we've moved!

check out our new blog @ objectsandelements.typepad.com

Upcoming Classes -- Tucson Bead Show

If you love making jewelry, most likely you've heard from (and attended) the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, which takes place every February in sunny Tucson, Ariz. The best part about the Gem and Mineral Show is that its become the destination spot for all things rocks, minerals, gems and jewels. Dozens of wholesale and consumer shows have begun in various locations throughout the city, so it's truly an inspiring working vacation.

One of the best consumer shows for the jewelery aficionado is the To Bead True Blue show from Feb 1-6, to be held this year at its new location; the Doubletree Reid Park. This is also home of the fabulous Tucson Bead Show.

Objects and Elements is participating in To Bead True Blue with a booth and an incredible Make N Take project using paper that's been resined. Susan will be teaching a number of classes during this show as well, including a three-hour Introduction to Resin class from 2:30-6 p.m. on Feb. 2 and then again from 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 4 and 5. If you have never played with Objects and Elements Ice Resin (TM), I encourage you to sign up for these classes now. You're in for a major treat!

Susan will also be teaching a six-hour class on Feb. 7 called Exploration of Resins -Creating Transparent Jewelry. Other daylong classes include Rings, Relics and Riveting on Feb. 8 and Talismans on Feb. 9. Sign up now to secure your spot.

For more information on Susan's Tucson classes, email Linda Larsen at Linda@objectsandelements.com, or check out To Bead True Blue for more info on the show.

Check out Susan's video

For those of you who love Susan's work and her classes, here's something wonderful. She spent some time recently working with a young, hip film maker who worked on the movie "The Secret". The two of them put their heads together to create some educational film footage on the various mixed-media techniques she teaches in her classes.

The first film clip shows how to correctly use your Jeweler's Saw. If you've had problems in the past with constantly breaking the saw blade, or are unable to get fine detail cuts from your saw, take 15 minutes or so to watch a master metalworker in action.

Please leave a comment on YouTube and also pass along the URL to your friends. They had a lot of fun creating the video, and hope to get it out to as many interested people as possible.

Have a great day and get sawing!

Happy Thanksgiving

It's hard to believe the holidays are already upon us. Each year, it seems like a quick slide from Thanksgiving right into Christmas. This is also the time of year when I feel pressure to make those handcrafted jewelry pieces as gifts for family and friends that are always on my Holiday "to do" wish list.

I recently read that as people evaluate their spending this year, the trend is definitely on an upswing to make their own Christmas gifts. One friend of mine is making her special brownies, packaging them up in single Ziploc bags and giving them to loved ones. Another friend has been using up her fabric scraps this year to make gorgeous, crazy-quilt lap quilts for her friends (I hope I'm on her list) and family.

I've purchased the tiny oval sterling silver bezels , along with a package of Ice Resin and some vintage glass shards and am finally making earrings for the ladies in my life. The guys? No clue, yet. But I know at least 12 women who are going to be very happy campers.

The great thing about buying bezels from the store, at least in my humble opinion, is that they are perfect and beautiful and ready to go. Honestly, my life has gotten easier since I found Susan and Linda and no longer struggle to cut and create evenly-shaped bezels by hand.

We sincerely hope you enjoy every moment of your Thanksgiving time with family tomorrow. We're also wishing you happy and creative days ahead.

An Introduction & Change

The only thing constant in life is Change

- Francois de la Rochenfoucauld

***

First, an introduction: My name is Jen Cushman and I'm an independent writer and mixed-media designer. I'm also a friend of the wickedly-talented an amazingly cool Susan Lenart Kazmer.

Susan and I met three years ago at Art Unraveled, one of her many teaching venues that takes place each summer in my hometown in Phoenix, AZ. You know how sometimes you just meet someone and it feels instantly like you're old friends? That was us. Over the past few years, I've assisted Susan in some of her classes and partnered up with her in other art/media projects. I was so fortunate to attend the France workshop/retreat with her this summer. Art and flea marketing, food and gorgeous scenery! Can you save Heaven?

As many of you are also aware, Susan and Linda Larsen (an incredibly talented jewelry designer in her own right) are business partners for Objects and Elements, an online jewelry supply store and more. Objects and Elements is growing by leaps and bounds, thanks to students who've taken Susan's classes and wish to incorporate high-quality supplies, such as sterling silver, Ice Resin, beautiful bezels, found objects and more into their work.

So where is all this leading? Here goes. Susan, Linda and I have decided to make a blogging change. This blog -- Objects and Elements -- will be about all things relating to jewelry, mixed-media and jewelry supply. We have plans to feature techniques, give helpful tips and advice, talk about the creative process, teach how to use some of the products sold in the store and introduce you to some wonderful artists/designers and show you their work.

I'll primarily be maintaining the Objects and Elements blog. Susan will continue to write her personal blog showing her work and talking about her life/experiences as an artist. Since both of us have administrative control, don't be surprised if she pops in now and again to add to the blog or to post some comments. I know she'll be reading.

Please leave us comments. We love feedback and would like to hear what kinds of things you might be interested in seeing/reading on this new blog.

By the way, I took this photo of Susan and Linda after a Sunday of scouring flea markets in the little villages near Durfort. What can I say? These girls can shop! Notice the trunk is full of cool things for the store and Susan's classes. I was afraid I might not have a seat in the car. Also the second photo is of me, taken outside of castle ruins in Provence.

France..one more time

By the way, Linda is now filling France for June, 2009. She has 5 confirmed students... There is room for 3 more students. Please contact her if you are interested in the 5 day intensive workshop or check my web site. It is going to be a wonderful expierience!

Also, I wanted to say... for all of the wonderful people who purchased my book in advance ...thank you. We had lots of great critiques from those artists that preordered. We now have the book on Amazon if you would like additional copies. I think they are selling Making Connections...for $31.00. Please, please if you have a minute to get onto Amazon.com and include a comment of Making Connections. I would really appreciate the support. Thanks!!!!!!

reflecting

Here I am on a rainy day using up the last of my time off. It feels good to be back from two very long but soul searching and fulfilling workshops. France and Seattle....two of my favorite places to be. I love the city.. I just bring it all home with me and let it resonate. As an artist, I think one of the most important things that I do is to give myself time off to let it all soak in and my experiences become who I am and what I am about. My new work will be my interpretation of these experiences.

My two large pieces, The Ballerina and The Fat Lady, were recently purchased by collectors. I am refurbishing them from a year of being on the road and building an iron floor stand for each to sit in. Ah, it is sad to see them go BUT I know this will get me moving to build the circus series. I am starting with the tight rope walker and the trapeze artist. I decided to make this series larger in size since I can put more jewelry upon them.