Barbara S Fernald Jewelry

I always like looking at beach rocks. Especially the ones I have already drilled.  (This means I did not try out the new kiln today.)

Bronzclay was introduced to the public at the PMC Guild Conference at Purdue in July 2008. I’ve been wanting to try it ever since, but my 11 year old kiln was not able to be programmed for the necessary changes in temperature to fire the clay.  Scrap silver to the rescue! I collected  several years worth of silver scraps from around my studio, threw in some of my early PMC “dogs” that I never care to see again, and sent them off to Rio Grande to be refined. All 114 ounces.  I received 75% of the value in credit at Rio Grande and had more than enough to buy a new kiln. Today I entered the world of Bronzclay.

Tomorrow I’ll try out the new kiln.

I am intrigued by the artists with a daily routine. Those who produce a painting a day, a short story a day, a photograph or drawing a day. There is even a jeweler who makes a necklace a day. (http://necklaceadaybykay.blogspot.com) While I am not inclined to make a necklace every day, I am quite interested in taking a photograph of ongoing work in my studio and posting it on my site for the discipline of spending time in the studio each day and keeping a daily blog. I begin with the return of the “finalist” necklace.

It’s one necklace with two different sides. Though I did not win first or second prize in the 2009 Saul Bell Award competition, I am still proud to be one of the 5 finalists out of 80 international entries. If I could go back and change one thing about this piece, it would be to make my own clasp. I made half of it, but the commercial lobster claw, though pretty and effective in securing the necklace,  is still a commercial clasp available to anyone. This is the one I learn from.                       More necklace information on the Gallery page.

This was a fun workshop and my first foray into needle felting.  So relaxing. Really!

I found a great deal on-line for a table top photography set up.  This should be an improvement from shooting all of my jewelry photos through a gallon milk jug or tupperware wrapped in tissue paper. Today I found out that I still like the natural light from our dining room window, no matter what set up I use to diffuse it. I also realized that the learning curve is longer than one afternoon for taking good photographs with my little digital camera and the new set up…darn it!

Additional Gallery photos coming up.

Bruce and Dan walking ahead on Gilley Beach, while Cynthia and I stay behind to photograph frozen surf lines. It may not be jewelry, but these wavy lines are kind of inspiring….who knows how they will reappear in some upcoming designs!  Winter here is cold but beautiful.

the deadline for all finished pieces to be in the hands of the judges for the 2009 Saul Bell Design Award Competition. I was honored to be chosen as one of the 5 finalists in the Precious Metal Clay category this year. 

The necklace I designed and submitted incorporated Oregon Sunstones from the Ponderosa Mine, PMC+, PMC Gold, and freshwater pearls. I sure hope the judges will be intrigued. I know I’ll be up against some tough competition.

On Little Cranberry Island, January is a good time of year to settle in, read books, and watch movies. Most people I see picking up their mail have a red Netflix envelope tucked in with their daily paper, catalogs, and bills.  My good intentions to photograph more jewelry this month never made it past the intention stage.  However, I’ve watched some good movies, read some great books, and have seen some incredible sunsets on my afternoon walks. 

Above was from a walk on Gilley Beach. The sunset below was taken from the stern of the mailboat, after dropping passengers at Great Cranberry, heading home to Islesford.

Just another late afternoon walk in January…..

Just in case I don’t abide by my new year’s resolutions to walk more and eat less, I’m working on a new jewelry line that will make the wearer look as if she/he has dropped 10 pounds!  I’ll be wearing the prototypes daily.

But really, I hope in the new year to make more pieces from Precious Metal Clay with water etched designs and gold keum-boo. I also hope to have more photographs of jewelry in my gallery by the end of the month.

p.s. Our phone is still not fixed. It worked for about 36 hours on New Year’s Eve, into the next day, then nothing. We’re starting to wonder what’s so fair about Fair Point?

A few of us on the island are unlucky enough to have our phones connected through a really old junction box. When there is too much moisture in the air, the phones stop working. Argh. Our phone cut out on Christmas Eve and we still have no service. Unfortunately, cell phone service is spotty here too. But every now and then we head down to the dock to make a call where the signal is strong. If you need to call, the cell # is 207 610-0377. Until we want to call out or hear from someone, there is something quite peaceful about not hearing the telephone ring for days. But now we are ready to be reconnected to the world. Maybe by Monday……….