CormorantStudios

diary 2011 project

2010-05-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Just found out about this awesome project (thanks to Linda at IndieCEO for posting this on her blog)! I've reserved Sep 30 2011 (my birthday) and now I'm busy working on my page design.

I also have a little calendar project of my own in the works, and hope to have it ready by the end of June. If you are a handmade jewelry artist or metalsmith, please email me if you are interested in having a photo of one of your pieces in the calendar. Your shop or website url will appear with the photo as well. It will be a free, downloadable and printable PDF to start, released each month for the upcoming month. You could put the pdf on your blog or website and email it to family and friends, or you could print a bunch and mail them to your customers with their packages. Just a fun, free little promotional gift. We'll see how it goes over!!

Dear Ornamentea...

2010-05-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you for making my day!

My mixed metals necklace was chosen for the May Customer Showcase, and I couldn't be more excited! Ornamentea is my favorite supply shop.... even though they are in North Carolina and I am here, I am a frequent online shopper. They have the neatest things, and this is one of the very first necklaces I made. That lie detector? One of the coolest charms, ever! I am absolutely thrilled about this!

2010-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'll be rearranging my blog a little bit over the weekend, so bear with me! I need some html help before it will look all pretty again!

Featured Metalsmith: Cate, of The Moss Pot

2010-05-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Antique Boyfriend Necklace

As a new member of the Etsy Aspiring Metalsmiths Team, I have been spending some time (okay, lots of time!) ogling the stunning and inspiring work from my new teammates! The guys and gals on this team are extremely talented and from time to time I would like to feature some of their work on my blog. First up is a little mini-interview about this gorgeous piece from Cate, of The Moss Pot! I love the rustic/polished feel of this piece, and she has done absolutely beautiful metalsmithing work on it.

I asked Cate to share with me the inspiration behind this gorgeous piece:

"I kept coming back to this basket of old photographs in an antique store, but I just didn't know what I would do with them. It finally occurred to me that if I put them behind glass in a bezel setting, they could be worn, and they'd be safe from damage, as well as being magnified. I like that at first glance, you may not notice you're looking at a turn-of-the-century man's suit. It sort of sneaks up on you, and I like that. It's always fun when there's more than just the obvious going on. I made a ring too, to show off his rather handsome face."

What a beautiful way to preserve an antique photo, don't you agree? You can visit Cate at her Etsy shop, TheMossPot, to get your own Antique Boyfriend!

Urgent need for wildlife affected by the Gulf Oil Spill!!

2010-05-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Please take a minute to donate, OR if you can't donate right now, take just one minute to fill out this form at the NWF website asking your senators to do something to prevent future disasters like the Gulf Oil Spill!

If you live in the area, please consider volunteering to help with the clean-up efforts. There are a variety of tasks, click here to see how you can help!!

The wildlife will thank you, as will future generations!

New section in shop - Sale Section!

2010-04-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Since Mother's Day is coming up on May 9th I thought I would have a little sale!

Handmade jewelry is really the perfect gift for the moms who like jewelry.... Over the years I have started to really dislike a lot of the mass-produced pieces from stores. In my experience this stuff breaks pretty easily because it contains lower quality (cheaper) components, or was put together quickly without care. I have also found that stores carry pretty much the same kinds of necklaces, they need to carry what's popular and trendy, after all. However, I like something a little more unique and I try hard to make things that are a bit different (hence my love of antique brass in many of my pieces). These are just a few of the reasons I like to make (and buy!) handmade jewelry. Let me know your thoughts on buying handmade!

Mirabilia necklaces in purple, now in the shop!

2010-04-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

Mirabilia necklace with floral-print stoneware bead

Mirabilia is latin for miracles or marvels.... I think I first saw that word on a tea package somewhere, and it's stuck with me... it rolls off the tongue... Mirabilia....

