Nunn Designs - Kid in a Candy Store!!!

I've posted before about how excited I am to be a part of Nunn Designs Innovation Team for 2012.  The team is made up of some really amazing, talente jewelry designers and artists, and I am so happy to be included with these folks!  Since January, we have all been playing with Rebecca Nunn's wonderful line of jewelry componants and I am having a ball.  We've been a bit secretive, and haven't been able to share many of the completed designs.  That is becuase Becky shows our designs to potential jewelry and art magazine editors in hopes of promoting our work.  How cool is that????  Well, I have been given the "green light" to talk about some of the designs I have created so far.  I have said it before, and I'll say it again, I am so pleased with the quality of Nunn componants!  The bezels, chains, ring blanks, and charms are so well designed and well made.  I especially love the variety of styles and finishes...bright silver, pewter, brass, antique brass and more, all equally lovely.  The pendant shown below was created using resin, a Patera bezel pendant  heart, round bezel charm, collage sheets, fern and spiral connectors with Nunn's great chain in copper and brass.  The bracelet was made with silver chain, bezel charms, resin, collage sheets and charms. 

These initial designs were created when I was familiarizing myself with the products.  Since then, I have gone totally crazy and integrated the products with "my" style (in effect beating them up, drilling, and generally torturing them) with GREAT results.  More photos to come.

I played with resins, transfer sheets, collages and more--all availalble through Nunn.  I find that the Patera bezels, tags and pendants are really fun.  Great to stamp, drill, etc.  The layered, raised tags really are super cool, can't wait to work with them.  The bracelet blanks are also wonderful, I just created a resin set bracelet I'd love to share....maybe next time.  Anyway, the line is affordable, gorgeous, and great for mixed media freaks like me.

AND, you can find wonderful tutorials and how-to videos on the Nunn site, so go there and get inspired!

Pinching Pennies Leads to Inspiration!

I don't need to tell you how crazy the precious metals market is right now.  The cost of silver and gold is CRAZY, more volitle than a roller-coaster ride, and no where near as fun.  I made the decision to forgoe precious metals a long time ago, to save my pocket book and my soul.  Mining for gold is one step from slavery--costing human life as well as the almighty dollar.  I am not interested, and will not support this.  EVER.

So, lucky for me I love working with reclaimed materials and metals like copper, brass and nickel silver.  A personal favorite bezel material for me is copper and brass tube.  Comes in all sorts of sizes, available at most hardware stores and is extremely cost effective.  Plus the possibliities are ENDLESS with how you can patina, age, color and work these metals!  Nickel silver is also a wonderful sterling alternative--polishes, solders and behaves just like the "real" stuff.  All are available in wire, sheet, tube, and pre-cut shapes of all sizes and gauges.

The sticking point is that many folks are allergic to nickel and also have skin types that may react poorly to copper and brass.  Since jewelry is mostly worn close to the skin (especially bracelets, rings and pendants), this can be a real problem for designers.  Well, I have some suggestions I'd like to share.

First, let's talk about a new love of mine--aluminum.  I've recently begun working with aluminum wire and I love it.  Lightweight, hypoallergenic and looks just like silver.  It's great for accents and ring shanks--hammers fantastically and is great for drilling.  Because it is so soft I don't suggest using it in any really structural way, but for cold-connected accents, bagles, and rings it's great!  You can't solder aluminum to anything but aluminum, and even then it's tricky.  You have to use specific aluminum solders (also available at most home improvement stores), but it just doesn't like to be soldered!  So, for cold connection fools like me, that's not a problem.  I do love my micro-screws and rivets.  The image here is of a boulder opal pendant and brass cuff bracelet accented with aluminum.  Looks just like sterling, right??????  I just ordered some aluminum sheet and cuff blanks on Etsy...I'll let you know what I think when I get it.  Aluminum is now also available in wire, sheet and shapes of all sizes and gauges.  Google it!

