A flowing year for my art

December 24, 2016 Leave a Comment

Celebrating a year

In some respects, this month is the most productive of the year as I prepared for holiday shows and created new art for them. In other ways, it’s a time when I reflect on the year’s accomplishments.

2016 was probably my most art-filled year in recent memory—a fact I’d love to celebrate with you. I haven’t had a year with this much artwork in a long time.

Here are my four big successes from 2016….

One: A more satisfying process for producing art

This year has been about flow and new energy. Instead of being surprised by deadlines, I planned ahead and got the dates down on my calendar. This allowed me to focus on meeting one deadline and then look ahead to what I wanted to participate in next.

What was really different is how I planned in enough time for the creative unfolding process. You can’t execute big art pieces in a day, but it sometimes still surprises me how long things take. Every project has at least one “OMG this is never going to come together” moment. With better planning, I could work on it, step away, and keep coming back until it starts to come together.

Spaciousness and time make better art and a happier, saner artist.

Two: More art pieces than in recent years

This spring, something just clicked for me when I started working on the piece below, a free-form sterling wire necklace with a lampwork blossom bead.

Then I created Breastplate for Ninsun using this same free-form style. I loved it so much, I even decided to submit it to Bead and Button.

BreastPlate for Ninson wire art necklace (c) Melanie Schow

It’s common for artists to focus on a particular color or medium for a while, creating a series of pieces that use a similar style. Once I got rolling, this new, bigger style kept flowing through the subsequent pieces of jewelry and wire embroidery.

All of the designs revolved around the theme of precipitation and water. Talk about flow!

Organized Precipitation Little Sister necklace

Organized Precipitation’s Little Sister necklace

Three: Recognition for my art

I entered Organized Precipitation (below) into Madera County Art Council’s Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts 2016 23rd Annual competition and exhibition. It won second place for the category “Water… Agriculture’s Lifeblood.” I received a Certificate of Recognition for the award from California Legislature assembly and senate with my name and title of piece and stamped with a silver emblem.

The Alliance of California Artists Open Show’s theme was Falling into Winter. I submitted The Sky is Falling, a wire embroidery piece depicting rain turning to snow. For the rain, I used glass beads, crystals, bugle beads, and wire. The snow is wire with sparkly Lucite beads in stars and shapes. I won Honorable Mention in the category of Three-Dimensional Drawing and Non-Traditional Artwork.

Four: New venues for my art

The Art Shop at Vintage Market at 601: This year, Paul Parichan created an art shop dedicated to local artists. All of the participating artists make diverse and high-quality art in a variety of media—including mixed media, ceramics, fabric pillows, wire work, paintings jewelry. I’m really honored that he invited me into this prestigious group and featured three of my artworks (Monarch Duet, Breastplate for Ninsun, the “baby sister” of Organized Precipitation).

New online shop: People have always asked if they could purchase my work online, and this year, it’s finally possible! Although, it’s on vacation mode during the holidays, my online shop will be active again in January. Here’s the link to see what’s new in my online store.

If you’re in or visiting the San Joaquin Valley, I’m also showing my work at:

Mixed Messages in Sanger, CA
The Art Shop at Vintage Market at 601 in Fresno, CA
Circle Gallery in Madera, CA

My hope is to ride the energy and success of this year into the new one. In the meantime, I’m wishing you a fruitful and flowing new year!

Clouds in my Coffee (c)2016 Melanie Schow

I don’t make art glass beads, I make them even better

October 31, 2016 Leave a Comment

Do not pass go

I’ll never forget how surprised I was the time I got turned down to show my work because the focal art glass beads in my creation were not my own.

Even though the sting has worn off over the years, this experience gave me an insight into the standards of the art world. Painters don’t make their own paint. Sculptors don’t quarry their own stone. Similarly, when wire artists use beads, frequently they are not of their own making.

Many artists, many styles

From the very beginning, it was a conscious choice to use others’ artist-quality beads in my necklaces, earrings, and sculpture. Here’s why: no on can be good at all things.

