WATCH MAKERS BENCH

I recently purchased an RJ Rosenberg watchmakers bench. With lots of TLC, I did some refreshing of this well worked, loved and neglected workstation. In the process of restoring this piece I found that it is made of zebra oak, a beautiful hard wood with a marvelous grain pattern. The each drawer is constructed with dove tailed joints, workmanship not often seen .

As I restored the work surface, I found evidence, in the way of impressions or marks of the work past jewelers/watchmakers efforts. There are mechanical and mysterious marks in the table top of this marvelous piece. I’ll never know just how those marks were made and that’s ok. The thing is, I feel connected to the history of this piece and other jewelers/watchmakers who once worked at this beautiful piece. I love that.

PUBLIC ART ON THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD

There’s plenty of permanent, public art to be seen on the Long Island Rail Road. More than 350 artworks have been commissioned by the MTA Art and Design program. These pieces are constructed in a variety of medium such as mosaic, glass, metal and more. You’ll find them installed throughout the MTA system. For for an overview of MTA public art, click the link below. https://new.mta.info/agency/arts-design/permanent-art/lirr

I’d like to give a shout out to a few of the artworks and artists who have created public works along the Port Jefferson to Penn Station line, a line I travel often. It’s easy to miss getting an in-depth look at these gems as the train speeds quickly from Port Jefferson westward to NYC.

David McQueen at PJ station https://new.mta.info/gency/arts-design/collection/vast-endless-sea

Joe Zucker at Huntington https://new.mta.infhttps://new.mta.info/agency/arts-design/collection/for-my-grandfather-noye-pride-locomotive-engineer

Roy Nicholson at Hicksville https://new.mta.info/agency/arts-design/collection/hempstead-plain-morning-evening

Sandra Leitchfield at New Hyde Park https://new.mta.info/agency/arts-design/collection/forestation-syncopation

Tom Fruin at Syossett https://new.mta.info/agency/arts-design/collection/sail

ART UNDERGROUND

Traveling into the city this month has afforded us to see lots of interesting art work in unexpected places, both above and below ground level.

One unexpected spot to see public art is at the new Grand Central Station Shuttle, often dubbed “Grand Central Madison”. This brand spanking new underground connection from LIRR Jamaica station to mid town Manhattan is immaculate. According to the New York Times “…it’s the largest rail terminal built in the U.S. since the mid-1950”. It runs underground for 5 blocks, parallel to the street grid above, from East 43rd Street to East 48th Street. It’s a station within a station as it’s part of the original Grand Central Station terminal. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/see-inside-the-new-grand-central-madison-lirr-station-080822

There’s lots of public art to see at Grand Central Madison. Kiki Smith and Yayoi Kusama were commissioned by the MTA Art and Design to create floor to ceiling murals that grace the walls. Murals are fabricated by Miotto Mosaics Art Studios and Mayer of Munich, Germany. Click on the two links below to get more first hand information. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-giant-yayoi-kusama-mosaic-will-decorate-the-new-grand-central-madison-terminal-101822

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/14/arts/design/grand-central-madison-kiki-smith-yayoi-kusama.html?searchResultPosition=1

If you’re on the street and in need of seeing more Yayoi Kusama work, check out https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-yayoi-kusama-robot-is-painting-the-windows-of-the-louis-vuitton-store-on-fifth-avenue-010923

Hungry to see more public art? Here’s another link at a different location. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/arts/design/second-avenue-subway-art.html?searchResultPosition=1

WEARING JEWELRY EVERYDAY

Too often when women retire I often hear them say, “I don’t wear my jewelry too much now that I don’t go to work.” I say, defy that and wear your jewelry everyday for yourself. You’ve earned it.

My day yesterday wasn’t exciting, I went grocery shopping. I decided to wear the new stacking rings I’m working on. Every time I looking down and saw them on my hand a smile came to my face.

Wear your lovely pieces for yourself no matter where you are, at home or out. Feel special.

4 stacking rings, rose quartz, onyx and red jasper nestled with one plain twist ring.

4 individual stacking rings side by side.

JEWELRY ARTS INC

2023 is off to a wonderful start and I hope yours is too.

For the month of January 2023, I’m furthering my metal smithing skills with classes at Jewelry Arts Inc (JAI). This marvelous, well recommended school, located in midtown Manhattan has much to offer. The the studio is run and directed by the talented owner, Janette Caines. Janette and her talented staff have a supportive, hands on approach to teaching jewelers of all levels. I’m among a group of 3 metalsmiths who are “newbies” to JAI. Together we are learning how to make bezel set stacking rings made from fine and sterling silver.

If you’ve every been interested in knowing how a handmade ring is made, tune into my next several blog posts. I’ll share a behind the scenes look at how our stacking rings are created. I’ll be sharing process and progress of the project that we are fabricating, from start to finish. I hope to illustrate the time, skill and care that goes into fabricating a piece of handmade jewelry.

