Hugging Your Mistakes

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.
Art is knowing which ones to keep."

Scott Adams, Creator of Dilbert

Month of the Leo

a lion always knows how to beat the heat

a lion always knows when to feign indifference

a lion always knows when you need love and connection

Courage, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver and leather

This month it's all about celebrating the Leos in your life...
wonderfully strong spirited felines who just want to be loved for being themselves!

Behind the Scenes: How to Press Metal Clay Charms

Here's a short video clip where I demonstrate how to press metal clay into rubber stamp molds to create silver charms for Hint Jewelry. For more details on supplies and resources for this process, please see my earlier post called Metal Clay Tools & Setup. For the full scoop on Hint Jewelry's process, be sure to check out my weekly blog series called Behind the Scenes.

Creating silver charms from metal clay is a really simple process. Each charm is completely unique because each moment is always different from the last. This hand-pressed method offers endless opportunity to embrace the freshness of each moment while experiencing joyful acceptance of what is perfectly "imperfect."

Turtle: Grounding & Protection

Turtle Mother, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver sea turtle or tortoise charm

Many indigenous people refer to North America as Turtle Island, for legends tell that it was brave turtle that dove to the bottom of the ocean and returned carrying earth on her shell to create safe, dry land. Turtle patiently and willingly supports all living creatures on her back just like our immortal mother earth. When you connect with turtle nature, you evoke ancient maternal wisdom and healing energy that provides grounding, protection, and self-care. Being in tune with turtle spirit will provide warmth and stability to counterbalance any hectic life.

Wear Turtle to connect with the earth’s healing energy and bring balance to your life.

Metal Clay Books & Classes

My silver charm designs for Hint Jewelry have been directly inspired by one of my favorite ceramic artists Frank Giorgini. His book Handmade Tiles has been my sculptural bible for at last 10 years.

Previously, while residing in Detroit, Michigan, I became an avid fan of Pewabic Pottery, truly a living treasure of the Arts and Crafts movement. Like other Michigan artists such as Gretchen Kramp and Melanie of Earthenwood Studio, I found inspiration in the Pewabic tile that surrounded me and looked for a way to put my own spin on it.

Winter Elk, Beth Hemmila: ceramic

For several years, I delved into creating architectural tiles with gusto, focusing mainly on animal themes. Winter Elk is one of my first hand pressed tiles. I loved the immediacy of being able to sculpt clay, create plaster relief molds, and play with the spontaneous nature of glaze.

Nevertheless, I came to a point where I needed to downsize my life by making the most out of a small studio space and minimizing the amount of time it took to create art. These life constraints prompted me to look for a way to shrink my sculptural work into something more portable and efficient.

While waiting for a breakfast table at a local diner, I wandered into Dava Bead & Trade and found myself face to face with something I had been overlooking for a long time -- seeing jewelry as small, intimate, wearable art. I immediately started taking classes, working my way up to translating my ceramic relief tiles into metal clay charms.

If you are interested in learning more about metal clay, I recommend taking some books out of the library or treating yourself to Sherri Haab's The Art of Metal Clay. I spent countless hours perusing many different metal clay books, but Sherri Haab's clear instructions, simple projects, and concise technical information has been the only metal clay book I have kept on my shelf. Sherri Haab is a great teacher, so be sure to visit her Web site that explores metal clay, fiber, polymer, resin, and mixed media or check out her video on YouTube to get a taste for working with metal clay.

Jana, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver

I came to metal clay after years of exploring sculpture in paper, fiber, mixed media, metal, and ceramic. Every technique I learned in these other mediums informs the work that I do in metal clay. If you are ready to embark on a journey into metal clay, I invite you to look at your current style and techniques and see how you might apply your previous knowledge to this new medium.

I recommend taking at least one class, so that you can benefit from a teacher's tips and experience as well as drawing on the camaraderie and inspiration of your creative classmates. Check out your local bead shop or art center for classes in metal clay or if you want to put a girls night out party together search for a Lilly Ollo near you and create fun heirloom charms with your friends.

If you prefer staying in the comfort of your own home, check out these online metal clay tutorials at Metal Clay Supply, featuring jewelry giants such as Hattie Sanderson and Tim McCreight.

Green Mountain Knitting Bags

Madison Bag, Martha Sacco (Green Mountain Knitting Bags)

One of my first obsessions after college was to buy as much yarn as possible and hold up with my knitting for months at a time. My passion for the texture and color of yarn went on for about 15 years, until my little fingers cried out for some respite. Nevertheless, knitting still haunts me, and I wonder when it will blast back into my life...perhaps sooner rather then later :)

After meeting Martha Sacco of Green Mountain Knitting Bags, I haven't been able to stop thinking about that pair of half done socks languishing in my studio. Right now they're probably saying "maybe if you had a super cool bag to store your tools in, you'd probably tote us around more often!"

