Jess's Studio

working in studio

2010-05-31T23:37:00.004-04:00

So yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I have not bloged in forever and a day.

I have however been working in my studio. A great thing. I have made one starfish pendant, and a ring and a half (soon to be two rings.) So this along with working 40 hours has left me with very little time to blog lately.

Going though my studio I found hidden treasures. Large pieces of jet, amber, turquoise, and stones from Rhode Island. Great treasures were found. I of course had to immediately use some of them. I laid them out and decided to carve a jet and turquoise sea urchin. I am planning on making them into rings. I also thought I would make a small series of sea urchins to help me get back in to the groove.

I did not have a studio for almost two years and I forgot how much I love to carve stone. It's just amazing. If there is one thing that relaxes me it's carving stone. I do make quite the mess when carving but there is nothing better.

I will post pictures as soon as I have some completed pieces. This is one of me and the large piece of turquoise that I forgot about.

clean house, clean mind

2010-05-17T22:03:00.008-04:00

So we have been living in our house for about six months now. We seem to still be unpacking. Today we tackled some of the mess. One being my closet which seemed to be the dumping grounds for all the clothes we had packed (most being mine of course). I guess it has been really bothering me but, I had no energy to tackle it. Today I decided to dive in head first! I feel so much better about it all.

I just need to do the same thing in my studio. We use the studio closet to store Christmas stuff and the thousands of dishes I have from the wedding. I think I need to get in there next and really organize it to a "T". Tomorrow I'm going to pull everything out and reorganize it so that it all fits and is easy to get to. Once my house is all put together I think I will have time to work in my studio and guilt free at that.

clean house!

Picture of my closet, hooray for cleaning.

man oh man...

2010-05-07T22:04:00.001-04:00

I neeeed to get into my studio! I have not touched anything in days now. Geez loueeez!

my new kitchen table and chairs

2010-05-03T13:23:00.006-04:00

Why is it that a large company can't get anything right! I have been waiting for our new table and chairs for our kitchen for DAYS! WEEKS! ahh! ... and finally today we are getting them.... hours late! what is it with this! I'm getting so aggravated! By the way this is a picture of the table and the kitchen I wish I had.

Very tired

2010-05-02T22:14:00.002-04:00

Had to work a 10 1/2 hour day today (5 am- 3:30 pm). Unfortunately that makes me very tired. I'm not sure I have the energy for the studio tonight. I have tomorrow off, with a million things to do. I just hope to get in my studio a little tomorrow.

3 hours...

2010-04-30T21:26:00.004-04:00

I got gas last night... and had 3 hours of soldering hell... Ugh it just wasn't my night. Luckily I didn't melt anything, I just couldn't get things to do what I wanted. Taking the night off to celebrate my hubbies birthday.

I NEED GAS!

2010-04-29T17:23:00.002-04:00

I need gas. I should have bought 2 cans the last time. I always use it so fast. I think it is time to upgrade the torch system. I have the mini torch with the disposable cans. Maybe it is time.... I am frustrated and going out to get gas.

step 3 of 1,000

2010-04-27T10:38:00.005-04:00

well here it is in step 3 of 1,000. I can see great potential in the beginning of it's journey. I am going to go work on it more today. everything is still in pieces so I would like to get things soldered together at the very least.

Wish I didn't have work retail tonight... oh well.

looking good

2010-04-26T23:58:00.003-04:00

I had some time to work in my studio tonight. It's looking good. I do believe it's going to be a nice looking piece in the end. I can't wait to see how it looks all together. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can get another chunk of it done. I will post a picture tomorrow.

ok time to work...

2010-04-25T22:22:00.002-04:00

Wow I have really missed working in my studio... I wish I wasn't so tired from work. Here is a scketch of a peice I am working on.... wish me luck.

don't want to work in my studio

2010-04-23T20:32:00.003-04:00

I just don't want to work in my studio. Life is exhausting! Thank god for my family. I have a wonderful family!

maybe I will work tomorrow. I almost completed a piece last night. Tonight I'm going to watch Avatar with my two sweeties! One being Dale my little doggy the other my hubby.

hard to work today

2010-04-22T22:10:00.002-04:00

Man it is hard to work today. To be honest I have two days off because my husband had surgery on his kidneys to remove stones (one 5mm and one 8mm... ouch.) So it's been hard to work today. I have made small progress. I had to take a nap before it all. What a crazy day! Just glad my sweetie is ok.

