Inspiration

Last weekend my husband and I took our kids to see Cirque du Soleil's Ovo in San Jose. I have seen about 7 different Cirque du Soleil shows and this is one makes the top 2 in my book (with "O" of course).

The most inspiring part of this show was seeing it with my kids. Next time you go to a show like this, take a minute (or 2 hours like I did) and turn your attention to a child's face. Most likely, that face will reflect wonder, joy, confusion and pure amazement....and that just might inspire you more than the show itself.

If you watch the below video....stick it out. The last act is the bestest!

Ok, this is just odd

At first, I thought this was maybe the most jacked up thing I have ever seen. But then it dawned on me, this might actually keep me focused...hummm, block out the world, get my work done (on the computer of course) and stay warm at the same time. But how do you breathe? I have a bit of claustrophobia...yeah, this might not be the answer. And c'mon...really?

Dream Job

Ok, well really, I have my dream job, but if I ever had to get a new job and I could have my dream job, it would be this dude's job...Chief Photographer for Public Relations at Disneyland Resort. I wanna cruise around Disneyland in the wee hours of the morning taking photos!

Spring is springing!

Spring is itchin' to bust out BIG in my backyard!

Stamped Metal Jewelry; Creative Techniques & Designs for Making Custom Jewelry

It's done....YAH! I spent the last year or so working on a book about stamping on metal and other metal techniques that work well with stamping to create jewelry. I am super excited! It's done and available in the Interweave Store for preorder.

Here is the blurb they wrote about the book :)

Metal stamping is one of the hottest trends in metal jewelry. Using purchased metal stamps and sterling silver blanks, you can personalize your metal jewelry designs with words, textures, and creative designs. Lisa Niven Kelly, creator of the online Beaducation workshops and website, specializes in the technique and has been teaching stamping for more than six years to enthusiastic students. Although stamping is a simple technique, the right tools and skills will help you create professional and exciting results.

Stamped Metal Jewelry teaches multiple metal stamping and texturing techniques, and the projects incorporate wirework and metalsmithing to create fabulous necklaces, beads, charms, bracelets, cuffs, and earrings. The book opens with an extensive section on stamping, wirework, and metalsmithing tools and techniques. With these skills, you can begin the inspiring jewelry designs with confidence. Nineteen projects cover a variety of techniques and designs such as creating charms, incorporating stamped links into beaded projects, making stamped links from flat wire and wire-wrapping them together, stamping on blanks and layering them, riveting, texturing metal, oxidizing, and more. In addition to Lisa's projects, the book features contributions by nationally known guest artists Tracy Stanley, Kriss Silva, Lisa Claxton, Kate Richbourg, Janice Berkebile, and Connie Fox.

Victorian Scroll Bracelet

Tada! Here is my final piece for Hooked On Wire. I loveth it!

Hooked On Wire piece, some progress...

I am in Tucson right now. The Beaducation booth is being set up, and I have been given the day off to finish my Hooked On Wire project. We have rented a gorgeous house here and it has provided me with a beautiful, warm and quite place to create.

I am not done yet, but I think I have a final plan and am on my way.

This is a whole lot of symetry goin' on here...it's kinda freaking me out. Oh well, balance right?