What's On My Workbench

I've been working with new colors, combinations and patterns in my studio for fall. Red, black, and white continues to be very popular. I love working with the graphic contrast.

The contrast and lines in the canes remind me of comic book art, or perhaps some kind of alphabet or symbolism.

The complex, winding lines and shapes seem to speak of new languages, mystical communications.

Besides working in my studio and playing with new colors and patterns for fall, you can find me at SevenArts Gallery in Ellsworth, Maine some days of the week-- just contact me for my schedule in the gallery. My work is always available there, Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Studio Party

On Saturday, September 21, I held a private studio party at my jewelry studio on Lucerne Lake in Maine. What a great time! It was wonderful to meet you all. Here are a few photos:

If you would like to book a private studio party for your group, please contact me to schedule one! I provide wine and snacks with jewelry demos and opportunities for shopping. A fun afternoon or evening in the studio for a group. Beautiful lakeside property on Lucerne Lake, gorgeous in all seasons, but especially beautiful with the fall foliage that's just beginning to kick in!❉


Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

On My Workbench: Eye Candy and Razzle Dazzle

Why is this ship painted this way? Is it a modernist art piece? The whim of a wealthy eccentric? Perhaps a retired warship put to some strange new use?

Nope. This is the USS West Mahomet in 1918, bedecked in US-Navy-approved camouflage. The particular type of camo is called razzle dazzle or simply dazzle. Dazzle was not intended to conceal a ship, but rather to confuse enemy targeting systems so that they couldn't tell if a ship was coming or going, its size, and where exactly the bow, and other parts of the ship, were located.

This type of camo was used extensively in World War I, and less so in World War II. Did it work? No one is one hundred percent certain, since controlled trials were impossible, and every ship was different. Dazzle design was the work of skilled artists. Vorticist artist Edward Wadsworth supervised the painting of over 2,000 dazzle ships during WWI, and the dazzle ships caught the attention of Pablo Picasso, who credited the designs to Cubism.

More examples of amazing dazzle camouflage:

Razzle Dazzle SS Hannibal print	Another dazzle ship, name unknown

Sharply contrasting geometric designs, even when only employing black and white, pack quite a visual punch. They intrigue the eye and delight the imagination.

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In the studio, I have been creating my own set of black and white designs, as well as lots of new colorful patterns and luscious layered dangles earrings. Here's a peek at what's on my workbench this week:

Big beads ready to be strung!	Colorful multihued and black and white earring dangles

In style this season: Stylized, bold accessories with imaginative geometric patterns.  Even a small piece makes a statement. Geometric shapes and designs can be big and bold, or smaller and more subtle.






The patterns in these designs originate as small sections of caned clay, which are combined to form larger canes in ever more complex designs:

 

Of course, a bit (or a lot) of color can be nice too!

❉


Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

Starfish and Stripes

Summer is flying by! Summers in Maine are short but sweet, and I've been enjoying working by the beautiful lake at my studio in Lucerne. Oftentimes on the fourth of July, our neighbors send up fireworks around the lake. The pop and sparkle of color over the still lake makes a beautiful, almost private show and a perfect ending to a summer evening.

 
 I've been working on some "star" jewelry-- starfish cuff bracelets adorned with swarovski crystal and "seafoam" star-shaped earrings. Each one is unique. The process for creating each one is very involved. The result is something that I think can go equally well with a beautiful dress as with a button down shirt and jeans. They really can go anywhere, and they're made to be treasures enjoyed for many years.


 Besides working on new cuff and earring designs, I've been busy getting ready for my summer season of craft shows. This coming weekend, you can find me and my Yikes! jewelry at the Maine Crafts Guild Damariscotta Show, July 6-7, at the YMCA, 525 Main St., Damariscotta, Maine. 

The Maine Crafts Guild Damariscotta show features the highest quality Maine craftsmanship, with approximately fifty vendors in the market. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those under 12. Hours are Saturday, July 6, 2013 from 10 am to 5 pm  and Sunday, July 7, 2013 from 10 am to 4 pm. To learn more, click here.

I've been working on a new booth set-up for a great shopping/browsing experience. It's been a busy time lately, but that's nothing new! I'd love to see you at my upcoming show, so stop by and say hello-- & have a wonderful fourth of July! ❉
 

Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

What's On My Workbench

Fun, big ring parts to be assembled. The ring shanks are created from sterling silver. The polymer has a sterling bezel set and the sparkles are Swarovski crystals from Austria.

To be completed: (1) A jacquard peach and fuchsia disk bead necklace, (2) BoHo pendant and earrings set, and (3) flat dangles in mint and emerald. ❉

 

What's On My Bench (WOMB) This Week: Sanding and Finishing Polymer Earrings!

My workbench is where my polymer pieces are "born"- it's kind of like a womb for polymer earrings, cuffs and necklaces! Each polymer clay piece I create is carefully crafted, formed and then cured, but that's only part of the process. To create beautiful and professional polymer jewelry, the secret is in the finishing.


Today I'll take you through the steps for finishing polymer earrings, with photos from my studio.

My Four-Step Process for Finishing Polymer Clay Earrings...

1. Sanding the pieces and buffing
2. Creating the ear wires and attaching
3. Selecting Swarovski crystal embellishment for each pair
4. Assembling the earrings-- bringing all the pieces and details together!

It all starts with sanding...and more sanding...and more sanding. I work from 800 grit through 2500 grit wet/dry sandpaper in soapy water. The sudsy water helps to keep the sandpaper free of debris.

My hands get really sore from this but they are super clean-- and my pieces look great! If you have trouble with sore fingers from sanding, try wrapping your fingers with masking tape.

When I am satisfied that my pieces are sanded to perfection, it's time to begin assembling the earrings into their final form. Every set of earrings gets their own pair of unique, hand-formed sterling silver ear wires. I use 20 gauge half-hard round wire.

Here is a peek at a brand new shape I'm working on now for YIKES!Studio. The ear wires on these earrings have a hook on back. The shape and colors of this piece are organic and perfect for spring. I've chosen a light blue Swarovski dangle for the ear wire.

These red and black earrings needed a little extra on the ear wires. I wrapped blackened steel wire around the sterling silver. I love the way the black steel mimics the lines in the polymer.

Manipulating the steel wire around the ear wire.

Here I want to create a funky, messy looking knot of wire to attach the ear wire to. It starts with a loop from the blackened steel wire.

More wire bending

Finished wire work. I like a messy looking knot of wire. Its just more fun that way!

 


Finished!

I have been working on some photos for my new, soon-to-launch website! Stay tuned! ❉

Creating: Bird Bangles, Blossoms, and Buttons for Knitters

   

"Bird Bangles" polymer, seed beads, copper, brass, enamel on copper

Really excited about new work coming out of the studio these days. Hardly time to do anything else!

"Turquoise and Blue Blossom Set", polymer, sterling silver, enameled copper, Swarovski crystal.

Really sweet set that I have been wanting to create for such a long time. Finally everything came together and I got it done. The little earring blossoms remind me of Fuschia flowers in their shape.

"Fox" and "Black Bird" buttons. Expanding my buttons into new shapes.

Now that I'm a knitter (wow, really, I can knit!) I am really interested in buttons! These two are fairly large and have a loop on the back to sew them on. Would be so great on a chunky sweater.

Hope you enjoyed looking!

Suzanne