I work hard to come up with unique and valuable content. My goal is to make your work, art practice and life that much more enriched and perhaps even easier!

If you love what you read, you can “gift” me with your continued comments or share the content with friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! I would be very grateful!

It’s very valuable for me to hear your feedback and to be able to interact with you, so please connect with me by participating! As an added bonus, you’ll also be entered to win the next free giveaway drawing!

Congratulations to Lynne Glazzard the winner for the February 15th, 2012 drawing!

Lynne, in order to claim your prize, you will need to email eric@wholelottawhimsy.com by Monday, March 12th, 2012.

** Note: Shipping is covered when shipping within the 48 continuous states.  Winner is responsible for shipping costs if shipping to Alaska, Hawaii or Internationally.

At a past conference an artist friend asked me for advice. She was at a complete loss and frustrated! A piece she had submitted to a jury of evaluators had been criticized and had failed to pass the criteria in a credential program. The artist didn’t understand why and was desperately seeking an answer.

As I describe it, see if you can begin to realize the design issues. It was Art Nouveau in style with a beautiful floral pattern around the oval box. The feet on the bottom of the box were 4 square cubes. The lid had a dichroic glass cabochon, which was bezel set. It was beautifully finished, antiqued and technically well constructed.

What was the problem? It seemed pretty…

Elements are components of a design that can be identified or isolated. They help to tell the story. They communicate the purpose, idea, or meaning of the piece. The elements and its cumulative design allow the observer/wearer to connect to the piece in their own way. It brings their personal truth to it. It synthesizes their past, their thoughts, and their future. It speaks to the viewer!

Eclectic design is when you mix up a bunch of different elements from different designs or styles. Sometimes it happens to work but more often than not, it’s just a hot mess. So you have to be careful when adding elements to your designs.

Let’s examine three principals that should have been questioned in this design:
Shape, Materials, Emotion …and how that emotion ties into style or the theme. 

The shape of the oval box should be repeated in the shape of the feet.  If you are doing a geometric piece where the pieces are meant to oppose one another then that’s fine, but for this piece it didn’t work.  The feet were not supposed to be a focal point, yet because they opposed the shape of the box they became a strong element. 

The artist was dead-on spot with the oval shape as one of the key indicators of Art Nouveau style is its curvilinear, flowing forms. Next the style needs to be considered.  When picking a pattern, consider its history, and what that imparts as part of the information.  The Art Nouveau period was from 1883-1890’s.  Characteristically it has florals, elements of nature, a certain color palette, etc.  It evokes an emotion. 

A modern piece of dichroic glass doesn’t suit this style.  Instead this was a time in jewelry history where fine stone setting was being replaced by the use of enameling, opals and semi-precious stones.  An enameled lid would have been perfect.  Setting a semi-precious stone instead, in the color of one of the flowers would have been also suitable.  So the artist was on the right path with the design but the components selected didn’t convey the right information.   She had skillfully accomplished the piece, but design-wise it had issues.

The 10 elements to consider in your work are:
point, shape, form, texture, color, the five senses, emotion, function, materials and processes.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your design elements: 

• What is your design telling the observer/wearer? 
• What elements engage them immediately and why? 
• Is the shape intentional and does it convey information about the story of the piece?
• Consider the texture as it shouldn’t be arbitrary.  It imparts great amounts of information.  Will it wear well?  Will the finish change due to wear, encouraging you to consider protection? 
• Consider how the color works with the texture.  Is the intensity and amount of color suitable? 
• Does your piece engage the five senses?  Is there one sense it engages more than the other and why? 
• Consider whether your material is natural or symbolic.  Is that imparting more knowledge about the piece that you desire? 
• Consider the number of items on the piece.  Is it 2, 3, 4, etc.  For example, a triad or three often represents controversy or opposition.  Is this the message you are sending?
• Is the process unique to you or will it be compared to another master as his or her work? 
• Does this process lend to the design or distract from it?
• Most importantly, what elements do you need to edit, revise or adapt? 

