Cave Installation

Recently a few friends and people I'm close with decided to put on a student-run concert featuring a few different artists working separately and also collaboratively.  My friend, Adrian Rowan - who is an awesome artist and great photographer, decided that we would make a set or stage that accompanied the type of music that was going to be played.  We came up with the idea to make a cave like structure out of arm-knit strips of fabric, rope, and lights.  It was extremely successful, and allowed us to both try out some installation work - which both of us have never had the opportunity to do.  Below, I have some pictures taken by Adrian that show our Cave from different viewpoints.  Hopefully, there will be more installations to come!!

Amber Kempthorn

This post is dedicated to Amber Kempthorn, an amazing artist and professor, who mixes drawing and collage to create some really cool, crazy compilations.  She has an exhibit at 1point618 gallery in Cleveland, OH called "Remastered".  I definitely recommend going to see her work, because she is extremely talented.  She teaches part-time at The College of Wooster, where I go to school, as a Professor of Drawing.  I went into her class very uneasy about the 2D world of art, and she made it the best class I've ever taken.  Check out her website here:
http://www.amberdkempthorn.com/
Also check out some of my favorite works of hers!!

                

                       
                                     

KGD Films!

Hello, hello! Today I would just like to dedicate this post to my sister, Kelsey.  She started a little business called KGD Films, which produces mini videos for local business and helps give them something extra on their websites.  I have recently caught myself up on some of the new videos she has done, and oh my goodness, they are really wonderful! Definitely check out her website at http://kgdfilms.com/...I would post my favorite video of hers, but I have zero idea of how to do that!  Keep up the awesome work Kels!

* * * UPDATE * * *

Since I last posted, KGD films has really taken off.  Kelsey has gained a number of clients, and she has really made a name for herself in the small business world of northern New Jersey!  It is incredible! Check out her newest videos on her Vimeo page here.  Also, I have to add this, she has a new logo!

Inspiration

Inspiration is a crazy thing.  I absolutely love that feeling when you hear, see, read, or generally experience something that completely rocks your world.  Inspiration makes you want to do something, like a fire is ignited within you.  Whatever inspires you, something powerful takes over your mind and body.  I have been having some wonderful inspirational moments lately, and I just wanted to acknowledge them now.

First and foremost, DeLaney family, you guys are the best...you will all always inspire me in your silly, different ways.  Friends and people that I love are immensely responsible for making me turn what I wanted to do into what I am doing.  You make me think about things from all angles and expose me to knowledge and perspectives that I've never even heard of before.

Some of these people are:

Pablo Picasso

So creative and talented...willing to try to create in all different mediums and various styles.  Not only that, but his art is so accessible to its viewers.

















Vincent Van Gogh

He brought such a weird and interesting presence to his paintings...they are so full of movement and emotion, it is a crazy experience to view them...I also love how you can see his process (brushstrokes' thickness, movement, continuation).

Joanna Newsom

Her music is out of this world, whether it is her lyrics, her beautiful harp playing, or the combination of the two that creates such amazing images.

This song "Autumn" is a great example of some of this imagery I speak about:

"Driven through by her own sword
  Summer died last night, alone
  even the ghosts huddle up for warmth,
  Autumn has come to my hometown"


And just a few more things everyone should check out!

The Goat Rodeo Sessions

Davy Spillane "Caoineadh Cú Chulainn"

Happy Friday!  I have just finished a piece that I've been working on for a very special person.  It's his birthday today, so I gave him this as a small gift.  This thing does not really have a purpose haha, I just thought it was an interesting design so I decided to make it!  Originally I wanted to put a thin strip of copper behind it, just to make it a little more interesting...after trying for about an hour to make an attractive rivet, I gave up! For some reason it just did not look right. All in all though, I'm happy with how it turned out, and I hope the recipient likes it too! :)

          

DIY Patinas to try!

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while, which I feel badly about, but with heading back to school I have found it a little more difficult to make time to work on jewelry.  As I'm settling in though, I am recognizing times that I can work on some of my own stuff.  SO! I thought I would take this opportunity to post about some diy patinas, that I have not tried, and then once I try them post a few pictures and how I thought they worked.  Most are fairly simple and use pretty common household products, so hooray for that!!!

http://www.ehow.com/how_8520469_patina-copper-quickly.html

http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2013/01/15/aging-pots-and-metal-in-the-garden/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+FleaMarketGardening+(Flea+Market+Gardening)   (look for the penny ball)

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2009/09/aging-gracefully.html

http://thingscrafty.com/2012/03/19/playing-with-patinas/

also, I'm not sure how to credit her in this, but if you are looking for more ways to antique or age your metal, then follow 'Laura Z', she has a great board on Pinterest!

http://pinterest.com/imacraftydiva/metallic-finishes-effects-diy/

Finally ready to make some piercings!

Okay, so my final necessary tool arrived, the good ol' flexible shaft machine, and I am finally ready to create some pieces! Geez, it feels like ages since I've made a piercing, and I cannot wait to get my hands on that metal...I thought I'd just share these pictures, because I'm so excited about my new tools!!

WOO!!! First post!

So this is my first blog post ever...pretty exciting!  I'm not the best with technology, so we'll see how all of this goes.  Anyway, this piece is the piece that got me excited about jewelry making and metal work.  I made it during a metals class my first year in college.  I love wearing it and I love when people say they love it!  Since then I have purchased a number of jewelry tools so that I can make more on my own.  This necklace means so much to me, so hopefully you like it too!