Workbench Wednesday

here's a glimpse into my studio this afternoon...

which had the most beautiful view

of freshly fallen snow outside the window

i'm working on restoring and repairing these beautiful

enamel heirloom pieces

this project has taken MUCH longer than originally expected.

the old solder was different

than anything i'd worked with before

and had a significantly low flow temp.

(which left the enamel looking off)

to get the enamel to "re-flow" i needed to buy a new torch.

one which gets hot with a nice clean flame

(my old one is sooooo tiny, and not hot enough to fire larger pieces)

anyways... i'm hoping to have these beauties done by November

for the patient and friendly owner :)

what's in your works this week?

-Lynsey

my heart in its core

when summer nods to fall, that's when i feel most in touch with myself.

do you know those days: when you feel more beaming and alive in your own skin?

i'm not entirely sure why, but the summer is always most difficult for me.

that's the opposite of many people whose spirits will damper in the colder winter months.

really, nothing has noticeably changed.

calendar pages, yes.

The rhythm of my day is familiar, typical even,

and yet, deep inside i always feel different come late September.

maybe i'm like an autumn fruit to harvest.

an apple or pumpkin

small summer tart growing sweeter in its core

my colors grow bright as the nights cool and the days are sunny and crisp.

i like to take full advantage of my spirit from autumn to spring

it's my time of new pursuits, adventures, determination

if you've followed my work for these past 4 years...

you may notice that new projects tend to bud most in the fall/winter months for me

does your spirit show itself more brightly at times?

can you anticipate when? are you a spring flower? a summer strawberry?

xx

Lynsey

underneath

i'm looking for a little more

beneath the surface of my flesh

into the depths of my mind and spirit

my jewelry is following the lead

something more

lingering quietly beneath

i think so often our potential is covered

by the judgment of others, past experiences,

and unfortunately our own critiques

but it still exists!

our potential will always exist

it takes courage and love to push through

and take a deeper look into what we can be

how we can live better,

love better

i believe love and acceptance can be contagious.

starting within

breaking the opacity and shining outward

our soul can then shine.

we can recognize beauty because we've pushed away our own fog.

on strength

personal strength comes in many definitions and forms

i want to exist unwavering;

bold and unabashed.

sometimes my self-critic gets the all too much

of my time.

she whispers words of doubt.

when weak, i listen too closely.

there is another part of me i wish to embrace more often;

a warrior spirit:

kind and sturdy.

i firmly believe that each morning we can make a choice

of who to be

what to believe

plot the course of our day

my 2/3's year resolution is to doubt myself less

to play more

experience what each day offers

and to be more bold.

these earrings are trinkets of strength.

the color reaped from roaring embers.

i will bare similar shields from my lobes

so that when i look in the mirror

i am reminded of the strength i contain

and choose to embrace it

what choices do you make to ensure a good day?

L

giveaway notice!

if you reading this and wishing for

a free pair of handmade enamel stud earrings

you're in luck!

please zoom over to my friend's (Jamie) blog:

http://spilledmilkformoms.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/giveaway-verre-encore-handmade-alpine-dew-drop-earrings/

she's a new mommy :)

offering stories, insight, and inquiry into life with a little one

these earrings are perfect wearables

(especially if you have little tykes which threaten your lobes)

good luck!

-Lyns

*shooosh shooosh* dusting off the shelves

yes, it's been a while

since i've been settled enough to really pour myself in to my work

hear this:

NEW in shop today

Whispers from the Waves earrings

i love where my work has taken me throughout the years

ever more so, i'm able to follow my own intuitions

to new frontiers

and golly, i owe so much

to everyone who has supported my work along the way

(so much!)

heading into the fall, my wish is to push forward

continue exploring in metal and glass

i'll try to invite you into the studio more often

and hope you'll stop by

xx,

Lyns

flores del mar - flowers from the sea

with this semester's lighter course-load (+ 3 snow days)

i'm able to devote time to exploring more in the studio.

i'm trying to give my unconsciousness voice

approaching the materials without a plan

responding instinctively to the metal, glass, and tools

an echo returned from my childhood

despite being a Midwestern girl now

my roots are connected to coastal life

New England and Florida are great pieces of my childhood

combing sand and surf,

when tides crept back to sea,

i'd investigate their forgotten pools

what wonder existed !

curious creatures, shapes, colors, and textures.

these joyful excursions have matured into my present work

they have been marinating for a few years

i let go

allowing the spontaneous

and less conscious parts of myself work

flores del mar - flowers from the sea

(thank you, Mari! she gave this piece a most fitting name)

i feel reminded of magic

kindled in spirit

overjoyed that my unconscious brought to existence such a pleasant piece

made by me... of copper, enamel, and oxidized silver

what childhood memories would find your work?

xx,

Lynsey

quiet snow day

Missouri was tucked in last night

i love waking up

dashing to the television

legs tucked under themselves as I wait for the alphabet to pass

ah, the fun part of being a student

SNOW DAYS!

how to use such a day?

art nerd: this lighting is PERFECT for photos

brilliant diffused light scattering the earth

and my windowsill

here's some pieces that have been awaiting the perfect day

to capture their details

i think i may take myself for a walk in the park later

tromp about in the fresh foot of snow

how do you like to spend snow days?

wishing you sweet marshmallows in your hot cocoa,

Lynsey

p.s. earrings are now in shop

SALE time!!!

can't believe it's that time of year again.

a small gift from me to you...

i'm offering 20% off all orders

starting 12:00am 11/26 through 11/29 (11:59pm)

just use coupon code: VEsale2010

let your pals know.

x's & o's

Lynsey

Fresh from zee Kiln

I'm infatuated with the autumnal colors right now. They're popping up in my drawings and definitely in my studio. so happy to work with a medium which allows me to try translating nature's colors into wearables :)

You can find them here, in my shop

Hope your weekend so spent enjoy the outdoors!

