logo a go go

bzap logo circle
Originally uploaded by cosmosmoonjewelry

My maker's mark - or Logo....Mark this one up as another thing that I've put off and delayed and never could decide....For the past 10 years I have gone without, making my mark on my pieces with a hand engraver, which works ok but is not the level of craftsmanship I want for my work.

I had a stamp for my metal work made years ago...it was from my years with my original last name- and fine for that period of my life....but ... (yawn...) boring design, and wrong initials as of Dec. 1995 (when Guido and I got hitched)

with a last name like Brusa Zappellini you can really Design something!
But what???I decided that I would work with my abbreviated signature. "BZap" and make it similar to how I initial my work currently...

BUT...can I be certain that I am going to like it / use it for the foreseeable future?what if I get sick of it? would it look like I want it? do I have an extra chunk of money to get this made? Questions...uncertainty...and the monster- INDECISION!

ahhhh indecision! be gone!

yeah, that's right indecision...I've got weapons against you now! HA! First I pull out my EtsyMetals team...a gaggle of talent and design wizards they are...and I ask opinions on my two designs from them.....
(the votes are coming in - but I won't divulge the preference just yet, as to not sway the vote)

Then, I get my twitter tool going and post a couple of links to these images I posted on flickr...(still waiting to get response...sometimes it's like that..)

and of course, I am a Facebook addict, so I post these to my profile.
But I wasn't done yet! here's my chance to glean a bit of blog power too!

Yes, I'm asking for opinions here as well- sorry to make you work and read, but I'll make it simple- you can comment simply by saying circle or letters...and that would give me your vote-
And with this, we can work together to beat back indecision, and celebrate professional progress!

once more into the blog good friends! tally ho~ M

Tuareg Jewelry event

Last week I went to an event here in Tucson that was put together by Yvonne Foucher, owner of Cata Vino's wine shop, and member of Local First, Tucson. The featured artist/group Tuaregjewelry.com was represented by their US representative, AnnElston. I was lucky enough to find a gorgeous pair of silver earrings for my collection. It is rare for me to purchase jewelry; I usually wear my work only..(like a walking billboard)... But these pieces were truly remarkable, and I knew immediately that I wanted to have a sample of the amazing technique and "soft geometry" of the designs. 

here is an image of my sample pair- remarkably, they are Hollow, and not soldered.. the piece is cut and folded into it's box shape- I believe (based on their weight) that there must be a small piece of wood in the core, to keep the light gauge silver from collapsing. I'm going to do a little research to find out if this is a technique that the Tuareg metalsmiths employ 

(I'll let you know when I find out)

in any case, these are made with stamping and repousse techniques: (with hammers and broken screwdrivers and files, as told by their rep...sounds right to me!)

repoussé |rəˌpoōˈsā|

adjective(of metalwork) hammered into relief from the reverse side.nounornamental metalwork fashioned in this way.ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: French, literally ‘pushed back,’ past participle of repousser, from re- (expressing intensive force) + pousser ‘to push.’

As a bonus piece, I was given a fantastic deal on a gorgeous hand sewn leather piece, which is a smaller version of the Tuareg sleep mats (mine is the size of a pillow). The hand tooling and design of this piece astounded me. I feel fortunate to have it, and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to hold many more beautiful metalworks at the event.

You never know what opportunities arise, and I am so glad that I took time out of my busy day to be in the presence of such amazing craftsmanship.

the state of my affairs

You know I love LOVE LOVE to fabricate one of a kinds, but lately I have been posting a lot of my more traditional, "pretty" jewelry in my cosmo's moon shop ...mostly pieces that I have carved and cast, so they are fast to put together and get out for sale... 

here are a few examples...

"florette" earrings- cast from wax carvings I created during a particularly fastidious time in my metals career...( I have listed a couple of colors)I think they work for both "Connecticut prep" and "Post punk" women..(great for multiple hole ears like I have) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24419354  

and my "goth"/ biker chic choker (one of my faves for dress up)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24018117 

However, what seems to be selling most lately are the custom pieces... which keeps me busy... but I would love to thin out my inventory... selling a piece that is already listed? ah, Bliss! 

