FRIENDS OF THE MOON
Links to those who are my mentors, fellow artists and constant motivation and inspirations for my art.
HOW IT ALL STARTED...
We moved out of Chicago proper and up into the hinterlands of northwestern Illinois in 2001 to "watch" my husband's family home "for a while ..." We are still here seven years later. During this time I took a number of classes at the local junior college. My first "official" art class after so many years of private painting lessons as a child (yes, I paint, too ... throw pots, play with stained glass, etc. I have begun to realize it's all about the tools for me - I love tools!) was an intro class to jewelry fabrication taught by a fabulous instructor, Ms. Kim Vorel. I loved it! Tools! Fire! Stinky stuff! Acids! I was terrified and enthralled all at the same time. What a great experience and I'm so glad I received such a solid foundation in metalworking fundamentals - Kim really insisted and it really stuck with me the absolute necessity to produce clean, hand-finished work. It makes a HUGE difference to pay attention to the smallest of details when it comes to the finishing portion of the jewelry piece. I will be forever grateful for that bit of knowledge as it has served me well as I continue to expand as an artist.
That said, I also realized that metalsmithing was not something one can "casually" do out of one's home. Dedicated ventilation (for the stinky stuff) and workspace was needed, and not in the cards for me at that time. But I had heard bits and pieces about this new material floating around that was non-toxic and could be worked using an indoor kiln ... hmmm ...
I also enrolled the following year in a ceramics class, just to play in the mud and maybe make a mug or two. What an absolute blast, but a lot of hard work and effort. I would highly encourage anyone to get in a basic ceramics class and then see with a new appreciation the work and love that potters put into their art! Little was I to know that this was all setting me up for the big turnaround in my life ...
Caravan Beads - Charlene Steele, owner
caravanbeadschicago.com
This is where it all began, ten years ago. I started taking basic wire-wrapping and beading classes here and still continue to take a class here and there after all these years. The staff is incredibly enthusiastic and helpful, and the classes are always thorough and well-presented. Visit their Web site for a full listing of classes they offer. My thanks to all the teachers who were so patient with me these earlier years - some are still with Caravan, and the others who have moved on to fulfill their own artistic dreams. To Chrissy for showing me the wire wrapping technique that morphed into my Sprite Bracelets and Faery Cuffs. To Sara Chapman for her introduction course in basic wrapping of stones, but offering much more by also opening my mind to the joys of metalsmithing. And of course, to Charlene Steele for having such a wonderful store for all to enjoy and for being a constant friend and encouragement to my potential and growth.
Blue Buddha Boutique - Rebeca Mojica, owner
bluebuddhaboutique.com
Through Caravan Beads I met chainmaille diva extraordinaire, Rebeca Mojica of Blue Buddha Boutique. I have always loved the idea of chainmaille (being a big ren-faire geek and all) and jumped at the chance to learn this time-honored and ancient technique of connecting a gob of little rings together to form magnificent jewelry. (Yes, I know that was not its original purpose, but times have changed and not everyone carries a double-handed Claymore). I have taken many a class with Rebeka since then and have been witness to her meteoric rise in owning and running her very successful chainmaille business! Visit Blue Buddha Boutique for all of her latest news, classes and online tutorials. You will not be disappointed!
Lisa and Tony Blackwell
zoaart.com
Also through Caravan, I met the couple that literally changed my life - I mean it - my whole concept of what I could artistically do changed in that one-day class I took with Lisa & Tony Blackwell. They introduced a full class of us to a relatively new product (at least in the U.S. - it had been known in Japan for quite a few years) called "Precious Metal Clay." That was the stuff I had been hearing about a year ago when in metals class! And it combines the skills one uses in ceramics, then after it's fired, the skills one uses in metal fabrications! Hey, I had those skills! Holy Moley - that totally rocked my world! By the end of class I had purchased everything I could possibly buy from them AND a $500 tabletop kiln sight unseen, and came home to promptly announce to my husband that my life was forever changed! (Poor Guy!)
Sherry Viktora and Lynn Gifford
out-ona-limb.com and midnightmoon.biz
From that point I was consumed with learning all I could about PMC and the various applications. While in ceramics class I stumbled upon a one-day instruction class teaching about PMC. This was being taught by Ms. Sherry Viktora and little did I know how fate was working behind the scenes to set us pawns into place … since I was not an official attendee of the class, I hung around on the outskirts and waited for a chance to pounce on Sherry at a break in her class. I found out she was teaching another class in Stoughton, Wisconsin and that was all I needed. I bugged Charlene about getting certified as a PMC artisan and she finally relented. We both went to the sleepy little town of Stoughton, WI about fifteen miles south of Madison.
