From my family to yours….
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!
And a wonderful New Year!
Thank you for following my blog, becoming collectors and offering support, along with encouragement.
I’ll be back in 2015 with more of my metalsmithing adventures and journey.
Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.
December’s topic, for the Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank is “What would I really like to learn?” I think I want to embellish this topic by adding there are areas of my life where I would like to improve and increase my skills.
I find this a tough question, because there are so many things I want to study and master the techniques. 2014 has been a great for me, because I took a couple of metalsmithing classes that challenged me and invigorated my creativity. Along with that learning spurt, came the realization that I need to focus on and practice the new techniques I learned. Of course, that makes taking on a new task not only difficult but a bit impractical in my mind.
However, in 2015 or sometime in the relatively near future, I would like to learn how to do some of the following, along with improving what I already do:
1. Granulation. I want to learn how to do this. In my opinion, Harold O’Connor is the master. This is a technique where very small gold balls, aka granules, are fused to the metal (usually sterling or pure silver). Just look at the detail in this ring that Harold did. It takes a ton of patience and is a tedious process, but as you can see, the end result is stunning. One of the many key success factors is: do not melt the gold! Let the components reach the right temperature where the fusing takes place. For the past couple of years, Harold has scheduled classes at a Denver studio. It seems like each time I have a conflict with my schedule. Maybe things will be different in 2015?
2. Meditation. I want to improve my meditation practice. Unfortunately, I just don’t make the time. That’s the problem. I know the benefits of meditation. Now I just need to incorporate it into my daily routine.
3. Drawing. My ability to transfer imagery from my mind to paper via my hands needs work! The designs I create for my metalwork are rough sketches of what I would like to create. Fortunately, those sketches give me enough to complete the metal works. However, I want improve this skill.
4. Focus. Do you have a hard time eliminating distractions that keep you from getting things done? I do. I think it’s also known as procrastination. I know how to avoid it, but some days, the computer beckons or the dogs want attention or I just want to veg in front of the television. Yep. Do anything other than the task at hand. Then when I finally focus and put my mind to it, I finish things and realize it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The end result is satisfaction with the accomplishment. Nice.
5. Marketing. In addition to my day job, I have a business. I make Art Jewelry. I love working with my hands. Creating what I call personal forms of adornment. I am so grateful that several galleries represent my work. However, I am ready to expand and find new venues. That’s where marketing comes into play. I’d like to think I’m pretty good at this social media stuff, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like. My conclusion is I need to improve my ability to market what I do so my work can be represented in other art venues both inside and outside of Colorado.
There are plenty more I could list. As I look at these, they almost seem like goals or resolutions. My preference is to think of these as commitments I will make to myself for my future.
Namaste.
Now let’s see what my fellow bloggers have discussed on this topic:
Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com
Catherine Witherell: http://happydayart.typepad.com
Pallavi Gandhi: http://studioat605.wordpress.com/
Tosca Teran: http://wp.me/pigO-up
I am happy to announce that my online store is open! I have a variety of items from several of my series, including this bracelet from Sensory Delights.
As an added bonus, I am offering a progressive discount starting today, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2014.
Heres’ how it works.
This is my way of celebrating the opening of my web store and thanking you for following my blog. Hopefully you will find something perfect for your last minute Holiday shopping. Click this link to my store to view the works available. Please check back from time to time as I will be adding more items.
I would like to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2015!
Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.
Kathleen Krucoff 
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