THERE’S STILL TIME!!! Holiday Open House 2014

Yes, it’s that time of year again!  I’m delighted to co-host my annual Holiday Open House this year with fused-glass artist Christine Dossett.

Holidays closing in?  Running out of time?  Counting down the days?

Holidays closing in?  Running out of time?  Counting down the days?

Examples of Christine’s work are below; please visit the drop-down choices in my “Gallery” to see my work.

Here are the details for our event:

When:     Saturday, 12-13-14
                 12 Noon – 4 PM
 
Where:   203 Park Drag Lane, Normal, IL
                East off North Linden
                (Between Shelbourne and Raab Road) 

                Second house on the right

A few examples of Christine’s talents:

Love this!

Love this!

And this!

And this!

Not to mention these!

Not to mention these!

We’d love to see you!  Please drop by and bring a friend!

Holiday Treasures Opening Gala at McLean County Arts Center

McLean County Art Center’s Holiday Treasures kicks off Friday, November 8, 2013 with an Opening Gala.  Details are at the end of this post.

This year I’m sharing my Sea Glass Candy Series:

Sea Glass Candy pendants, earrings, bracelet

Sea Glass Candy pendants, earrings, bracelet

My husband and I found the green, amber, blue, clear, and brown bits of sea glass during many walks over the years on Florida’s Panama City Beach and Mexico Beach.

One of my favorite sets.

My favorite piece of “candy”.

 

I set the glass in fine silver metal clay, then fused the glass and silver together in my kiln.

Not all types of glass are created equal.  Most retained their beautiful colors.  I haven’t decided what to do with the ones that didn’t…

Remember wearing rock bracelets?  This one is just as fun.

Remember wearing rock bracelets? This one is just as fun.

 

A few more pendants...

A few more pendants…

 

I also included my Hammered Heart Series, hearts hammered from copper or fine silver; some jeweled with pieces of art glass, crystal, gems, or beads.

How can you ever have enough hearts?

How can you ever have enough hearts?

Hammered copper heart with ruby, garnet, emerald, crystal, fine silver.

Hammered copper heart with ruby, garnet, emerald, crystal, fine silver.

It’s always a beautiful event at the McLean County Arts Center:

An Opening Gala on Friday, November 8 from 5-8pm will kick off the McLean County Arts Center’s (MCAC) 38th Annual Holiday Treasures Exhibition and Sale. A donation of $20 at the door is suggested for the evening of live music, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages a festive way to begin the holiday gift giving season with friends. 

The Holiday Treasures Exhibition and Sale runs from November 8, 2013 through January 4, 2014 and features over 70 locally and nationally known artists exhibiting paintings, glass, fiber, photography, jewelry, wood, ceramics as well as handmade seasonal items. The McLean County Arts Center is free and open to the public during regular hours for the holiday season.

The Holiday Treasures Exhibition is generously sponsored by Sue & Julius Alexander, Ron Bacon & Dee Bohbrink, Anne & Brian Boyden, Kelly & Lynn Gray, and Steve & Deb Wannemacher.

The McLean County Arts Center is located at 601 N. East Street in downtown Bloomington. Arts Center hours are Tuesday, 10am – 7pm; Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm; and Saturday, Noon – 4pm. For more information, please call 309/829-0011 or check on our website: www.mcac.org

You can also find this event on Facebook and/or follow my jewelry at Silver Charmer Jewelry on Facebook.

Would love to see you there!  ~ aka, Ms. Silver Charmer

The Pea Pod Shuffle ~ 2013 Grape Soiree

For this year’s September 28, 2013 Grape Soiree, an annual fundraising event featuring fine art and wine to benefit Easter Seals of Central Illinois, I’ve donated a piece for the live art auction titled The Pea Pod Shuffle.

The Pea Pod Shuffle

The Pea Pod Shuffle

 

The Pea Pod Shuffle is an organic piece modeled from a sugar snap pea.  It features a fine silver pendant embracing faceted hematite crystals, catching the light inside and reflecting it outward.  Coordinating fine-silver earrings with smoky crystals complete the set

Details about the event can be found on the Grape Soiree Facebook page and on the Central IL Easter Seals website.  It’s always an inspirational and amazing evening.

Aside

First Friday is Back to School at Main Gallery 404!

