Quote of the Month

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I like to believe we are all stronger and more capable than we think we are. With starting my business recently, there have been numerous occasions to which I've had to confront my fears and uncertainties. That truly is the scariest part for me...not knowing what will come next. How will this show be? Will I sell enough this month? Did I fill that form out right? What should I do next?
But you know what? That is also what makes owning a business exciting. The amazing little surprises that come along. When all of your hard work pays off. The first time a new piece sells. Being featured on a great blog. Getting into a show I really wanted at the last minute. Those are the surprises that keep me going. They make me willing to look fear in the face.

Stunning images by Lara Jade Photography.

Behind the Scenes: Skeleton Key Necklace

As I'd mentioned here in a previous post, I've been really into skeleton keys lately. I'm not sure where this fascination came from, but I'm guessing it could have been brought on by all of the buzz about Alice in Wonderland. That is around the time I was doing my sketching, after all. I loved the sketch I'd made with the skull, and I'd like to take you behind the scenes to see how it was made. But first, here is some amazing Alice in Wonderland inspired art:

Last 3 images by pareeerica's Alice In Wonderland Series

Here is a quick look at how I made the key. I began with silver wire and shaped the key shank. I added details to the key, and soldered those onto the shank. Then, I hammered out two small pieces of silver to make the key bits (the part that opens a door). I finished the piece by soldering the skull to the top, otherwise known as the key's "bow".
The final product, Skeleton Key:
You can purchase the Skeleton Key Necklace here on LuciusJewelry.com


For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things had happened lately, that Alice had begun to think that very few things indeed were really impossible.

From Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865

Wedding Inspiration: Birdies and Branches

Since we recently received our wedding album, I've been looking at it quite a bit. Perhaps a bit too much, but I just love it! Christa at Print Weddings did an amazing job on our photos, and I love how Kitty put it all together for our book. They captured our day perfectly, and I have so much fun looking back on it!
As you can see, we have a little birdie on a branch theme going, which my husband Kevin designed. We had it on the save the dates and the wedding invitations, and Kitty added it to our book. It looks just lovely, and I couldn't be happier!





Kevin and I handmade each of the centerpieces using birch branches, hearts cut out from an old book, and little fake birdies:
I also wanted to carry the birdie theme over to the wedding cake, so I made this bride and groom wedding cake topper:

Images and book design by Print Weddings. http://printweddings.com/

All and all it was a perfect day, and looking back on it inspired me to sketch up a few birdie and branch necklace designs:



Which are your favorites?

Behind the Scenes: Dead Guy Skully Necklace and Ring

Ever since our honeymoon in Mexico, I've had a slight obsession with all things "Day of the Dead". Though I've always really enjoyed these things, it became my mission on our honeymoon to find the perfect "dead guy" figurine. I'd say I hit the nail on the head with this:I found my bride and groom at a little shop in Playa del Carmen. How perfect to find it just after getting married! And so, obsession had begun. It wasn't enough that one of my favorite beers is Rogue Dead Guy Ale...I needed more.

So I decided to create a line of jewelry after this 'dead guy' I began to love so much. Here is a behind the scenes look at Skully. First, I begin with carving wax. As you can see below, I form and carve it with files until I am satisfied with the way it looks.
Once I have it cast, I can tweak and perfect the piece before being molded.
Finished Skully Ring and Necklace Shots:
The Skully Necklace and Skully Ring are coming soon to LUCIUS Jewelry!

Last but not least, upon searching for skull art, I discovered a great designer to whom I already had one of his shirts! I'd gotten it from Rudy's Roundup awhile back, and I just love it. It's of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and their faces are smiling skulls. A-mazing! I decided to search for Frida and Diego, and came across the actual photo the artist must have used to create his design. It is so cool to see them side by side:The designer's name is Jose Pulido, and his shop is Mis Nopales Art. He has everything from art prints to tote bags and tees. I also love the Star Wars Couple, and Johnny Cash Calavera tees. In fact, I just purchased the Johnny Cash one so I am anxiously awaiting its arrival!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MisNopalesArt