Boston Handmade in my workspace

As I sit at my workbench cranking out Aloha flowers for bridesmaid jewelry, I am surrounded by Boston Handmade.

This little monkey was a grab gift from Crystal at the annual BH meeting in January. He has been hanging right in front of me ever since.

This tiny oil painting is by former BH member Kim Weineck. I love it so much, it reminds me of Prince Edward Island.

And possibly the most used item on my workbench (it doesn't always have a beer on it) is this coaster from Lucie Wicker. Another BH swap gift from a previous year. I have the twin at my desk at the day job. Love, love, love.

And, if you haven't seen enough mess....here is my happy hole where I can sit and saw, saw, saw...

New FB fan page!

I just started a fan page on Facebook for nancyrosetta. So far it only has some pictures of finished jewelry and jewelry in progress photos.



Please 'like' my page.

Thank you! :)

Handmade Goodies

These are the items I bought at the Sheepshearing festival last Saturday.

A really cool apron from Fussy Gussy. I love the cowgirl with the guitar!


A coptic hand bound journal from fellow Boston Handmade member White Sparrow Bindery


And a total impulse buy from Chikako Mukai. A gift for my step Mother, Chikako. Just because.

Above is the back, which is what caught my eye.
Below is the front detail.

I think she'll love it!

Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham

Last Saturday, I went to the Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham at Gore Place Scott went with me, and we met up with Kerry and Jaye and a couple of other friends.

These are some pictures I took.



















We had a great time. I bought some stuff. Pictures of stuff I bought will follow. I love craft fairs, especially when I'm not working them!

Tree with Moon and Stars

Last week I brought some unfinished pieces to the Gallery to show Julie. I basically just wanted to see what she thought of the direction I was going and if I should stay on that path...or not. I showed her 7 or 8 pendants/brooches, only 2 of which were almost finished. The rest didn't even have anyplace from where to hang or dangle yet. As we were looking, inspecting and marveling (to my amusement)a customer came in to place an order. She was an artist. She brought in a painting of her daughters dance teacher that she drew to be framed. It was really nice, a ballerina posed in mid dance on one leg. As Julie was finishing up the paperwork for the order, she encouraged me to show the client my new designs.

She bought this piece even before it was finished. It's finished now.

Copper riveted to sterling silver with many, many different sized sterling silver rivets and a few copper rivets (that you can't see).

More Riveting.

I've been addicted to riveting. I think that's quite apparent. I decided to take some process shots on my last rivety session. I hope you enjoy.









Finished pendants or brooches...I haven't decided yet. The first one is tube riveted, my first attempt. My friend and fellow jewelry designer Vicki Cook inspired me to try tube riveting after I got a glimpse of her Astrid Necklace. I think my attempt came out great. The last photo is flat riveted. Both are copper on sterling silver.

Altered art books

This post was written for and originally published on the Boston Handmade blog in February, but I want it here, too. :)
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As I am cleaning out my studio (major undertaking) I came across this altered book I made years ago.




And here are some pages I have done in other peoples books from all across the country and Canada.






These are really fun to make, and a fantastic creative outlet.

Earth Hour Saturday Night!

Saturday night is Earth Hour from 8:30pm - 9:30pm. Earth hour was designed to promote Climate Awareness. I participated last year, and although I was alone in my dark house, I felt like I made a difference. This year will be no different, unless of course I go out, then I will hopefully be somewhere where the lights will go out as well (cause that's always fun).

If I stay home tomorrow night, my home will be dark from 8:30 - 9:30pm. I will light candles, catch up on some sketches, or finally start reading that book I have on the sidelines.
I hope you all join me.

The Parklane Post

Check out my interview with Lisa from the Parklane Post. Thanks Lisa!

Total Rant. Sorry.

So...
I have not been so chatty lately. I am ashamed, since I really want my blog to stay current which it totally has not been. It's been a really tough year for me. In fact, before a week ago, I was only making stuff when it was requested of me. I have been totally non-creative...only fulfilling special requests, which never ceased (thanks to my loyal customers!). A little over a week ago, I got into my studio once again and have produced two very new, very rivety pendants which I had an incredibly joyous time producing. I believe I am back in the saddle so to speak. Yay!

My mother, as most of you know, had a very massive stroke last May, and is my child now. I am responsible for her, and that has put a huge ugly damper in my creative life. I feel like my imagination and drive was just pulled out from under me when I was appointed her Health Care Proxy and her Durable Power of Attorney, and my job as both has been very 'hands-on' and frequent. I would not wish this on anyone...I'm just being truthful here.

Mom is not getting better, and it's become harder and harder to deal with it on my end...the sane end. In fact, she is getting progressively worse. She doesn't try. She is stagnant. She is happy in her stagnancy. But she remains bright in other ways. She loves to eat and she loves to gossip. She is only interested in everyone else's business, not her own, which is very difficult to understand if you are an outsider. I do not even have a good click with the social worker at the nursing home because I can't explain my mothers behavior in social worker terms. She is an enigma. She has always had social issues. She has always been more interested in knowing everybody else's business than dealing with her own. This practice is more apparent to me now than ever before. She is paralyzed on her entire right side, but the paralyzation is not what keeps her back. It is the fact that she does not pay attention at all to that side of her body, but she knows everything about everyone in the nursing home. It is frustrating. What makes a person remember something frivolous and not something important? Why does one woman know every little detail about her surroundings, but does not remember the right side of her OWN body?

