Nena's Thoughts

Wax wedding set	November 4, 2011
Check out this custom wedding set I am designing for a customer. He had a very specific design drawing that I have tried to follow to the letter with some modifications in the 3-D. The ring will be cast from this blue wax model in white gold. The process involves attaching lines to this model and then pouring investment (like plaster of paris) around the form. Then the whole thing is put into a very hot kiln for several hours and the wax burns away leaving a cavity that the molten metal is forced into. If all goes well you have a ring. Stay tuned.
25th Best of Missouri Market	September 27, 2011
It is officially fall and the weather is beautiful, the leaves are changing and I have purchased the obligatory pumpkins and mums for my front deck. It is also time for the annual "Best of Missouri Market" held at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. This year marks 25 years for this St. Louis tradition and I have participated most every year. This show features not only Missouri artists, but all types of businesses producing everything from wine and food items to native plants and everything in between. I always say this is an event that you can graze your way through on all the free samples. Stop by and enjoy a great weekend while supporting your Missouri businesses. Hope to see you there. Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2011
Award Salute	September 1, 2011
What a great weekend at the recent Salute to the Arts show. The weather was beautiful, the grounds are decorated and landscaped, the big tents make for an easy set up and the artist amenities rival any show. Saturday evening is a wonderful artist dinner and awards ceremony where I was shocked and thrilled to win the "Best of Category" in jewelry. Thanks to all the volunteers, board members and sponsors for such a first rate show.
Salute to the Arts	August 18, 2011
Its almost show time again. It has truly been a busy summer with shows and travel. Next up is Salute to the Arts, Fairview Heights, IL Fri.- Sun. August 26-28th. This is always a fun time, but usually very hot and humid. I have done this show off and on for many years and made a wonderful friend who used to be a volunteer for the show, now she is a volunteer for me, thanks Linda can't wait to see you again.
Late summer update	August 9, 2011
Summer is flying by with lots of travel to shows in Topeka, KS and Boulder, CO in June. In late July my husband and I went to Aspen, CO for the 9th Annual Arts Festival. We got to spend time with our daughter and old friends. Check out this photo of the festival site from the mountain. The white square in the middle are the artists' tents. We reached this vantage point by 4 wheel drive about sunset. Thanks, Bob and Diane.
Blue ribbon at Wichita	May 9, 2011
Just returned from the Wichita Art and Book Fair, held in downtown Wichita, KS. This was another first for me in more than one way. I had never been to Wichita, nor had I done this show and I was surprised to receive the first place award in the jewelry category. All in all it was a very positive experience, the city, the people and the drive across the "Flint Hills". My "Tension Tube" bracelets were very popular and I can't wait to create more new designs for the next show. Topeka, KS, Mulvane Art Museum's Mountain Plains Fine Art Fair. May 4th and 5th, 2011
Wichita here I come	May 2, 2011
May already and spring is in full swing. I am busy getting ready for the next show with new work for Wichita. A first time show for me and am hoping that it will be enjoyable and profitable. I created this necklace in 18 karat gold and Rutilated Quartz. The corners are open and reflect the rutile crystals in the stone with gold. I haven't done a lot of work in gold lately for obvious reasons, but this was really fun.
Queeny Park Spring Art Fair	March 31, 2011
Tomorrow is the first day of April, it seems like March flew by and no fooling now I think spring is really on its way. I for one am ready for warmer weather in anticipation of the growing season. My tulips promise joyful color and the garden beckons me to plant those early season crops. The leaves on the trees are turning green and they inspired me to create this neck piece. It consists of 105 hand made and enameled leaves. I will be showing if for the first time next weekend at the Queeny Park Art Fair, April 8-10 in St. Louis. Stop by and say hello.
Jef bracelet	March 21, 2011
Just completed a first. This is a new "Tension Tube" bracelet similar in style to others I have designed, refined and created, but this one is for a guy! It is very large compared to the scale I usually work in, had no idea that when completed it would be so massive. Really it just seems that way to me it actually measures 3 inches across the top and approximately 1/2 inch width. I designed it to match a ring that he wears with the same style wire look. Hope he loves it as much as I do.
Valentine	January 27, 2011
February is the time when we begin to tire of winter snow, clouds and cold. Thats why we have Valentine's Day. What better way to cure the winter blues, than with a large dose of red. Red roses, hearts, candy and of course jewelry. What better way to show your love than with a handmade red enamel heart necklace. $68.00 - $75.00
New Year update	January 12, 2011
Happy New Year, 2011 is in full swing, although we are only about half way through the first month it amazes me that there are always so many things to do. Once the holidays are over, I think there will be time to sit back and relax in the warmth of a fire with a hot cup of coffee. Wishful thinking. This is the time for artists to consider the upcoming show season applications, photographing new work, preparing taxes and firming up the calendar for the coming year. These tasks are necessary, but not on my favorites list. I prefer to create new designs, engineer new work and sit at the bench with my hands on the metal.