Hope I make something good tonight...

wow it's been too long

2010-04-21T20:47:00.005-04:00

Posting again! I feel like I want a whole new blog, it's been so long! I have started to make a little work again and I will post pictures as soon as I can (computer problems.)

I put up a picture of my new bench. It's a mess which is the way I like it... Seriously I can't make anything unless it's a mess. I need lots of tools out and a thousand different materials to work with. Right now I am using Polymer clay and semi-precious gemstones. I really like what I am making. I am also doing a lot of experimenting with acrylic paint and resins. It's so much fun! Happy to have a studio again. I just bought a crock pot for my pickle and an ultrasonic. Hooray! for my studio! Oh yeah and I painted all my hammer handles, they are hot!

Hope you like the new look of my blog...... It just feels weird using the old one. I have two days off in a row so I will be working away. I will post again soon.

2009-10-23T21:38:00.000-04:00

Just a quick picture update. This is how much Dale grew in two weeks. 16 more days until we pick him up. Now I would just like to close on our house it's been almost two months and we are still trying to close. Buying a house is so aggravating! Dale needs a place to live people! hurry up! Sorry just talking to the "people" that need to hurry up... anyways isn't he the cutest! looks like a handful to me. haha we can't wait!

Jessica's boy!

2009-10-07T00:16:00.000-04:00

yes!! Finally I have my little Dachshund puppy!! He is only 3 1/2 weeks old today so he is still with his mommy but I am SO excited and can not wait to see him. (Nov. 9th) We went to see the puppies yesterday and we just knew he was the one. (he was chewing on his brothers ear!) We are thinking about naming him Dale :) Oh gosh I am SO excited about my baby!! He also has one blue eye and one brown eye (the flash made his blue eye look funny) These are pictures from the breeder at Belfast kennels. She was a very sweet lady. Dale's bum is snuggled up to mom's chin in the picture with all his brothers and sisters. I will be updating his growth as she sends more pictures. :)

Not many people can say they became friends with a 98 year old tortoise.

2009-09-03T19:24:00.000-04:00

But I can. While at Gatorland I made friends with a 98 year old tortoise. He was HUGE! I gave him good scratches on the neck and rubbed his head. He was pretty amazing and soooo old his eyes said it all. Come and visit me and you too can become friends with a 98 year old tortoise!

Life could be better and could be worse....

2009-07-06T21:06:00.000-04:00

4 days ago I was stung by a wasp while trying to water my plants on the patio. little did I know he had built a nest in my watering can while I was on vacation. Bummer! even bigger bummer was that I had a nasty reaction to it and my arm swelled up and was very uncomfortable. Off to the doctor I went where I was charged a $50 dollar c0-pay, receved a shot of antibiotics in my butt! and was sent home with a bottle of antibiotics to take 3 times a day. So as I said, life could be better but could be a lot worse. All I have to say is GOD DAMN IT WASP, HOPE YOU DIE!!

2009-06-08T11:31:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy lately but I really wanted to post some pictures that I took recently at Gatorland.

Lots of chicks and lots of eggs!

I was able to get a ok photo of a chick hatching... amazing! it's too bad I couldn't get a better photo.

Can you see it... he's half in and half out!

I think in the future I have a pretty neat show I can put together. My pictures and then my jewelry that goes with the pictures. We shall see how it develops.

GatorLand!

2009-05-15T22:38:00.000-04:00

Went to Gator Land today. It was amazing! The birds were everyplace! the trees and bushes were full of nesting birds! Which of course means eggs and chicks! It really is the most amazing place I have ever been. I love nature especially birds. I always want to touch everything as well. This place is the only place that I know of where I can get so close that I could touch the birds... I don't, even though I would love to see how they feel. I can get my face about 5 inches away, and the birds usually don't mind at all.
Today I took some pictures so I am posting a few of my favorites. I can't wait to go back. I bet the next time I go though all the chicks will be all grown up. they grow so fast!
I am calling this period in my life where I feel a little suck "research". It's just a time to look around get a ton of ideas and sketch them all in my book. Later I will have a plethora of material to look back at. I'm hoping for a book full of so many ideas that when the time comes and I do have a place to work I can just work!

It's getting hot....

2009-05-04T17:03:00.000-04:00

Photo by van hilliard http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanhilliard/

Oh it's starting to get hot here.... I feel like I'm melting a little. There is no breeze today... Where is the BREEZE! Hope I survive the summer.... But there is so much to do here. I have a season pass to Gator Land which not only has (you guessed it) Alligators but it's also the home of the largest bird sanctuary in central Florida. Very cool especially because they all laid eggs and have very cute chicks! I saw baby Egrets and Anhingas (black birds that swim under water)I posted a picture of one taken by van hilliard, amazing! Gartor land is quite the place. It's just teeming with life. Can't wait to go again!