Mirabilia necklace with felted bead & burgundy pearl

While designing some new necklaces the word Mirabilia came to me again.... these necklaces have a little bit of everything in them -- beads from here, there, and everywhere that I have collected over the past couple of years..... vintage glass beads from a stash my father found at a garage sale; millefiori beads with purple, white, and a bit of red; clay and stoneware beads from one of my favorite bead shops here in Austin; a deep burgundy pearl and a beautiful purple agate slice; a purple felted bead; and various other purple beads in my supply stash, and a mix of all different shades of purple czech crystals.

Mirabilia necklace with agate slice

I think these necklaces would be perfect for Mother's Day... especially if you have a mother who loves purple, as I do! These necklaces are a treasure trove of beads! I can't wait to make more in other colors.... let me know how you like these, and what other colors you'd like to see! And click on any of the images above to go directly to my Cormorant Studios shop on Etsy!

current etsy faves....

2010-04-16T17:31:00.001-07:00

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CormorantStudios.etsy.com

Works in progress...

2010-04-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share with you -- a peak at what's on my work bench!

a mix of teal, brown, patinaed brass, & minty yellowy-green

Okay so it's just a table top but work bench sounds so much more.... professional. Don't you think?

shades of grey - tibetan silver, porcelain, labradorite, & vintage beads

Well, I guess the important thing is that the creative process is under way....

tiger eye, honey colored glass, & african trade beads

I'll have some new pieces soon!

Supplies & Techniques I use

2010-04-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of supplies and techniques I use, along with descriptions. This will be a work in progress, and I will have a permanent link to this post in the sidebar. If you have any questions about any of the materials or techniques, please leave a comment in this post and I will answer it!

a mix of brass & antique brass charms
(the truth/lie detector is a raw brass that has patinaed over time)

Brass - an alloy of copper and zinc. The specific percentages may vary. Some brass appears more yellow, some appears more reddish. Brass can be expected to naturally darken or patina over time, adding to its beauty.

Antique brass - this term refers to a darkened brass, it does not necessarily mean that the material used is antique or old.

Patina - refers to a coating or film on the surface of a metal. Different metals patina to different colors, and this can be manipulated in various ways - through the application of heat or chemicals, varying the time of exposure, or just letting nature take its course. The term patina is also used to describe a mellowing or wearing of the metal that happens with time.

Gunmetal - an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc.

****** to be continued ******

My 2nd job....

2010-03-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Brass filigree on turquoise with genuine turquoise stones

Just got home from class, wolfed down some dinner (grilled chicken, avocado, and a baked potato) and now I'm at my 2nd job in my studio! I have realized that if I want my jewelry to sell, I really need to treat this as a business. This means that I have a schedule.... even if it's flexible. I AM the boss, after all! But I have certain things I need to accomplish, so even though I can keep it loose to suit my creativity and work style, at the end of the week I still need to have created 7 new pieces (one piece a day, on average, is the goal... some days I'll put together 3 or 4 pieces, and other days are devoted to other tasks.....but at the end of the week, I must have 7 new pieces). Also, organizing my room - even if it's a work in progress - has definitely helped my productivity and my inspiration/creativity. It's so much easier to create new pieces when my supplies are organized and my table is semi-clean so that I have space to work.

As with any job, there are certain aspects I don't like much (like the photography - it's just tough to get good pictures of jewelry, but I know I'll get better with practice). I also have a hard time blogging... it's not for lack of ideas, either. But at least making jewelry is a fun job! And since I've begun treating it as an actual job now, I have clearer goals and more motivation to accomplish them. And with that, I am off to create some pieces!

Getting set up...

2010-03-24T17:34:00.000-07:00


Circular Reference - Gunmetal & Brass Necklace

I am staying busy setting up my etsy shop and my Facebook fan page, taking more pictures of my products, and designing new pieces - if not actually putting them together, because I have hurt my elbow. I spent an hour on Monday evening burnishing a pot for my ceramics class, and I guess I should have taken a break! So now my elbow is in pain, but I still have work to do.... I also ordered some Moo cards and can't wait to get them! And I did spend some time online today researching some of the vintage screw-on and clip-on earrings I bought at the Antique Outlet a while back. I've decided to sell those as-is, and will have them posted soon in my etsy shop! I will post here as well, as soon as they are listed, so stay tuned!