I encourage you to copy this list of questions and ask yourself these questions as you make your pieces.  There are many others you can add.  This will perhaps spark other questions to be asked or answered to add to the list.  It’s a good place to start! 

I also recommend a little art history to consider when you pick a pattern or copy an image to use as a tear-away texture or PhotoPolymerPlates.  Even the selection of type-font imparts information to the viewer.  These are all things to contemplate and not select arbitrarily.  Good design begins with these basic concepts.

Don’t forget to leave a comment and get entered to win a F*R*E*E give-away from Whole Lotta Whimsy! Drawing is March 31st, 2012!

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I happen to love visual images! They inspire me, they invigorate my mind, and they also let me dream. I dream about pieces I want to create, materials I want to work with, places I want to go, things I want to experience, etc. 

This is exactly what Pinterest is! It is a visual Facebook! It’s a lot of fun! Plus it’s great for your branding.

How Can I Get Onto the Pinterest Site?

Currently, you can go to www.pinterest.com and apply for an invite or you can email me at tonya@tonyadavidson.com and I’ll invite you! It’s faster if you are invited by someone already on Pinterest.

Once I Get There, What’s the Next Step?

The first thing you’ll want to do is set up your Profile Page.

Click “Profile” and enter your “email”, “first” and “last name”. Then when it asks you for your “username” , I recommend that you use your name as the username. This is what shows up in the url for all your marketing and linking to sites. For example my Pinterest url is http://pinterest.com/tonyadavidson/. If this is taken, try variations of your name.

Next you’ll need to fill out the “About” which is your Passion Statement. Keep it fun and succinct.

Then you’ll add your “location”, “website”, and your “picture”. Artists please get a professional photo of you taken and use this for your avatar. You are your business and people want to connect with you. It’s that know, trust, like factor. The picture should be kept current. This way if you go to an event, you’ll connect with people so much easier!

It will then ask you if you want to “Link to Facebook” and “Add Pinterest to Facebook Timeline”. I recommend yes to both, however I’m just testing this out and will reevaluate this later.

It has a “Link to Twitter” as well. I recommend you link both.

In the past I have advised others not to link Facebook and Twitter. The reason is that if I am following you on Twitter and Liked you on Facebook, I don’t want to read the same thing twice. After awhile, this gets tedious and I unfriend you. It’s too much of the same information, especially if you are not interesting!

Pinterest’s feed or wall is very fluid especially when you are following a lot of people. So you probably won’t see the same thing twice. By pinning something which then posts it to Facebook or Twitter, you’ll end up enticing others to see what you pinned. Otherwise they might miss your pin.

Lastly, I recommend keeping your visibility on, so that search engines will find you!

Don’t forget to hit save!

What the Heck are Boards?

Remember that Pinterest is like a bunch of inspiration cork boards but digital. No actual thumb tacks needed. Plus you get to have several boards so there is no worries if you have no wall space!

Pinterest will give you some boards to get you started. You do not have to use these. You can edit the name of the boards or create new ones here.

Then click on the Board you wish to change.

Then click on “Edit Board”

This is the panel where you can change the title, give a description if desired, decide if you’ll allow other people to “pin” things to the board, and then select the category you want it to show up in.

Don’t forget to hit “Save Settings” when you are done.

Why Would You Want to Select “Me+ Contributors”

A great example is the Exceptional Metal Clay Art. This is a board started by an artist to support other artists. She invited 6 other artists to be joint administrators on the page. This means they can add new “pins” of work to share with others.

This expands the reach of the board. It also becomes a community endeavor.

This is a great idea for those wanting to plan a wedding, party, event, etc. Or even a way to work with your interior designer, stylist, etc. Share your finds with each other for your project.

Which Category Do I Select and What Are These Categories?