Instead, my finished pieces are different and unique as Breastplate for Ninsun, the Scaredy Cat collection, and the Morning Song rooster necklace.

BreastPlate for Ninson Silver Necklace

Professor Specs pendant

Morning Song rooster necklace wire art jewelry

Morning Song necklace

What I love best about working with artist-quality beads is the variety. From Joy Munshower‘s animals and the art glass of Gail Crosman Moore to the whimsical cats of Kathleen O’Connor and Robin Poff‘s dragons, these gifted makers inspire the art I create.

The art of wire design

When you work with wire as I do, the artistry comes down to creating a beautiful, balanced piece using a variety of elements. Wire artistry entails knowing how many scrolls and coils create a harmonious look and also recognizing the point at which you stop adding.

Using focal beads means understanding color and choosing accent elements that highlight the theme. For example, in my pendant using Kathleen O’Connor’s Wicked Witch, I echo the fun, square-kinked tails in the wire scrolls of the drop on this pendant.

Although I have taken lampwork bead-making classes, it’s not my medium. Understanding the kind of work that goes into making fine art glass beads makes me appreciate artists that use this medium even more. If I tried to do it all myself, I’d be a beginner for a long time!

My specialty is in creating a beautiful, well engineered settings with high-end materials and choosing gorgeous color palettes that bring out the uniqueness of the focal beads that are made by other artists and by Mother Nature too.

Messing about with sterling wire art jewelry

February 26, 2016 2 Comments

After a rather long dry spell involving baby cows and endless paperwork (I know, don’t ask), I’m starting to make wire art jewelry again.

A new breakthrough was inspired six weeks ago while I was poking around on Pinterest. Looking at wire art jewelry, this stunning piece by Ruth Jensen of SparkFlight stopped me in my tracks. The free-form wire she uses at the center of a necklace is inspiring! I want to play with that!

In fact, I printed it out and have been dragging around that picture—along with my wire and bead trays—ever since.

Of course, there’s a fine line to walk as an artist because you don’t want to copy or reproduce someone else’s work. At the same time, magic happens when you’re putting your own spin or taste into something that inspires you—and giving credit to your inspiration.

Budding ideas

Seeing Ruth’s work brought to mind a floral lampwork bead I’ve been wanting to use for the upcoming Blossom Trail event in Sanger, CA. One afternoon, I finally sat down to start. Our springtime fruit tree festival inspires me, and the floral focal bead looks like the stone fruit blossoms we are seeing all around us.

In the early “spaghetti phase,” the long ends stick out everywhere, and you’re not really sure it will come together. As I worked, I really started to like it.

Then it sat for a while. Sometimes I have to stop or step away. Instead of forcing the completion or the design, it’s important to take time with it and visualize what it can become. It’s better to think things through since wire isn’t a super-forgiving medium. With wire, once you bend it, you’re committed.

Bursting into bloom

When I came back to the piece, I did the rest of the setting all at once. By luck, I found accent lampwork beads that compliment the focal bead. Instead of manufactured chain, I knew it needed sterling hand-forged links that refer back to the piece itself.

Here’s the finished piece:

I feel so excited to play again! Working the wire this way really feels like a something new.

Side note: I bought on ebay the focal bead and accents and cannot find the lampwork artist’s name. If you happen to know, please mention it in the comments. I’d like to give credit.

Come see!

If you’re interested in seeing or purchasing my work, this piece will be featured at Mixed Messages Art leading up to the Blossom Trail event on March 5.