Cormorant Studios

2010-03-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am taking the plunge and fully intend on making Cormorant Studios a successful business. I have been playing with this for the past two years (I like to say I've been researching), but I should have gotten serious about it sooner. There simply is no excuse! But better late than never, as it's said....

This blog will become the landing spot for my business (my domain will be set to forward directly here). It is currently directing to my Artfire shop but I will be getting this blog rearranged, and then it will direct here.

I have a big challenge ahead of me, but I am feeling extremely motivated and have lots of ideas about making this work. After two years of 'research', I am ready! I better be ready!

Although I don't consider myself a writer, much less a good one, I am setting up a blogging schedule for myself so that I will blog more regularly. Since I will be selling supplies from time to time, I also want to feature customers' creations here in my blog. So definitely stay tuned and check back soon!

~Jocelyn

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

Cheers, 2010! Hope you are a good one! I am sending very positive & happy thoughts your way. Good vibes put out, good vibes got back, right? Well here is a not-very-detailed list of my goals for this year -- at least I'm putting 'em out there!!!

1. Expand garden and/or revamp front yard (am still working on details for these)

2. Incorporate more edible & medicinal plants and herbs into my landscape

3. Learn about and use edible & medicinal plants in my cooking

4. Learn to make wine

5. Build & use a solar oven

6. Learn to bake bread

7. Make homemade yogurt

8. Learn to can

9. Improve my physical fitness (yoga regularly, walking, gym 3x/week)

10. Take a jewelry soldering class

Other things on my wish list:

1. Learn to spin/weave

2. Take a book-binding class

3. Take a PMC jewelry class

4. take some workshops with DesignBuildLive.org - they offer workshops on alternative building materials

5. learn Wildlife Rehabilitation

6. Take a First Aid/CPR class

Travel: Yellowstone & Grand Tetons in Wyoming, then down to Colorado for a family reunion. I really want to take a session at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina, but not sure if I can get away from work.

I have a full schedule and this is in addition to the Art classes I'm taking and my fledgling jewelry-making business. I work part time though so that's nice... I like to have my hands in several different pots, I have ADD.... anyway a Happy New Year to all!

One more day of 2009....

2009-12-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

I can't say I loved 2009, nor did I hate it.... it was okay. It got me where I needed to be. Spring was beautiful, I spent a lot of time in the garden... I spent a lot of time reading... I spent a lot of time at work, wishing I was outside. Quickly the summer heat, and the intolerable drought, was upon us. My garden died... I was miserable. I avoided the outdoors at all costs. The best thing about summer was adopting our puppy Starbuck on July 3rd. She will soon be 8 months old, and I am so completely enamored of her. She is a little terror though, and smart as hell, can't wait till she starts her training class next week. Fall brought many rain showers, and the plants thought it was spring - they bloomed and grew lush and beautiful! I revamped my front yard a little bit, just in time for Thanksgiving.... it's still far from done, but has grand plans for next year. It's been a cold, wet winter. I like the cold, but not the gray skies or the wetness. We visited Taos in December and it was beautiful there.... it snowed our last day there. And now we're back, and only one more day to go in this year.... I feel my organizing and cleaning itch coming on, even while I try to enjoy my laziness at the end of the year. I will soon post some of my 2010 goals. I don't want to call them resolutions... if it even matters what we call them! Will they be met or broken? Too hard to say. Will it help me keep my blog current or not? Way too hard to say. I'm not a writer... I wish I was. Every time I go back to past writings, I cringe. Nor am I a photographer, or I would have a photo blog. But in some vain hopes to revive this blog, I do plan to track my '10 goals. That '10 looks funny to me... but funny-looking or not, I'm certainly looking forward to it!

