National Transit Jewelry Series

As I've mentioned before, the National Transit Building in Oil City, Pa is an example of gorgeous architecture.  Anyone who has ever visited has noticed how amazing the building is, both inside and outside.

Inspiration for art most often comes from the artist's life..... what they see, experience, feel, hear and more.  So the designs that I pass everyday on the way to my studio is a natural inspiration for design.

The designs I used are basically literal.  How else will people who briefly pass through be able to associate with the jewelry.  What I have done is try to use them in a variety of ways to make them each different.

The ground floor is tiled and has a narrow tile border that reminds me of a celtic design.  (Not sure that it is.)

This is the design created from the original tile. (Couldn't find my photograph of the tile itself.)

I created a couple of very long necklaces using the floor tile design; one in copper and one in bronze.   The bronze piece took awhile to make as I incorporated some of the chain I bought at the bead show.  I really like the look of combining chain with beading (not to mention how much further the chain will go.  I have enough left to make another necklace.)

Now I want to create more necklaces to be worn with these.  (One thing always leads to another!)

Thnking ahead

In the retail world it's important to be about six months ahead in the calendar.  June is the month to start planning for Christmas.  Instead of thinking about turkeys in November, it's important to be in the mode for Easter.  You get the idea.

Unfortunately, my brain doesn't work that way.  When planning my daughter's wedding, I'm sure I drove her future mother in law crazy.  We worked well together, but I didn't start anything until about six weeks before the wedding.  (Don't worry, the major things were taken care of.)  What waited until school let out were the decorations, etc.  They got done.  They were beautiful and my daughter thinks her mother in law and I should open a party planning business.

Right now I am thinking about summer though.  (At least I'm four months ahead,)  I love anklets but have only made two of them.   Every year I plan to make some (usually in August..... too late.)  So I think my focus for now will be on the ankle.  After taking inventory (and seeing how many beads I have) it seems like a good time to make the anklets and use up some inventory.

The anklet in the picture is the only one I've made so far (but I've made it twice.)  Will post new ones as they get finished.    The anklet in the photo uses handmade jump rings to make the handmade chain.  My new ones will just be beaded to save time and cost.

(I've taken photos of my hands with my rings on and decided that I will never be a hand model.  But it's pretty sad when my foot takes better photos than the rest of me!)