Seriously, I had a hard time choosing which gorgeous knitting bag photo to post on my blog, because each one that Martha creates for Green Mountain Knitting Bags is so unique. She has many styles and patterns to choose from -- vintage to modern -- and the fabrics are to die for. Each bag is constructed with sturdy fabrics and a beautiful solid wood handle. Martha posts new bags every Thursday evening 8:30 pm EST, and they go like hotcakes.

I'm not surprised, because like any handmade item one is most often drawn to the spirit of the maker, and Martha would be a hard gal to pass up. Who wouldn't want to know this joyous woman who delights in planting flowers in shoes? I'm grinning from ear to ear, thinking about all the other little wonderful treasures Martha has hidden away at her home in Vermont.



Martha's stunning knitting bags seem to embody the essence of someone who has found a way to carve out a fulfilling life by being creative and connected to nature all at the same time. Having one of Martha's beautiful bags must be like inviting a well-loved friend over for tea and knitting, where speaking is unnecessary, because that comforting sound of needles working back and forth in blissful harmony is all the connection you need.

Behind the Scenes: Metal Clay Tools & Setup

Metal Clay Setup

Welcome to my new Behind the Scenes blog series that shows how I create handcrafted silver charms for Hint Jewelry! You can look forward to posts that include resources, tips, and tricks that demonstrate how I transform metal clay into fine silver charms.

The above photo shows all the tools I use to press and sculpt metal clay. There are many steps to this process so stay tuned as I wander through this wonderful technique for turning simple relief designs into precious silver.

Beth's Preferred Tools for Metal Clay

Art Clay Silver 650 Slow Dry (50 grams)
Various Clay Tools
Badger Balm
Rubber Stamps
Candle Warmer
Glad Cling Wrap
Plastic Water Container

Art Clay Silver 650 Slow Dry (50 g)

What is metal clay? Check out this short Metal Clay article on About.com to understand this wonderful medium in more detail.

I've tried a variety of metal clay brands, but my all time favorite for this particular process has been Art Clay Silver 650 Slow Dry. My reason for choosing Art Clay is that I love the consistency when I'm squishing it with my hands. Also, because each charm takes anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes to mold, I appreciate having that extra time available for keeping the clay moist.

I buy all my metal clay online in bulk so as reduce expenses. I rarely shop at the same store twice because the price of Art Clay Silver is always changing. Nevertheless, if you are trying this medium out for the first time you may find metal clay at your local beading and jewelry shop. Here are some of the places online that sell Art Clay and PMC (Precious Metal Clay):

Metal Clay Supply
Rings & Things
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
Dick Blick
Art Clay World
Rio Grande

Metal Clay Tools for Shaping

Everybody has their own special tools for working clay, and I've narrowed down my stash to these fabulous four: a brass metal tube for making holes, spatula for molding wax sculpture, clay shaper, and ceramic needle tool (left to right).

Each tool came to me during different endeavors, but most stores that carry supplies for sculpting in ceramic, metal clay, or wax will offer similar products. You can find small brass tubing at your local hardware store or hobby shop. I found this tube (size 1/16 x .014) at a model railroad shop and then used my jeweler's saw to cut off a 1 inch section. To clean out the clay from the tube, I slide a piece of 22 gauge beading wire through the hole.

Metal Clay Molds

All my charms are pressed in molds that are individually designed rubber stamps. After spending years being obsessed with mold making, I decided to save myself some time and frustration and get professional rubber molds made for Hint Jewelry's charms. In a later post, I will explain the process for turning a simple drawing into a rubber stamp mold.

All the designs for my molds are sent to Rubberstamps.net because they have a quick turnaround time, consistent quality, electronic design upload, and a variety of sizes to choose from.

Mold Release

All molds need a type of release agent that will allow clay to lift out cleanly without damage to your design. I love Badger Balm! Some people have recommended olive oil, but for my pressing process, I've found that Badger Balm is less messy and adds just the right amount of grease to the molds. Over time my rubber molds build up a bit of a seasoning so charms lift out easier.

Frequently metal clay supply stores carry Badger Balm, but you can also find it at these local stores: New Seasons Market, Whole Foods Market, REI, Henry's Farmers Market, and Cracker Barrel. Go to Badger Balm's store locator to find something near you.