1st Drawings

2009-07-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

As promised, only 1 day late, here is some work from my Drawing I class. Forgive the poor photography, or maybe it's just the subject matter! The oleander study was pencil on newsprint; the last gesture drawing was inked in my sketch pad; all the others are charcoal on newsprint. Remember I am an extreme beginner, but I am doing far better than I ever thought I could!

the very first hand I have ever attempted:

a contour study of an oleander branch:

contour study of a tree:

my first gesture drawing:
a few classes later, another gesture drawing:
posing (I really like this one)

Gratuitous puppy cuteness

2009-07-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

I thought it had been, at most, maybe 2 months since I'd posted... I guess time flies faster than I'd realized. It has been 3 months!!! I am so bad at this blogging thing. I'm not really much of a writer, anyway. I would love to be, but it's something I really struggle with.

So, let's see, what have I been up to? Well I am taking a Drawing class now. I'm one of those "you CANNOT teach me to draw" kinds of people... but, guess what? I can draw! I am going to post some of my drawings on Friday. Also, I took a very beginner photography course... I figured out some settings on my camera, so I am feeling much more confident (and excited) about my photo-taking abilities. And, last but certainly not least, I got a new puppy! She is taking up tons of our time but she is absolutely worth it. We named her Starbuck, because we are proud of our geekiness!

And besides, she has the tenacious personality... here, she is gnawing on Neiko's cheek (Neiko is our 4-year old pitbull mix, whom we saved from certain death)...
Yeah his eyes glow satanically, but he did absolutely nothing... He usually looks at me like "aw, mom, what do I do now?!"

Which is exactly what I ask myself, on a daily basis.

Sunset colors and a work in progress...

2009-04-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

First, the pretty sunset colors:

Now, the landscape-in-progress (Burnt Umber & Burnt Sienna make an underpainting upon which I will be glazing colors using gouache):

Just wanted to share!

My Art, thus far

2009-03-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well I recently heard the phrase 'go ugly early' and although I cannot remember where I read that*** (if you do, please leave me a comment so I can properly attribute it), I turned that phrase over and over in my head and finally decided to abide by it. Therefore, even though I am a mere beginner at creating art such as the paintings that follow, I decided to post my work here. Also, I really don't think it's all that horrid, do you? (Just be nice, remember, I'm a beginner.. and karma, ya know!)

**edited to say that I googled 'go ugly early' and the 1st page results all seem to refer to a phenomenon whereby a guy lowers his standards and just goes for the ugly girl, instead of waiting to be rejected by prettier ones. Hmmm. That's not what I meant at all. I think I was reading something about photographing products for your website, and not to be a perfectionist when you are first starting out - to 'go ugly early' and later when you have the money and get better, worry about getting better pics. Just wanted to clarify, though I think the term (as applied to guys getting chicks) is pretty funny!

Industrial: done in gouache watercolor

Artichoke/flower: color schemes project from my class - counterclockwise, starting in the upper right quadrant: monochromatic; complementary; analagous; triadic

Koi fish sketch, done in colored pencil on tracing paper:

Koi fish painting, done in gouache watercolor (I began to color in the eyes and then decided not to - also I think the scanner didn't capture the water on the left-hand side very well)

just some abstract design - acrylic pigment inks

Well leave me your comments and let me know what you think!

Six Random Things

2009-02-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

Okay okay, I've ignored this blog long enough! My apologies. Anyway, Kelly over at Blondheart tagged me to tell six random things about myself. I can handle six. I've seen some that are like, 25. There's no way I can amuse myself long enough to think of 25 random things, but I can do 6. So here goes:

1. I really don't consider myself to be creative or artistic. I mean... I make things, and people say they like them, and that I'm so creative, but... it is something I really struggle with. I don't have that always-on-creativity-switch that some people seem to have. Then again, my sister says that she is isn't creative, but I think that she is. So maybe it's all in the eye of the beholder.

