Professional vs DIY

I spent two full days last week working with photographer Timm Eubanks, shooting product for my day job. Here is a professional studio photographer's set up:



He shoots with a $20k (that is not a typo!) large format digital camera that is controlled with a computer. Conversely, here is my stove top DIY jewelry photo studio:

Mental health day!

Today I took a very much needed mental health day off from the day job. And even though the weather is spectacular (sunny and at least 80!) I happily sat at my work bench from 8 until now (5pm). I got so much done! I finished up some pieces I started last night, made some new stuff, fired it all, did final finishing on some previously fired stuff and still have the entire weekend ahead of me (concrete work, some bronze, more final finishing). It doesn't feel like work at all. And I'm not pissed off and grumpy like I am after spending 8 hours at the day job. Hmmmm......... I think it's time to start working towards quitting the day job and doing this full time.

What I like about making jewelry

This earring was found recently beneath a parking lot next to the walls of Jerusalem's old city. It's made of gold, emeralds and a big pearl and is thought to be Roman, from sometime between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD.
A big part of what like about making jewelry is that humans have been making things to adorn themselves with since the beginning of time. I enjoy being part of that tradition, and love seeing the work of the ancients. It's truly amazing what they were able to do with the tools and materials that were available at the time.

Summer is finally over

I was walking down to the Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheck, as I like to think of it) and had my camera in my pocket. The trees are losing their leaves and everything is getting especially dried up and crinkly and interesting. This is one of the pictures I took - I think there's a piece of jewelry in there somewhere, I'm just not sure where yet! This is how I start my process.