The categories listed above are different pages on Pinterest. So when I sit down to peruse Pinterest I go here first:

This will show you what everyone is currently pinning. This is your feed or wall. You can scroll and scroll down looking at images and descriptions.

Then I always check out certain categories by clicking on the drop down menu “Everything” (see list above for full list). This is great if you are interested in home decor, fitness, holiday ideas, technology, fashion, etc.

“Videos” will show you videos that have been pinned. “Popular” are the most often repinned pins.

“Gifts” will show you items that are for sale and the price. This is great if you are interested in buying something or even selling your work. I recommend you use this sparingly with your own work. No one likes someone who is always saying “buy this from me”.



However, I would occasionally show something you have for sale and try to do it in the different price points to show your range of availability. This is simple to do, just include in the description the $ and the price. It will automatically put a banner across the photo.

What If I Want To Rearrange My Boards?

It’s easy peasy to move your boards so they make sense. It’s just drag and drop. Just make sure you save your changes!

How The Heck Do I Pin Things To Boards?

You are on Anthropologies site and you find shoes you love. You want to add them to your board and share them with friends. What do you need to do?

First, you need to install the “Pin It” pinbutton to your computer. Simply go to http://pinterest.com/welcome/pinbutton/ and follow the simple instructions. This will allow you to put it on your bookmark bar like this for easy use anytime you find something cool:

Next, while you are on Anthropologie’s page of shoes, you first click the “Pin It” button and this pops up showing all the images from this page:

When you hover over the one you like, this appears:

Click the “pin it” blue badge and this appears:

You get to decide which board you want to “pin it” to and what description you want to give. Then hit the red “pin it” badge.

Pinterest will then confirm that you have made a pin and ask if you want to see it.

What if You Have a Picture You Want Pin?

If you have a picture on your computer you would like to pin here are the steps:

• Go to the menu bar on the upper right side and click on “add+”
             
• When you click the “add+” button this pops up:
         
• Click “Upload a Pin”
             
• Select “Choose File” and select the photo you wish to pin
• Select the board you want to pin it to
• Type the description or hooky note
            
• Click the red “Pin It” badge

How Do I Put Pin It Badges on My Blog, Website, Or How About an App for My Phone?

Simply go to this great and easy to follow url where Pinterest takes you step by step through the process:

http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/

You will want to add this to your ezine or email newsletter, your blog etc, so people can connect and follow you! You will even want to provide or install a Pin It button for each blog you write so if someone finds it interesting they can pin that as well.

How Do I Follow Other People?

First when people follow you, you will be sent an email asking if you’d like to follow them back. Simply click on that link and it will automatically add them to your list of follows.

You can go to your page and on the left hand side under your profile it will list your feed of who is repinning you or following you. I will often go to their page and follow some of their followers:

Click on “following” or “followers” and it will produce a list:

You can then click the “Follow” red badge and you’ll be following those people.

Or you can go to the main Pinterest page and click on a person that you are following who is following another and pinned their image:

Then go to that person’s “following” or “followers” list and select 5-10 people to follow. You never know, they may end up following you back:

Do I Follow Them Or Just Their Boards?

If you want to just follow one of their boards that is fine. I prefer to follow all of their boards not just select boards. I can’t imagine a reason not to follow all of their boards. You can always unfollow them if they are posting too many images. There is a Follow and Unfollow button at the bottom of every board and under the profile image. They are not sent messages if you unfollow so do what makes you happy!

How Do I Interact With Others?

There are 3 main things you can do to engage and interact:

1. Repin.
   This is my favorite thing to do. It’s endorsing someone’s photo and shares the love. It shows them that you liked it enough to share it.  You can select the board you want to put it on. Then follow it up with either keeping the same description that person had, or go ahead and describe it yourself. I always write my own thoughts on my repins. It’s part of the fun.
   
2. Like.
   This is pretty straight forward and something that is familiar with Facebook.
3. Comment.
   Again, straight forward and not very common. However if it’s not something you would like for one of your boards, but you enjoyed it, why not let that person know. It’s the ultimate thumbs up!

