Exciting News!

To see more information about the show, check out The One Of A Kind Show Chicago website. I really couldn't be more excited about this, but, alas, I am under a deadline and have too much to do!! I'll tell you more about some of the feelings behind this soon.

And, something to think about, if you can get to Chicago in December, I NEED AN ASSISTANT FOR THE SHOW!! My sister will not be able to work this event with me. So I will need some support. If you are available, send me an email.

Osculate Makes Three

Have I every mentioned just how helpful a thesaurus can be when trying to name a new design? I really could kiss the person that invented the thesaurus, I really could. Which is kinda ironic since one of the definitions of the word I discovered to name this new necklace is "to kiss".

os·cu·late   /ˈɒskyəˌleɪt/ [os-kyuh-leyt]
verb, -lat·ed, -lat·ing.

–verb (used without object)
1. to come into close contact or union.
2. Geometry . (of a curve) to touch another curve or another part of the same curve so as to have the same tangent and curvature at the point of contact.

–verb (used with object)
3. to bring into close contact or union.
4. Geometry . (of a curve) to touch (another curve or another part of the same curve) in osculation.
5. to kiss.

I really couldn't imagine a better word for this necklace. Could you? You might recognize these beads from this piece created ages ago. I was in the studio today absolutely wracking my brain about what to make for the 3rd design needed to photography for jury slides. Do I make more hollows, do I make discs, do I make rings? I couldn't decided. So as the kiln heated up, I thought to myself, I better shoot an old piece just in case. One thing led to another and suddenly I was busting the old necklace apart and reworking it into this completely new design. It is LONG at more than 30in in the round. There are more than 20 cupped glass discs with glass headpins attached to tiny figure 8 hammered links which connect ginormous 10g sterling silver rings. And those big rings have each been wrapped with coils of colored copper wire. It took hours to make and I sawed into my fingers... twice... when working with the 10g wire. Yikes.

I seriously couldn't be more thrilled with the final result and seeing the three slide images together is just so satisifying. The top photo is the one I decided to use as the third slide. Below are lots of other attempts at getting the perfect shot. I must say, it is dang near impossible to squeeze 30in of necklace into one frame and still show details. But I think I managed it.

Slide 2 - Drizzible

I know, I know... you want to know what the heck "drizzible" is. Well, it is the word that came to me as looked out the window while descending the stairs in the bleak halls of the building where my studio is. I thought to myself... it is miserable out, and look at that drizzle, it is definitely drizzle... hey, it is drizzible out! And OH MY, that is it... that is the name for the new necklace!!! I have been working on this all week and pondered multiple names during that time. The minute this made up word popped into my mind, I just knew that was what the necklace would be called. I just knew it. And to me... when I look at the necklace, and think "drizzible", not only does it suit it perfectly, it doesn't *feel* like drizzle and miserable put together.

The top image there will be what I use as slide #2 to represent my work when submitting to art shows this year. I just love it. Below are lots of other eye candy photos for you to oogle. For those that have asked themselves "what do people do with glass headpins?" THIS is my answer! Yes, those are all my original lampwork glass headpins (similar to the Striplosion ones from a few weeks ago). I wrapped them an assortment of colored copper wires and linked with sterling silver hammered rings. I love seeing this image side by side with the image from last week. Oh how giddy I am at how these images are turning out!!

Crisis Resolved

Thank you so much everyone for your input on yesterday's post. I am seeing things today in a completely different light (literally and figuratively). Bare with me while I ramble on this afternoon... until the kids' buses get here anyway. I think yesterday's slide show shoot at the studio caused a slight identity crisis in me and I decided that the reason I was seeking so much validation (here, twitter, and facebook) was that *I* didn't actually like any of those shots. Yeah, that is right, deep down I think those shots all sucked.

You see, part of me feels like I have absolutely no freaking clue what I want to do with my "creative" life. Right, I just went from which picture do you like best to oh my stars what do I want to do with my life! I said it caused an identity crisis!! Do I want to write books, do I want to teach, do I want to do art shows? What the heck do I want to do? And for the past 5 or 6 years, I have been dabbling in all three of those, and then some if you count the forays into mixed media that I do too. Yesterday, I was knee deep in my "I-want-to-do-art-shows" mentality and that, my friends, is a place that strikes fear in heart. I instantly don't feel good enough. Putting myself out there to quite literally be judged and decided to be worthy or not worthy for inclusion in an elite community of fine craft artists leads to an inane amount of insecurity. So, what do I do? I put on a weird mask, in the form of black backgrounds and reflective surfaces, I stop being *myself*, and I try to conform to a standard that is quite possibly unreachable.