2. I skipped 2nd grade. I was just way too smart for those other kiddos. Just kidding! I was bumped ahead because the work was really easy for me, and I wasn't being challenged enough (so 'they' said). I was really enjoying 2nd grade, too. Since I finished all my work so early, I got to read in the clawfoot bath tub (yes my teacher had a bath tub in the room, it was awesome!!).

3. My favorite snacks: chips and salsa, avocados, chocolate. Not all at the same time. Maybe that's not very random, but... whatever.

4. My name is from a book titled, you guessed it, Jocelyn. I have the book. I've never read it.

5. I love goats, every time I see one I just start prattling on about how cute they are and how much I want one and can we please please have one and when can we have a goat and wouldn't it be great to have some goats they're so cute and.... you get the point.

6. I hate talking on the phone. Hate. It. Don't call me. Just email.

And now that I've written these six random things, and you know me a little better, maybe you don't want to, but you do, but now I am going to post this and later I'll think of six better more random things to have posted. But oh well, that's how it goes! Carry on!

**Edited: Oh, shoot! Now that I clicked back over to Blondheart's blog, I see the Rules for this game:

THE RULES (for this game of tag):

1. LINK TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU

2. POST THE RULES ON YOUR BLOG

3. WRITE SIX RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF

4. TAG SIX PEOPLE AT THE END OF YOUR POST AND LINK TO THEM

5. LET EACH PERSON KNOW THEY ARE TAGGED AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THEIR BLOG

6.LET THE TAGGER KNOW WHEN YOUR ENTRY IS UP

7. DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN (not actually a rule)

Okay, so since #7 isn't actually a rule, I'm going to break the chain (for now, I have to leave for work soon). I know, umpteen years of bad luck, yada yada... lol! Sorry!

No frills!

2009-01-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

No pretty pictures or anything this time - just a quick post to let everyone know that I'm hard at work making new pieces, and thinking up new designs! I've 'expanded' so to speak - I added a table to my studio! lol! Now I have more space to work. Well like I said, 'no frills'! Back to work, for me!

Lots O Kitties

2009-01-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

In Loving Memory - Cuddles

We lost a beloved pet yesterday - Cuddles was our 'gentleman cat' because he was always so sweet and gentle. I don't think I ever saw him fight with any other cats and we've had lots of cats over the years. I say 'we' but Cuddles was originally my sister's cat, from high school, right before I moved out to go to college, and when my sister went to college Cuddles stayed with my mom who became his caretaker. That was about 11 years ago. So Cuddles has lived a long life, and a good one.

In the past few years Cuddles developed diabetes, and my mother had to give him insulin injections every day. Still, Cuddles remained the sweet, loving kitty that he always had been. Here he is with his best friend Screech:

Screech and Cuddles came to live with us at about the same time, and quickly became inseparable. Wherever Cuddles went, Screech would follow... during Cuddles' last few days, Screech was constantly beside him. Here are some more pics of Cuddles with his friends:

from left: Cuddles, Screech, Princess (my mom's 'feral' cat)

Princess, Screech, Cuddles

Now Cuddles has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Smokey, my beloved kitty that left us on March 11, 2008 (and also grew up with Cuddles but came with me when I left for college) will be there to welcome him though.

Smokey

Jewelry from my Studio

2008-12-31T17:55:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!!

2008-12-31T15:35:00.000-08:00

glitter-graphics.com

Merry Birdhouses

2008-12-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

I found some nifty plain white birdhouses at HobLob on clearance, and bought the remaining three. I figured I'd paint them or decorate them somehow, but I ended up just stuffing the bag under my crafting table. While pondering crafty gifts to make, I remembered the forgotten houses and decided to give them to my mom as a xmas gift. I gathered supplies: paint, brushes, sandpaper, decoupage medium, paper scraps, ribbon, inspirational transfers, and more. Spread out on the cold concrete floor of my craft room, I started painting the first one and just waited for the colors and personality of the house to reveal.

