Happy New Year and Newness All Around!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I'm super psyched about 2014, and here's why:

All about the pics!
I have been trying really hard to keep a catalogue of my work, and have finally gotten a rhythm going. I realized I had quite a library of pictures, so I decided to start a tumblr. It's still a work in progress, but I will be posting new work there at least once a week. Check it out: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/sunraycreations

Batik Batik Batik
I learned how to batik on a trip to Bali, and have been hooked since. It's not the most portable art form, though, so when I moved I had to give it up. Now that I'm all set up in my new place, batiking is back on the table. It's been so great to get my hands on fabric again, and there will be much more to come.

ocean rose

Taking this show on the road!

I recently left my artist community in the Marshall Islands to move to Mexico. The move has been great for me, but I've really missed the community work that I was doing with the local arts ngo, Jambo Arts (check there out here). Jambo is hosting its 8th biannual art exhibition in April, and I can think of nothing I would like more than to help/participate. So, I've got a gofundme campaign set up to help with the ticket, as it is pretty pricey to get out there. Please check it out, share, and donate if you can: http://www.gofundme.com/5ksjqw

Earring a Day Challenge

Ahoi hoi beaders and art enthusiasts!

I have a bit of a confession to make. While I have sketched many new ideas on paper, I have not made a new pair of earrings in a month. It's a little disheartening, as I love making jewelry and find a great deal of comfort in it. Sometimes the muse just isn't there. But, I'm a firm believer in "fake it, 'til you make it". So, I'll be challenging myself to make a pair of earrings everyday until the end of this month. I'll be posting the results here on the blog to hold myself accountable. I've done "earring a day" challenges before, and have found them to be deeply rewarding. The push to make something, anything, even if it's bad, is just the thing to get the creative mojo going.

Here's the pair I whipped up for day one of the challenge:

Tropical Tango Hoops

I made these late last night, and had so much fun. It was the first time in a while that I didn't feel pressure to make something that would "sell". Instead, I enjoyed experimenting with the thread and let go of the result.

Tropical Tango Hoops

I love big bright earrings, so these neon hoops are right up my alley. I think I'll be wearing them quite a bit :)

And if making a pair of earrings wasn't enough, last night also gifted me with a bonus canvas.

Random Rainbows 1

I'm so glad that I've started this personal challenge. I can't wait to see what else comes forth.
1 day down, 14 days to go.

A Poem for a Rainy Thursday

Lately my days have been spent working and not doing very much art. The muse is on vacation. But, I do try to write a bit everyday, just to keep the energy of art in my being. Here's a poem I've been working on called "Rorschach". I'd love to know what you think.


Audio and voice recording >>

Paint on the Fingers

Works in Progress

Rainy day paint day :)

When It Stopped Being About Love

I've just finished reading La Bella Joya's wonderful post on the amateur phase of jewelry making. It really got me to thinking about where I am with my jewelry and where I want to be. I don't remember when I picked up my first set of pliers and mangled some sterling silver wire into a pendant, I just remember that the feeling was heaven. I haven't looked back since. It went from gemstones, glass, and wire, to seed beads, to soda cans, and who knows where it will lead. And yes, that feeling that you get when people say "You made that?!" is still very much with me. The only trouble is that "How much?" has been added on to it. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to have a client base that wants to buy my work. It makes it a whole lot easier to keep myself in bead supplies now that they little gems are paying for themselves. That said, I've just spent the past 2 weeks preparing for a big sale that I have two more weeks to prep for, and I'm exhausted. Mainly, I'm tired of making what feels like the same pair of earrings over and over again. While I would love to be spending my time cutting up soda cans and experimenting with bottle caps, I have a deadline to meet. And what would be the point of making a whole lot of earrings that haven't been "tested", meaning simply that I don't know if people would actually buy them. Well, the point would be that this is very much where my free spirit artsy soul wants to play right now. So, where do I draw the line between supplying and creating. I wish I had an answer. I could not be more grateful to the amazing people who have purchased my jewelry, and I want them to keep coming back. I also want time to play! How do I manage the 2? Any suggestions?