What Else Can You Do That’s Pretty Darn Cool?

I love how you can be exposed to other blogs and websites you would have never found any other way. I have learned all sorts of recipes, household tips and tricks, new suppliers, cool project ideas, workout strategies, etc from Pinterest.

Click on the image you like:

Which then opens it on a separate page.

Then click on the image again (second time):

Now I’ve found a new site called Addicted2 Decorating where I might get other ideas for a bathroom project I have.

How cool is that!

So do you see that the more you Pin interesting things from your site or your blog the more traffic you drive to your site. You share yourself with others in a way that is not salesy and they get to know, trust and like you. You never know, this could be your next big collector or client!

Why Else Would You Want To Be On Pinterest?

1. to meet other people (Know, Trust, Like)
2. to support others and possibly collaborate (guest blogging, co-promote)
3. to enjoy beautiful things and share beautiful things
4. to get great ideas and share great ideas
5. to develop your brand
6. learn something new – skill, recipe, how-to
7. to be inspired
8. to share value and make yourself interesting (Know, Trust, Like)
9. use it as market research

My best advice is to take part in Pinterest but to set a timer. It can be addicting at first, like a new toy. That’s okay as long as it doesn’t steal additional time away from your Creative Action Time.

So get out there and let others get to know you. People buy from those they Know, Trust and Like!
 

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~ Tate Linden

Did you happen to catch the first 2 parts of my the Art of Design article series?

4 Stages of the Design Process and 5 Essential Design Tools

I covered:

• Craft Skills and Techniques
• Drawing Ability
• Sketchbooks
• Idea/Inspiration Notebooks
• Sample Journal
• Asking all the questions
• Thinking Laterally
• Consider the Elements
• Apply the Design Development

Part 3 of the series of articles on the Art of Design:

5 Important Considerations for Great Design:

1. Inspiration
   Now let’s talk about inspiration. It can come from many things, people, experiences, etc. Journaling will help identify these sources of inspiration. Once we’ve identified the inspiration, we need to analyze it. Why does it inspire you? What moves you about it and creates a reaction? Is it an emotion, a feeling, a reaction (need to touch), etc?

   What’s the story?

2. Clearly Defined Concept
   Once you’ve got an inspiration, you need to take some time to define your concept.  This will prevent the outcome from being an accidental design.  Keep the design simple.  It’s easy to make it complicated or overworked.  Focusing on core concepts instead of small details will keep your vision clear.  KISS!

3. Brainstorming and Research
   Again these steps in developing the design concept are about exploration.  Sketching, thinking laterally, graphing out your ideas (think bubble graphs), researching out materials, and deciphering what to keep and what to reserve for another project are all key skills to good design.  In design this is referred to as editing.  It is an important skill to have and learn to refine.

4. Samples and Test Pieces
   Often with metal clay, for example, designers will work out ideas in polymer clay.  This is referred to as model making.  This clay can be sanded (with a mask), carved, etc. 

   When first exploring a new material, for example BronzClay, it’s a good idea to keep a log of all experiments.  It is helpful to keep notes on actual steps taken during fabrication, sanding, thicknesses, materials used, firing times, ramps, hold times, methods, etc.  Celie Fago recommends photocopied logs of before and after firing pieces.  This way you can note shrinkage and possible reasons for warpage etc.

5. Fabricating
   Finally you’re ready to fabricate your final design!  By spending time working through the design process you’ve saved yourself time and energy.  You’ve hopefully avoided wasting material and the most expensive cost factor which is labor.  Your design will be stronger and clearer by spending the time to work through these steps.  Plus if you decide to repeat the piece or put it into production, you’ll have a recipe card to review for areas of improvement or changes without reinventing the wheel!

Don’t forget to leave a comment and get entered to win a F*R*E*E give-away from Whole Lotta Whimsy! Drawing is February 15th, 2012!