Happy Easter Everyone!

2009-04-11T23:12:00.000-04:00

Happy hippity hoppity Easter!
Target is closed on Easter! OMG! it's true.
Gary and I have our first day off together in about a month and a half! OMG! it's true.
I have a picture of my gorgeous egg I dyed today! ooo lala!
I hope that all of you have a wonderful and tasty Easter!

Very, very, very busy life!

2009-04-01T21:59:00.000-04:00

I was thinking I haven't updated this in forever. My life has become so busy. I am currently working two jobs. Target aka Tar-hell and H and H fine jewelry on my days off from Tar-hell. I haven't been in much contact from the rest of the world. I haven't checked my e-mail in about 2 weeks... god... I miss everyone very much. talk to you soon. don't think I don't love you because I do! I just wanted you to know what is going on with me.... whats going on with all of you?

Vehicular bird-slaughter

2009-01-25T17:07:00.000-05:00

Oh my heart! Oh I'm so sorry world! Today I found a dead bird on my car! a beautiful Gold finch. The moment I saw it I cried I couldn't help it it was so beautiful and so sad! Oh gosh I feel so awful, just truly awful! ...

The Death Of The Bird

For every bird there is this last migration;
Once more the cooling year kindles her heart;
With a warm passage to the summer station
Love pricks the course in lights across the chart.

Year after year a speck on the map divided
By a whole hemisphere, summons her to come;
Season after season, sure and safely guided,
Going away she is also coming home;

And being home, memory becomes a passion
With which she feeds her brood and straws her nest;
Aware of ghosts that haunt the heart's possession
And exiled love mourning within the breast.

The sands are green with a mirage of valleys;
The palm-tree casts a shadow not its own;
Down the long architrave of temple or palace
Blows a cool air from moorland scraps of stone.

And day by day the whisper of love grows stronger,
The delicate voice, more urgent with despair,
Custom and fear constraining her no longer,
Drives her at last on the waste leagues of air.

A vanishing speck in those inane dominions,
Single and frail, uncertain of her place.
Alone in the bright host of her companions,
Lost in the blue unfriendliness of space.

She feels it close now, the appointed season:
The invisible thread is broken as she flies;
Suddenly, without warning, without reason,
The guiding spark of instinct winks and dies.

Try as she will the trackless world delivers
No way, the wilderness of light no sign,
The immense and complex map of hills and rivers
Mocks her small wisdom with its vast design.

And darkness rises from the eastern valleys,
And the winds buffet her with their hungry breath,
And the great earth, with neither grief not malice,
Receives the tiny burden of her death.

- A. D. Hope

Small update and an Epiphany.

2009-01-20T23:20:00.000-05:00

Another day of training. A better day of training. I re-organized and put out new jewelry today. learned all about layouts which come from Target. Kinda interesting because it is someone's job to create these layouts so that they look fresh and new and make you want to buy, buy, buy! I also had the chance to look at the jewelry that Target sells. (My epiphany!) It's makes it really hard for a true crafts person to sell there work. earrings for $5 and bracelets for $6. Cheap materials makes an inexpensive product my problem is that this transcends into my life. People look at my prices of $180 for a pendent verses what they see everyday and though they really like what I have to offer they can't seem to find the reason to spend so much money. This is typically from the ages of 18-30. I have a dear friend and we did a small show together to sell our work. There were hundreds of people but everyone wanted something for nothing! She had made some sterling silver pins and was selling them for $25. I thought that was already extreemly low for all the time she had put into them. A girl came to our booth and asked how much they were and we said "25". the girl said "ok I'll take this one." when we asked for the 25 dollars she said "oh I thought it was 25 cents. Sorry" and put it down. It's frustrating out there and after working in Target for only a few days I can see why they want it cheap, cheap, cheap! Target is "targeting" this age group with there jewelry. I just wish people could understand how much blood, sweat, rashes, and tears is put into it all. One day... one day... All I want to say is that I would really like young people to wear my jewelry too. But it looks like the only people that appreciate it are more seasoned. I going to say a little vow here "I will not cheapen my beautiful bobbles to please those who do not understand. I will create beautiful works of art to become treasures for a life time." with that said I sign off!

Target, Target, Target...

