Jewelry Observer

Kate Cusack a talented fellow jewelry maker sent me this site a while back. I finally uploaded some work in hopes to connect with that amazing group of talented and featured artists.Take a look here for the amazing work featured

http://www.jewelryobserver.com

Snow and holding pattern

In limbo, in between, not connected.

It is snowing today and the large soft gentle snowflakes are softening the hardness I've been experiencing lately.

Loads of unknowns and for me that's like swimming with sharks. I am maneuvering, I don't think I have options.

Here's the view from the window this am, these wonderful, large snowflakes. I only recently realized that snow and cold weather doesn't bother me. The sweaty hot, stinky does more so. It's because I'm a sweater and NYC is not the place to be when it's super hot.

True Genius

Just as I was finishing the last post I saw the email in my inbox (my daily wisdom that is sometimes so poignantly appropriate!)
"True genius doesn't fulfill expectations, it shatters them."-Arlene Croce

My expectations are to be shattered....

Structured Chaos

This bracelet was made as a collaborative effort between me and HyeJun Park, my dear friend and one of my biggest supporters.

It was wonderful and equally frustrating not to know the direction this is taking until the final touches. It was important to let go and let that bracelet form itself.

Mom recently said, before you sit to work next time, meditate on the metal. Ask the metal to guide you, the work is already in there you are here to expose it.

I haven't done that in full capacity just yet. I needed to get into the work mode and I have to say that I feel worried that it will be hard to "one up myself". Am I up to the challenge with time slipping between my fingers.

I have imposed lots of rules already thus suffocating (partially) the voice from within: watch the price points, watch the time it takes to make, not too complicated, not over the top.

I see how those boxes used to limit my creativity when I worked in corporate world. I would have to visualize my designs as a "fry-guy", "stretch blet", "drama neck". This time around I'm thinking Editorial vs. Saleable, etc..Not the path I carved for myself.

I believe even if the work is expensive it will find its audience. I have a voice, it's strong it is very important to me and that is the most important thing in this equation. Sales follow, I remember that the goal is longevity, consistency and excitement. I am the first person that needs to be happy about making something. I looked at a piece the other night and wondered out loud, am I going to be excited to remake this (like I am when I remake the "always in motion" or even the umpteenth version of "Medusa")

That is my guide. It is important I remember this and why I am where I am. Compromises unless necessary should not impede or overshadow my work.

Onwards and upwards!

In symmetry

Old piece, new piece. I had this casting for a long time. I sat on it, almost literally. That is OK.
I decided it would be a good time to revisit. Perhaps there's a bit of symmetry in all this
chaos, and chaos is good.
I'm quite pleased with them even if they are not in perfect design harmony with the current direction, but they reflect my inner desire for that perfect symmetrical asymmetry.

Caged but free

New piece made in between the time spent on repetitive work. It was refreshing, quick and easy. I love it when it just pours out and it's accepted on the other side as well (meaning the person whom it is going to was wowed by it. So was I. )

"Caged but free", tonight in yoga idea of freedom or attaining freedom was mentioned, and I thought this would be an appropriate title. We seem caged (contained) but we are free, inherently, always..free

M.I.A

Life sometimes throws us some incredible obstacles. It is testing our patience, it's our stress test, just like the ones performed by the government recently on our banks. How much can you handle? What is your breaking point? Also, what are you doing wrong that things get thrown back in your face. You're not going according to the flow of life. You are fighting it.

So I survived this stress test, I feel good, better than I thought I would, I thought I'd feel discouraged. I feel a renewed sense of optimism. It is fleeting at moments, but those moments occur when I start projecting into the future. When I am aware of "now" and this particular moment, life flows and feels rewarding and good.

Here's an image from Zurich's "Z" magazine, thanks to my pal David Vandeval. This was such a surprise, such a wow my work can look that good, wow I can be a part of fashion in a way that I never thought I could. It's inspiring, rewarding and fun.

Thank you David! Thank you Nico!