I can hear a voice in my head right now. It is that of a very good friend of mine (and I am sure she will recognize herself right away). She is asking me "what is it that makes you feel fear about shows", "where is the fear coming from" and "what about you feels like it isn't enough"? She is so good at making me stop to think about that I am doing without thinking. Meaning, I am letting myself feel and act without thinking about it. I need to stop and think about what I am thinking. (my stars, that is heady) Such a good friend, even when we are having a conversation in my head that she isn't privy to. To the voice in my head, I think... the answers to those questions would take too many sentences to write, but in my heart I can *feel* the answers. Do you ever have that happen? Where you don't need any words to tell the answer to something... it doesn't need to be articulated... you just know it through and through? It is something I will try to put into words for you at some point, but for now... let's just stick to the slide pictures thing.

I started to settle into a different place mentally last night. I spent the evening helping another friend (not the voice inside my head one) get her blog set up (I'll share it soon!)and we were chatting about the slides. I told her how in my gut, I really wanted to shoot the pieces on my usual white backgrounds, but so few people do that and what if it blinds the jurors that look at slide after slide that is set to a dark background... She was totally on board with white and encouraged me to go for it. SO, I did...

This will be one of the slides I use to apply to shows in 2011. I still don't know for sure what the answers to those first questions I asked myself are... the ones about what I want to do with my creative life. But I do know this... if I am going to enter art shows, I want to know I was accepted (or denied) being true to myself and my work. And I am feeling OH so good in that decision. I am also going to apply the same thinking to a booth redesign too! I want to simplify and streamline my displays, make them more *me*, and in doing so take some of the pressure to make-so-much-stuff-to-fill-my-current-set-up off. It is really invigorating. And I can't wait to share more of my path down this more thoughtful approach with all of you... thank you readers, for being here with me. 

Help Me Pick One

Oh my, it is that time of year again... the time when I fret over shooting new images to be submitted to juried shows. For some crazy reason, I feel the need to have new slides each year. So, yep, I am at it again. I just finished this new necklace design called Orbital. I would love it if you left a comment today telling me which shot you like best!! And heck, if you think they are all duds, tell me so. I have time to take plenty more images...





These are options 1, 2, and 3. You'll see the first is off center with the clasp open. The second is centered with the clasp still open. And the third is a slightly brighter image with the clasp closed and necklace centered.




These two are the vertical shots I took. Which I like, but I think the second might have you wondering if it is a necklace or a bracelet. Ugh... it is so hard to decide!! If you are wondering at all about the necklace itself, those are gigantic hollow beads wired to ginormous 10g sterling silver forged rings. The rings are connected by sterling and glass headpins and the clasp it an open ring that interlocks with the last. *sigh* It is wild, and I love it.

Please help me pick one!

Oh and if you are interested, you can view slides from pervious years: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Twisted Tuesdays - TV Appearances

I am combining Random Monday & Twisted Tuesdays into one post this week!


:: I drove to Cleveland OH Sunday afternoon to shoot another appearance on Beads Baubles and Jewels.
:: I ordered room service and watched The Princess Diaries on cable. I also treated myself to a piece of chocolate cake that ended up being the size of a football.
:: I brought the cake home for the kids :)
:: I didn't sleep a wink, can you tell?
:: Confession: coffee is my friend again.



:: I got to hang out back stage with three fabulous ladies. Katie Hacker (the new host!), Candie Cooper, and Susan Lenart Kazmer.
:: I was a big girl and dressed myself this year. Both the knit shell in dark teal and the gray wrap were found at TJ Maxx, cheap. (Remember picking my outfit last year?)
:: And my stars, my hair has grown! Check out details from last year's taping HERE and HERE
:: It was such a delight to see all the projects that will be shown this season and peek at the things people are working on. I even got to see Susan's new Industrial Chic line in person.



:: Yes, there really is an "on air" light that goes on.
:: Thankfully, my nerves weren't terrible this time around. I just got flutters when I was setting up my stuff on set.
:: I did what is called a Show & Tell segment rather than a Demo, and it was 7mins 15secs.
:: New to wireworking and wondering what wire is good for which jewelry application? Tune into Season 1300, Episode 11 to have all your questions answered!
:: I consider 13 my lucky number.