Beautiful Knots

January 7, 2010 4 Comments

One class that my students really like is the Knot Bead Pendant. What is it about this mysterious bead – a chameleon, it is exactly what everyone wants it to be. I have heard people say I must have been angry to make such a tangle, that is is technical, playful, un-solvable. People are intrigued with the complexity and no two are ever the same. I always get comments whenever I wear one – what fun to make evocative jewelry. What’s not to like? (sorry couldn’t resist)

I am teaching the Knot Bead Pendant at Creative Castle on Sunday January 17th. This is one of my favorite places, a lovely, local bead store (LBS) in Newbury Park, California. The owner has a keen sense of color and her staff is really helpful, offering their expertise and knowledge generously. “The Castle” has a great selection of vintage beads, pearls and their semi-precious is remarkable. They are also have extensive seed beads and crystals if that is your medium and they have all the other important stuff: books, tools, wire, chain, and probably most anything bead related you might be looking for. Join us for class and “tie” your own knot.

The class is offered again at Adorn Me! on March 4th. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this retreat, offered in Houston, TX. It is new, exclusively Art Jewelry and the organizer has assembled a really exciting line up of workshops and instructors. She has an impressive track record with Art retreats, check out Art Unraveled. Lots of the classes are still available. In my experience these are classes and instructors who can be hard to schedule because of their popularity. I am taking advantage of the opportunity to take a class or two and add a few more skills to my repertoire. You can use the link or there’s button for Adorn Me! see the top right side of the blog.

Where do I take it from here? For more than a pendant, add other big wire links and build your self a necklace. If you need to learn more about big wire, watch for Whimsical Wire Links and Design, a class that will teach you a library of big wire links. The only limit is your imagination.

“It takes TWO” Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads

October 18, 2009 2 Comments

Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads, the magazine, has arrived in your local bead store and it is gorgeous. There are a great variety of projects. These are not just any projects, but collaborations between bead artists and jewelry artists. All the pieces included were juried into the Convergence Show that was displayed at Bead & Button last June and at the ISGB Gathering in July. Want to know how they did that? What goes into making an award winning piece, this magazine is a great resource, not to mention the usual eye candy of great beadwork.

I am proud to have my entry, Fire and Ice Reversible Cuirass included in the magazine. This is a complex, colorful, two-sided wire and glass necklace inspired by a piece of amour called a cuirass. The beads were made by Florida glass artist Holly Young.

Artisans Gallery – Idyllwild, CA

October 8, 2009 1 Comment

There is a beautiful little mountain town called Idyllwild with an active art community only a short drive from Los Angeles. Just head out the 10 freeway towards Palm Springs and turn right at Banning. This weekend, they are having an Art and Wine Walk on Saturday afternoon. What better place to stroll on a fall weekend than among the pines. There are numerous galleries to explore, but I particularly recommend Artisans which offers an ecelctic collection of fine art and beautiful craft. At their location in Oakwood Village, you can also meet Chris and Melody Johnston from the local Middle Ridge Winery and sample thier wines. Gwen Novak will be showng her pastels, Marshall Hawkins and Paul Carmen will be playing jazz and you can visit the newly opened gallery, Kenario.

Artisans is featuring the work of Rachel Welch, beautiful paintings on silk, and a selection of my art jewelry and wire embroidery sculptures. This is the first time I have put together a body of my work in both genres. Stick around and join me for the opening, starting after the Wine Walk at 5 pm.

Adorn Me! Art Jewelry Retreat

September 11, 2009 Leave a Comment

There’s something new on my calendar for 2010, a retreat just for Art Jewelry. Since my design preference falls somewhere between more is more and just plain over the top, I am really excited to be participating in a retreat where those qualities are valued. Check out Adorn Me! – classes, events, instructor line up and venue – wow! There is so much exciting on the schedule and it will be held at a brand new hotel with off season rates (read more money for jewelry supplies).

I am teaching four classes: Berry Leafy Bracelet; Knot Bead Pendant; Capture the Dragon: Engineering Sculptural Lampwork; and Fantasy Flower Pendant (or pin). The kits are optional, so if you have a burgeoning closet of wire, beads, and findings, you can bring your own. For classes with specialized beads or findings, the unique items will be available for purchase; in other words, you bring the basics and you can buy the hard-to-find items at class. A retreat should be just that, a place to relax, be inspired, add skills to your repetoire and enjoy. With a broad selection of classes both day and evening, an expo for shopping and time to visit and show off your creations, Adorn Me! is something to look forward to.

