Custom orders and mock ups

So it's another over-the-top Saturday night in the studio. Kids are in bed, hubby is at work and I'm working like a crazy woman. I love my family dearly, but I definitely don't have as much time to work on jewelry as I used to. I have to work on my jewelry and the business of making jewelry every possible moment their needs aren't taking priority.

A customer recently contacted me about wanting the University of Florida Gator colors (orange and blue for those of you outside of Gainesville) in a set of jewelry. We talked some details and he actually left it for me to use my judgment. Hmmm.... A couple of days later I had the idea that I would take pieces I've already done and "Photoshop" the Gator colors in there. While my Photoshop skills aren't anything to write home about, I think I did a pretty good job of getting representational images.

I've got a good start below. What do you think? Anyone got any favorites out there? Maybe this is the start of a line of resin jewelry just for University of Florida Gator fans or just someone that loves orange and blue. Are there any other schools with this color scheme? ??

I'll keep you posted on what he likes (it's a gift for his girlfriend). I'll see if I can't get some pictures too as I'm ready to pour and while they're being finished.

Want to brush up on your art history?

So as I'm surfing the net, I find art related articles and websites that I've rather enjoyed. I have bookmarked so many, that I thought it might be fun to share some of the best from time to time with blog readers. One of my favorites is Art History Resources on the Web, a website developed and maintained by an art history professor at Sweet Briar College (Virginia). The site was selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for inclusion on EDSITEment as "one of the best online resources for education in the humanities." The website chronicles art history and links to other webpages for additional information about art periods and their respective artists. It also categorizes the art by geographical location. I love that it gives art history lessons with no test at the end (haha!).

Brrr....this cold weather

So I have taken some ribbing from other friends this week when they hear me mention that "it's cold". They remind me I live in Florida, so how bad can it be? I counter that any day I can't wear flip-flops is a tragedy. (tongue in cheek of course) I must admit that I when I moved to Florida 12 years ago, I didn't think I would still be here. Funny how that works out.

So I thought I would also share another use for art show tents and canopies. With the cold this week, I couldn't take the chance of my orange tree freezing, so I've covered it with the tent and have a light inside to generate some heat. I'm not a horticulturist by any means, but this tree and I have a nice little relationship. He provides me with orange juice once a year, so the least I can do is help to keep him warm on the really cold Florida nights.

(For perspective, the tent is 10 feet tall in the center.)


This is my tree from the inside. He fills it up pretty well; we had to tuck several branches inside. There's not much room to sell jewelry!











The oranges have been turning color for the last month. They won't be ready until the first of March or so. These are Satsuma oranges, which are juice oranges. (They are thin-skinned and don't peel well.) I generally pick them off as I need them. We're lucky to have fresh juice daily for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Happy New Year!

Many wishes to all for a beautiful and prosperous 2010. More great jewelry is on the sketch pad and I hope to share it with you soon!