Winterfest thanks	December 7, 2010
What a wonderful Winterfest this past weekend. I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat or purchase a piece of my work. I was able to catch up with so many old friends and acquaintances. Sharing memories or being updated on the lives of many meant so much, some joyous, others tragic. There is nothing more valuable than the relationships that make each of us who we are. Thank you to all for sharing. Now I am off to St. Louis for one more show in 2010. "Jewelry to the Third Degree" at the "Third Degree Glass Factory" Sat. and Sun. 5200 Delmar Blvd. Stop by if you are in the area to see myself and many other award winning jewelers from the Society of Midwest Metalsmiths.
Nov. update	November 16, 2010
Good grief where has the time gone. Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is around the corner. We are officially in the run up until Christmas. I am amazed at the commercialism of the season, have we not forgotten the reason? When shopping this season, maybe we can all remember that the little things are the most cherished. Whether buying gifts or making them enjoy the process. The simple pleasures and thoughtful gifts are often the most memorable. Hope you like these simple new pearl designs.
Fall update	October 15, 2010
Summer is officially over, a kaleidoscope of leaves are falling and cooler temperatures are blessing our crisp blue Ozark skies. Halloween, one of my favorite holidays marks the end of October and we begin to look forward to the upcoming holidays. When the weather turns cooler nothing is more comforting than a steaming cup of coffee or nice cup of tea. These quirky earrings are for the coffee or tea lover in all of us, sterling silver, 1.5 inches long $48.00, a great gift idea.
Salute to the Arts	September 2, 2010
Salute to the Arts was lots of fun. The weather was great, and it's so nice to see old friends and make new ones. Many thanks to Linda for her company and all her help during the show. The Artists Award Dinner was held Saturday evening, and I was thrilled to receive an Award of Excellence in the jewelry category. Congratulations to all the other award recipients! Now it's time to prepare for the Best of Missouri Markets show, held the first weekend of October. It's nice to be back in the studio- I am really looking forward to start working on some great new designs!
Necklace	May 5, 2010
Over the winter I worked on not only my sculptural urn, but also some new jewelry pieces. This is one of my favorites. I have been experimenting with enameling for a while now, and have found that it can be both frustrating and rewarding. Working on this piece was a great experience for me. It gave me a chance to explore blending colors and figure out how every part fits together to make a whole, and the result is something that I'm very proud of.
Base Selection for vessel	March 3, 2010
I am seeking feedback in the selection of a base to finish my copper vessel. It has been a long process and after much delay I am finally close to completion. I have 3 different options for the base and I am interested to know what feels like the right option. If you would like to weigh in or even suggest other options, please go to my Facebook page where you can see all three.
Just Jewels	February 17, 2010
"Just Jewels", the latest show at Waverly House, was a huge success. I met and worked with some very talented local artists, and look forward to more great shows in the future. A big thank you to all my friends and family who came out to support me. It was great to see everyone again, and to catch up with those whom I haven't seen in a while. The exhibit will be up through February 27, so if you weren't able to make it to the opening, there's still time to stop by! Next on the agenda, I plan to start working on some new two-dimensional projects. I will also be shifting my attention back to completion of the large vessel, which has been at a stand-still for a while now. Stay tuned for more progress updates!
new 2-D work	February 3, 2010
I have been exploring new ideas and working on some two-dimensional pieces for an upcoming show. "From the Heart" is a series of six framed 8x10 mixed media collages featuring stylized copper hearts. Each collage represents a different idea within a common theme. I had a blast working on these! They've encouraged me to continue pursuing two-dimensional projects, and now I'm looking forward to trying to tackle some larger pieces! Come see "From the Heart" as well as some of my newest jewelry creations at Waverly House in Springfield, MO. The show opens on Friday, February 5th at 5:00 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Whats the Point Earrings	January 10, 2010
The Holidays have come and gone, it is a New Year and a new decade, so with that in mind I will be showing some of my newest work at "Just Jewels", a group show at Waverly House Gifts and Gallery, 2031 S. Waverly, Springfield, MO on Feb. 5th, 5-7pm. This is an opening reception, so you are invited. Hope to see you there.
Switch plates	October 14, 2009
Check out these fun copper enameled switch plates. I had great fun making these for the last show. I wanted to be able to offer something other than jewelry and stumbled on to this idea. It took lots of time, but it was for me like working on a huge canvas. I am hooked and will try more in the future.
Magnetic stack rings	October 7, 2009
While taking a break on the big work and preparing for "The Best of Missouri Markets" show in St. Louis I finally came up with an idea for magnetic stack rings. They are really fun and well priced with small colored magnets that can be purchased in a set of three. You choose the colors. Oops one small problem magnets stick to other things too. Stay tuned for the next generation, my research and development department is hard at work.
