FALL 2009 Collection Inspiration

Blackwater falls trip Canaan Valley, WV 2009.

This trip and all the smells, colors, and textures of Fall were such an inspiration for the new LizzyB Designs Fall Collection. The air in the mountains always lets me clear my mind & gain a new perspective on life. Autumn is one of my absolute favorite seasons; such a time of change and solitude. It really helps me to remember that life is a process and like the cycles of the seasons our personal growth cannot be rushed. We must take time to let the universe guide our actions and be thankful for each day we are given. ~Lizzy

Sue Stockman's 'Jewelry Journey Intensive'

I recently attended my first jewelry making class and it was fabulous! I have been self taught up until this point, but decided it was time to take the next step and learn some new & exciting techniques. I signed up for a three day jewelry intensive class at my local Holistic Learning Center: Evergreen Cove, to be led by a local artist (Sue Stockman); whose work is just stunning. She was vibrant and upbeat while remaining patient with everyone in the class. She really had the skills to show everyone what they wanted to learn and answer any questions we may have had. Sue was thorough in her instructions and taught us how to implement various techniques into our own unique style. Over the three day course we learned how to Anneal and Texture Nonferrous metals. We were shown how to Fuse & Solder Silver and even got to try it ourselves! I can't even begin to delve into all the cool & useful techniques we were shown, but it was such a valuable experience.

It really inspired me to come home and try all the techniques we had learned in the class on my own & perfect them to fit my own personal style. I had the best of intentions until I realized I couldn't be hammering or fusing Sterling Silver on my soapstone island in our kitchen:). So, needless to say I am in the process of building a studio in my home with the help of my boyfriend who specializes in trim carpentry *thank goodness*. Around that same time I also realized how many tools I would need to purchase in order to achieve many of the techniques we had learned in the class. Little by little I will get there, but I am having so much fun in the meantime, dreaming up cool designs & drawing things I want to do as soon as my very large purchase from RioGrande arrives!

I would encourage any new artist to get out there and expand upon the skills you already possess by taking a class focusing on the type of art you enjoy creating. It is not about taking another artists' ideas, but instead learning from the wisdom they have attained over their career to shape that knowledge into creations of your own. This was one of the most worthwhile & rewarding classes I have ever taken & I would not hesitate to attend again to pick up on other lessons I may not have been ready for that first time around. Sue Stockman's class is a great one to choose & she is an outstanding instructor. This class made for a very enjoyable weekend!

Chrysocolla KARMA Bracelet made it to the Front Page of ETSY!!

My Chrysocolla KARMA Bracelet from my ETSY shop LizzyB Designs was featured on the Front Page of ETSY!!!
I am thrilled, what great exposure:)

The Artist's Creed

The Artist’s Creed

I believe I am worth the time it takes to create
whatever I feel called to create.

I believe my work is worthy of its own space,
which is worthy of the name Sacred.

I believe that, when I enter this space, I have the right
to work in silence, uninterrupted for as long as I choose.

I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse,
I open myself to the Source of All Creation
and become One with the Mother of Life Itself.

I believe that my work is joyful, useful, and constantly changing,
flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end.

I believe that what it is I am called to do
will make itself known when I have made myself ready.

I believe that the time I spend creating my art
is as precious as the time I spend giving to others.

I believe that what truly matters in the making of art is
not what the final piece looks like or sounds like,
not what it is worth or not worth, but what newness gets added
to the universe in the process of the piece itself becoming.

I believe that I am not alone in my attempts to create,
and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness,
the words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight.

I believe that as the Muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me: faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.

by Jan Phillips

Balancing Act

Some days it is quite overwhelming to balance my day job with my love 'making jewelry' & spending time with family. I work as a Counselor during the day and when I get home most days I am absolutely exhausted. It always feels good to make a beautiful piece that I know someone will love, but sometimes having the motivation to do so is such a challenge. I now have a new goal to make more time for my jewelry designs & am really excited to be taking a 'Three Day Jewelry Intensive Course' at the end of July. This class is taught by a local jewelry artist and I am looking forward to learning from her skills & experience as an artist. I think this will help me regain my focus and find inspiration for new pieces to come.

I am participating in Etsy's Second Annual 'YART Sale', which lasts until Sunday, June 14th. It's a site-wide sale with many different shops taking part. Searches using the term "yart" will bring up shops with discounts on items and shipping costs in all categories.

Come by LizzyBDesigns for Yart sales on some beautiful handmade jewelry!

Thankful..

I just realized a few days ago that people could leave comments on my blog. I am absolutely touched by all the kind words & well wishes I have recieved from people who I have never met! It is truly wonderful to be able to connect with people from all over the world in this way. This is very exiciting to me to be able to share & see in this new way & I am glad:) Thanks so much!

Ever Since....

I have always loved beautiful things, especially jewelry. Growing up I loved anything art: drawing, painting, pottery, photography..beading. As I got older however, I soon became distracted with 'real world' responsibilities & forgot my passion. I went away to college & decided that I needed a real career and never thought I could make money as an 'Artist'. I continued to work through college and finally graduated with a B.A. in Psychology, deciding I wanted to be a therapist when I grew up:) After my college days I worked with adults with developmental disabilities & now as an addictions counselor for the state. Needless to say my creative, carefree self was quickly slipping away from me. I have been working in the field now for almost 5 years and really do enjoy counseling. I am pursuing my Master's degree and working two jobs. Although, something was missing, and part of me just wasn't satisfied until January of this year when I decided to take a trip down to South Carolina to visit with some family there. My Aunt has always always been an inspiration to me as she never lost her love for the art's, she practiced as a teacher for many years & has her own studio where she makes her lovely creations. When I went to visit with her a few months ago, it really got my creative blood flowing again. Seeing the items she was working on and visiting beautiful galleries in Asheville, NC just made me think "I can do that"..."I want to do that". So when I got home that is what I did, and I have been enjoying the art of making jewelry ever since (only a few months now). I have taught myself little by little & have so much more to learn, but that is the fun of it...the possibilities are endless!!

Fresh Start

This is my first blog ever!! I am new to all of this ETSY, Twitter, Flickr stuff...but am quickly realizing how addictive it can be. I just discovered my passion for jewelry design in January of this year & absolutely love creating new pieces! I currently work two jobs and am pursuing my Master's degree in Psychology. Making jewelry is my escape from it all, I find it so therapeutic & relaxing. When I get home from a long day at the office it is my way to decompress from all of that & BREATHE.