After two years of corresponding by email and trading jewelry by mail, I finally got to meet my friend
Steph (aka Vladthebat) face to face. On the Thursday before last I picked her up in Nashville at the airport and with sadness dropped her off this past Friday morning. We spent a week of creating in the studio and exploring Middle Tennessee. The weather was on its best behavior, as we had a whole week of sunshine and warm temperatures.
She brought goodies along with her... a wealth of interesting raw materials for creating, two really cool necklaces (I'll post the necklace pictures next time), and enough Belgian chocolate that should have last me for months. The supply of chocolate is now dwindled to a handful of pieces. I shared a little, but it should be declared a controlled substance. I can't stop eating it. One morning she even made Belgian waffles for us.
In the studio, it was so interesting to see someone take the same materials that I have been looking at for months and take them in a totally different direction. I had a bowl of flat stones that I picked up while kayaking and and she picked one up and immediately started carving a design in it. So then we both started carving stones. That night I got the idea that we should etch some of the copper to match the stones so the next day we spent several hours experimenting with etching. Here is a bracelet in which I combined Steph's stone and my copper etching.
And another piece where I stamped a face and etched it. I have to experiment more with my etching solution recipe to keep from getting it too strong.
Throughout the week my creativity got a much needed boost that hopefully will last a while. I needed it to get ready for Studio Thursday coming up this week. It will actually be 3 days this month for the holiday sale. Check it out at
Silo Studio's website.
Our lives are so much richer now that we have a new friend and I am planning a visit to Belgium in the not too distant future.
Last Friday was the start of flea market weekend at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I love to have a free afternoon to wander and peruse the wares.
This mirror was very intriguing for a self portrait shot.
Of course you can always find cowboy boots in Nashville.
I love the big letters.
This vendor had spelled out various words all over the pavement.
And this is the treasure that I went to find...loads of new beads and cabochons to make some new creations. To top off all of that inspiration, my new issue of Jewelry Artist magazine was in the mailbox when I got home. Woooooohoooooo....studio, here I come!