Yep, I bet there’s more than a few of you that don’t under stand why anyone would want to send a Tweet, Pin a photo on Pinterest or tell someone what you are up to on Facebook. Boring right! Who cares what you ate, what you bought, or who you are with tonight.

I can totally understand why you might be thinking this, but what if I told you that you were missing out on BIG stuff!

What if I told you that it’s easy to Get Social!

I want you to think about who you buy from. Do you buy from companies you’ve never heard of through any sort of referral or advertising. For example, you have a need or desire to buy a new purse. Do you open Google and put in purses or do you *first* recollect a referral (a friends purse you liked), or a purse you saw in a magazine, or on tv?

People do not buy from those they do not know, trust or like. However, the days of hanging out at the grocery store, at the local cafe, or the mall to meet others are over. Approaching complete strangers just to introduce yourself and find out more about them might even get you arrested, screamed at, or worse. Stranger Danger!

Today we are spending more time in our own environments. The comfort of our home, office or anywhere we have cell or wi-fi. The internet is convenient, powerful and stimulating. Why not take advantage of those opportunities for your business and find others that you can get synergistic and social in a supportive way!

5 Reasons To Get Your Social Buzz On!

1. People do not buy from strangers; those they misjudge or mistrust.

   I click on an Etsy site and I see beautiful jewelry. However, there is no name, no photo of the seller or artist, no real concrete info. I can’t connect to anything but the visual and there just isn’t a story there to engage me. Guess what? I click to another site or page.

   I also don’t trust ordering from “Beady Bling”. Who are they? I can easily jump to conclusions like “Maybe they don’t want to put their name up there because they don’t want me to know who they are. I bet they won’t send me the goods. How will I find them later? “

   Maybe they took a horrible photo of themselves or their banner is so outdated and slapped together. So I ask myself “will their jewelry be slapped together and hold together. Are they going to be around when the jewelry breaks?”

2. Credible and Reputable Artists Attract Buyers/Collectors

   A gallery owner happens to stumble on your site. They are looking for credibility in your art and YOU. This might mean quality of materials, technique, and knowledgeable use of said tools and materials.

   They are looking for someone that is established and respected. Not necessarily famous, but that if one of their customers started to collect your work or a magazine ran an article about you, would they find you are a person of interest?

   People are more willing to spend money with someone they recognize as part of a bigger community, someone with credentials, and a cohesive about page.

3. Expand Your Presence and Your List

   I bet you have at least 20 friends that have seen your work right? Well how about 200, 2,000, or 20,000?

   The more times your work is seen not only on your site, but more importantly on other peoples sites it become more recognizable. It’s even better when it is shared, which is an endorsement or referral! It then registers as branded work.

   Social Marketing allows you venues that are free where you can expose your work, your ideas and your friendship to thousands of others. It is a place where you can get feedback, test new work, and collaborate with others. Use it fuel your momentum.

4. Provide Value to Others

   By sharing valuable information (tips, links to interesting articles, etc) YOU become interesting to other people. They want to know what else you have to say or share.

   Maybe you are good at finding interesting art on the web. Share it! People love to be inspired. Or maybe you belong to a recipe club and you cook good food. Share it! It doesn’t have to have anything to do with art.

   Actually people get sick of seeing your work, hearing about your awards, and your classes, if that is all you share. Sprinkle interesting things about YOU in your posts. Show us pictures of where you’ve been, your pets, your nature walk, fun textures, etc.

   Make yourself interesting! Let us get to know you.

5. Keep Your Pulse on the Market

   Social media is the absolute #1 source for what’s new, hot, interesting and trending.

   Want to know the hot new show everyone is raving about, the tool that makes you more efficient, or the deal a vendor is having? Then you need to be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, etc.

   You miss out on opportunities if you are only reading forums and magazines. Books are 2 years old when they come out and magazine articles can be 1-2 years old as well.

