Just some of the many items that have been recently added to my Etsy Shop.  Metal, glass, shell - all one of a kind jewelry piece.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/studiojardine - Over 90 items.

It's been awhile.......

It has been awhile since I entered a new blog.  A lot has happened in the last 8 months.  I moved again for one! I went farther north on the California coast.  We really love where we are at!  I have also finished my calendar and moved onto making jewelry so my 2014 calendar paintings have been sent off to the publisher and my 2013 Butterfly Note Nook Calendar is now available:  http://www.lang.com/butterflies-7007109.html

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.......

Started Painting My 2014 Calendar

Now that I am up on the coast my paint is taking it's time to dry.  Something I had not experienced in Tuolumne where the air is much dryer.  Before I would have to paint fast so my layers would not set up before I would finish one.  Another switch, for my 2014 calendar I have decided to paint more than one butterfly per image and not have such a strong focal flower as in the past.  Something different.  I try and switch it up a bit each year and this will be my 11th calendar for Lang / Avalanche Publishing.

I have moved!! From the mountains to the ocean!

My Kitchen Remodel

I finally got around to taking some after photos of my kitchen remodel.  I repainted the cupboards, poured a concrete countertop, did a slate and stone backsplash, textured and repainted walls, I also put up wainscoating but it is on the wall to the side and behind me (no photos) & last but not least I put down a faux slate tile floor.  Whew!

2013 Butterfly Calendar for Lang!

I have been away from my blog for a bit but, I have been busy painting.  And, now, the results!  I just finished my 2013 Calendar for Lang.  My 2012 will be available soon!  Thanks for your support!  Especially my husband who had had to live in a not so spiffy house recently!

Visual References to Final Product

From visual references to final product. Next step after painting the butterflies I will start choosing floral and decorative elements for my 2013 calendar.

Butterfly Choices for My 2013 Calendar

My choices for butterflies for my 2013 calendar. I try and mix it up each year with butterflies and design & it's getting to be a bit challenging considering this is my 10th year! Thank you Avalanche Publishing / Lang Calendar Company!!

Using Photoshop to Save Time......

• Drawing the Butterfly

 There once was a day when I painted butterflies without using any tools such as photoshop or the internet to find images.  My images came from field guide books and my tools were simply a piece of paper to make a template, a pencil and scissors.  To create an even butterfly I would fold the paper in half & draw half of a butterfly. Next I would cut it out and use as a template to draw the outer lines of the butterfly onto my canvas before painting.  

Now use the internet to find great photos of butterflies.  I put the image into photoshop and create two butterflies.  One I lighten so it is easy see  to draw another layer of black lines over the butterfly. The other butterfly I keep vibrant to print out for a visual when I paint. 

As before, I only draw half of the butterfly. I duplicate my line drawing, flip horizontally and place the duplicate wing on the opposite side. Next I delete the butterfly underneath the black line and print it out.  I no longer cut out the butterfly.  Instead I now have a light board that I place the line work on, put my canvas over the print out and basically trace the butterfly onto my canvas.

It is very nice to not draw and erase the basic designs of the butterfly wings.  This is a much faster process than before.  Photoshop is a wonderful tool in my paint box.

Welcome 2011!

I would like to know if anyone out there has any kind of creative resolutions for 2011? Do you want to try something new?  Art lessons, dance lessons, jewelry instruction classes or cooking classes? Or, do you just want to start something up again that you've let slip by? Has it been years since you've done something creative that you love?  Pick up that paintbrush or move those muscles and be creative in 2011!

Snowy Weekend

A great snowy weekend for staying inside, watching football and making cuff bracelets out of upcycled factory samples of leather.  Maybe not the best weather for outdoor photography....brrrrr.

I am asking for help for Elijah & Art Update

• Putting a SHOUT-OUT to All Other Craft/Art Persons - For my neighbor boy Elijah

   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165105706853257
SEND ART/CRAFT DONATIONS TO: Elaine Castaneda at 15277 Cavalieri Road, Sonora, ca 95370

Working on:

• Looking for a way to remove liver of sulfer smell from jewelry. - did some searching - Cristie mentioned

   baking soda bath.  None of my jewelry here smells so I need to try it on a customer that has an item of 

   I made - says it smells like solder but, I'm thinking it's the patina?

 Need to Do:

• Start back in on my hammered and sculptured metal jewelry pieces to build back up my wiped out inventory!

• Goal - add or renew daily to my Studio Jardine Etsy Store.

• Double check to see if girls still want bling - Lisa (yes), Eileen, maybe.

• Ball Chain - bring to Caffe Blossom

• Finish leather cuff bracelets started last week.

Just Finished:

• Another order for Denene - new fix 2 broken - done and mailed.

• Dana's earrings - done and mailed.

• Send KL - check for shipping - and surprise - done and mailed.

• MORE - aceo print pendants for Caffé Blossom - delivered.

• More leather cuff bracel

 Pondering:

• See if I can build up my inventory & sell my jewelry at the George Post Gallery in Sonora.  It's an honor to be asked and I believe it would be a great place to sell my craft! : ) - Looking for a display!