So, meanwhile these days before the summer season gets into swing, I'm keeping busy prepping stock for summer galleries back east, and next week I return to work 2 days a week as a goldsmith for Krikawa jewelry.. 

Just like my initials say- (I) M. B. Z. ciao! M :D

Metalsmithing's New look

Have you seen SNAG's  new Metalsmith Magazine format?      

(if you are asking what SNAG is click here)

it has been re-designed , with new content and easier to read typeface. 
 
I must say, I have been quite vocally critical in the past of the magazine, 
but I am honestly happy with the new look and content!
 
why the change of heart? (you may ask.....)
 
I've done a lot of thinking on this subject for a while. 
I do have a great interest in the future of SNAG and metalsmithing, 
so the magazine’s content always has a deep impact on me. (such a sensitive artist...)
 
I had felt for a while that “Metalsmith” was really the voice of the organization, 
so when I saw last year’s Exhibition in Print (EIP) I was concerned that SNAG was lost to me, 
and I pondered if it was relevant to me, or many of my peers.
 

 
coming to a conclusive opinion on the Exhibition in Print was a struggle for me, because I also have a deep appreciation for the artistic process.
 I know the import of pushing the envelope, and furthermore I believe that part of pushing the envelope usually means creating a visceral reaction. 
It's just the nature of the beast. I think that last year’s EIP succeeded in that aspect. (Laughing a bit while I type that).
 

 
I think I just got jangled more than anything, (and I'm sorry if my response was too harsh) 
which I believe is what many of the piece’s that were displayed were meant to do. 
So, upon reflection, I now think that the issue was successful, even if I didn’t particularly relish it’s effect.
 

 
ok, so about the new Metalsmith Format,  I feel I must share my analogy:
 

 
Before the re-design, I would read Metalsmith like I was taking a dose of medicine: 
 good for me, perhaps, but still sometimes difficult to take.
 

 
Now, the new format feels like a vitamin:
desired tool to keep myself healthy, proactive (and yes, sometimes a little hard to take as well)
 

 
So, with a re-designed Magazine, a bright and Shiny new Orchid forum design (looks GREAT!) 
and a few hundred hours in the studio, what gorgeous creations will you bring to the table? 
I don’t know about you, but I am excited by our possibilities......
 

 
Happy ‘Smithing!
 
Maureen Brusa Zappellini
 
http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com 
 

 

Throws hands in air..

Metalsmithing, Etsy, Business, Craft, Art, Balance, Project 365..

it's all too much to juggle and have a healthy family life!

So, I'm giving up on project 365. Taking a photo a day was an interesting idea for me however it didn't take very long for me to realise I don't need another project in my life right now. 

I found that I was mostly taking images of my jewelry during the week and my kid during the weekend. Pretty much what I always do, except that there is an obligation

 behind it. ( there have been a couple of boring quick shots taken indoors at night... nobody needs to do that in my Opinion)

In the theme of simplification, I also have made the decision to delete my Artfire account. It wasn't getting many views and I don't have the time to promote it properly. This was a hard decision especially due to the fact that Artfire is located in my city (Tucson). 

I'm continuing to organize my days and business in order to find 

a good system. Meanwhile, I will continue to find time in my day to create more new designs for my galleries and etsy shop.

(Here is an image of one of my latest pieces I completed this week)

New Rings and "Franco SonoStanco"

" Maremekko" ring

I'm introducing a duo of solid silver rings

this week in my Etsy shop.

"Paisley Silver"

these were made during my time studying engraving

in Florence Italy.

And When I met one of my many Mentors...

My instructor is known as one of Florence Italy's most versatile

Master Jeweler.

He continues today to teach stone setting and hand engraving

4 nights a week at Fuji studios (via Guelfa). He is also the head goldmith for Graziella Jewelry, Florence Italy.