   Your business also need to BE on social media sites. Give it a voice. A place to give credibility and share your pulse with the market.

Don’t forget to leave a comment and get entered to win a F*R*E*E give-away from Whole Lotta Whimsy! Drawing is February 15th, 2012!

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I work hard to come up with unique and valuable content to add to your work, your art practice and your life.

So it’s valuable to me to hear your feedback, to interact with you.  If you are reading, please participate and connect with me.  You’ll also be entered to win the next free giveaway drawing, just as a little bonus!

Congratulations to Cindy (from gogoshebogo) the winner for the December 31st, 2011 drawing!  

Cindy, in order to claim your prize, you will need to email eric@wholelottawhimsy.com by Monday, February 10th, 2012.

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”

~ M. Scott Peck

Energy goes to where your attention flows.

You need energy to create. Period.

Energy to vibrate and attract others to you doesn’t unexpectedly flow to you.

It flows to those that believe it’s possible, to those that open their channels, those that make room for new ideas, and to those that work consciously, and unconsciously toward that energy/goal.

Did you know that money is an energy? Spending money creates a void or a vacuum for more money to flow back in.

Just like the story about Nan-in, the Japanese master of the Meiji era, who poured his visitor a cup of tea. He continued to pour and the tea began to overflow. The visiting professor said “It is overfull. No more will go in!” “Like this cup, ” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.”

Mindsets are energy. Being open to learning more, to new ideas, to new possibilities in your work, will bring those things to you.

Getting the energy to flow back to you is your goal. Then having ways to catch or receive that energy is essential. Otherwise it’s just overflows and eventually the flow stops because there is no pull for more.

You are telling the universe that you are full and want no more abundance. You are comfortable!

5 Ways to Stay Comfortable and Stagnant

1. Just Offer Your Work on Etsy or the Occasional Show
   Yep, you’ll be easy to find, just like that needle in the haystack, among 2 million other jewelry artist listings. Not a jewelry artist? The numbers are still horrible in other categories. But no worries, you will magically stand out to capture that sale.

   You must have your own domain/website. There are several options that have nominal costs. This is no longer a dreadful and expensive experience. It’s a way to capture leads, build your list, direct possible sales, show off your work that you sold, and best of all…

   Get others to know, trust and like you!

2. Don’t Get Involved in Social Media
   Don’t worry your customers will find you at your local show or on Etsy. You do not need to connect with all those millions of other people. Your marketing pool is big enough. Yep, these days, people love to buy from those they don’t know, don’t trust and don’t have a reason to like.

   Did you know that 4 billion things were shared on Facebook today! Or that 140 million tweets are sent per day. Or that Pinterest is pulling in more page views than Etsy per day?

   Many artists don’t understand social media or why they should be interested in being part of it. The ones that are selling their work do!

3. You Don’t Need a List
   No one wants to hear from you regularly. Once or twice a year is plenty.

   But, of course, you will be the first one they think of when they are considering where they should buy that gift for their mom.

   Did you know that email is still the number one way to connect with your customers? If you don’t take an active role in building your list how can you communicate with them?

   Don’t count on them seeing your Facebook post or that Tweet. People are busy these days. You need a way to capture their information and have a professional way to communicate with them regularly.

4. Don’t Worry, You Are Doing It All Perfectly
   There are never any good ideas that come from being in a group of your peers at a class. Or from the teacher for that matter.

   Staying in your studio, playing the “starving artist” scarcity card, always brings abundance.

   Who doesn’t love speedy results. Money loves speed. Energy loves speed. Remember that money is energy and it likes to flow. By investing money in your education to become a better artist or a better business person, you will create a space for the money to flow back into.

   You open yourself to that energy. Turning it off is like shutting off the faucet to the flow of money in your life.