I use a Cling Wrap to keep the rest of my clay supply from drying out as I work each charm, and I place a handy plastic cup of water nearby to wet tools and fingers as I clean up the edges of my sculpted metal clay charms.

Metal Clay Dryer

I can press and fire charms all in one day, because I have this cool candle jar warmer that dries out my metal clay charms super fast. I've seen some people use appetizer warming trays, but frankly it only takes about 5 to 10 minutes on this bad boy and the clay is completely dry. I bought it for around $8.00 at my local Michaels arts and crafts store.

Chopmark

Lastly, if you want to start branding your work, be sure to invest in a tiny chopmark with your name and/or logo. I used Rubberstamps.net to create this mold for my Hint Jewelry chopmark, using their 1/2" wooden stamp.

Buddha: Divine Essence & Unlimited Potential

Buddha Nature, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver buddha charm

Buddha is the Sanskrit word for “awakened one.” Siddhartha Gautama born in 6th century BC is considered the historical Buddha of our age. However, according to some Buddhist teachings, Buddha-nature is the true essence of all living beings. When you fully accept that every moment is utterly perfect and just as it should be, you are connecting with your Buddha-nature, a pure, radiant essence that is uncreated, changeless, and eternal. If you believe that your Buddha-nature is like a vast ocean, sublimely luminous and infinitely connected, you will come to know that you are manifesting significance in every moment.

Wear Buddha to connect with your divine essence and to awaken your unlimited potential.

Google Analytics, Web Crawl, Page Rank & Grader

Here are some videos that Etsy Technology Help created to take the mystery out of setting up Google Analytics and understanding when your site was last crawled. Be sure to visit this Etsy seller's blog for more help with software.







Ouch! Hint Jewelry was last cached in May. I decided to see if I could prompt Google to crawl my site again and add Hint Jewelry's URL into to their web search agenda. Click on add url to go to Google's Web page, if you want to submit your site.

A word of warning...some people have told me that you should not keep submitting your url because Google will read this action as spam and lock you out for a very long time :(

Want to see how well your Web site is doing? Check out the Web Site Grader.

Want to see if Google considers your Web site of any value to their search engines? Check out the Google PageRank checker.

Australia

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia

Anyone else fall in love with the movie Australia? I'm a sucker for a good story that's told with sweeping landscapes and exciting adventure. As always, director Baz Luhrmann found a way to keep me mezmerized with a stunning design concept for Australia that I can't stop thinking about. Woven throughout the whole fabric of the film is the loveliest blue and red-orange color palette subtly reinforcing the beauty of Australia's natural landscape. Nevertheless, apart from the eye candy, what keeps me coming back to the story of Australia is the desire to be just like that little boy in the movie ready to go on walkabout.



I created this Treasury on Etsy to celebrate Australia...here are some of my favorite shopkeepers:

A Cat's Nest
Sofa Green
Hare and Drum
Yarnahoy!
Lilla Jizo

Happy Friday and toodle-loo! :)

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Freedom, Jenny Davies-Reazor: ceramic

One of the best parts of Hint Jewelry Design selling silver charms on Etsy is that I am afforded the opportunity to meet people all over the world that are deeply connected to symbols. Jenny Davies-Reazor is definitely one of those artists who is completely in tune with the power of a universal symbol.

Designing small altars is one of my favorite ways of sculpting, so when I saw Jenny Davies-Reazor's Freedom shrine I was totally hooked. Myth, gods and goddesses, symbols, archetypes, nature...she explores it all with amazing clarity.

Moon Hare Necklace, Jenny Davies-Reazor:
black spiniel, labradorite, moonstone, chalcedony,
aquamarine, mother of pearl, and silver

Just like her small-scale ceramic shrines invite intimacy, Jenny Davies-Reazor has drawn me in and blown me away with her ability to take Hint Jewelry's Rabbit Run charm and elevate it to a whole new level of symbolic significance. Echoing the deep feminine and mythic connection between a rabbit and a moon, Jenny Davies-Reazor designed this Moon Hare necklace with a mother of pearl button floating just above Hint Jewelry's tiny rabbit charm. Simply ingenious!! The button totally brings the story of Rabbit Run to life along with her elegant choice of labradorites and moonstones.

Yoga Earrings, Jenny Davies-Reazor:
moonstone, amethyst, tourmaline, and silver

I also adore these yoga earrings she made with Zen Lotus and Om charms from Hint Jewelry. For me they communicate spiritual awakening with those beautiful clusters of gems. Don't you dig the idea of getting to choose which ear wears the om or the lotus?! It's like having two pairs of earrings in one set :)

I invite you to meet Jenny Davies-Reazor through her Web site and blog, where you will be sure to find a kindred spirit!