Messing About with Steampunk

May 9, 2009 1 Comment

Somewhere in my Internet travels I came across Steampunk and was stopped in my tracks. What is this lovely fantasy complete with costumes all about? A bit of searching revealed I was not alone in my fascination. I have been collecting bits and pieces to incorporate into wire art steampunk jewelry ever since. Here is my first attempt. It is the works of a pocket watch captured in a wire bezel, adorned with carved citrine beads, Swarovski pearls and finished with vintage and contemporary findings. More wire and beads to make up the necklace. I find the piece presents my usual challenge of being quite heavy. I have compensated somewhat for the weight by using wood prayer beads and a counter balance.

Convergence: Fire and Ice Reversible Cuirass

April 25, 2009 2 Comments

There is a competition sponsored by the International Society for Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) and Bead and Button. This year it pairs a glass artist with a jewelry artist or in some cases they are one in the same. They collaborate to make a piece based on a theme, Art Jewelry inspired by the Four Elements. I worked with a bead artist from Florida, Holly Young, who I had not met prior to the competition. It presented an interesting challenge to work with someone clear accross the country who I did not know. For one thing, I realized we take our ability to communitcate our ideas for granted. “What do you mean you are not picturing what I am telling you?” When I re-read my description and looked at my chicken scratches, it’s quite a miracle that Holly grasped what I was trying to say at all. Some faxes, a few phone calls and some more beads later… the heart of the piece, some big lampwork beads, arrived here to get wired.

I was inspired by a cuirass, a piece of armour worn on the front and back of the body, fastened at the shoulder. I wanted to show the extreme opposites of the elements, fire and ice. The finished piece would be reversible and you could wear either side forward, depending on your mood. Okay, good idea. Got it made and was quite pleased with the outcome. Do you know what one of the biggest challenges of presenting your work is? Getting a good photograph for the jury process. Not just the quality of the photo but how do you show a two-sided piece in a single photograph? With the help of my graphic artist friend and much trial and error pictures were accomplished. The next part might be the hardest… you just wait.

The email started out “We had many outstanding submissions…” okay I am braced for the bad news. But it continued… “and yours was selected” phew and yippeeee! Wow, this is exciting. The next hurdle was to see if it would be selected for the special Bead & Button publication that will feature work from the exhibit. It was selected for the publication too. No, it’s not the first time I have submitted work for juried exhibits, but yes, it is the first time my work has been selected. I will post some pictures, but like I said earlier, the photos do not do it justice. Are you headed to the Bead and Button Show, you can see it there. It will also be at the ISGB Convergence in Florida this July. And… if you really love it, you can bid at the ISGB Charity auction where it will be sold. Want to make your own? It will be published this October in a Bead and Button special issue called Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads and Holly is prepared to make more fire and ice beads.

Capture the Dragon

April 21, 2009 1 Comment

I am an avid collector of Robin Poff’s dragon beads; they are special, sculptural and big! They each have their own personalities. I have spent alot of time working out how to mount them so they can be used in jewelry. You can see one example on my home page here. The spring issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry has an article I wrote called Engineering Sculptural Lampwork that gives directions for a wire based frame.

The article includes instructions for making this necklace.

I like to use lampwork with wire because they work so well together. The lampwork accomodates the wire and makes a bold statement. The challenge can be engineering the piece so it is not too heavy. Here are three suggestions to manage the weight:

1. Make sure the heaviest part rests on the center of the chest, just below the collarbone.

2. Include a counter balance, I use several beads at the end of the series of links attached to fasten the piece. This falls down the wearer’s back creating weight in the back that offsets the weight from the front. Bonus! if you wear your hair up, you are adorned going as well as coming. I first read about using a counter balance in a book by helen deitze.

3. Compensate for the heavier beads and wire by using lighter beads and pieces where possible. I am fond of vintage Lucite beads and they often find their way into my designs. Resin, horn, filigree findings, or whatever you have in your stash that works with the design.