5. Don’t Help Anyone Else or Provide Any Value for F.R.E.E.
   Keep all those ideas to yourself. And while you are at it, no one likes to be complimented on their work or introduced to your connections. They also love it when you ask them to admire your work, buy your work, or to look at all the awards you’ve won…every day.

   Actually the more you give to others the more you get. This goes for money, time, pleasantries, and labor.

   Share your how-to tutorials, help someone in need of solving a technical issue, provide a blog where you provide value, and promote other artists (don’t forget your favorite vendors too).

   This is how people decide that they know you, like you and trust you.

   This is how you stay uncomfortable, get your energy flowing and create abundance.

Don’t forget to leave a comment and get entered to win a F*R*E*E give-away from Whole Lotta Whimsy! Drawing is February 15th, 2012!

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Date started working in metal clay:

1997

Certified: (what clay, year and with whom)

Not certified

Accomplished at what media in addition to metal clay:

Metal fabrication

Website and short bio:
http://www.hadarjacobson.com
http://www.artinsilver.com

I grew up in Israel. Graduated with a master’s degree in literature. For 15 years I worked in a distance-learning university where I acquired some writing and publishing skills. Metal fabrication was my hobby, although with no formal education in that area. In 1997 I moved with my husband and 3 kids to the San Francisco Bay Area. While looking for new metal and tool suppliers I found out about silver clay from a catalog. Both coming to a new country and finding a new medium started a new life for me. It’s true that life begins at forty (and then again at fifty).

Do you have a muse?

Not a muse exactly, but something that Martha Graham said is always posted on my bulletin board.

“You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open… no artist is pleased… There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime… only a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive…”

What is currently on your bench/workspace?

I have three main work spaces: my bench, my photography setup, and my computer. Over the years, making jewelry and teaching have become inseparable. I got used to taking photos of every step in every project that I do. Sometimes the photos turn into a teaching project; sometimes they don’t. At my computer space I process the photos, and write the projects and my books. I also spend about 2 hours a day there answering emails. This is the “tech support” part of my work, which I regard as a very important part of my job. It also gives me a chance to reconnect with people that I meet at workshops.

What project/direction are you working on now?

When only silver clay was available, I was fascinated by textures and architecture. The main page of my website shows a “city” of rings, which I had completed over a a period of five months. When base metal clay became available, I got distracted with color patterns. I am now trying to combine architectural structures with patterns of color. All my work spaces are filled with sample pieces that I am about to teach in the coming year.

I have also started to make bigger pieces, as the “room” in the photo. I am intrigued by the idea of making pieces other then jewelry.

How much time do you average at the bench per week?

I usually work 10-12 hours a day. Sometimes I don’t leave the bench for days, and sometimes I am more pre-occupied with writing. I am often asked “Do you ever sleep?”, and the answer is yes, actually I sleep a lot.

What’s the average time you spend on a piece?

It depends on how complex it is. It could be hours, with firing time in between, or days. I love working on pieces that involve a long process. I so enjoy the feel and the colors of the clays, both wet and dry, that sometimes I just take my time. And sometimes they look so pretty before they are fired that I leave them unfired for a few days so I can look at them some more. This is the only medium that makes me feel satisfied with both the process and the end result.

Do you sell your work?  and where?

I used to sell it at arts and crafts fairs and at galleries. I am pretty much burnt out with that. Most of you know how hard it is. Now my work is mostly on my online store, but I don’t do anything to promote sales. Being a teacher became such a dominant part of me that I regard my pieces mostly as samples and candidates for projects. It makes me very happy and proud, though, to hear from people who succeed in selling pieces that were inspired by my teaching.

Where do you get your new ideas?



It could be anything. Sometimes it’s an image, and sometimes it’s weird stuff that I find in recycle stores – objects that I have no idea what they are or what they are used for, but they seem to have some potential as shapes, molds, or just inspiration. Junk is what I collect. It can sit at my studio for years until I find a use for it. I am also addicted to browsing through catalogs. I discover tools that teach me techniques I’ve never known about, and that can end up with an idea for a piece.

