Jane Wynn's Studio

Some of the things I am THANKFUL for...

Great friends like Cynthia Thornton and her AMAZING BOOK!

Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed-Media Jewelry with Metal, Clay, Wire, Resin & More

This book is a must have. It is filled with beautiful photos of her work, has clear instructions on how she creates her jewelry and beads, and is joyfully infused with the most brilliant drawings, paintings and sketches. 

"The Essentials" section is filled with information about tools and techniques information organized by polymer clay, metal clay, wire, and resin.

Yes-this book goes beyond just another jewelry making book, it is more like a personal journal or a travel companion. I have gone back several times for references, and when I have turned another page, I discover something else that I did not see the first time-it is magical! 

Add this to your book list this season. My simple words here just can not encompass the breath of this book...

(Photos of my little shell box when I was just making it!
The finished piece is in the galley section of this book)

Thank you kindly Ms. Cynthia (& Andrew) not just for allowing me to be a part of it and choosing one of my jewelry creations for the gallery section but for creating just an all over delicious book!

You can find this in most books stores including Barns&Noble, Amazon, Borders and other fine stores who sell art books.

Cynthia's On-Line store is Green Girl Studios: CLICK!

Enchanted Adornments also has a Facebook pages here: CLICK!

Making the Grade...

In my daily life-I am nearing the end of the Semester at College (December 16th is my last day of classes)-and looking forward to getting back full weeks in the studio again!

But when I am not at school teaching students to sculpt and work in three dimensions I am working on new work.

I have to say- I adore working with Found Objects because all I have to do is listen to what they tell me and I just translate!

Speaking of Found Objects, I was featured in the December issue of Lapidary Journal Magazine! In the article on recycled/found objects, I give a few thoughts about some of inspirations and reason for doing what I do- They even use this piece:

Oh wait- I think Duck is stealing my thunder! HA!
He says, "I approve Mama!"

Haaa...

All I can say is I am thrilled and grateful for being about to work and live my life as an artist.

And so it is back to the grind for me. More in a bit. Time for bed!
XoX

Louise Black's little house sparrow...

Good Saturday Rainy Gray Morning!

I started work this morning on Louise's jewelry piece. I am making her one of my little sparrow reliquaries. I think she and this little bird are just the most perfect match.
 
It began with deciding on the metal to use. I was going to use Nickle but wanted to warmer feel, so I went with a brass and added silver to the inside. I like to combine metal as you know and when it comes to the vintage salvaged chains I am going to use, it will blend nicely.

Then it was into the fire:

Messy indeed! In need of a soapy bath

And then I took it and gave it a lot of love and muscle work by sanding down the sides, cleaning up any gloppy silver on the outside, and curving the edges since it is being warn next to skin...

       
And so it will sit here today until I get back to it tonight.

I am very tickled to send this little sparrow to the perfect home. You can see more of Louise's work here: http://louiseblack.squarespace.com/
and here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/louiseblack

Stay turned for more of the process of this piece!

xox

Inspiration comes in mysterious ways...

This is a photo from an OLD album which I bought yesterday at the Golden Nugget from "Irish Phil"...
I Knew from the moment I saw this that I had to have this album no matter what the cost.
Luckily for me it, Phil gave me the whole thing for $15

And so this photo... will be the motivation for my next painting.
Nothing like a couple of Cat Dancers...
 

Peppermint Nun!

Just a quick peek from the Halloween party last evening...