Today is the First Friday of September, so all the galleries and shoppes are open in Downtown Bloomington, IL from 5 – 8 PM.

My work is at the Main Gallery 404 located at 404 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL.

The theme is “Back to School” and many artists are sharing art bookmarks.  I couldn’t resist using my cats and bats and scary ideas for an early Halloween theme.

bevy of bookmarks

Rings are the thing this month as I’ve added some “bullet” lampworked glass/wire-wrapped rings, and beach glass pendants with tinkling drops.  A splash of last minute color to remember summer as we head into fall.

Beach glass and rings

Hope you’ll join us tonight if you’re in the area!

Another Week With The Red Lady…

 

The Red Lady would love to meet you!

The Red Lady would love to meet you!

Wow, after a fantastic turnout last night for February’s First Friday and the Tour de Chocolat’, the Main Gallery 404 owner, Lisa Lofgren, asked if I would mind showcasing my work in the front window with The Red Lady for another week?  My response?  ABSOLUTELY and THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  

The Red Lady has a great view!

The Red Lady has a great view!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And she loves to wear jewelry...

And she loves to wear jewelry…

 

 

 

 

So, there’s still time before Valentine’s Day to select something special for that someone special, which just might be you!

Here’s where you can find my jewelry in the Bloomington-Normal, IL area:

Main Gallery 404, Bloomington, IL

Four Swinging Hearts

Four Swinging Hearts

The Pod, Normal, IL

Sunny Blue.

Sunny Blue.

McLean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL

So many rings!

So many rings!

My Etsy site is being tweaked and I’m almost ready to make the announcement when it’s LIVE!

Thank you for your continued support!  

 

Hearts On Fire ~ The Red Lady Awaits

The Red Lady beckons from the front window of Main Gallery 404, where I just added tons of new jewelry, with a heavy accent on hearts, in honor of Valentine’s Day.   

Who can resist the Red Lady?

Who can resist the Red Lady?

 

When new owner, Lisa Lofgren, asked to feature my work in the window from now through February’s First Friday, I was honored and thrilled!  Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The Neighborhood Thrift Store generously let us borrow a beautiful art deco vanity (the one in the above photo) for the display.  And, yes, it’s also for sale.

 On February 1, 2013, Downtown Bloomington, IL also celebrates with its annual Tour de Chocolat’:

“An annual event and celebration of chocolate!  Participating downtown businesses offer free samples of food containing chocolate.”  

Uh, huh.  Trust me, there is everything chocolate to sample.  It’s a super fun way to spend an evening. 

My jewelry is now in the window until 2-2-13.  

Gallery hours are:  

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:  12-5 PM                                                              

Saturday:  10 AM – 5 PM

Closed:  Monday, Tuesday

Here are a few of the available pieces:  

Key to MY Heart (pendant)

Key to MY Heart (pendant with fine silver, sterling silver, crystal)

Heart Ablaze (Pendant)

Heart Ablaze (pendant with fine silver, copper)

You've run away with my heart...

You’ve run away with my heart… (pendant with resin)

You've sewn up my heart.

You’ve sewn up my heart. (pendant with fine silver, copper)

It’s not all hearts…

Nothing shows love to your sweetheart like jewelry.  These selections and much more are available now at Main Gallery 404 now through Friday, February 1, 2013.

 

Donut fun (pendant of Jade, fine silver, copper)

Donut fun (pendant of Jade, fine silver, copper)

Lumen (pendant of fine silver, copper-wrapped chrysoprase)

Lumen (pendant of fine silver, copper-wrapped Chrysoprase)

Wrapped up (earrings of copper, Labradorite, Aquamarine, fine silver)

Wrapped up (earrings of copper, Labradorite, Aquamarine, fine silver)

Blue Reflections (pendant with fine silver, glass)

Blue Reflections (pendant with fine silver, crystal)

Miss Kitty (pendant with fine silver, copper, Garnet)

Miss Kitty (pendant with fine silver, copper, Garnet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soapstone on copper-wrapped with fine silver bail.

Soapstone on copper-wrapped with fine silver bail.

 

Fine silver, copper earrings.

Fine silver, copper earrings.

 

Just When You Think It’s Safe to Wrap Up Your Gift List…

(Please see ANNOUNCEMENT at end of post.  This event has been cancelled.)