Scott and I took her and her friend Marion out to the deck today to soak in some sun. It was pleasant. I have learned how to have a nice visit. I do not expect anything from her anymore. I consider her my child now. She is a brilliant toddler.

I am so happy to be back at the bench and making stuff. I just got another order today. I apologize once again for my absence, and I hope to never leave you for this long again. It's so hard to write when there is nothing positive to write about.

Sorry for the rant.

Tinker, Tinker, Tinker...

Some New Work

I am realizing that I really like to tinker. I made all these little bits and pieces and had such a great time riveting it all together.

Do you see the two little tiny pieces of silver next to the tree trunk? Those are 22ga! I may have ruined my eyesight trying to hammer just the rivet without marring the silver of the trunk, but I got it done! How cute is this tree pendant?

And a happy little house.

I'll definitely be making more layered pictures with metal, they are really fun to make!

My visit to the Western Avenue Studios

Recently, I visited the Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA with my friend Suzanne. What a magical place it is. I had been wanting to visit the studios for quite some time, but I never imagined it was so enormous and filled with so many talented artists and artisans. In two hours, I barely got to check out the entire 3rd floor.

My first studio visit right out of the elevator on the 3rd floor was fellow BH'er Liz Stewart's Lush Beads. A magnificently stocked studio with all the supplies and tools anyone would need for beading and gorgeous finished pieces you can buy on the spot. Having such a bountiful supply shop at her fingertips, Liz makes stunning art jewelry like the bezeled face pendant necklace pictured below.

I was thrilled to see that Liz Smith of Made in Lowell was right across the hall, so that was my next stop. My friend bought one of these coffee cozys from Liz. These are so fun, colorful, and good for your carbon footprint, and they keep your hot coffee from burning your hands. I bought a felted nest ring.

Roaming the halls, we entered almost every studio that was open on this very busy Saturday. I love this tripdych of poppies outside of the Art by Verde studio.

After a long two hours of browsing and talking with the artists, we moseyed our way down to the second floor where we heard there was a cafe. Outside of the cafe, I found Walk on the Moon. Really fun jewelry, and a wonderfully inspiring woman. Regina was a treat to meet, plus, I've bought some stuff from her in the past from her destash shop on etsy, Run on the Sun. And she's bought from me, too.

There are more visits in my future to the Western Avenue Studios. There is no way anyone can absorb all that is to see in one day. I look forward to my return. It's such an inspiring place.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Ornament by Vintage By Crystal.

Bazaar Bizarre Tomorrow!

Come shop for the holidays from local artisans at the Bazaar Bizarre tomorrow Dec. 6th from 12 - 7pm, at the BCA Cyclorama. Admission is only $1!! I'll be there along with other Boston Handmade members. I hope to see you there!

Holiday Sale at Gallery 9

Big Huge Fantastic Holiday sale going on tonight at Gallery 9 from 6pm - 10pm. FRIDAY NIGHT!



The shop is looking fabulous, full of wonderful gifts. In a few hours it will be full of people shopping and drinking wine and eating cheese.

Amy's Boston Handmade video

made by Amy of Bumblebelly designs

BH Downtown Crossing Gallery

I've been gearing up for the Boston Handmade Downtown Gallery! Making lots of stuff!

Here is a peek at what I've been up to.

And a sneak peek of 16 very dirty unfinished pendants ready to go in the tumbler to clean up, shine up and harden.

Bails and chains or cords will finish these off, but you won't see those unless you come on down to the downtown gallery!

Along with these pendants, I'll be offering bracelets, earrings, rings and other necklaces/pendants all made from sterling silver and made by hand. Boy, my hands are sore.

We open up on Black Friday, November 27th. Please come by if you are in the area!
505 Washington Street, Downtown Crossing, Boston...right between West and Temple Place.

Watercolor Cowboy

Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 is hosting a gallery opening for Don Weller on Friday night October 30th from 6 - 8pm (Tonight!).


I have a copy of this magazine from 1975 framed in my kitchen. Blast from the '70s!

Don is a celebrated illustrator, art director, graphic designer and cowboy. He spent years as an art teacher for Colleges and Universities in California, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Washington State. Over the years, he has done covers for TV Guide, Time Magazine, posters for the Hollywood Bowl, the 1984 LA Olympics, and the NFL to name a few.

Currently he raises Cutting Horses in his ranch high up in the mountains in Oakley, Utah, while continuing to produce amazing artwork. His style has changed over the years, but there is always something familiar in his artwork that tells you it is his.


Don recently published his newest book of western inspired watercolors titled Watercolor Cowboys .

I am very close to this artist, he is my father.

If you are around the Norwood area on Friday, October 30th, please stop by and have a glass of wine with us.

Boston Handmade Group Show

Come on down to the SoWa open market this Sunday, October 18th from 10am-4pm.

It's a Boston Handmade show! The best kind!
I hope to see you there!