2009-01-19T22:30:00.000-05:00

Oh Target... I had my first day of training yesterday. Oh the training.... gosh what can I say. I'm the "jewelry specialist" I sound so fancy right... well it's not so special. I spent 95% of my time "zoning", Target lingo for organizing (making sure that all the clothes are in order of size and that hangers are finger spaced apart) I was in infants.... and Disney... yeah... soooo. I spent the remainder 5% of my time at the jewelry counter. kinda sad about that. I'm training with a girl "Jay Jay" that is the "jewelry specialist". She doesn't know anything about jewelry and must look everything up... But can do some of the basic jewelry counter things like unlocking the cases and changing watch batteries. She does a perfectly fine job at that. I happen to have a little more knowledge here. I know your suprised about that. I have a feeling that I will "zoneing" more than I will be at the jewelry counter. I guess I have to get used to the ways that Target runs their business. Till then I just want to learn about the "jewelry specialist" stuff... is that so wrong?

Happy new year!

2009-01-09T20:07:00.000-05:00

Happy new year!

So ... I finally have a job! hooray! guess where..... yup Target. I am going to be the jewelry specialist. I have to say in this economy it is nearly impossible to find a job. It's tough out there. Though I am not going to be a goldsmith in the back of a small jewelry store, I at least get to do something with jewelery. Think I am just a little over qualified but I have a job! I have applied to many places even though they were not hiring. I was starting to get really down... Just lucked out here. Other good things that have come out of all this is I found a really nice Jeweler. He said he would call me in the future. So I still have hope for a future bench job. He said that if he wanted to he could close his store for 11 months of the year and just keep it open for December and be able to survive. This year, he made an eighth of that he usually makes for that month. sick..... thanks bush.....well I am going to rest now after my eight interviews this week! ( the artist is above is Yuko Shimizu thank you Chris)

2008-12-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

It is officially Christmas time! My husband and I put up our tree, I just love how beautiful it looks. I look forward to this time of the year just for the tree. All the lights twinkling and the ornaments that we have collected since we were babies. It just sparkles with Christmas delight. There is nothing better to do when in the Christmas spirit than to bake cookies. I decided to make many different kinds but my favorite this year were "Chocolate crackle tops" the recipe follows.
"Chocolate crackle tops "
Makes 38
7oz semisweet chocolate chopped (or chips)
1/2 cup unsalted sweet butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for coating

1. In a pan set over a low heat, melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth, stirring frequently

2. Remover the pan from the heat, stir in the sugar, and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla essence.

3. Sift the flour and cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Gradually stir into the chocolate mixture in batches until blended.

4. cover dough, chill for at least 1 hour, untill the dough is cold and is able to hold its shape.

5. Preheat the over to 325. Grease two or more large baking sheets.

6. Place the confectioners' sugar in a bowl. using a small ice cream scoop or a table spoon. scoop out the cold dough and roll it into a ball between your hands.

7. drop in the confectioners' sugar and roll to coat. tap off excess sugar using a slotted spoon. place on cookie sheet about 1 inch appart.

8. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the tops feel slightly firm when touched. let cookies sit on cookie sheet for 2-3 mins to cool, then remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Merry Christmas!

2008-11-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

Unfinished brooch, Coral sea polyp - 2"x2"x1.25" Also a trial and error pic

What have I been doing lately? Well making stuff of course. I've begun to make my sea creatures again, only all in cold connection. Having no studio makes a person very creative.

For a while I was crocheting a blanket but when I was bored of that (about 1/2 way through) I decided I wanted to see how small I could crochet. I remembered that my great grandmother used to crochet lace. So I went out to the craft store and bought the smallest hook I could find and corresponding string/yarn. I started out making some horrible looking flowers and then I began making these little lace hat like things. Then the brain gears began to turn and fun ideas started to pop in to my head. This is what happened, it is in no way done I am still beside myself about the creature within (as you can see I've made more than one). I sometimes tend to over embellish. I think I need some time to see where I'm going with this but this was my favorite one until I burned it with he heat gun... damn! So I will continue to think... lots of thinking. I will post a picture when it is done.

I want to try crocheting sewing thread and see how small that is next. I'm going to go do that now. Fun fun!

I just don't want to work at Walmart!