Do you keep a sketchbook and how do you organize it?

I keep many sketch books and they are all over the place. No order whatsoever. I sketch something as soon as I think of it since I already know that the next moment it’s going to slip my mind, so I use whatever is close at hand – a notebook, a post-it note, or a tissue. You should see the desktop of my computer. Hardly anything is filed, everything is on there so I can find it.

How do you rejuvenate your creativity?

Creativity takes many forms. Sometimes the availability of a certain material makes me think of a piece of art, and sometimes the idea of a certain piece drives me to create the material. This is how I got into manufacturing metal clay. I’ve always loved mixed metals, and as much as I love silver, I always wanted to combine it with other metals. So I tried to figure it out. And most of what I do in my work is trying to figure things out. Making materials and tools, finding techniques, turning a design into a tangible object – they all involve a never-ending process of problem solving. That’s what keep my mind working. And I must say that my ongoing dialogue with students is a precious source of inspiration.

What would your perfect creative day be like?

A perfect creative day would start with having been able to solve someone’s firing problem; it would continue with working on a favorite piece, and end with some pieces in the kiln and an idea for another piece. I would then go to sleep looking forward to the morning, to see the fired pieces and start the new project.

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Are you busy cleaning, settling up your books, organizing, gearing up for your new diet and workout schedule?

What are your expectations for 2012? Are they reasonable and doable?

We love to heap everything up on one big list of grand dreams of getting rich, successful, skinny, fit and fabulous in the *next* year. We think we are going to zip down the list checking off things like lose 30 pounds, make gobs of money, win the lottery, paint the house, buy a new car, etc.

No wonder New Year Resolutions fail.

Or maybe it’s that we fail in getting clear about what we really want, what’s important, what’s a priority and then how we’ll execute a plan for taking action.

I no longer make resolutions. They don’t work. Instead I developed an alignment exercise that I do once a quarter throughout the year. I run my life like my business. I don’t wait to the last week of the year to review how I did. I do a regular check up throughout the year.

Remember success comes with small action steps. One action step gets you that much closer to completing that goal.

This amazing exercise is the Artist Compass Exercise. It’s your way to ACE the year!

It helps me to get clear, to prioritize and to have 4 Compass Words to guide me through the next quarter. It’s your True North, South, East and West! It’s more than just a word for the year. It’s a way to make sure you are always heading in the right direction, even when you are turned around.  We all have those moments right?

I post these words in my office, studio and even bathroom. I also like to make a commemorative charm to wear each quarter with my words.

If my daily actions aren’t in alignment with my Compass Words, I get the opportunity to make a new decision on whether I’m doing what’s best for me, my family, and my dreams.

That’s what free will is all about. Making choices and not just plodding through life letting someone else do that for you or saying, I’ll do it tomorrow.

Do it now. Take Action!

It’s my gift to you! If you don’t have it or can’t find it in your files you are welcome to sign up for another F.R.E.E. gift

I want this to be an incredible experience for you. Here’s some incentive to spend 30 minutes getting some clarity in your life and your business.

If you complete the A.C.E. and post your Compass Words on the blog, you can be entered to win these great prizes:

• a custom silver handmade charm with your Compass Words to one special winner (minimum of 60 comments)

• a DVD by Bill Fretz inventor of the Fritz Hammers, courtesy of Interweave Press

• a fabulous book from the Whole Lotta Whimsy collection, courtesy of WLW

• assorted tools

• assorted beading/jewelry making components

We will award up to 15 prizes based on the number of entries.  One award for every 30 participants!  So spread the word and have more chances to win

Creative Blessings and Happy New Year,

- Tonya

PS – I believe in you! You can do it. One small action step at a time.

PPS – Do you know of a friend or artist that could benefit from my free content and would like to collaborate with our community? Could you please forward this, share it, post it on your wall or blog? I’d deeply appreciate it!

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