Now, back to the nickel, brass, copper dilema.  Brass and copper, no matter what you do to them, will change color over time.  Even if you patina them, polish them and seal with the world's best metal sealant, they will still color change if worn on skin over time.  These metals react to heat, and body heat is enough to change them eventually.  I don't have a problem with this, since I think the aging of these metals is gorgeous.  Blues, greens, purples, reds...so amazing.  Sealing them with acrylics will slow this down, but nothing is permanant and I tell my clients this up front.  But what about the allergy issue??? What about  the client who's skin turns green at the touch of brass or copper???  Well, I have a couple tricks that have worked extremely well for me.

Number one--transparency films.  I back my copper, brass and nickel rings and cuffs with transparency film, resin set in place with Ice Resin.  You can get wonderful transparencies all over the web, I get mine from ArtChix Studios.  This adds another design element to your ring or cuff, giving the inside of the band a whole new look!  Text is great here...you can personalize this in so many ways, and when finished the metal never touches the skin.  I also coat the entire thing with 4 coats of metal sealer as well.  You an also use resin set papers and fabric (silk and tissue paper are really cool).  Go nuts!


Next--back pendants with found objects.  Buttons, pictures, watch faces, transparencies, fabric, polymer clay, images behind mica, whatever you can think of!  Again, you have a whole new element to add to the overall design.  I make the backs of my pendants as interesting as the front!  Clock and watch faces are my go-to (many are porcelain...nice).  I rivet or microscrew them in place first thing, then work on the front design.  The goal is a protective barrier between the metal and skin.  Mica is really fun, over dried flowers, paper, feathers, whatever!!!  Set in place with resins or cold connections. 

So, don't be intimidated by "base" metals and convince your clients of the same.  With a little creativity and time, you can create some amazing jewelry that has layers (litterally) of design.  If you give this a try, please let me know what you think!  And, as always, I love to see pictures of your work!  Have fun!!

I Made the TEAM and a Bunch of Other News...

Wow, is it 2012 already? IS IT FEBRUARY ALREADY?!?!? Time has flown and I've been woefully lax in posting here. If you don't already know, I also post quite a bit on Facebook, so mosey on over there and "Like" me!  Thanks!

Now, for the news.  Most recently I participated in the sixth annual Wild Things Art Show benefiting the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation.  What a great night!!!  This show is so special.  Artists from all around the country come and offer works inspired by nature.  The show is held at a good friend's home, in her studio that is a converted barn.  I've included a slideshow here of images from the night.  What a blast.  Live art demos, body painting, food, drink and best of all, INCREDIBLE ART. of all kinds.  Some of my favorite artists were there, including Anthony Burks, Melinda Moore, Donatella Linari and Norman Gitzen.  The highlight of the night for me was when New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag purchased one of my newest and HUGEST designs called "Dreams to Desire" (pictured here).  This necklace is one of my favorites ever, a collaboration with the uber-talented Staci Louise.  I'm so thrilled!!  The event raised a nice bit of money for RSCF, all in support of wildlife conservation.  We will be posting a smaller, online version of the show so you all can have a chance to buy gorgeous art and support RSCF as well.  I'll keep you posted!!!  By the way, I always donate 25% of my Etsy sales to this wonderful organization, so please, visit my shop and BUY SOMETHING....thanks :)

Next, I have to tell you how excited I am to be chosen by Nunn Design to join their 2012 Innovation Team.  That means that every month I get to play with Nunn's wonderful line of jewelry supplies, creating whatever I feel!  I can't show you the work yet, but I can tell you that I am very impressed with the quality of Nunn's componants.  I am especially in love with their chain.  Comes in so many styles and finishes!  Weighty and really top-notch.  I definately suggest you immediately go there and purchase some.  You won't be dissapointed.  Great value as well!  AND, they have endless bezels in tons of shapes, forms and design.  Perfect for resins, big stones, and all the crazy bits and pieces I love to work with.  When I got my first "goodie" box I felt like a kid a Christmas!  As soon as I can I'll share images with you.  Check out the site, but set aside some time to do so, they have so much to see!

