Solamente

All that glitters

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Art glass pendants galore

As the holidays approach, I’m turning out lots of fun and colorful glass pendants using lampwork focal beads from some of my favorite glass artists.

From wise owls and cute pups to seasonal, wintry themes (I love the steaming cup of cocoa), I’m having a blast creating lots of swishes and scrolls to embellish these fun pieces.

Just a few of the dozens of glass pendants on my work bench

The wire in these pendants is copper that’s coated in colored enamel. It comes in so many shades, so it’s easy to find the perfect match with specific hues in the glass beads.

The wonderful thing about pendants is their simplicity. You can wear them with nearly anything—from dressing up your jeans or adding a little pizzazz to your favorite turtle-neck dress.

I’ve been collecting lampwork beads by various talented artists for years,  and it’s been so fun to revisit my favorites. I am always amazed by how much creativity, sparkle, and whimsy they bring to creating focal beads. I might have trouble letting go of a few of them!

With creative embellishments and colored wire to highlight each unique piece, each one becomes wearable art for everyday or the holidays!

I’ve created about 50 pendants in advance of the holiday season and will be displaying them at three different local art galleries. If you’re in the Fresno area, you’re invited to visit and take your favorites home with you!

It’s an honor to have my work featured at these creative local galleries. If you need a little more sparkle in your life (or know someone who does), I hope you’ll come by!

2017: A year of art jewelry (and inspiration for 2018)

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Off the charts creativity

2017 was an incredible year for my art, inspired by the many shows where I was invited to participate. The amount of new pieces grew all year. In celebration, I’d love to show them all off here!

In early January, I participated in Madera Circle Gallery show called A New Journey my wire sculpture piece entitled, “Same Ocean, New Tide” otter piece. Little did I know then that this year would have many animals in it!

2017 was also the Year of the Tiara. It all started during bloom season with the pink princess party—a fun, playful event at Mixed Messages Gallery in Fresno–making sparkly tiaras on headbands. I loved it! Of all the jewelry I’ve made over the years, creating crowns and tiaras was a completely new outlet for my wire art and design skills.

This one-off princess project sparked new enthusiasm and creativity. I designed well over a dozen tiaras that honor the many roles that women play in their lives.

My intention was to bring pride, joy, and playfulness to the ordinary, making the wearer feel like the queen of her life. I even submitted a trio of tiaras to Bead and Button.

My tiaras went on tour as I participated in the Circle Gallery’s “Reflections” show in March.

In spring, I participated in Fresno Artist’s Gallery show, Bead Dreams, Chris Sorenson’s Gallery, Vintage Market at 601, and Mixed Messages Gallery’s spring-themed event.

Here’s “Golden Microcosm” in the Landscape Show at Sorensen’s.

Recognition for my art

One of the stand-out events of the year was receiving Honorable Mention for my submission to the Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts show—and the piece sold too! I really honed new small-wire skills to create this barn structure.

My other huge project was to participate in Mixed Messages’ Baker’s Dozen show, each artist featuring thirteen original works featuring animals. Because I had a great stash of animal bead options on hand, I produced a lot of new pieces on a very short deadline!

bakers dozen display at Mixed Messages, Sanger California

Reflections on the year

From animals to tiaras, shows to events, it’s been a year of producing a lot of new work, new skills and connections. Having shows throughout the year helped create a flow of opportunities to make things I won’t normally try. I love the challenge and variety!

I feel good about the art I’ve created and stretching my creativity in new directions. What a blessing it is to do what you love and share it with so many people.

In 2018

With the new year in full swin, I’m thinking about what I hope to create in the months ahead. While the creative muse won’t allow you to push her, I am looking forward to several shows to spark more creativity. After 2017’s experiences, I have discovered how much I enjoy that regular intensity to inspire me and create new inventory.

Whatever happens in 2018, I’ll be sure to share about it here. Feel free to follow me on Facebook where I share lots of photos from shows and works in progress.

Wishing you a happy new year!

Dozens of art glass animal pendants

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Every artist needs her muses

Kathleen Mattox and Laura Fraedrich are local artists and friends of mine who met years ago in a class and continue to encourage each other’s art-making. This fall, they got an inspired idea to do a themed show called Baker’s Dozen at Kathleen’s gallery, Mixed Messages in Sanger, CA. Each each of them showed thirteen different original artworks featuring animals.

I got so excited about their idea!

Lampwork art glass animals are some of my favorite beads of all. I went through my mental list, thinking, “I bet I have…” As luck would have it, I did! Although the goal of thirteen pieces seemed like a stretch, I thought it would be fun to try to achieve it. I was even more excited when Kathleen agreed to let me participate and show off these art glass animal pendants.

Creativity under a deadline

A lot of artists work well under a deadline, and it’s definitely the case for me. I got together twelve pendants and necklaces–and one sculpture–at the last minute. Yes, I literally ran in the last few the morning the show started. It was a great challenge. My menagerie of glass animal pendants includes more-or-less exotic creatures including a unicorn, dragon, hippopotamus, otter, mouse, two owls, chicken, four cats, and a dog.

Laura’s paintings and Kathleen’s collage paintings are beautiful and creative. They did an incredible job with the show, two events, and included animal-themed cards, bookmarks, tote bags, and other accessories for sale. Kathleen also participated in Inktober and drew a different dog breed every day. It is so fun to be connected with such prolific, talented, and collaborative artists.

The bakers’ dozen of art glass animal pendants I created

Here’s a glimpse of the show and all the glass animal pendants and necklaces (plus a sculpture) that they inspired me to create!

Glass animal pendants by Melanie Schow at the Bakers Dozen show at Mixed Messages, Sanger California

My pendants and necklaces in the center island of the gallery.

One of the four baker’s dozen kitties.

The other three hilarious cats.

The otter sculpture.

The whippet pendant… or is it a greyhound?

Who are you calling a chicken?

I’m pretty sure this is the cutest baby hippo ever.

Of course, I had to add a tiara, but Kathleen’s dog painting is incredible!

And finally, the glass unicorn!

Many of these pendants will be available for purchase when the show ends on October 31. Please feel free to let me know if one grabs your fancy. It was a great project, and I’m glad to have art friends who inspire and challenge me!