Lost Weekend 2009: Lake Michigan

riding with the top down

the infamous mac woods' dune cruiser

hold on tight!

ahhh...the dunes

heavenly

re-upping the sugar intake

Ancient Earthy Symbols

Lascaux Paleolithic cave painting, France

Boy, when I saw that the Art Bead Scene Monthly challenge for July was the ancient Lascaux cave paintings, I was totally stoked! As I mentioned before in my Copyright series, I have spent an inordinate amount of time learning from one of the most beautiful examples of copying -- the Lascaux cave paintings.

dun horse, Lascaux Paleolithic cave painting, France

In fact, my Wind Horse charm pictured in the Mesa necklace below was definitely influenced by horses drawn in the Lascaux caves. I love how this ancient horse is voluptuous and elegant all at the same time.

Mesa, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
amber, fine and sterling silver

When I designed Wind Horse for Hint Jewelry, I purposely chose to echo that beautiful undulating line of the belly found in the Paleolithic cave painting.

Mesa, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
amber, fine and sterling silver

For the Mesa necklace, I paired the curvaceous horse with an elongated urban chain and fiery, wire-wrapped amber. All these elements together suggest a type of ancient abstraction tinged with modern elegance.

Kenya, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
cocoa freshwater pearls, fine and sterling silver

My second Lascaux inspired necklace had me thinking about the grasslands of Africa. In Kenya, I combined an elegant gazelle called Jana with a Tree of Life charm. I loved watching the National Geographic TV specials as a kid, and I seem to recall maybe an intro with antelopes running across the plains of Africa...simply breathtaking.

Kenya, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
cocoa freshwater pearls, fine and sterling silver

The Paleolithic world holds endless fascination for me mainly because there no written records of their daily lives. The Lascaux cave paintings are a poignant visual history of what human beings may have seen just outside their doorstep :)

Metal Clay Magic

Krishna Peacock from Hint Jewelry was just featured on a new Web site called Metal Clay Magic. This web site will be featuring some of the neatest work by contemporary metal clay artists working in silver, bronze, and copper.

Check out these amazing COPPRclay earrings by my new favorite jewelry designer Lorena Angula. This level of design quality will be found daily on Metal Clay Magic's Web site.

The texture and juiciness of Lorena Angula's work is so inspiring! No doubt I'll be popping over there for some eye candy :)

Adjustable Leather Cord Necklaces

This week I'm adding adjustable leather cords to Hint Jewelry as a fun alternative to sterling silver chains. Now friends can purchase a charm and have it added to a carefree leather cord. This type of necklace is perfect for those casual days at the beach or for the hip man in your life.

I thought it would be fun to make a short video demonstrating how to use this clever leather cord necklace. Pull the knots away from each other to tighten the leather cord around your neck. Move the knots towards each other to loosen and slip the adjustable leather cord necklace back over your head.

If you love leather cord and want to incorporate into your own jewelry designs, here are some great places to find it online:

Artbeads.com
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
Fusionbeads.com

Pricing Jewelry & Excel Spreadsheets

Eni Oken's Jewelry Price Calculator

When I first started selling jewelry, I didn't have a clue about how to appropriately price my work. In fact, my SCORE counselor is probably still grumbling because I have refused to follow his ingenious selling formula! I thought it would be fun to share the tools I'm using to manage the financial end of Hint Jewelry.

My most fav financial resource is a downloadable Excel spreadsheet that you can purchase from fabulous jewelry designer Eni Oken. What I like most about her jewelry price calculator is that she provides a variety of formulas to chose from and the ability to create your own. Also, you are able to see an optimal wholesale price and a comparison of different levels of retail and wholesale pricing.

Using Eni Onken's price calculator is a gratifying experience because if used correctly, as an artist you begin to value all the labor that goes into creating one single piece of jewelry. Once you start factoring in hidden labor such as researching designs, taking photographs, writing descriptions, and communicating with potential clients, you find yourself resonating with your jewelry's true worth.

