Botanicals in the works!
Here’s what’s next! #orchids #orchid #botany #botanical #botanicalart #sterlingsilver #orchidjewelry #orchidcollection #orchidcollector #makecicadatime
My tulip prototype now has a new home
Ever wonder where my love of cicadas came from? Or how I got my logo? Look no further than this illustration from 1997. This was my first tone project in grad school and my first time using an airbrush! What’s that, right?! I chose to draw a specimen of a 17-year cicada I collected in Reston, VA in 1996. A male who I kept as a pet for about a month until he sang his heart out and died in my apartment. I pinned him, spread his wings and still keep him safe and on display on my office book shelf. His name was Peabody. Named after the @johnshopkinsu @peabodyinstitute, the center of music and performance at our school. Fast forward to 2016 when I dove into my first business class for jewelry and was pondering what to use as my makers mark. This just made sense to me since much of my work centers on cicadas, other insects, flora, fauna and nature in general. My BFF is an art therapist and has had a forever tattered copy of this illustration in her office she sometimes uses with her patients. It was high time she got a nicer copy. So she just sent me this picture to tell me the canvas print from @fineartamerica just arrived! I am so happy that Peabody continues to be a source of beauty in the world. I like to think that each of my cicadas brings an approachable love of the stranger things in the natural world and the idea that like the long lifespan of the periodical cicada, good things come to those who wait, that life can have many cycles and a sense of rebirth and renewal. I guess that is my message for you and especially for those who celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Enjoy every day as a lifetime in miniature and wake each day to new possibilities, opportunities, challenges and adventures!
This is a test. This is only a test… cause, why not? Testing 1. 2. 3…
New designs still incoming! These are navy, periwinkle and platinum painted wood. I also made leafy colors and pink/poppy. These will be in the shop later this week.
I was experimenting with a piece with leaves that I thought I might be able to turn into insect wings but instead this is what I came up with. Oh well, it’s just an experiment.
My new favorites! I love the navy, periwinkle and platinum combination.
Recognize this gorgeous invader? Yes it’s a lantern fly. Beautiful but man what a pest. I hate squashing them. Why? Well here is something you may not realize about me: I used to work in an entomology laboratory! Have you ever wondered why a lot of my work revolves around insects? Especially cicadas? It’s because my background is actually in science. I was a Biology major as well as an Art major in college. I got my start in natural science illustration working at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the entomology department in the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory. As a scientific illustrator, I illustrated many species of insects. After that, I went off to graduate school to study Medical Illustration, which is what I do now. So, when I create jewelry, it is often inspired by the things that I have studied. Often times I’ll even incorporate current events. I ventured into the 100 Cicada Challenge two years ago when we had the 2021 17-year cicada invasion in Baltimore. I created 1 cicada per day for 100 straight days! Those guys were so sweet and friendly. I know bugs aren’t for everybody. I just love cicadas. They are harmless. Now we are facing the a new type of invasion, only this time this particular species is extremely dangerous for our trees. Rather than squish them, every time I find a live one, I try to collect it, and “donate it to science,” which is another way of saying I like to share this with my colleagues and students, so that they know a little bit more about this particular species, and how to pin and spread their wings. Here’s just one example of a lantern fly that I caught about a month ago right outside of the parking garage where I work. Two days ago I caught another one which is even better looking than this one. So, why am I posting this? As you can probably guess I’m thinking about designing a pin or a pendant around this using both geometry and color. So stay tuned!
More wood drops added to the shop!
Feeling’ brainy
More variations in wood, now in store
These granulated stacking rings have been in my box for a while, and I’ve been meaning to put finishes and stones with them for a while now. More experiments to come.
Fun with pops of color
Here it is! Just finished this new design last night: my signature brain pendant with a juicy fresh coat of “peach ice cream” powder coat! Going in the shop this week! I have a limited number of these but can make more on request.
Plenty of white elephant figurines in the shop!
Beautiful quote from #mayaangelou , great memories from #hollandmichigan
Wee little wings… I need to add posts and color to… stay tuned!
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#tulip #handmadejewelry #artisanjeweler #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelryaddict #narrativejewelry #instasmithy #botanical #jewelrymaker #makersgonnamake #madeinbaltimore #mybmore #creativelifehappylife #contemporaryjewelry #artjewelry #naturejewelry #thebmorecreatives #instasmithy #metalsmithing #jewelryartist #jewelryartisan #makecicadatime #contemporaryjewellery #handmade #makeitethical #botanicaljewellry #botanicalart #botanicaljewelry #wedding #bouquet
How amazzzzzing is this tulip chandelier?
Cheers to Kellyn and Cliff! @kellyn_it_ #wedding #tulips #flowrs #bouqet
Congratulations to @kellyn_it_ cliff & Kellyn! We love you guys and are so happy to celebrate your day and see you off to the next thing! Here’s to the adventures to come!!! #makecicadatime #wedding #weddingday #tulips #hollandmichigan
My ensemble for an evening out with friends.
Little canary origami pendant, spring yellow
If you are going to indulge, be sure it involves sugar, gold…or both!
Powdercoated blossom bangles
More fun exploring facets in wood and lacquer for a little pop of color…
The Tulip Project 🌷 is officially complete! I need to update my website with a blog post about the how and what. I certainly learned a ton through this process, and now I think a smaller silver version of this design will be on the horizon. This was a unique custom design for a good friend’s wedding. Each bloom will be placed among the real floral centerpieces where guests will be seated. The central stamens are coiled clips that the table numbers will be attached to. Once the event is over, she and her new husband can enjoy this wedding bouquet with no worries of them ever wilting. So glad. Could make this wedding gift for them!
These are so light weight but bold, I had to take them on a test drive. More color combos incoming!
Wedding table number tulips are almost finished!!!
Some fun new earrings to match my choker designs. More colors and styles coming to the shop later this month!!
A bouquet of copper tulips for an upcoming wedding! Making progress! @kellyn_it_
Going to work on a batch of color pop blooms
Here comes the tulip project! Making progress on some custom #tulips table card holders for very special a wedding!
Another beaded choker ftw!
Nothing like a nice pink juicy brain!
Mix and match blossom wings! These are interchangeable and can be worn as a simple bloom post or embellished with wings. #makecicadatime
White elephant earrings are the newest addition to the Eleplant series
Fun little mix and match post earrings; coral and goldfish
Finally have new labels… but now I’m out of business cards! Ughhhh
Newest blooms
Finally have wee white elephant earrings to match mini Eleplants! In the shop!!
Did you know I also have another account for my Judaica work? It’s called @yosefaleah and features my other metalwork, illustration, sewing and fabric design
Another color pop heart for the end of a long day
Another fun little bead pendant with a pop of color and a touch of white gold
Thinking about different color combos. Teal and yellow are one of my favorites. Thinking of playing with some deeper contrasting colors for fall… maybe navy, lime and gold?
Color incoming!
Hoping to add a few wee mini white elephant earrings to the rest of the planter collection for the Fall…