This past weekend I was lucky enough to participate in the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour, where I showed this silly weirdo geeky jewelry for the first time and I nearly sold out! People seem ready to advertise their quirkiness and I think it is amazing!

Check out some of the new pieces and tell me what you think!

Oh and PS Holiday Sale get 15% off by using coupon code HOLIDAY15 at checkout!

Interview with Melinda Byrd of Byrdcall Studio

Melinda Byrd is an artist I met in the past year and while we haven't known each other forever, I have so much admiration and respect for her and her work. She has been running Byrdcall Studio full time for nearly 13 years now and her business is a beautifully oiled machine. Her quality of work, her dealings with customers, and her passionate connection to her work proves everyday that Melinda chose the right path for herself.


Melinda, a former Park Ranger, carries that love of nature throughout the broad spectrum of her work. While most of her works are carved woodblock and linoleum prints, she paints murals, glassware, floor mats among other things. The breadth of her work is amazing! It seems like there is nothing she is not good at.


The hand printed t-shirts are what Melinda mainly sells at shows, and let me tell you, having helped her at shows from time to time, there are Byrdcall Studio t-shirt collectors out there! Her shirts are awesome! Each one is so special. Whether its cats you like, or dogs, or beer, or the blues, or fishing or you are just an environmentalist....there is a shirt that you will feel was made just for you. That's because it was. Each time Melinda inks up that hand carved woodblock and set it to a shirt, she is spending quality time with it. Then each shirt is hand signed. Each one, a work of art.


Be sure you check out her website at www.byrdcallstudio.com and her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/people/Byrdcall to see all of her amazing work for yourself!

After the excitement of The American Visionary Art Museum's annual Bazaart Holiday Marketplace this past weekend, I had a moment to talk to Melinda about her take on the show. Here is what she had to say...


How many years have you participated in Bazaart?
 This year was my fourth year at AVAM's BazaART and I'm already looking forward to next year.


What do you think sets Bazaart apart from other shows you do? 
Most shows where I set up my hand-printed woodcut shirts are geared to be attractive to "the masses" where beauty and interest are expected but maybe only in predictable "socially acceptable" ways.  The BazaART is different because everyone exhibiting their work has thought out of the box and created art that amazes the visitors.  There is humor, skill, simplicity, and a connection with things that are more meaningful in life--to me personally anyway.  The patrons of the event spend time with each artist knowing that there is something special within each booth and each artist.  Patrons of BazaART really appreciate the work that goes into my shirt-printing...and they buy which is so appreciated.  The BazaART is a wonderful alternative to the Black Friday craze.


 As an artist myself, I know I always have a favorite piece I have made. Do you currently have a favorite piece of your own work? 
While I tend to focus just on the hand-printed shirts when I do a show--so as not to confuse visitors which the multiple art forms I enjoy--my favorite individual pieces are probably not the shirts.  I mean I take the shirts for granted since I wear them every day.  What really excites me is anything new I am learning at the moment.  Like right now, I am fascinated by with pastel paintings I have been working on.  I'm learning new techniques which are very exciting.  I also love each floorcloth I make, but they go off to a new home as soon as they are done, so it is pointless to fall in love with them.


I know you didn't get too long a time to walk around but did you have a favorite vendor from this show? 
I wish I had picked up a card from the birdhouse maker.  A couple created the most beautiful birdhouses in lots of gorgeous colors.  The thing I liked most was that they were made to really go outside and last many years.  Metal work surrounded the cavity holes so gnawing creatures would not destroy them.  They were very artistically created...and did I mention colorful!?


Are there any exciting up and coming events for Byrdcall Studio that you would like to mention?
 Well, yes.  Next weekend, Dec. 3-4 I am participating in the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour both days from 10 AM -5 PM.  This is the first time I've opened my studio doors to the public (without appointments).  There could be a few people at a time or there could be dozens at a time.  I'm making cookies every other night to have enough to offer to my visitors.  The special thing for me is that I do so many artistic creations that few people know about because I don't take them on the road so to speak.  people in my studio will see the effects of a busy artist playing without limitations among papers, canvases, glass,shirts, and lots more.  I'm going to be straighten up all week, but surely the studio will retain its "workshop qualities."   www.ccartists.com/  Check out the Studio Tour map .  And check out my web site while you are at it.  www.byrdcallstudio.com.