New Jewelry Just Listed

Just listed some new stuffs on Etsy & Artfire:

Garden Make-Over Project

Earlier this week, my husband got a wild hair & decided to dive into the big garden makeover project I've mentioned a few times in conversation. Holy cows; I guess I better start planning my planting! We have spent the last week in a flurry of sod removal, shoveling loads of composted horse poo, clean-up, roto-tilling, & more clean-up. Last week, Kevin's 14 year old daughter moved in, so this project has been something we could all work on together....more on that later.

OK: so this first pic is the offending strip of lawn along the side of the house; pain in the butt to mow, nobody ever uses it, etc. Even though it's between the 2 houses, it gets full sun most of the day: perfect spot for veggies & flowers.....

And away we go; Kevin cutting the first strip of sod; we decided to go ahead & take out the sod 1/2 the back yard too; going to put a path of wide reclaimed concrete stepping stones from the side walk to the shed: leaving only about 3 feet on each side of the path: who needs to mow that?! Alysa--running to mark sprinkler heads: we only destroyed one in this whole project....

1/2 way done with sod removal--Kevin is wondering what the heck he got himself into....

A nice 4 inch layer of compost, tilled into the top 3 inches of dirt; ready for planting!!! Still have to lay down the path....

And the side yard, all ready to go!!

Now, it's time to start planning out the plantings; I ordered enough seeds this year for a small farm, so I'm covered in that area.... I'm planning on a mix of veggies & ornamentals: some grasses to match the plantings in the front yard. I would like it to look attractive in all seasons, so I'm going to use the next week or so to research & plan it out. Will have to mix in a few sculptures & steel vine growers, of course. My back is sore & my muscles are tired from all the shoveling, but I'm excited about the possibilities. I love spending time in the garden & watching things grow: & happy to be watering plants that are beautiful & productive :) And no mowing!! Yay! Stay tuned for more updates...

In other news; we have decided to build the Meridian City Hall piece at Boise Iron Works-a division of Architectural Metals. Last week, we met with the shop Foreman, Lex, & set the 7th & 8th of April for fabrication & final test fit. I'm glad we will be doing the work there: each piece would have taken up my entire work space! It will be great to get in, have a few extra hands to help, & get it done in a couple days. On Friday, I was interviewed for an article in Meridian Mag.--set to come out the 1st of May. Perfect timing to get some interest in the project & hopefully have more people show up for the dedication on the 19th.

Alysa starts school on Monday; I'm looking forward to a more set routine. I will have all day while she is at school to work on the new pieces I have started: been missing my creative time this week :) But, it's all good; we did a quick welding lesson on Tuesday & made a sculpture together--I think it will find a new home in the new garden. Having a helper around to hold things & help tack weld will be good--got some projects coming along that will be mass production she will be able to help with & get paid, so hopefully it will be kinda fun for her.

That's it for now; more garden progress pics to come, along with new sculptures this week!!

Amber

New Copper Wedding Bouquet

Just finished a custom order for a copper wedding bouquet...made from upcycled copper, Austrian crystals, & freshwater pearls. Pretty cool--this is my fav. bouquet so far....love the warm colors. For an October wedding---perfect! I also got to make a mini bouquet for the daughter.

New Sculpture in progress

I started out yesterday thinking I was going to do a pretty small, simple sculpture: but, as usual, it's grown..... When done, it will stand about 8 feet tall.....

Some more pieces to be incorporated....the bigger lens is 5 inches in diameter.... I'm also thinking of adding some copper, maybe a cable or two, & perhaps some stainless steel....

I'm making everything bolt together; so it can be easily moved around & set up; doing it this way takes a lot of figuring & drilling, but sure makes it easier to transport. And since this one will be going into the new city hall, carrying in smaller parts will be much safer & easier....

I've got about a month to prepare some new pieces to be on display at the Meridian City Hall gallery for the month of May: it will be nice to have some other work for everyone to see at the dedication of the entrance sculpture... Hopefully, I'll be able to come up with quite a few new pieces: I've got tons of ideas floating around, but time always seems to be short: I can see some long days ahead....