If you’re interested in seeing what this studio is about, click on the link to be taken to Jewelry Arts Inc. http://jewelryarts.com

Be well!

Joanne

WELCOME 2023 and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Mark and I want to wish the best to you, your friends and family for a happy and healthy new year.

PS. For the next month or so we’ll be traveling into NYC. I’m studying metal arts at the Jewelry Arts Inc. I look forward to sharing my adventures, creations and mishaps with you here on my blog.

Let’s make 2023 a good one!

Warm wishes,

Joanne

Selfies at Rockafeller Center, Jan. 4, 2023

Skaters beneath the Christmas Tree at Rockafeller Center, NYC, it’s 60 degrees out!!!!

NADINE, OUR RESCUE CAT MAKES MERRY MISCHIEF

Just before dawn this morning, I plugged in our festive window display. Very soon thereafter I found Nadine, our beloved 4 year old rescue cat contemplating a bit of Christmas mischief among the lights. Lucky I was able to get this image before she made merry with the decorations!

Wishing you all a very merry and bright holiday season. May health, happiness, and peace be with you and your loved ones now and through out the year.

Lots of love,

Joanne

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and safe holiday this season. To those new to my blog, thank you for sharing your email and signing up. Those friends, acquaintances and family who have so kindly taken the time to support and read my visual blog, a warm thanks from the bottom of my heart! Merry Christmas!

Love and warm wishes

Joanne

Photo by Mark Forman

Shopping at Tate’s bakery in Southampton, NY

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE AT ROCKY POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Rocky Point PTA is sponsoring a Holiday Boutique this Saturday, December 3rd, between the hours of 9am and 3pm. If you’re in the area, please stop by my table to say hello. The boutique will be held at the Rocky Point Middle School. See below for info. Happy Holidays!

CHANGE OF PLANE NECKLACE

My interesting in forging silver or permanently changing the shape of metal with hammers continues. I recently forged the sterling silver, bezel set necklace shown in this blog post. It’s appointed with a sweet piece of 4mm, clear turquoise set in a handmade bezel . Although not big in size, I find this piece to be an eye-catching statement necklace.

The pendant is called “change of plane” because of the way I forge the square, sterling silver metal. It goes from wide at the bottom (where the bezel is) to thin at the top. Viewed from the side, the pendant does the reverse, thin at the bottom and wide at the top. This change of plane creates an interesting play of light on the silver that is seen from several directions.

I’ll have this and other pieces at the Rocky Point Holiday Boutique on December 3rd. If you find yourself in the area, please stop by between the hours from 9am to 3pm.

Fabricating handmade jewelry at my bench.

TAPERED SWIRL RING

Forging is the method of changing the shape of a piece of metal forever without cracking it. Jewelers use hammers and heat to produce an endless variety of shapes and to alter the thickness of precious metal. Blacksmiths forge steel and iron with the use of hammers and lots of heat to shape the metal they use. I’m amazed how malleable metal is if handled right.

Lately I’ve been enjoying forging sterling silver at my bench. This rustic, earthy ring started out by forging a square sterling silver wire from thick to thin. The design suggested itself as I was working. I often take breaks in my garden when at the bench. The twisty, vine like quality of this ring is influenced by shapes in my garden.

If you’d like to see more please click the link to my Etsy Shop below, Sound Beach Studio

com/listing/905971051/swirl-ring-statement-ring-silver?click_key=475b26f7431a9d161b1b4422c2e3c49cc0a15042%3A905971051&click_sum=7b0e4299&ref=shop_home_active_17&frs=1

Forged tapered swirl ring

Blog

DECK THE HALLS AT GALLERY NORTH

Gallery North in EAST SETAUKET is kicking off the holiday season with their annual “Deck the Halls” exhibition and sale of small original works. I’m proud to have one piece of my handmade jewelry on display at this curated event. (See below for more information.) Mark and I will be at the reception is Thursday, 11_17_22 between 6-8pm. I hope you can join us.

In addition to Deck the Halls, Gallery North has a Holiday Gift Bazaar. I hope to attend as a shopping at this exciting event. See below for details of this second event.

In addition to Deck the Halls at Gallery North, I’ll have a table filled with my handmade jewelry at the Rocky Point Holiday Bazar. This fair is sponsored by the Rocky Point PTA. The date is December 3rd, from 9am to 3pm, at the Rocky Point Middle School.

MORE JEWELRY CLEAN TIPS

The New York Times has an informative article on cleaning and caring for jewelry. I highly recommend this informative article written by Zoe Vanderweide. Click on the link to view this article . https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-your-jewelry/

SPELLS CAST, FIFTY CENTS

To get in a Halloween mood I assembled a few things from around the house that include a ghostly sculpture by Bob Forman, my father in law. I think Bob would have approved of his artwork being used in this macabre arrangement. He was far from interested in the occult though. Bob was quite the artist in his day. He painted local scenes filled with historic New England references, played auto harp at local coffee houses upstate NY and was part of the international art movement Fluxus. Click the link to get more on Fluxus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus Bob also met Rosa Parks, the first black woman who in protest, refused to give up her bus seat to a white person.