What's next?  Well, 2012 will be a great year for us all, right??  I'm showing a new line of work at a new Gallery in Lake Worth run by the Cultural Council.  No jewelry (gasp), instead, I am focusing on a new series of mixed media relequaries and totem boxes.  The series is called "Fly" and features antique doll parts along with lots of other weirdness.  Flight is such a magical thing, and birds are a big focus in my life.  So, these boxes will be on display only in this Gallery (for now).  Here are a few images....I'd love to hear what you think of them!  This year I hope to expand this series and work with more non-jewelry designs.  Have no fear, I'm making jewelry, but want to flex other design muscles as well.

Whew, that's a quick update...I'll try to post more often, I swear!

Playing with PVC

I love Robert Dancik's work. He is the creator of Faux Bone, a pvc product in sheet form that you can easily form, carve and treat to look like aged bone. I haunt his website and love his tutorials. Since discovering Faux Bone, I have also started experimenting with PVC on my own. It's inexpensive (cheap, actually) and easily available at local hardware and home improvement stores.

I recently stumbled upon a bracelet design while helping my husband clean off his work bench in our garage. He had some PVC pipe fittings laying around, and I found one that I initially thought would work well as a bracelet form for my wire work. It was a 2.5 inside diameter, schedule 40 PVC pipe fitting. The outside circumference is the perfect size for a standard bangle. Then it occured to me that maybe I could make a bangle from the pipe alone....hmmmmmm. A couple hours later and I had a lovely, aged bone bangle with copper accents.

So, I give you the Super-Cool PVC Bangle Tutorial! I wanted to share this because it's so fun to make and inexpensive to boot! This is a perfect holiday gift idea, and you can customize the look any way you wish!

Take a peek, and let me know what you think. If you make a bangle, I'd love to see it. Share the photos and I'll post here.

Have fun!!!
PVC Bracelet Tutorial

I've Got A Book!

For some time now I have been writing short stories and poems to go along with mixed media jewelry designs.  I call this series "Sacred Salvage".  Several folks that have read the work have asked why I haven't put together a book.  Basically, it's because the idea of putting this all "out there" terrifies me!  My writing is very personal, and the idea of throwing it to the winds is very intimidating.  Everyone is a critic, and the thought of having my inner works poked through really gets to me.  But, I then realized I was being a big baby.  So, I am proud to announce that Sacred Salvage is now available through Blurb.

The book is laid out like a photo book with text.  I have to thank Durga Garcia, photographer extraordinare, for the cover and chapter photos.  They're gorgeous!  The rest of the photos are mine.  This book means so much to me, because it truly reflects what inspires me most in my jewelry designs--nature, personal growth and strength of spirit.  I am donating 100% of my sales proceeds to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, so that's one more reason to feel good about buying the book!

I hope you will consider this for yourself or as a gift.  It's more than a jewelry book and more than a book of short stories and poems.  It's my invitation to take a peek into my heart, and I don't offer that lightly.

Thanks in advance to those who buy a copy--you can get 20% off with the coupon code BLURB20.  If you do buy the book, please contact me with your thoughts.  I'm a big girl, and I'd like to hear what you think!

Sacred Salvage by Karen McGovern | Make Your Own Book

Re-defining Art Jewelry

What is art jewelry?  What is fine jewelry?  Can inexpensive jewelry be considered "fine"?  Hmmmmm...There are many different "levels" in any art form.  With jewelry design, the terms are tricky and sometimes prickly.  I once had my work refered to as "costume jewelry" and it pissed me off, because for some reason I associated that those terms with cheap, mass produced jewelry.  I consider my work to be "art jewelry".  That being said, there are all sorts of other catagories--"fine jewelry" being at the top of the heap.  I consider fine jewelry anything made using precious metals and gemstones.  BUT, that doesn't mean there isn't a ton of mass produced, crappy fine jewelry out there--just visit WalMart and BEHOLD...