:: The make-up artist, Karen, is a miracle worker. Unfortunately, I am wicked allergic and was halfway to hives about 20mins after getting dolled up.
:: Season 1400 will be filming in December, and I really really hope to be invited back again. Wouldn't I make a fab-regularly-appearing-wire-guru? LOL.
:: Lots of hugs went round when it was time to head home. Even though this was the first time meeting Katie, it was like we have always known each other!
:: The drive home was uneventful as I listened to Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse on CD.
:: I was happy to see my family when I got home, but really should NOT have checked my email. That, as they say, is a story for another day though.

Twisted Tuesdays - Jury Slides

I am a bit late to the show today. There has been an absolute frenzy of activity in my home and studio in the past 24 hours!! Shortly after my post yesterday, while sitting at my torch making bead one million two quadrillion for my class kits, it dawned on me... OH CRAP it is the 5th... and if it is the 5th, then tomorrow is the 6th!! I thought the 6th was later in the week. Even though Friday is the 9th, it could be the 6th too, right? Oh goodness. Why was I so frantic about the 6th? Because I had this vague recollection that my application for a Fall art show was due on the 6th. Once I realized the date, I dug out the application (that I received just two weeks ago!!) and confirmed that yes it is in fact due today.

I have sent the same set of slides in for this application for the past two years. I could probably have done it again, and I know there are artists out there that send the same slides in for years and years. But, I know this show uses the images submitted in slides for print media to promote the show. If accepted to the show, what chance do I have of making it into advertisements if I don't offer fresh slides?!? When I tell you my day came to a screeching halt yesterday, did a complete 180, and speed off in a totally different direction, I kid you not. And I am sure there are skid marks on the studio floor to prove it.


With the complete turn around of plans, I had to go with the flow and change up today's Twisted Tuesday too. Granted, this post has nothing to do with my new book Totally Twisted, but I do think it has something to do with art and business, how you present yourself, and how to apply (or how not to) for shows. And that is what I want Twisted Tuesdays to be about! Learning not only about the behind the scenes of a book, but about my art life in general. So, let's get on with this!!

I must say, with a bit of my own horn tooting, that I am rather proud of the grace I showed myself under this sudden pressure yesterday! Go me! LOL. I had a ton to do and only a few hours to make it happen (and a kid to pick up from lacrosse practice, and one to get to baseball practice) and I did it. Thankfully, I had been stewing on a few new jewelry ideas for a while (all through the kit making process actually), and some of the beads were already made, and even some parts of the pieces. For the most part though, all three of these pieces were created in the last 24 hours!! They are "Frazzled Trapeze", "Petticoat Cartwheels", and "Somersault Slip Up" respectfully. But I don't think that you want to know about the jewelry, right? You can see it for yourself. You are wondering about the photos, no? These aren't what you are used to seeing from me, are they?


In my years of applying to art shows, I have picked up a few tid bits of info that I think you'll find helpful and if you have had trouble getting accepted to some shows you want to be in, maybe these will do the trick. No guarantees though, even I can't get myself into all the ones I want. In fact, I was wait listed 2 years in a row for the One Of A kind Show in Chicago, and finally just gave up. I think if I applied to it tomorrow, I would still be wait listed!!

Jury Slide Do's & Do Not's:
1- Pick pieces that show your design style and have continuity. The photos should all look like they work together. In my three photos, you can see that all three pieces have similar (but not the same) color palettes, and I think you can tell they are all made by the same person.
2- NO WHITE BACKGROUNDS! Imagine yourself sitting in a dark room with slide photos flashing on a screen in front of you. Suddenly, a necklace comes up shot on a while background. It's like someone just flipped on the light switch. It is too shocking to the eyes. Go for a neutral or graduated colored background.
3- Set pieces up so that the most important part of the piece is the center of attention. I wasn't doing this yesterday when I first shot that second slide, and Laura reminded me of it when I shared that photo on Facebook (Thanks Laura!). So, I reshot it with at a different angle with the beads getting the most attention.
4- Only ever show a single piece at a time, no group shots.
5- Camera settings. If you have a good macro lens, use it! I don't claim to know a lot about photography, and I was having trouble with the first few shots I took being really grainy. Kelley (again on Facebook) told me to lower my ISO. For those with a camera that lets you set manual settings, mine were: Shutter speed 200, F-stop 5.6, ISO 600, image quality FINE, images size LARGE. With those changes, I saw huge improvements. Before I was at a setting of 50:5.6:1600, and they needed way to much work in Photoshop to be usable.