• Think I may not do any events until next summer.  My inventory is low and my time is getting crunched.  Soon I need to start painting my 2013 Calendar.  Whether or not we have a 2013 -haha!

HELP:

Let me know if there is anything I'm forgetting! THanks!

Reneé

What a messy gal!

Hey People.... it's been a lot of fun but, this is just getting ridiculous! I've been busting out the jewelry with out doing any straightening, putting away, or organizing things back where they go. Can you tell? Tomorrow's agenda: cook a turkey (no I cannot wait until Thanksgiving) and REALLY clean up my art room!

Friday, October 8th - Art Update

Working on:

• Looking for a way to remove liver of sulfer smell from jewelry. - did some searching with not luck yet.

• Artwork done or printed for the following pendants:

   Black miniature schnauzer 

   Denene - family photos 

   Tiffeni - coffee / foxglove 

   Hellcats 

   Twist Tea 

   SF Giants - images gathered - waiting on pics from customer who requested Giant bling.

Need to Do:

• Aceo pendants - put together and solder - complete with beads etc...,

• Dana's earrings - decided I need to do over so both side match better when cutting the ceramic pieces.  

• Start back in on my hammered and sculptured metal jewelry pieces to build back up my wiped out inventory!

• Goal - add or renew daily to my Studio Jardine Etsy Store.

• Watching for contest winners here to send out boxed cards. - sent 2 boxes out - need to know who to send to

for #470 & who all for #480

• Wrap up earrings for Eileen and Janet

• Lisa -show moonstone necklace to her for possible purchase.

• Send KL - check for shipping

 Pondering:

• The idea of having a booth at the High Country Hellcats Roller Derby bout at the High Country Sports Arena in   Sonora/Standard on the eve of Saturday, November 6th.  I think it could be fun.  I am awaiting the application and as soon as I get it I will make a final decision - not sure if they are going to have vendors now.....

• See if I can build up my inventory & sell my jewelry at the George Post Gallery in Sonora.  It's an honor to be asked and I believe it would be the best place I could sell my craft! : )

HELP:

Let me know if there is anything I'm forgetting! THanks!

Aquamarine Earrings - potential customer request

I don't do commission per-say so, when a customer wants something specific that I would like to do I will give them first rights of refusal.  This takes the pressure off of me (and the potential buyer) and I am never disappointed if they decide they do not want to purchase.  It's all good.

Dainty Aquamarine Earrings

stacked chips: $16
chips & and more: $18
includes tax and shipping

Give Peace A Chance - New Listing in my Etsy Store

A shout out for Anyone wanting Custom Bling......

I am putting a shout out to anyone wanting a custom picture pendant. The week of October 4th is picture pendant week for me. I have a very small working space so I make different styles of jewelry each week. This past week was additions to my Nature Inspired Collection and this upcoming week are picture pendant necklaces. Cost for a 1x1" picture pendant with some bead bling are $35 each - includes tax & shipping. Now is the time to put in your order (remember 2 images - one for front and one for flip side) That is, if you want a pendant sooner than later. And, if you don't have an image but, know what you would like I can help you find images. If you want to get a pendant order in email me at studiojardine@ymail.com

pendant materials:

•archival glass

•archival aceo gliceé prints (archival ink and paper - long lasting, water and fade resistant) 

• silver solder with a black patina applied

• beads are varieties of glass, crystal and shell.  NO plastic!

Friday, October 1st - Art Update

Working on:

• Ad for Tuolumne Township Newsletter

• Finishing up a few more necklaces for my new "Nature Inspired" collection.

• Looking for a way to remove liver of sulfer smell from jewelry.

Need to Do:

• Final edit on Senior Photos - done

• Pendant work to be done the week of October 4th

    -Waiting on images from Lori for possible pendant

    - Black miniature schnauzer pendant

    - Denene - family photos

    - Dana's earrings

• Start back in on my hammered and sculptured metal jewelry pieces to build back up my wiped out inventory!

• Waiting on recent Rio Grande order

• Watching for contest on my Facebook Studio Jardine page for winners to send out boxed cards (see photo).

 Pondering:

• The idea of having a booth at the High Country Hellcats Roller Derby bout at the High Country Sports Arena in   Sonora/Standard on the eve of Saturday, November 6th.  I think it could be fun.  I am awaiting the application and as soon as I get it I will make a final decision - not sure if they are going to have vendors now.....

• See if I can build up my inventory & sell my jewelry at the George Post Gallery in Sonora.  It's an honor to be asked and I believe it would be the best place I could sell my craft! : )

HELP:

Let me know if there is anything I'm forgetting! THanks!

Reneé

An addition to my Nature Inspired Collection - "Moon Drops"

My Etsy Store - Getting Ready for the Holiday's

Today is my last local market sale for the season.  It has been a great year.  Thanks to everyone for their support and friendship.  My efforts will now be turning towards my Etsy Store, hoping to have some holiday sales and.....well....my Etsy Shop needs my attention regardless.   I just added a few items this week and here is what my store front looks like today.  Stay tuned for more.