2008-11-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

Time just seems to keep passing me by. I am waiting to here about a particular jewelry job and I am starting to get annoyed. I applied 2 weeks ago and I called twice about my application. They just said nicely that they have about 500 applications for all the different jobs that they are hiring for and someone will let me know after they have processed all the applications. ugh! what about I need a job now and I would like it to not be at Walmart please. Oh I am starting to get desperate as I dip into my savings fund. Time to apply for as many jobs as i can I guess. I just don't want to work at Walmart..... Oh yeah there is always Disney World duh! I'll just work there doing princess makeovers all day. Samantha got a princess makeover! I could do that just slap the kid with as much gritter as possible, add a fancy hair extension, and a tiara! *poof* done! and look how happy she is!

2008-10-29T20:54:00.000-04:00

Well I am pretty much settled in here. The apartment looks cute and feels like home. I am missing a studio. It just did not fit into the apartment. At first I was really bummed and started looking for studio spaces but I just could not find anything close or affordable. Now I have decided it's ok and I will just wait. I am only living here for a year and then we are planning on buying a house. I will just make sure that there is an excellent place for my studio. So for now this gives me time to read lots of books and do lots of research. To be perfectly honest, I think that it is better than jumping right in and not knowing what I am doing entirely. So I will just take a deep breath and move on with life. I will leave this post with a tranquil picture of Clearwater beach FL that my mom took.

2008-10-22T20:38:00.000-04:00

I have been doing a lot of sight seeing in Florida so I thought I would post some pictures.
Click on the pictures they get so big!

This is a non-poisonous Banana Spider.
It's about 4-5 inches around (with legs.)
Very scary but so amazing!

Bald Cypress Tree with Spanish moss
on the edge of lake Louisa

Spanish moss on trees

Beauty berry tree. I like how the leaves
are growing out of the Purple berries.

I believe this is a painted lady butterfly.

Fire to burn the brush. They do these extreemly controlled. they
light them with flame throwers.

That is all I have for now.

All moved... well sort of... but happy!

2008-10-06T21:30:00.000-04:00

Yes this is all our stuff.... amazing how they packed it! they have stuff packed in sections and know where it is... our stuff is all in this part of the truck. The movers were unbelievable going up to the third floor and down and back up and down I don't even know how many times! quote from the mover (Barnard who did all the grunt work) "This says clothes on it but it feels like you left the bodies in them clothes!" humm it was kinda heavy wasn't it oops... the other mover aka Driver brought the couch up BY HIMSELF!!! We were all in the appartment and the driver came up the stairs with the couch on his back! the other mover banard said "Wooh wooh man let me take the other end for you." Driver: "oh it's ok I was shifting it in the truch and it felt light. I though I'll just bring this up." Unbelive able! So now it is all here finaly! and life in boxes continues.
It is just lovely here high 80's and right now at night time it is 75. I love it here so much. Lizards everyware! (love em!) and I went out and bought a palm tree and a key lime tree for the lanai (porch) and it already has a lime and many more are comming i'm so excited. I took some pictures out the window of palm trees blowing in the wind and one is of the storm coming in. I will take a picture of my prized lime tomorrow.

2008-09-22T22:06:00.000-04:00

This is Moe and Bernie. We have had Moe for about 4 years and Bernie for 3 weeks though he is four years older than Moe. It is an interesting experience owning two birds with VERY different personality's and yet they look like twins. It's going to be an eventful trip with both of them in a fully packed car as we drive 1000 miles to our new home in Florida. I'm sure there will be lovely whistles and squawks along the way. Wish us all luck!
Maybe when I get my studio back up and running I can make some cockatiel earrings! It would commemorate the trip and I miss making jewelery!

New Work

2008-09-16T00:25:00.000-04:00

Finally took pictures of my new work (click on them they get HUGE!) I wish my studio was still set up... this stinks, I just want to move now!

A Little Hello

2008-09-13T22:32:00.000-04:00

This is Jess and I am a jeweler living in Philly PA and moving to Florida in two weeks. I am soon to be known as a Floridian I suppose. It is an exciting time as my husband and I wade through the sea of boxes that make up our apartment. It is also a very scary time... Moving to a new area of the country basically alone no family to lean on and on top of that I have no job, in the sense that I would be working for another jeweler (as a slave). I have decided at the young age of 25 that it is time for me to become independent, and so I have been hard at work trying my best to create a website to showcase my jewelry works. http://www.jgjewelrydesign.com/ though as of now it is not really much of anything. so don't go clicking the link yet... If you are really itching to see what I can do http://www.oceanjewelrybyjess.com/ is old work that I did in and shortly after college. But be forewarned the new work is very very different. Give me a few more weeks and you will begin to see my new work and be able to purchase it as well. How exciting! Well wish me luck... I need all I can get and check that link again later.