His name is Franco Benevieri,

but I always call him Franco "sono stanco"

(Franco "I'm tired"...)

He would come in and teach

5-10 of us (mostly foreign) students

the art of hand engraving and stone setting

after he put in a full days work at the bench.

Sitting in the Big arched entry hall of the studio,

smoking countless "MS" cigarettes..

sometimes listening to soccer...

He would come around to the bench and do

a quiet demo...

in simple Italian
for those who didn't yet speak the language..

and

All the students would leave the program with

at least a few phrases..

"fai Buchi"- drill holes,

"e' torto"- it's distorted

"fatto male"- made poorly

and if you were lucky......

"Brava"( good) usually followed by..

"coolo"- slang for lucky...

and of course,

" sono stanco",

(cause the guy works all the time

and is exhausted by the end of the day)

I got to visit him last summer..

here's a pic...

Thanks (Grazie) Franco for all of those days

that you go to teach, even when

you are "stanco morto".

Your knowledge and expertise are so valuable, and sharing it

will help many other metalsmiths continue

to uphold the standards and traditions that you teach.

I hope to see him again this summer... until then..

Fai Buchi!

Ciao!

more thoughts about pricing

I have been thinking about the pricing question.. I wonder if there is a pattern of professionals verses hobbyists..

For myself, Metals is my profession. I try to price my work in accordance with that fact. ( and I am still trying to adjust my prices to pay myself fairly..)I simply cannot give my time and expertise away anymore.(not to mention supplies and tools..studio rent..computer expenses...)

Still, I understand that Metalsmithing is really FUN! and attractive to many people as a hobby. So, I respect that hobbyists want to be able to sell their work too and may not price as if they are working craftspeople.

So, I guess this is the edge of the discussion about prices today in my mind.. Professionals and Hobbyists are here together and we are all working on our passion. I think that discussions about pricing are important, and we also need to respect each other's differing circumstances and experience.Climbing down off soapbox now....Ciao!- M

Etsy/Gallery..pricing...

It can be difficult to juggle galleries with online sales.

I have been working as a metalsmith for 20+ years and have always struggled with the gallery/artist relationship in many ways. Online sales and Etsy have given me a new market which is very liberating.

What I do is I show my more expensive one of a kind pieces at my galleries (where customers can physically inspect each piece, and they have a better understanding of it's value of craftmanship).

Meanwhile, Etsy is a marketplace for my developing production line (which I am really enjoying!)and some older one of a kinds.

With my etsy line I can be sure that I am selling and developing my work independant of any gallery owner's bias(not having to worry if my work is avant garde enough). Meanwhile with my gallery pieces I can continue pushing the envelope of my design sensabilities.

So far, this formula has been pretty satisfying. I am always learning new things about business and am grateful that we have a forum to discuss our artistic and business development online, both here in blogs, on twitter or in forums of various craft venues online.

In a sense, this online community has replaced the art organizations that I have been affiliated with over the years (like Arizona Designer Craftsmen). Because the online community is so large I find that I am able to be much more specific about what I want to discuss and who I enjoy discussing it with. And on top of that, I don't have to suffer any more art openings with crappy wine anymore! Cheers!

endless finish

Do you ever have those pieces that never seem to get finished?

I have had a few pieces that have taken years to complete, for one reason or the other.

Today, I finally finished this brooch after having it hang out on my bench since summer '06!

My theory on why it took so long? 60% I really loved making it and I didn't want it to end...

30% lazyness, not wanting to put on the optivisor and do the tiny tweaks....

the last 10%? It just wasn't time for it to be done.

I will be posting this to my shop withing the next few weeks..ready to send it out into the world after a long and fruitful hibernation....

Metalsmiths in Action Holiday Promotion

Hi everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!

As many of you know I am involved in an online community of craftspeople. Most of us have shops on ETSY, which is a great collection of handmade and vintage sellers and enthusiasts. I have a shop there since early September 08 called "Cosmo's Moon" where I sell my one of a kind jewelry as well as a new line of affordable chic handmade silver.