Etsy Seller Worksheet

My other go to financial tool is a revised version of Etsy's Seller Worksheet. Oh, I admit I stumbled through 2008 with the original version of the spreadsheet until I knew exactly what information was pertinent to my jewelry business. Here are the columns that I have in my Etsy Seller Worksheet:

Date Listed
Renewed
Item Description
Material Costs
Retail Cost
Wholesale Cost
Price Sold + Shipping Costs
Date Sold
Buyer Email
Buyer Name
Shipping Paid
Etsy Fee
PayPal Fee
Profit

One of my primary edits was including the shipping and handling fee in the spreadsheet and removing tracking information. (Note: including shipping costs requires an edit to the worksheet formulas.) All my shipments are tracked through PayPal so adding tracking numbers seemed like an unnecessary step.

I have a top section of my spreadsheet that includes everything currently found in my shop, a middle section that includes my overflow charm inventory not yet listed, and a bottom section that tracks all sales by month. I keep running totals for material costs, retail costs, handling fees, shipping costs, Etsy fees, PayPal fees, and profit for each month. These totals are automatically uploaded to a master spreadsheet that keeps track of my overhead expenses, current inventory value, taxes, and donations to non-profit organizations.

Not only do these Excel spreadsheets allow me to evaluate where I need to minimize costs, come tax time my Etsy seller spreadsheet makes filing a snap!!

Do you have any wiz-bang financial tools that are helping you run your business? I'd love to swap stories and find out if I've been missing out on anything nifty.

Gazelle: Freedom & Adventure

Jana, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver gazelle or antelope charm

Gazelles use speed, grace and agility to outwit some of the most fearsome predators. Through deep awareness and their ability to swiftly change direction, the gazelle’s vulnerability is truly a gift, opening a door of discovery that leads to beautiful dances across wide open spaces. Inspired by my friend Jana’s love of vast landscapes, this tiny gazelle reminds us to embrace freedom as we explore our unfolding and locate our place in this world.

Wear a gazelle to inspire your sense of adventure and support your desire for freedom!

My Blue Zen Heaven

My Blue Zen Heaven

Check out my latest Treasury on Etsy called My Blue Zen Heaven. Summer has been on and off cool in Portland, so I was drawn to put together some of these lovely new artists that feel a little breezy:

Larime Loom
Golly Bard
Fray
Cindy Hoo
Bailey Doesn't Bark

Bee Porno

Queen Bee, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry):
garnet, plum pearl, peridot, iolite, fine and sterling silver

Seriously, I hope you've all been watching Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno series on the Sundance Channel. She's simply ingenious! I had to find some way to connect this MAGNIFICENT actress with my tiny unassuming bee, so I hope you'll humor me :)

Check out my article on Planet Pink 'n Green to learn more about how the symbol of the bee is deeply rooted in our feminine mystique and could be a motivating force behind saving the honey bee.

Finding Buddha Nature

Thai Buddha, LeAnn Weih (Summers Studio Pottery): porcelain

Several weeks ago I received a surprise gift from LeAnn Weih of Summers Studio Pottery. Isn't he simply amazing? I love the delicate fun of my charming new porcelain Buddha :) I found the perfect spot to hang him on my window, so when I'm working he smiles down on me with this warm glow of mischief and complete acceptance.

LeAnn shared with me that this beautiful piece was created from a mold of a Buddha originating in Thailand. I was completely unfamiliar with his elfish grin and that endearing nose. I instantly fell in love and started making all sorts of associations with his personality -- Santa's clownish elves, funny Hobbits, and the irresistibly cranky Waldorf (the old curmudgeon that made fun of the cast on Muppet Show from his balcony seat).

LeAnn Weih of Summers Studio Pottery has such a centering spirit, and I feel immense gratitude for having her little Buddha become my new work buddy. If you haven't seen LeAnn's ceramics, you must dash over to Summers Studio on Etsy and check out her porcelain buttons, charms, and pendants. They showcase a kind of innocent light in their delicate patterns and subtle colors.



Since the passing of my cat Saskia, many Buddhas have found their way into my life. It's almost as if the universe knows I am deeply missing her strong Buddha nature. One of the ways my husband honored her life was finding this lovely Buddha for our backyard. What a comfort to look out the window and see Buddha in the garden and know it probably would have been one of Saskia's favorite spots to hunt squirrels and chase butterflies.

To become more intimate with my backyard Buddha, I took a photographic poem of all his little details that warm my heart.

playful

witnessing

calm

abundant

giving

grounded

peaceful

Buddha, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver

With all the Buddhas comforting me these past several months, it seemed the right time to finalize a charm design that had been lurking on my desk for quite awhile. Hopefully, the Buddhas from LeAnn and my husband will provide inspiration for words to describe the nature of this charm so I may share it with others through Hint Jewelry on Etsy :)

A heartfelt thank you to LeAnn and my husband for providing spiritual support!