No Smiling for the Camera

Update.

I have managed to pack next to nothing for my upcoming move (hurrah for avoidance!), but I have gotten some serious work done on the collection. In fact, the design work is finished and all production will be complete as soon as the box of chain (that I’ve been waiting forever for) arrives. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that arrival happens today. As pleased as I am with progress thus far, I cringe at what comes next. In fact, what’s next is my least favourite part of this entire process: the photography. Generally, I love to dabble in photography but trying to take clean, focused, representational pictures of jewelry is like trying to herd cats. Old, feral, bitchy cats. It is by far the most tedious and frustrating part of my job. Don’t get me wrong, in the end I’m always really proud of the photos we use on the website and in the blog but, believe me when I tell you that for every picture on the website we took forty blurry, skewed ones just like it.

So, what makes photographing jewelry such a bleeping downer? 1. Our camera. It too is old, feral and bitchy.  2. Unless you have tons of space; you have to improvise, set up, take down and put away some kind of ad hoc photo studio every time you want to take a picture. I usually fail at ‘put away’. 3. You have to light jewelry with the blaze of a thousand suns to get quality detail. Or most detail 4. Jewelry, much like hair, will rarely ever ‘sit’ the way you want it to, when you need it to. This can be rage inducing. 5. Fingerprints, shadows and glare. These are all like glitter; you’re not sure where they come from and you just can’t seem to get rid of them.       

On the bright side, I am married to man who wins at cameras so, I can usually trade a steak dinner (PG version) for photography skills and voila! I get to glaze over the whole miserable situation like my eyes in 4^th period math. Alas, hubby’s work schedule doesn’t always allow him the freedom to take my pictures and so, I have to take them my disgruntled self. This is one of those times. After two days of grappling with items 1 – 5, demonstrated here;

 I no longer feel compelled to take beautiful photographs of jewelry. I now feel like doing this:

It’s probably unusual for a peaceful vegetarian to draw themselves wielding a flamethrower but, whatever, it was therapeutic as hell! Anyway, despite any setback, I am REALLY excited to get this collection live on the website and in a jewelry cabinet near you so, until next time, it's back to work!

FEBRU-SCARY

My time here today is short as is my time in the studio, unfortunately.  Much to my chagrin, my husband is forcing me into adult acts like going to the bank and to the grocery store. I hate going to the bank almost as much as I hate Nazis and commercials. And I REALLY hate Nazis and commercials. Gross. Anyway, I thought I would give you all a sneak peak at some pieces from the Monet Collection which will officially go live on the website sometime this month. It has been a tradition of mine to launch the new collection on Valentine’s Day but, February is a bit hectic this year as husband and I just bought a house (enter multiple trips to the bank). So, I ask you to bear with me and I promise you lots of happy, shiny things to look at come the end of the month. I can guarantee you though; one of those things will probably not be me. I hate packing. I hate packing as much as I hate Nazis, commercials and the bank.

I also drew this cartoon, just to show you what I’m up against here and to garner your sympathy…



I know, right? I know I need to relax when jewels start talking to me. At least I haven't started talking to myself. Yet. Ok, here are the sneak peaks, I SO hope you enjoy....

There you have it! I honestly can't wait for life to frig off so I can finish this collection, there's lots more to come. (I haven't even touched the gorgeous faceted tiger's eye that I am so in love with)!  I appreciate any and all feedback so; add a comment, tweet me @StellarPolarity, write on my wall or send me an email!

Well, here I go, head down and face first into February...

The Maine Event

First of all, go Maine! I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with some wonderful people and got to eat some absolutely delicious food; bliss! (Seriously, the tuna melt was legendary). Secondly, I do apologize for the lapse in posts but I have run into some technical difficulties, namely the biggest storm to hit the eastern seaboard in a decade and one hell of a drive.  

Before I left I made it my mission to experience as many creative spaces as I could and try to soak up some inspiration. I also really wanted to check out the Black Dog Boutique in Saint John, NB, but that didn’t happen. As it turns out I arrived only moments too late. My afternoon of shopping quickly went from this:

To this:

Fortunately, I was much more successful on the inspiration front. In fact, I have decided to take this collection in a completely different direction from what I had initially planned. I found some absolutely gorgeous stones that I couldn’t live without and before I knew it I was scheming up a whole new look for 2011. Check these out…






Amazonite, Aquamarine & Mahogany



Picasso Jaspers & Horne triangles




I love these!

 

Red, Blue and Yellow Tiger's Eye, Swarovski Pearls and 24K Gold-plated findings.

Vintage Lucite Pendant

After I got everything home and got it all organized the inspiration hit me; my next collection would be created in homage to the one and only Claude Monet. The deep, rich colours of the tigers eye and Swarovski pearls remind me of his 1904, Houses of Parliament, London, Sun Breaking Through the Fog. Also, for me, the cool blue-green hues with the colour punches of the amazonite recall Monet’s 1908, Palazzo Dario. I have lots of work to do but I’m really, really excited to get in my studio, crank some tunes and get started on this collection! Mission accomplished!

I’ll get you next time Black Dog, neeeext tiiime!