We're heading to watch my little brother play ruby tomorrow.

(likely in the rain and mud... which makes for an interesting event)

xo,

Lynsey

more in store: filling the virtual shelves

good news: these little beauties just hit the shop this evening :)

other news:. i miss my torch.

i'm bringing it back after the weekend.

the torch I use in the university's studio is out-of-commission

it's left me feeling unsettled and unsure of my technique

funny how quick i get to know equipment as a collaborator in the process.

i depend on it being constant and predictable

a flame to companion my work

yes, there are other torches available here.

however, these are far too cumbersome and hot for the precise work i need

i worry about disappointing my buyers

it is a heavy feeling.

i want each person to enjoy their purchase

creations from my mind, heart, and hands

can't wait to travel 200 miles to get that little flame!

must keep creating - nurturing the artist's soul

sweet sassy molassey - school's been uber busy this semester.

leaving me little time to hop online or the studio.

how about a few 12-hour + days in a row?

(ew!)

i'm making a giant effort to stay connected to my creative side though.

here's a recent happening, fresh from the kiln and into the shop

nice to have some new things to show :)

despite the hustle from here and there

hope you all have a fantastic weekend !

xo,

Lynsey

a soft love: new handmade enamel heart necklace

i've made this necklace in pink, red, and white

which are pretty. i happily wear mine.

but something said to move away from the expected colors

(not to mention i've been working w/ cool hues all summer)

and so this little sweetie has arrived:

i've had such a good summer in the studio

that it'll be hard to leave

i want to keep making

but between classes, school work, internship, job, a long-distance love, and Etsy...

oh yeah : my Thesis

...

it leaves little creative room

so i plan on setting small goals:

create one item a month

yes, it's a small goal...

a start though.!

(a minimum self-quota... which i hope to far surpass)

how do you find the time?

xx,

Lynsey

missing my studio.

it's 97.8°F and humid today

July & August have been nearly the same forecast

with the exception of a few select days

wouldn't be so terrible... but my studio happens to be at nature's whim

[no temperature control there]

and so on these sweltering days, all i do is dream of firing the kiln

floating saw blades through metal

and bring pieces to life.

luckily i snagged the opportunity last week

when a slight break offered up 86-degree days (two in a row!)

these were born:

they remind me of the ocean's secret waters

perhaps in a cove

where visitors do not frequent

doesn't that sound refreshing?!

perhaps a creative mirage

but i'll take it!!

enough whining, lynsey.

how about you? ...are you keeping cool?

or is the entire continent boiling?

what about you... in another country?

xo,

Lynsey

p.s. no developments on my parents

we're all in limbo

but there's a lot of love here

to keep us safe

... thank you. for your thoughts, prayers, and words!

seeing it through - exploring new designs

this summer has been a welcome friend

one i haven't seen in some time

but the kind you relate to instantly

despite years apart

she's open and adventurous

no rushes or pressures

the luxury of playing has returned

and i DO mean playing

creating in my studio has been rejuvenating

i'm exploring new territories

and the excitement seeps from the kiln

fusing itself to the copper

existing almost as if nature

it was meant to be there

organic

how's your summer play?

xo,

Lynsey

soft summer whispers

i'm feeling more gentle than usual

wearing earrings more soft

beautiful shades,

laces and ruffles

these are my new little favs in shop

sigh... light, glowing, effervescent

in cleaning my old room at my parents' house

i came across some of my poetry

what a terrific reminder to set time aside

to observe and imagine

i'm hoping to write a bit more this summer

perhaps in my dainty earrings

with a glass of sun tea :)

hope your July is going swimmingly!

-L

a weekend of blue country skies

just returned from a lovely getaway on a remote Missouri farm

i n c r e d i b l e

the weather was more than cooperative
allowing us to flock on the path to and from the river
spend hours floating in the lake

and at night wonder how big the universe is
as our eyes ponder the Milky Way
shooting stars and planets

i wish photos could do justice to the sunsets and starlight

perhaps unrelated... but certainly an ode to the open blue sky
i created these enameled stud earrings
(of which i proudly own a similar pair)


i managed to use my beer to

any adventures on your end this weekend?
xo,
Lynsey

Urban Safari ::: handmade enamel animal prints

100% vegan friendly animal prints? i suppose so!

these little fellow are hand-painted and enameled for a superb look

in other news beyond the studio...

Patrick and I will be doing a 100 mile bike ride tomorrow

holy moly we're excited!!

i'll leave you with some shots of the new goodies:

eee... still excited about these!

see you 100 miles from now !

toodloo

-L

new handmade jewelry: fashion forward animal print

hello, and good evening!

hmm, perhaps i've been in the city more than usual?

i can feel it affecting me

i'm exploring differently

instead of through fields, old roads, and trees

investigating surfaces, textures, and patterns

still every city contains the essence of far off places

whether visiting the local zoo

or glancing at the fashionistas stiletto-walking past

the world constantly beckons us to search

PLAY

have fun!

even in our day-to-day wear,

perhaps it's become tired

(mine was. plain. classic. safe.)

today, i'm daring to branch out and do something new

i spent countless hours in the studio hand-sawing each rectangle

and hand-painting these lovely patterns!

now my safe little wardrobe can have some edge

huzzah!

you have any favorite textures or patterns found in your journeys?

xo,

Lyns

p.s. these will be listed later this evening ::here::

summer inspirations

summer has moved swiftly into the Midwest

humidity lingering from evening thunderstorms

waves of sun-convected heat

despite the heavy warmth around me,

i can't help but plunge into the studio

(now that i have a little time from school)

here are some creations that have come about

thank goodness for maintaining so cool and refreshing schemes