There we had an amazing three-day certification adventure and met the wonderful owners, Lynn and John, who hosted the course at their shop, Midnight Moon. This is a great bead store and I highly recommend a trip out that way if one is inclined to do so. Sherry Viktora is a Senior PMC Instructor for PMC Connection and she is the second person who has greatly influenced my artistic life. She is an award winning artist in many different mediums. Her work, time and instructions are always in high demand and she is most generous with her extensive knowledge and shares her own ideas freely with anyone interested. Please visit her site for stunning examples of all her works. I continue to see Sherry and pursue more advanced PMC level certifications - yay, Sherry!
Debra Edwards
bellalunabeads.com
After living in the 'burbs for some time, I was introduced to Debra from Bella Luna Beads - and, in an interesting twist of fate, was reunited with Tony and Lisa Blackwell! Debra was hosting them at her shop and after a three year absence, I got to hook back up with them to continue my ever-expanding PMC education. Oh the things I have learned from these folks! And Debra's place is such a pleasure to work and learn in - currently Bella Luna offers assorted jewelry kits for sale online.
Cynthia Thorton
greengirlstudios.com
Debra also introduced me to the wonderful Ms. Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl Studio fame. I feel myself so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing talent and to have learned from so many people willing to share their art and gifts. Cynthia showed us all how to carve and create our own signature stamps, as well as make little three-dimensional figures out of fimo clay to be used in our PMC designs. She is such a funny, genuine, down to earth person, truly a delight to learn from and again - I felt such an honor to be part of that experience. Her site is one of my favorites places to go and get rejuvenated!
Yet another multi-talented, fantastic artist is Ms. Ruth Rae and once again, I was introduced to Ruth through Debra and learned some really cool wire-wrapping techniques from her. Ruth is well known as a mixed media artist and has just finished her newest book - go to her blog and get the very latest on her current projects and endeavors.
And that pretty much takes us to the "now" of things - I will always continue to learn and expand on my skills - there is so much new information out there every day and one can always have room for growth. In researching other sites and seeing what people are creating out there, I realize I still have such an amazing road ahead of me - but to me this is incredibly exciting, filled with potential and possibilities of "what if I do it this way ..."
SPECIAL THANKS
Third Coast Designs - Valerie, owner
thirdcoastrs.com
Stamps used to create the "Elemental Dragon" and "Celtic Myth" series were purchased from Third Coast designs - awesome site for all kinds of rubber stamps! Valerie, owner of Third Coast, was kind enough to give me her blessings in using the designs for my jewelry work! Thank you so much, Valerie - because of you, so many more folks can be artfully adorned!
Also, many thanks to Lynn Gifford of Midnight Moon, for showing me the basic idea that has evolved into the Faery Rings - it is also with her blessings that I am able to sell it to my customers. Big hugs to you, Lynn, and best of luck in your new gallery space!
MY SUPPORT TEAM
First and most important, I want to give my adorable husband much praise and credit for all of his incredible hard work for this site and in dealing with me on a 24/7 schedule. His wizardry is the Web and he has tirelessly worked on helping me implement this massive project - it seems massive to me, as I am woefully lacking in computerese. He has put all of my Libra-style ideas together (i.e. : Let's do this … no, wait a minute, let's do it this way instead - no, no, wait, changed my mind … hey! Shiny things!) and made them cohesive. He has done a number of freelance site designs for other businesses in our community and can be seen at his regular blog, ivanewert.com. He has been the number one person that keeps encouraging my creative dreams and endeavors - it is because of him that I have quit my day job (something I was told you should never do - one of my more endearing qualities is that I do not like being told what to do) to throw myself fully into this new artistic endeavor. His support is complete and unwavering. There is no way I can ever express the gratitude I feel for such a gift, but I will try! Our big idea is this: I go over the edge first, test the waters, and yell back that the water's fine! I have a sneaking suspicion that his big toe is already testing the temperatures!
To Ms. Susan Sieber at uzishosilks.com and all of her amazing knowledge with photography and generous spirit - she is such a talented artist and we have done a couple shows together, and found out that we really have a good time hanging out with each other. She has been such a tremendous help in giving me he hard and fast rules of basic digital photography and then set me loose to wreak havoc on the world - she has been invaluable when helping me pick out the right camera for my needs, even spent three hours with me at the local Circuit City going over each camera while fighting a bad cold bug. Wow! She also knows of my unholy lust for any kind of gadget or tool and has the ability to talk sense into me, keeping me away from the "over-buying edge" - a true friend, indeed.
To my family, who never doubted I could do it - but nonetheless are a little surprised that I am - when I first told my father my plan of creating jewelry and selling it as my means of income, his reaction was, "Jewelry? Sell your paintings! You'll make more money!" To which I responded, "When was the last time you bought mom a painting for Christmas?" He has been totally on board with this ever since, and they both continue to express enthusiasm and interest in my journey. I love them dearly.
To all my friends, who continually give us encouragement and show their support - the list of those is so long and I am so fortunate to know them all. I give you all my most heartfelt thanks.
To my loyal clients who have supported and continue to support me and my art - you have my deepest gratitude. Without you all I would not be able to pursue my dreams and turn them into reality. Thank you, one and all.