There you have it. Kerry's five tips for better juried show images. I probably have more floating around in my head but they are being blocked by my million and one other things floating around. There are a few things about each photo that erk me, but that is because I am a perfectionist, and I need to get over it. Like how the little green coil in the center of the first photo isn't perfectly straight, and in the second photo... I don't like how the orange wire looks with the sterling wire on the gray background, and on the last one, it feels like it is too far away in the shot. Oh well, what can I do? It is going to be a hectic few days around here, so posting might be spotty. I have kits to finish assembling, laundry to wash, fold, and pack, tools to find and organize, my car to load, directions to King of Prussia to download, and so much more. I handled this little crisis though, so things are happily now under control. (knock on wood)

More Totally Twisted Classes!

I have really got to focus if I am going to be prepared to teach this year!! I have been having tons of fun designing my class kits. I had this cool stickers printed for the fun boxes all my class goodies will come packaged in.

I have already told you about teaching at Bead Fest Wire in April. (and yes! there are still spots available so go sign up!!) Now, I get to tell you that I will be teaching at Best Fest Philadelphia too!!

Here is what the schedule looks like for August:

Thursday August 19th 9am-12pm Framed: Start the morning off learning my cool technique for making custom coiled "frames" to any shaped bead. Cost $175: included in the class kit will be a one of a kind set of my "plaid" style beads, sterling silver wire, copper wire (for practice), some colored copper wire too, chain and play beads too.

Thursday August 19th 1-4pm Timeless: After lunch, I will be teaching this fun bangle design. One of my favorite designs ever, truly! In this class you'll get to work with a variety of gauges of wire, experiment with coiling, and how to make "snail" style links. Cost $165: included in this kit will be one of my fab lampwork glass discs for your faux watch face, all the wire you need, and for this class, we will make a practice version with copper that features a coll hammer textured copper disc as the focal.

Thursday August 19th 5-8pm Bang, GALS!: Oh yeah... all Kerry all day long! The third class of the day will be an evening class showing how to "use whatcha got" to create a great bangle. What's that mean? Bar glasses as bracelet mandrels, nail polish bottles to make coils... all sorts of goodies can be grabbed in a pinch to help shape your wire!! Cost $175: included for this one, just like all the others, is all the beads and wire you need to make a bangle of your own and the materials to make a practice version too.

WOW!! What a long day that is going to be!! But I am so so excited to be a part of this show. If you can't make it to Wire Fest in April, come see me in August. You won't be sorry, I promise you.

Attention Class!!

It's here, did you see?!? Interweave Press has posted the class catalog for Bead Fest WIRE 2010 in King Of Prussia PA April 9-11. And yours truly is going to be teaching!!

This is such an exciting new direction to be taking. I love.love.love. to teach, and I am going to be getting to teach projects straight out of the pages of Totally Twisted! I thought you might like to hear a little more about the projects that are going to be offered.


First up on Saturday April 10 from 9-4 (with an hour break for lunch) we'll be making Delightful: Cost $225. This is a full day class and I think rightly so. I will be teaching you how to make FIVE different handmade wireworked chains. Each student kit will have a one-of-a-kind set of beads to make the final necklace, plus some extra beads for practicing with. We'll play with colored copper wires and mix them up with sterling silver too. I'll show you tricks for keeping your coated wire from getting scared by your tools. OH, and coiling too!! This class is definitely the best bang for the buck.


Saturday evening from 5-8pm we are going to make a truly Timeless design: Cost $165. I am really excited about this class too. I have some fun up my sleeves for this one! Not only will be making this bracelet, but first, to practice the techniques, we are going to make it in copper and brass with stamped and textured washers as the focal. How cool is that?!? And again, each student will get a one-of-a-kind bead for their faux-watch bangle.


On Sunday April 11th from 9am-12pm we will create a Framed bracelet: Cost $175. This is a fantastic technique that every wireworker/jewelry maker should have in their bag of tricks. I developed this "alternative" technique for framing beads a few years back and YES just how to do it is going to be in Totally Twisted!! I will be making each student a set of my uber cool plaid style beads in colors that really compliment oxidized sterling silver. Yep, we'll be oxidizing and stinking up out convention center room!!


I am finishing up the weekend teaching one of my favorite projects, ever, on Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm making Bang Gals!: Cost $175. Oh yeah. I love these bangles. I love the big coiled swirl of wire and I love all the color poppin' out of it. I just screams "Kerry Made Me" doesn't it? Yep, this one is another one from Totally Twisted and yep, I will be making each student all the beads they need to create the project. We'll be chit chatting the afternoon away in this class taking about color in design and using whatcha got to create cool jewelry without special tools. (ex: I used a pint glass I "borrowed" from a pub in London to get that bangle nice and round! HA!)