Somebody else pops up, right?  Or, you couldn’t make our first Open House.  Or… you didn’t get that something you wanted for yourself…  Well, here’s a second chance for you.

Jamey Spain and I had so much fun at our Open House, we’re joining the Uptown Normal Christmas Market & Artist Walk on Saturday, December 15, 2012. Hope you’ll join us, too!

More

Some Days You Get The Duck!

When our Bead Therapy Group gathered the other night to compare the results of our project, what I’d expected was confirmed:

I was out of my league with intricate beading.  Even though beading is what ignited my passion for jewelrymaking, once I found silver, I chose a different path.

So, let’s get to it.  My friend and ringleader, Diane, gave us the challenge.  This group of beads.  Make something, she said.

Definitely not my chosen colors...

Definitely not my chosen colors…

Someone asked if we had to use all the beads?

No, we could omit up to 3 groups.

Were we limited to only these beads?

No, we could add whatever we wanted.

Hmmm, let the games begin.

Miss Judy's piece.

Miss Judy’s piece.

When the first guest arrived wearing her piece, I knew I was in trouble.  Judy added 3mm. crystals in between the two lacy “wheels”; the top part of her “swingy” drop.  They sparkled like crazy.

Miss Nancy at work!

Miss Nancy at work!

See all those intricate little drops at the top of her piece.  Never in a million years, but for Nancy, pretty sure she could do it in her sleep. It is a beautiful piece; the lower half was strung on leather before she connected it to the copper chain.

Miss Kathy's creation.

Miss Kathy’s creation.

As you can see, things were getting serious.  Kathy added metal-formed copper and raised the creative bar a notch.  She also had coordinating earrings (Why didn’t I think of that?), which I forgot to photograph.

Miss Diane had hers done early.

Miss Diane had hers done early.

Did she plan the colors to coordinate with her centerpiece?  Diane, again–our ringleader, and supplier of the beads in the challenge, claimed not, but she did have hers done early, and it was beautifully simple.  Not sure if my photo captures the intricacy of her macrame’, but she loves the asymmetrical and so do we.

Miss Jean and her bling!

Miss Jean and her bling!

Then, of course, as expected, Miss Jean and her bling walked through the door.  Cool or what?  It took our breaths away.

Miss ZuZu wants to play with EVERYONE!

Miss ZuZu wants to play with EVERYONE!

Our next two regulars didn’t participate in this jewelry challenge (Next time, ladies!) but brought their three-year-old tots instead; another sort of accessory that made my dog very happy.  ZuZu likes kid jewelry!

Some days, you get the duck!

Some days, you get the duck!

And finally, I think I mentioned it was quirky; my piece, which someone brilliantly suggested I wear!  Thank you very much!  But, I did have fun with his tail-feathers!

So looking forward to our next challenge!

The Bead Therapy Group rocks!

Next Up ~ Exhibition News ~ Merlot and A Masterpiece

I’m honored to be participating in the first Art Circle Member Show at Merlot and a Masterpiece, 412 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL.

It's in the paper, so it's official!

It’s in the paper, so it’s official!

The show begins with an opening on Friday, 12-7-12, from 5 ~ 8 p.m. and runs through the month of December.

And, yes… there will be refreshments this Friday.  Yaay!

Two of my pieces are being shown.  Here they are:

I See An Angel.

I See An Angel.

Fine silver with dichroic glass.

Blue Sky Sun.

Blue Sky Sun.

Fine silver with micro-mosaics.

Holiday Treasures at McLean County Arts Center

It’s become a tradition.  Again this year I’m honored to take part in McLean County Art Center’s Holiday Treasures.

This year their 36th annual exhibition and sale runs from November 9th, 2012 through January 5th, 2013.  The exhibition features over 100 locally and nationally known artists exhibiting paintings, glass, fiber, photography, jewelry, wood, ceramics as well as handmade seasonal item

The Arts Center is located at 601 East Street, Bloomington IL, 309-829-0011, and is open during the following hours:

Tuesday 10-7

Wednesday-Friday 10-5

Saturday 12-4

Sunday & Monday – Closed

The art center already had a variety of my silver work, so this year I added some new variety with prices ranging from $20 – $35 for the following collections.

Hope you’ll have time to stop by and check out all the fabulous art!

Beautiful lampworked beads I finally constructed as pendants.

Fun wire-wrapped beaded rings.

 

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