One of the ways that Etsy works for sellers is that they offer a sense of community through the possibility of forming and joining teams. I am a proud member of the Etsy Metalsmithins in Action team, (which is one of the larger metals teams,) which is today kicking off it's

Holiday Promotion. here is a link: http://metalsmithsinaction.webs.com/contest.htm

(pictured above is the piece I am offering in the holiday promotion for MSIA)

I encourage all of you to bookmark this promotion and participate in the contest! If you look at the wonderful pieces offered to prizewinners you will surely understand why. Please send this along to anyone else in your life who you think might be interested in Handcrafted gifts. (you could even give your friends a hint about which shop you want to recieve a gift from....)

By the way, for my own shop (Cosmo's Moon) I have a Holiday shipping sale. Free shipping to U.S.A. addresses, and only $5 shipping anywhere else, internationally.(ending January 1 2008) Many other Etsy shops are offering similar promotions!

thanks for your continued interest and support!

Have a Safe, Relaxing and Happy Holiday season

My Dirty little Secret

Ok, well perhaps it's not dirty , and more of an omission than secret, but here it goes.

After over 20 years of working as a metalsmith, I have never participated in any Craft Sale.

Yup, that's it, I know, it's SHOCKING. (;-)....

So what have I been doing all this time? mostly selling through galleries and shops for my own work, and 'smithing for other (more business minded) artists. And teaching Metals at all different venues.

And How is that working? well.....um....I guess if it was perfect then I wouldn't be here, declaring with knees shaking, that I am throwing my hat into the Craft show/sale ring.

(some of the work that I will be showing)

On November 22nd I am joining other Local artists here in Tucson at a Craft Sale. It is my hope that this will be a good introduction, and will encourage me to participate in more sales to come (I have my eye on a couple in the spring).

I am defining a new path.

It's a little exciting I must admit, to try something new. I could have done this 20 years ago, but something has always stopped me.

Here it is..I have convinced myself that I cannot sell water to a dehydrated man. AND NOW I DECLARE PHOOEY on that kind of "stinkin thinkin".!*! If I'm a little shaky, I'll get over it. If I'm tongue tied, I'll smile, I will remember to breathe.

as Tim Gunn says, "make it work!"

Because we need to be courageous in times like these. So, (as a Leo) I will envoke the cowardly lion ..and find my sales roar.. at least Purr a little bit.

the end.. or the beginning

Tangents.....the path less followed

As creative people we all have the tendency and desire to explore new ways of creating.


I am definitely guilty of going off on a tangent for weeks on end in my studio...then later, thinking..."what was I doing?"And ending up with what I call my (excuse me) "little bastards."





Here's the thing...despite the unflattering name, I really love these pieces. They almost never have continuity with what I usually do in the studio, or within their group. Just a bunch of really diverse pieces, looking like they were made by different artists.





I could probably have a show and assign different artist names to each piece and nobody would know the difference!



Why do I love them so? Because they represent to me the essence of artistic freedom and creativity. Let's face it, in order to have our "work" recognised artists and designers have to cultivate a "signature style". It is essentially our version of visual "branding".



Many people like the comfort of the familiar, especially when buying something.And having an oddball piece or two in a collection can be unsettling. It raises questions, like whoa, what IS that? where did that come from? why is it here?? and so forth... But I try to twist it around, to think...ok, that's a new path...I wonder where that will lead?



And lead to something they do, these unique journeys into a path less taken. Though I may not use anything from a piece or a technique that I tinker with, the result from having that freedom is reflected in all my future work. And then, down that twisting path, another fork in the road will present itself, leading to more openings and questions.






So today I salute all my tangents and their resulting oddball pieces. Hey, who knows, perhaps I will find another fork in the creative road....which path will I take? and where will this lead? With acceptance to work a little "dirty" I may just find my next exciting groove!