An Array of Bamboo Petals

This is what I do.  I get in the workshop. I start with the miter saw and cut angles. After I fit them together I drill the holes.  Next I figure out what to string it with.  Somehow it always comes together and this is what you get.   The necklace is brown cotton cord finished with a toggle clasp. I signed the back as usual.  Yo

P.S. Convo me for measurements.  Thanx

Doing Me

This week found me returning to the workshop in a brainstorming session.  I had some pieces laying around that have been previously cut.  They resemble a diamond shape but with a curvature.  Imagine a very upturned surfboard.  I made flowers out of this shape some time ago by arranging five pieces into a circular pattern resembling a flower.  There is an old blog with photos of the flowers which were made into hair scrunches for a natural hair expo I participated in .  This week I wondered what I could do that I haven't done before.  I was looking for some way to create a new shape.  Many of my silhouettes for earrings have been done by me over and over.  I usually choose a disc, rectangle or hearts, maybe even flowers.  I came up with the notion that I wished I could flatten them so they would hang in a more appealing fashion.  I have seen YouTube videos of people bending bamboo but I have never been able to accomplish this feat.  Well I stuck with it for about a week trying out a couple of methods and the second one worked.  I was successful and so ecstatic about the possibilities with accomplishing this new silhouette.  The first one looked great.  Only thing is you gotta make two, especially if they are going to be earrings.  The second one cracked in two places as I overzealously held it flat.  DarNitt!!!  Ok, back to the drawing board.  Next was to try a couple of smaller pieces.  The jury is still out on the small ones.  After the first flat spear dried (I think the new shapes will be spears. African Spears) it was the next day and I noticed that as nature would have it, it tried to curl back up.   But I will not be discouraged.  The holiday season is fast approaching and I think I will have some new pieces to add to the collection if I stay the course.  I think one of my problems is always changing and innovating.  Maybe if I made the same shape and changed little, like the size and colors I could do more.  Maybe focusing on one thing and one thing only could take me somewhere.  I get bored with doing the same thing over and over.  I get new ideas and inevitably have to try it out.  Then I get another idea while working on the last idea and before you know it the ink is drying on this while I am creating the next thing.  Sporadic attention span is on Maxx overload.  I think I have several winners and top sellers to choose from if I ever decide to settle down and date one design.  But until then I will be ever expanding my creative horizons.  Trying new ideas and putting new spins on the ideas that worked so well in the past.   I'll be a designer and not a cookie cutting human press.

It's Me

Hello,
    Wanted to post something on my blog but I haven't been in the workshop lately.  This looks like it will be a post just for the sake of posting. Lol.  I ran across this photo that I took of myself.  I was on the way to the market.  Wow! There is something magnificent about the glow of the 7am sunlight, or should I say sunglow.  I look fabulous!  Ponytail swoop, skin flawless (thanks sun), Gardenia from the garden in my hair rocking my dope earrings.  The car was packed with the makings of a jewelry shop.  I was in a good mood and it shows.  I hope everything is well for you and yours.  Peace and Blessings! YO.......................Oh, oh, wait.  I have been working.  I almost forgot.  I finally started a few beads with the black raven clay. I hope they turn out nice.  I love creating texture within the beads.  Some of them are a little warped and lopsided but I think it adds character.  I will still need to find someone to fire them for me but I am tinkering around and making different shapes and styles.  I hope I find the right glazes for this dark clay.  There will be a learning curve so wish me luck. Out

Jungle Hottie Collection

Me wearing the first two installments in the Jungle Hottie collection.  Oh how I wish to do a photo
shoot with the pieces and several models.  I cringe at the thoughts of continuing to model my creations.  I guess because I see the vision and the vision I envision is not me.  Funny I know.
I can see all the sistas.  Wearing bold vibrant earthy hues. Gold, Creams, Greens, Browns, variations of greens, golds, browns, and Rusty Reds.  Natural hairstyles to compliment the eco jewelry vibe.
Every creamy shade of coco brown sista I can find.  Beautiful Exotic bone structure and elegant grace she displays.  Curvy sistas and small ones too giving fiery fierce attitude into the lense in a group shot.  Am I dreaming?  I must be.  Anywhoo, Enjoy!  Oh, BtW ......these are SOLD!!!!!

 

Wonderland

Today I wrote in my journal for the first time in a long time.  I wrote with the notion of creating and abiding in my own little world.  Jhene Aiko sings a magical song about being in a world of her own.  It is probably on the new soundtrack for the Alice in Wonderland movie coming out.  I love Alice.  I never knew my fascination with this tale could grow with me into adulthood but it has.  When I garden I am in my own little world and also when I make jewelry.  I think if I abide in these spaces I probably can do no wrong.  My Grandmother always encourages me to go make jewelry.  I find out she is in the hospital tonight with a collapsed lung and I pray you pray with me that she will be alright.  Maybe she knows something that I am just learning.  Let go and be free.  Create and do things that make you soar.  So much has been happening lately.  I've been sick.  People are dying.  Life is really getting to that point where you stop and pay close attention.  It all must be happening to tell me something.  I think what I am left with is......."Life is but a Dream.  Do with it what only you can because you are special and one of a kind.  Spend time in the spaces that make you happy and brings happiness to others."  My next collection will no doubt reflect many of my newfound respect and realizations.  Carpe Diem