The reason I bring this up is because my work doesn't exactly fit into any category.  Sometimes I use precious metals, most time I do not.  Sometimes I use fine gemstones, most times I do not.  My goal is to create original, AFFORDABLE art jewelry with whatever materials strike my fancy.  If I make something using sterling or gold, I can assure you it is only because I was able to purchase said sterling or gold SUPER CHEAP.  Affordability is really important to me, probably becuase I have never been able to afford what is considered fine jewelry.  Luckily, I also don't really care for that stuff anyway.  I have always been attracted to the unusual, the pieces that are obviously designed and hand-crafted by an artist thinking outside the conventional jewelry box. 

So, I may use base metals or really inexpensive elements in my designs, but don't call me cheap!  The end result is always a singular design, well-crafted and carefully constructed.  I once was hesitant to use nickel silver or pewter in my work, worrying that it would "cheapen" the finished product.  STUPID!  I encourage everyone to explore working with these materials, and to come up with original designs that bely the inexpensive componants.  Bottom line, I want my work to be worn, to be purchased, to be enjoyed by as many people as possible.  Sure, I can make you something using only sterling silver or fine gold, but the cost (too me) outweighs any design benefit.  Plus, it somehow seems unseemly to be setting fake grass or coyote teeth in 14k gold....just saying...

There are so many innovative, inexpensive design elements out there for the picking that translate into personal, inspirational designs.  I am a mixed media fanatic, and there is no button, photograph or dried leaf safe from my resin-coated fingers, and don't get me started on bone, feathers and fur...It's all in the translation, the way you work with common elements to create something uncommon and beautiful.

So, hit your local Michael's Craft Store and dig through the bead section.  Then hit the scrap book section, then hit the floral department.  Then head for your local hardware store and bring home some copper pipe and a pipe cutter.  You will be amazed at what you can create if you take a big step outside that jewelry box...

These three rings were made using inexpensive elements and componants including base metal ring blanks, copper washers and pipe, etched brass discs, and faux flowers and grasses.

Creating with Intent

Just got the latest issue of Nat'l Geo, with the cover all about Cleopatra. The image focused on an amazing gold and pearl earring that belonged to her. A golden snake coiled around huge white pearls. Breathtaking. In reading the article, you discover the intent behind the design. Snakes represent long life and prosperity, and were featured in countless jewelry designs from bracelets to necklaces to clothing.

This got me thinking about the history of human adornment, and how every culture in the world historically created art and jewelry with "intent", meaning behind the design that goes far beyond simple beauty. I think that is fascinating, and have always tried to incorporate a message or meaning in my work. Some of my designs are inspired by, or inspire themselves, a short story or poem. I'm partial to Native American folklore and often incorporate elements of that into my designs and writing. No matter what I create, I find that each design began as something more--an intrepretation of a greater idea or inspiration.

Susan Lenart Kazmer always encourages us to "create with intent". To make concious decisions with each step of artistic design. Every curve of wire, every bead or stone placement, the choice of metal or material, every hammer strike, should mean something--should be meaningful--even if it is only to you, the designer.  I agree, and find that being concious of this--of opening yourself up to explore meaning behind design and creativity--inspires greater creativity and originality.  Each design is a bit of my imagination come to life, made material.

I am inspired by nature, and try to reflect that in everything I make.  I believe I impart a message in every design, and hope the person who ultimately makes that design their own can see or "feel" my intent.  This way of thinking has made me a better artist, and I hope a better person as well...Isn't it amazing what personal expression can do for the individual and the group?? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and how you express your intent or message in your work.  Please feel free to share here...THANKS!

This ring was made with spectacular varacasite from Out of Our Mines.  I chose it because it made me think of the Earth, with rivers and valleys in the marbeling of the stone.  It feels like magic to me...