In Earshot....the image dilemma

or: Earrings..Sometimes it is all about Size

I've been thinking about how to display my earrings

in my Etsy shop, and I've decided that I need to include 

4 shots....

1) front shot..nice and clear and dramatic..."clickable and alluring"

2) side/ depth shot...show the dimension of the piece

3) back detail....cause us detail divas need to see the craftmanship!

and the Biggie....

                          4) size.....who puts a ruler up to their ears 

        when they are thinking about buying earrings? I mean, really!

so, in lieu of having a model with perky ears

on hand every time I take pics, 

I had a friend take a picture of my ears...

(thankfully I have cute ears...)

I sized the image to life size, 

printed the image...

poked a hole where the piercing would be 

(and digitally erased all my other holes....

my badges of honor from the '80's)

Now, I always have an ear model...

there is no "ick factor" ,

because the "model" is a piece of paper

and she works cheap...for Q-tips!

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 
 

 

tucson open studio spring event

well, I finally did it..I opened my studio and gardens for the weekend during last week's open studio event. It ended up being one long garden party- so much fun and very satisfying to see many old friends and meet new ones as well.

Thankfully, I had a lot of help from my dear friend and cohort, Gina Reyes (the queen of the kings), who deftly composed a number of scrumptious savories for folks to nosh. (the gorgonzola cream cheese was amazing, and the persian 

cucumbers...Oh My Oh My!)

Guido and Cosmo put their party hats on too, and were perfect "ushers"; setting out more food, giving impromptu garden tours...Cosmo even gave us a preview of the  Mexican folklorico sword dance that he has been learning (thankfully he left his violin in it's case...as much as I am proud of him, he's not ready for his debut)

I was very happy to see many friends that I don't get much face time with- and delighted when a couple of my new online friends showed up- one from twitter, one from facebook! 

I made a few sales, more than enough to cover the costs of the weekend, (which I am thankful for.) So now I have to spend some time in my workshop, putting together another body of work. (I am currently making summer jewelry, light, playful, bold and colorful...to be introduced on my etsy shop "Cosmo's Moon")

So, in 6 months I plan on doing it over again- this time as a holiday party...(hot toddies, mulled wine.....mmmmm) I'm coming out of my studio shell...look out Tucson! (and world)

until next time.....ciao ciao- Maureen

Displays, Gardening, sign-age, metals finishing....

I am preparing for an open studio event this weekend- 

lots of extra work

I'm pretty excited- it will be the official "launch" of my studio 

(which had been delayed 1 year, due to my crazy work schedule last year)

Luckily, it looks like the weather is going to be perfect

(around 73 degrees) sometimes we get those crazy hot days here

(like in February , when it reached 90 degrees)

Here is the front of the postcard that I sent out...

if you happen to be in Tucson (or close by) please stop by!

I'll post images of the event next week-

ciao- M

Report from the Far West

Amazing Artists,

Historic Buildings, 

Sunny skies, 

Free Trade,

Flowing Liquids, 

Campfires, 

Singing, 

Dancing, 

Saw File and Soldering.....

Just a few descriptive words for the Magical annual event called the Yuma Sumposium

(click here to see the YS website) The last weekend in February, the dusty 

desert outpost of Yuma Arizona hosts artists and creative minds from around the world. 

This year was the 30th anniversary.

I describe it like this:

the Yuma Symposium is where your heroes 

become your friends

and your friends become your heroes

Me and Harlon Butt, the President elect of the 

Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)

and the creator of the most poetically gorgeous cloisonné vessels you will ever set eyes on

his website is at: http://www.harlanbutt.com/

(I had the privilage to take a workshop with Harlon a few years ago and I get to see him every once in a while at metalsmithing conferences. It is always wonderful to see him)

Yuma is where you get a good dose of kitsch, 

with a flair that lets you know

(in no uncertain terms)

that you are on the edge of California

it's a place where

a man on a segway with a cellphone

ambles by a Giant Rooster...all on webcam 

(see Yuma's live webcam here)

(the webcam had more interesting images when we were there, that's for sure)

It had been 6 years since I had last attended the Symposium, but I declare now that 

I will move heaven and earth to attend next year. 

It was that good.

really.