At a stand still	October 1, 2009
It is fall and I am just now updating my progress on the never ending project. I thought that I was close to the completion of this vessel about two months ago, boy was I wrong. After much thought I realized that this piece is just not right. So I had to take a break and think about how to make it work. The color and proportion must be adjusted. I have decided to add an ebony wood base which has posed many problems. The wood is so dense that I had to repair my band saw and now I am trying to figure out how to cut the wood to transition smoothly with the vessel. I have a good idea but haven't had time to implement the plan. In the meantime I switched gears and produced some great new designs, magnetic rings with interchangeable parts and light switch plates, what fun.
Still working	July 29, 2009
The summer is flying by and it is late July already. Had a nice vacation with female family and friends to Canada in late June and returned to the "good old USA" just in time to celebrate our country for the 4th of July. My work continues on the copper container and I am beginning to see a conclusion in the near future. All solder work is finished and I am now coloring the base. I have used a combination of chemicals and realized that I needed a respirator to save myself from the fumes. Hope the finish will resemble bark on a tree. Stay tuned.
Adding texture	June 9, 2009
This thing is beginning to take shape. I was finally able to heat the copper enough to add the skirt or root base to the vertical form. It needed more substance and stability on the bottom, thus the skirt, but how to get it to integrate with the existing shape has been a dilemma, so when in doubt; hammer. A Dremel tool has come in handy to grind a vertical or bark like pattern into the base. After too much noise and copper dust flying I figured I might preserve my hearing and breathing if I put on a dust mask and earplugs. Cute!!!
Progress and Frustration	May 29, 2009
Progress on this project is unbelievably slow, I had forgotten how much time and thought goes into a piece of this size. After all these years of making smaller more wearable work I have realized that I have become accustomed to reasonably instant gratification. My latest challenge with construction is not enough heat to keep the metal hot enough for solder flow. I am now considering some options for heating, my kiln is too small to preheat the whole thing, but I do have another torch that is attached to a small propane tank. It is actually for burning leaves or brush outside, but it might work to preheat the container if I can rig up a way to hold it while I use the other torch. If I only had more than two hands. I continue to enjoy the process if only I can keep my momentum and focus.
Out of my comfort zone.	May 6, 2009
Working larger than jewelry is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but giving myself permission to do so was the first step. This is a learning experience and also rewarding. Using heavy gauge copper I am trying to construct, fabricate, and form a vessel with bone incorporated. As with much of my work, the inspiration comes from nature, leaves, branches and root forms. When I began this project I really had no main focus or goal. After developing the main body of the container it became apparent that this should be a vessel or urn to contain the remains of myself or someone else. If this seems rather strange or morbid to some my belief is that it is truly a utilitarian endeavor. I am excited about the process and each day I look forward to working toward its completion. I intend to show photos of the work in progress at various stages of completion so that those who are interested may take this journey along with me. I invite your comments or questions.
The Mane Event	April 20, 2009
I have been a horse lover since my childhood and have many fond memories of riding, showing and generally being around horses. My daughter also inherited my interest in horses, and while growing up she learned so much about life while riding and caring for these beautiful animals. It is for these reasons that I support an non-profit organization in the St. Louis area called Therapeutic Horsemanship or TH. This organization made up of dedicated volunteers provide equine therapy programs for individuals with disabilities in order to develop their maximum physical and psychological potential. Each year for 31 years TH has hosted an annual Spring Gala called "The Mane Event". The Gala features an exclusive live dinner auction as well as a silent auction during the social hour. I have had the pleasure of being able to support this organization's mission by donating one of my signature pieces of work. I chose a one of a kind Black Drussy and set it in silver with tiny stones and gold leaf for a dramatic necklace and matching earrings. If you would like more information about TH or "The Mane Event" please go to www.thstl.org or look for Therapeutic Horsemanship on my links page.
Price lists	March 25, 2009
Just returned last week from a wonderful spring trip to FL and the Keys. Great weather and a highlight was getting to see the Shuttle launch first hand on Sun. March 15th. It was truly history in the making and an awesome sight to see. For now its back to work. I have discovered that I now have the capability to send my updated price lists via email. This will be an enhancement rather than a replacement for the paper version. If you would like to see a complete updated version of the new price lists just email and I will send a return email with the link built in, all you have to do is click.
Visiting Artist Workshop	March 3, 2009
I have always been interested in color on metal, and last Sunday I was invited to attend a "Visiting Artist" workshop at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. The metals department is headed by Sarah Perkins, a nationally recognized metalsmith and enamelist. She had invited Sherri Jaudés, to present techniques on the coloration of metal with Prisamcolor colored pencils. We were able to spend the day experimenting with the technique and many variations. Sherri also showed slides of her wonderful sculpture, studio and home. Sherri's work is very organic and nature based. Check it out at www.sherrijaudes.com. I can't wait to implement some of these techniques into my own work here in the studio.