A good friend shared her occult family background with me. Herman Slater , her uncle, was a modern day, well published witch living in NYC. His book of spells and witch craft hold carefully guarded secrets and spells. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Slater

So get your spells cast soon. With the inflations the rates could go up to 75 cents .

Happy Halloween!

Joanne

Sculpture by Bob Forman

Some info on Herman Slater, modern witch.

VERSATILITY JEWELRY PIECES

Nadine, my studio assistant poses for a photo op.

I designed and fabricated a minimal, hammer textured, sterling silver circle that has possibilities. It adds value to a jewelry collection throughout the seasons. It’s modern style and versatility gives you options.

There are several ways to style this circle. It works well to secure a loose weave scarf. Try is out as hair jewelry, to secure a French twist or pony tail.

For a casual look, knot the circle onto a long black leather cord and wear it as a necklace. Make the leather cord long enough so no clasp is needed. I like to pair it with jeans and a long sleeve black tee for a quick and easy casual outfit that makes a statement

For more info visit my Etsy shop.https://www.etsy.com/listing/911107008/hair-accessory-made-to-order-broach-hair?click_key=05defbe4afabfd5d732fc30fe68df9f2ed0a851b%3A911107008&click_sum=663451f9&ref=search_recently_viewed-3&frs=1

My hammer textured piece as hair jewelry.

PATCHWORK DANGLE EARRINGS

Sometimes it’s fun to follow your instincts to see where the creative process will lead. This week I played at my bench and created these patchwork, stamped, dangle earrings. They are decidedly casual, a bit funky and the stamp has a linear quality that I love.

I chose a thick, chunky piece of sterling silver for the earring body. This gives the earring a nice heft and weight. The delicate linear details of the stamp are brought out by oxidizing the silver then polishing it. I also stamp the silver with the International quality mark for sterling silver which is 925 and my makers mark, JF.

Pyrite briollets dangle from the earring body. The linear quality of the stamped patchwork design is echoed in the wire wrapping around the semi-precious gem. The briollets have a faceted cut which brings out the metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue that is typical of pyrite. Light plays over its surface beaurifully. The pyrite is often called “fools gold”. According to Wikipedia, the word pyrite is derived from the Greeks meaning “stone or mineral which strikes fire”

You’ll find these earrings and other pieces of my handmade jewelry at the Brick Craft Fair on September 24th from 10am to 4pm. I hope you’ll stop by and visit the many fine craft vendors that exhibit their wares this event.

If you’d like to see these earrings please click on the link below. You’ll be directed to my Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1301773584/dangle-earring?click_key=ca79db4f8246ee4dff04318688323ef4002b5fb1%3A1301773584&click_sum=5054456a&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

Oxidized sterling silver and pyrite briolette dangle earrings

Nadine, my studio assistant steals the show!

THE BRICK CRAFT FAIR

I’m honored to be a vendor at the annual Brick Craft Fair on September 24th. There are many fine crafts people at this event. Please stop down to enjoy the festivities which include live music, food truck goodies and lots of quality handmade pottery, housewares, jewelry and more. Raindate September 25. See you there!

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

The cover from New Yorker magazine, dated The September 13, 1952, was created by P. Barlow. The illustration captures the timeless cusp of the changing season. During these last fleeting days of summer the sun isn’t quite so hot, breezes from the north cool the air and too green, wilted foliage is exhausted from relentless summer heat.

Last night we celebrated the ending of summer by having dinner at the beach while the sun was setting. It was an antidote to the melancholy this change of season can bring. Our joyful evening included people dancing outdoors to live music in the cool night air. There were throngs of others on blankets in the sand, Woodstock style, enjoying the sunset, music and the last days of summer. The briny scent of salt water was in the air mingled with the smell of food being cooked. I ordered a burger and fries. It was the best I’ve had in years!

Enjoy the summer's end my friends and the autumn to come.

All the bests,

Joanne

Cover Illustration by P. Barlow, 1952

We enjoyed dinner at the beach in the glowing sunset during these last days of summer. Image by Mark Forman

STYLING BANGLES

Laura created a great jewelry look for herself and she’s rocking it!

She’s showing us how to layer jewelry pieces to great effect. Laura is stacking the two sterling silver bangles I made for her along with her bold faced watch. I love the subtle contrasts she’s created: thick and against thin, dark against light, shiny surfaces against matt surfaces. Her watch face really brings out the darkened and highly detailed oxidized silver bangle. Way to go Laura!

Thanks for sharing how you put a smashing look together.

Photo by Laura