Feeling quite proud of the first one, with its denim-look paint job and bronze-y accents (including a filigree under the eaves), pleasant glittery yellow roof and chipper bird, I forged on to the next:This second house turned out to be quite merry, with its patchwork-look 'wallpaper', a cheery green roof with flourishes, real cedar siding (from a tree in my yard), a touch of gold paint, and another filigree accent. Second merry birdhouse complete, I turned to the third. I was a bit stumped, I confess, not sure of how I could outdo myself on this one! But I think I did:I painted it yellow, then smeared a tiny rag dabbed on a black ink pad all over it, then went over that with green paint. It came out quite natural looking, lots of depth in the various layered colors. I tried crackle paint on the roof, but it didn't work (too cold?), so I sanded it down and ended up with a gorgeous weather-beaten, aged effect. I didn't want to decorate this one too much so I just used some more cedar bark and lichen-covered branches from my yard. The bird is sitting on a small chunk of ball moss, which covers the lower branches of my oak trees.

I poured a lot of creative effort into this project. But I have to say that I was thrilled with the outcome, and I just wish I could find more of those little houses!

Bluebird's Treasure

2008-12-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

A new piece... I have been collecting quite a few vintage stones, and now that I've recently purchased some filigree wraps, I can make use of them! I love the color of this stone... it seems to sparkle, doesn't it?

I've also been playing around with different backdrops for my photos. Do you like the words?

Twitter me this....

2008-12-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

You can now follow me on twitter!

http://twitter.com/TheLadyJ

We'll see how well I can keep up with it... heck, we'll see if I can even figure it out! I have to plead ignorance when it comes to social networking sites. But I'm trying!

Not that I'm passionate about it or anything....

2008-12-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

A Home for Dragonfly

2008-11-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

I have found a home for this lovely necklace:

It is one of my favorite pieces. And I love antique brass. The dragonfly has been hand-patinaed to a lovely blue-green color, and it is clasped by an ornate vintage brass bail. The agate slice further enhances the patina of the dragonfly.

Antique brass oval-shaped links on either side of the pendant for a bit more decorative look than chain alone, and there is an antique brass filigree toggle (not pictured).

I have found it rather difficult to find more agate slices in a similar shape. I guess this one, which just happened to be the perfect backdrop for the dragonfly, was a truly lucky find! I know its new owner will enjoy it!

More goodies...

2008-11-16T13:56:00.001-08:00

simple yet sparkly:

these filigree cones remind me of a Victorian 'tussy mussy'

The labradorite stones have an iridescent shimmer, hard to see in these photos...

A smokey grey quartz disc, a highly protective stone, with two gunmetal chains:

Birds and Butterflies

2008-11-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

I love making necklaces with microscope slides and frames! So much fun and I get to play with paper scraps and glue! I love getting all glue-y.

Chocolate butterfly -- I love the multi-colored 'chocolate' pearls on this one:

I like this gray-blue and white bird and the patterned paper border:

Reversible necklaces - I had fun playing with all my paper scraps to find *the perfect one* for each bird (or butterfly) image:

2008-11-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a sampling of what I've been making recently:

Mixed metals and lots of different charms and trinkets -- one of a kind! And one of my favorites!

Another mixed metals necklace, this one with gunmetal and brass circles all linked together

Some deco charm necklaces that I've made with collage scraps, glaze, antique brass links, and beads. On some of these I have even used vintage beads!

Another one of my favorites, with antique brass filigree and links, two different white and gold beads, and these really pretty red porcelain beads that just make me think of ripe red cherries!

This necklace is another one-of-a-kind featuring white glass beads and 2 Tibetan silver beads, along with Tibetan silver flowered spacers!

I'll be posting more over the next few days. Am just getting the hang of the photography and lighting, and then there's also photoshop to consider! I'll get there eventually (I hope!).

Greetings

2008-11-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new blog for Cormorant Studios! I will be posting new items here and hopefully, if I can keep up with blogging, updates on what's going on in my little studio! Thanks for checking it out!