Even More Pieces

So, I was scratching around today in boxes that I had packed away during the recent overhaul of the studio, and I found these 6 pieces of jewelry that I had forgotten about.

I made all of these last year, and for whatever reason, wasn’t satisfied with them, so I was going to give them the upgrades I felt they needed. Then, somehow I managed to stick them in a box and completely forget about them…genius. Adding these to the others that I’m working on currently, and I guess I’m up to about 30 pieces-most of which are necklaces. I still plan to have them all finished in a week or so, so at least I don’t have an excuse not to keep busy.

On a side note- the website is progressing nicely, and I think I’m still on schedule (see this post), so if you’d like to be notified when it goes live, be sure to join my email list here.

-M

What I'm Reading

As a visual artist I have a shady confession to make- I have never been much of one for reading. I tend to like books with really great visuals, and the words are often secondary for me. However, my current obsession is quite the exception. I'm referring, of course, to,"The Jeweler's Studio Handbook" by Brandon Holschuh.

Yes, it certainly is great artistic eye candy, but the information included within its pages, is quite informative and straightforward without being boring. If you have any interest in jewelry making at all, I think this book is a must read. And even if you don't have an artistic bone in your body, this book is still a great read.

It reminds of several other excellent books I have acquired over the past few years. None of these are "How-to" books, but they are still really good "curling up in a comfortable chair on a drizzly afternoon" books.

Anonymous

The Perfect Medium

Rauschenberg: Art And Life

Enjoy.

-M

Another New Piece

As if I'm not already working on enough other pieces- I decided in the middle of all of that to begin working on this one. It isn't finished yet- I still have the chain to make, but at this point I think its turning out rather nicely, so I thought I'd show it off. The piece is called, "250 Regrets". I'm sure there's a story there somewhere.

Front

Back

Once the piece is connected to a chain, it can be spun around so that the head rotates. The practicality of that-I'm not really sure there is any, but it looks cool.

-M

After Almost 2 Years

I am finally working on overhauling my art website www.mikelrobinson.com

I'm hoping to have it ready within the next 2 weeks. At this point, I have the look of it ready, and I have made many improvements including streamlining the navigation, and adding some snazzy flash elements. I won't give away too much now- I'll save that for when the site goes live. If you'd like to be kept up to date with the release as well as other happenings going on with my work, you can subscribe to my email newsletter by joining my email list. The link is in the upper right-hand corner of the main page of my blog- you can get to my main page by clicking on the Candles and Ghosts header at the top of this listing. As another option, you can also join my email list by going to my contact page on the current site. Why am I taking the time to encourage you to do this?

A small "sneak peek" view of the front page

and another "sneak peek"

because not only is my new site going to contain a lot of new work, but there are going to be some "goodies" having to do with the site that only those on my email list will find out about. And besides, you like being among the first to find out about new stuff don't you? Anyway, I'll shut up now before I end up giving everything away.

-M

Good Friends

You're looking at one of my favorite treasures in all of the world- it's a Sacred Heart piece made from an old Victorian paper cut sealed under bubble glass that measures about 2" x 3". I finally got around to fixing it yesterday. The piece on the right is the old antique bezel that it was in, and on the left is the new brass bezel I have placed it in. I've added a bail so that I can wear it on a leather necklace.

The reason I treasure it is because of where it comes from. As you know from my other posts, I collect a lot of antique found objects and ephemera, and I got this piece about 15 years ago from two of my dearest antiquing friends- Nancy and her husband Norm. They sold wares at a flea market I go to in Charlotte for more than 30 years- when I first met them they were already in their late 70's. I'd see them once a month, and we'd sit in their booth for hours, while Nancy told story after story of their younger years. Meanwhile, Norm would just politely agree while going around rearranging the booth that Nancy had just arranged. At first I went, just to dig through the old photos they sold, but eventually I was just going so I could spend time with them- it was truly like having a 3rd set of Grandparents.

They both passed away a few years ago, and boy do I miss them...if there is flea market in Heaven I'm sure they are there. It will be nice to catch up when I see them again.

-M

That Look

All of you cat lover/owners know exactly what I'm talking about...

that look that says, "Please come unsuspectingly around this corner so that I can jump out and dig my claws into the back of your leg while I bite down with my razor sharp teeth and then quickly run away-

or what I like to affectionately refer to as the, "Kitty Kat Drive By." We've had "Kitty" for about 10 years now- you'd think she'd realize we're on to her little game, but I'm sure as soon as I put this camera down, I'll be sucker enough to do just what she wants....OWWWWW!!!! Why you little....

Flea Market Day

I went to the flea market near where I live today-I'm fortunate that this particular market is weekly-and it further got me to anticipating the coming of Spring. After all, that's when the best markets occur, at least in my area anyway.

It wouldn't be a southern flea market without face jugs

A good looking table- but unfortunately nothing I needed

This guy's booth had promise

And finally, today's wonderful finds

Hope you have as good of luck hunting this weekend also.

-M

Soon

This is the view outside my studio window- looks like its turning out to be a nice almost springish day doesn't it...well it ain't. At the moment, its a whopping almost 40 outside, and even though it isn't as cold here as some people are having to endure in other parts of the country, my point is (if I really have one), if its going to look that nice and inviting, couldn't the air at least be warm to match?

Spring can't get here soon enough for me...oh well, at least I don't have an excuse to not continue working on the new jewelry pieces.

-M

Pieces, pieces, pieces

I've been a little busy (finally) the last couple of days working on some new pieces- most of these will end up as snazzy neck wear, but I'm working on some brooches as well. Currently I think there are about 12 pieces in the first batch, but I've got stuff scattered all around, so I'm not exactly sure. I also just purchased a couple of cool vintage compact cases that I hope to work on soon.

These are a little closer to being finished- actually the hand pieces is already done. I'll try to keep you up to date as I have them posted.

-M

The Other Half

Here are some more images of the rest of the studio-

My Jewelry Desk

A Sneak Peek at things upcoming

Supply Shelves

Another Sneak Peak

Supplies, Supplies, Supplies

Is there a slight chance I have too much stuff? Naah...

-M

A Fresh Coat Of Paint

Its amazing what a fresh coat of paint and a few days of warm weather can do to rejuvenate one body and soul...I repainted the floor in my studio a few days ago (I do this about once a year)

Looks new again-

and then it occured to me, upon taking this picture, that I haven't ever shown you around my studio. So what say let's take a tour...

Work desk

Inspiration and reference

A stack of items that will be available in my shop soon

Images for future ideas and random notes

Shipping area with a print ready to ship

Hope you enjoyed the first half- I'll post some more photos in a few days.

-M