Till later...

Amber

1st Thursday; April 2nd: hope to see you all there!!! I'll be displaying a sculpture or 2 & talking about art & recycling :)

Land Surveyor's Conference

On Thursday, Kevin & I went to the Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyor's annual Conference, in Boise: they invited me to come talk about the Meridian City Hall project, because of it's historical relation to surveying. And, they just placed a new marker at Initial Point & did a re-dedication of the monument: read all about it in the Statesman here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/692870.html


So, to start off the Re-Dedication, I got up in front of a room full of professional surveyors (like 200 people!)(and the mayor) & tried my best to share the "Origin" project, the ideas behind the design & it's relationship to Initial Point & the history of surveying in the state of Idaho. Speaking in front of a crowd of professionals is not my usual thing, & I was really nervous, but it went well--everyone seemed genuinely interested in the project & excited to see that the history of their profession was being highlighted in an art project. I got to show pictures of the design on a huge screen & invite everyone to come see it when its done :)

This is the actual Initial Point Monument--I have a replica that will be included in the alcove piece... And the map of Idaho, with baseline & the principle meridian (which the city of Meridian was named after)--something like this will also be included in the alcove piece-to explain the inspiration behind the art work...
The conference was fun (after the speech part was done)--it was very inspiring to learn even more about the history of the surveying profession. We also got to see lots of modern-day gadgets & even some amazing computer programs that use modern technology to generate detailed maps & coordinates.


In other news on the project: most of the pieces are cut & waiting to be assembled; my brass is on back-order, so it will be next week before we can get it cut. Kevin is working away on engineering the hoist assembly to lift the sculpture into place, & then be able to lower & raise it in the future for cleaning. We are meeting again at City Hall next week to look in the ceiling & figure out cable runs, beam attachments, etc. I'll post more on that process next week....


That's it for now...the sun is coming out & it's time to get to work for the day!!


Amber

"Origin" Update-the beginning...

Pieces are being cut this week!! I just got back from Architectural MetalWorks where I got to see the water-jet in action :) Everything should be cut this week & then we get to put the puzzle together... The water-jet cuts through the copper like it's nothing: it will even cut through plate steel, stone, glass, tile: pretty much anything...an amazing tool. It uses a high pressure jet of water with an abrasive sand; crushed garnet, to cut with speed & precision.

Right now, it really does look like a giant puzzle; there are so many parts stacked up!

I'm so excited!! The brass will be in on Wed, & we should have all the pieces back & ready to start fitting by the end of the week. Can't wait to get started :)

More later....

Amber

A good day...

Nice day today: sunny this morning, got a few things accomplished & started on a new sculpture. Hoping for another good day tomorrow.

The deck prisms; trying to decide which color to use in the plumb bob--I'm liking the greenish-blue one: matches the color of the lenses, although brighter.... I couldn't resist getting some extras for other projects :)



Started this one today; I'm liking it so far--it still has a ways to go; I'd like to add some copper & maybe a little lens or something funky...also have some cool brass gears that might work: hmmmm: for now, I put it right in front of the window so I can look & ponder the possibilities.


Skwishy Cat; enjoying the sunny weather...

More later.....

Amber

Plumb-Bob Detail-"Origin"

More updates to the Meridian City Hall Project: I found the perfect finishing touch for the giant plumb-bob---a glass deck prism!! This will become the tip: the lowest point on the sculpture; pointing to the center of the floor :) We were discussing the design for the plumb-bob & making the tip out of another material & it just popped into my head---I have a large deck prism that I bought years ago: and I always thought it would be a cool thing to add into a sculpture.... So, I did a search online, & found the perfect sized prism at DeckPrisms.com :) I like the contrast of the glass against the metal, & the prism is the perfect shape---I cant wait to get them (I couldn't resist getting a couple) in the mail!! Looks like we will be submitting our 2nd round of files to be cut on the water-jet by Tuesday--Architectural Metalworks is doing the cutting & rolling for us: more on that later--hopefully I can get some pics of the water-jet in action! Will post more later; for now: I'm off to finish my work-space cleaning/organizing mission....

Amber