What a whirl wind of a weekend it will be. I am so looking forward to getting to meet up with some of my online girly friends. I'll be rooming with the fabulous Cassie Donlen. And I will be getting a little assistance one night from the lovely Cindy Wimmer. Plus, Lori Anderson says she'll be making the trip to PA too. Please send me an email if you are headed to the show. I would love to say HI!!

Now, go download the pdf of the class catalog at Interweave's Bead Fest website. Get your highlighter in hand and circle all the classes you want to take. Then be sure to log on this Thursday when registration opens up and grab your class seat!!

Show Recap

*sigh* and *sigh* again.

I bet y'all are waiting to hear about what a huge success The Fine Craft Show was this weekend. I wish I had a huge success story to share. Unfortunately, this year, this were just so-so this year.

Wait a minute... I am starting this all wrong.

I had a fantastic time at The Fine Craft Show this weekend. And honestly, I totally did. There isn't another fine art show in the world that treats it's artist as well as this show does. Seriously, what other show does a chili dinner for the artists the opening night, hosts dinner parties at council members' homes the second night, has an artist lounge with brownies and coffee to relax in during the day (while offering to set in your booth for you while you are relaxing), serves a continental breakfast the final morning, and oh oh, for out of towners, you can stay at council members' homes if you don't want to be in a hotel! Truly, I have never been treated better at a show.

Unfortunately... we got screwed. All of us artist. The weather was spectacular. And in Rochester, a city where you could possible have snow on the ground by now, when you get a weekend with both days full of glorious sun and temps flirting with 70 people just ain't going and hanging out inside at the museum. They just aren't. There were only 537 patrons at the show on Saturday. 537. LOL. That is a rather small turn out, wouldn't you say?

It really wasn't a total bust though. I did sell a lot of pieces. Overall, my sales were about half of what they were last year. And I am happy with that. It covered my booth fee, what I spent on a reorder of glass and sterling, and it paid for a new dress I got too, lol. And really that's all that counts, right? I don't do what I do to get rich quick... as long as I can break even I am good with that.

I was pretty exhausted last night and this morning, but life moves quick and goes on. We have already started our next big thing around here. Hardwood floors. Yep, Ron and I are installing hardwood floors in our great room. He took the afternoon off today and we started busting out tile that was in front of the door leading to the deck and ripping up carpet. I already have my first injury. A puncture wound in my knee from a stray chunk of tile. OUCH! I will be sure to take lots of photos while we do the work and I will be able to show you the new fireplace I have been hinting at. There is birthday quilting coming up, and holiday crafting... and then a new publication I am designing some pieces for. It is a busy time... stay tuned.

0... SHOWTIME

I thought y'all might like to spend yesterday with me , through pictures. Here is what my day looked like, from start to end...












More pictures HERE in my Flickr gallery. And I'll be adding more photos tonight, I am sure. I am going to be completely rearranging that booth set up with I leave for the gallery in about 15mins!! I am just not feelin' it, so it is getting switched up.

Thank you so much for counting down to this show with me. I have had fun sharing all the excitement with you!! Wish me luck.

Mixed Feelings

I have an art show in seventeen days. If I am totally honest about it... I am not really looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong, I love this show! I had a fantastic time at it last year, but taking so much time off to work on the book, I feel out of practice and unprepared. I can't seem to find the motivation to prepare either. I am still waiting on the bolt of lightning that usually strikes my butt right before a show. The lightning that fills me with energy and ideas... that makes me stay up past midnight creating each evening, only to wake at six the next morning ready to start again. I have been spoiled with writing deadlines and a lack of creation ones.

Looking about the studio I have 5 maybe 6 pieces of jewelry made for the show. And that just ain't gonna cut it, people. I have decided that I need to make a more conscious effort to seek out my muse where ever she is hiding. I think I need to reach a little farther with my ideas and be a little more experimental (this show can handle that). I went out and bought myself a planner, which I haven't had in YEARS. I am starting lists and detailed to-do's. Not usually the best way I work, but I think it need it right now. I am going to take the time today to organize my goals for the show and plan out the best way to meet them.

Oh how very business womany I sound, eh? LOL. Anyone of you feeling like this lately? What do you all do when your creative drive goes missing?