Who will hold the key to their special memory? There are many wonderful things siblings share, but there is one I’d like to chat about today. I think it is one of the most special bonds brothers and sisters share - memories of their mother. These are powerful memories that evoke immediate reactions from the heart. They often cause one to glance to one another. I too have a sibling whom I am blessing to share memories with. We often can be caught smiling at one another recalling a childhood memory of our mother, our little inside joke so to speak. Though there were many challenges and some memories that were unpleasant, we choose to see them as building blocks and we focus on the good ones. We can recall particular moments in our lives with our mom that brought us comfort, stability, joy, a sense of belonging, and of love. Unknowingly we have taken great care in our memory to recall specific details to create a mental image of that specific instance. We remember what mom looked like; her approximate age; the clothing she wore; her hair color; and how she styled her hair. We could recall what she was doing and where she was. We even remembered other things that later became more significant to us like the smell of fresh baked pies; mom’s perfume; and every detail of the very jewelry mom wore. The same is true for Susan. Susan is a local high school teacher who shared with her sisters a wonderful memory. A memory of their mother wearing a scarab bracelet. Susan’s desire was that all three sisters would enjoy the bracelet, but how? She would solve the problem by giving each sister two scarabs. What do you do with two scarab cabochons with such importance? You seek help to create unique custom jewelry. A friend of Susan’s suggested she contact me to commission the redesign of the bracelet into three sets of earrings. Susan and I met for a short consultation where I listened to her story, desires, and style preferences. After I examined the bracelet, it was very evident that her mother loved wearing the bracelet because it had obvious signs of being worn a lot. Such a special piece with all the wonderful memories associated with it is a key element in the memories of their mother. I wanted to bring honor to those memories by making something each sister could own, wear often, and even pass down to her children. Together we agreed upon a process, redesign plan, and I set to work.
The sisters received a double gift from Susan this past Christmas. A beautiful unique pair of scarab keepsake earrings to wear and a personal story of their mom to share.
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I Won the Wubbers University’s “Spring Break Giveaway”
Back in March on a whim, I entered a giveaway through Wubbers University, they were doing a giveaway for Spring. For those who are not familiar with who or what Wubbers is I will explain. Wubbers is a jewelry tool manufacturer known for their mandrel shaped pliers. They make forming wire into various shapes easy. I own a few of the round plies and use them regularly to shape wire and thin metals. To enter the giveaway you had to follow their rules/terms and conditions. It was easy and clearly stated, so I submitted my information along with a photo of a ring I had made using their pliers and turquoise chips. I kind of forgot about it, because I rarely ever win anything, so I just put it out of my mind. Needless to say, a few weeks later I received an e-mail of Congratulations YOU WON. I was so excited and replied immediately with the required information. A short time afterwards, I received a treasure box of 2 new shaping plies, a couple strands of beads, several loose cabochons, a pair of earrings, and stick-on nail color. What a fun treasure box that totally brightened my day. I am excited to try out the new pliers and add those cute beads to a new design. I’ll keep you posted on what I make. You can check out the tools and more on Wubbers University on Facebook😊 Have you ever wanted to make jewelry for yourself or as a gift? I can show you how in a private or small group, or zoom session. Theses sessions make great gifts too.
Estate sales make for interesting finds.... You can make some really cool stuff. I love upcycling vintage bottle caps because they have such a rich history in our culture. They make unique fun jewelry. Here I domed each bottle cap and added a band of vintage Chez seed beads for added interest and color. They are light weight and are certainly to bring complements and envy from those who appreciate handcrafted eclectic jewelry. You can find these necklaces and bracelets here                  "Beast In Me" by Janise Crow by Janise Crow I recently learned of a local art gallery looking for art submissions using recycled/re-purposed materials. Naturally I was curious so I investigated more. The theme is "Beasts Among Us" I couldn't stop thinking about it. Ideas flowed in and out of my mind quickly. I grew more excited about what found treasures I could use to convey my message. I quickly scavenged my stash. I connected with friends to ask for their unwanted items and I dug through the local recycle bins. This is to be my first large art piece I have ever submitted to a juried exhibit. My goal was to stay true to who I am as a fashion and jewelry artist. I want to create a wearable art piece that is unique and beautiful with lots of interest. That sparks enough interest to make you want to look closer and explore all the details. that are not so obvious. All the while pondering the question what are the "Beasts Among Us". This is an introspective view of the Beast In Me. Consider This While Looking at "Beasts in Me" A beast is usually thought of as a large and dangerous four-footed animal. There are many types of beasts in the world. A domestic bovine farm animal is one. Dogs, cats, horses, monkeys, birds, and fish are all beasts. Even tiny critters like bugs are beasts. People can be called beasts, too, when they behave in a beastly way. Anyone acting in an uncivilized, depraved, savage, violent, or cruel way is being a beast. Beasts are considered powerful and can be cunning. Consider how they might use its skills toward prey, unnoticeably observing, listening, and learning. Beasts make subtle and strategic moves to lure, demobilize, and devour its prey. Beasts live among us and they seem normal and a vital part of daily life. But they can be deceivingly attractive either in appearance, beneficial use, strength, power, and acceptance. What happens when the beast is human? What is happening today? What is the beast within me?
 Shoulder sash Beast In Me The shoulder sash is made with the tail feathers of a grouse donated by a friend from one of his hunter gatherings; a mink from a vintage stole whose holes have been patched with old window screen, and computer web camera spying eyes. The floral and fona embellishments are made from a peacock feather; recycled gemstones. The flowers are made from Tyvek that is hand-painted and cut in flower shapes. The leaves are green plastic soda bottles that have been shrunken and shaped with a heat gun. The butterflies made from aluminum cans, cut into butterfly shapes, embossed, hand painted, and accented with beads. The large focal flower is made from the spout of a soda bottle, heated and shaped with a heat gun, it has a light bulb center, a snakeskin belt has been cleverly used as the the under-structure and a printer cable with wire crocheted around it is a vine winds and snakes it way through the entire piece leading your eye to investigate what is lurking with in the beautiful bouquet.  Middle sash Beast In Me The middle sash continues the floral and fona theme. It's embellishments are leaves made from green plastic soda bottles, the flowers are made from Tyvek and then hand-painted, cut to shape, and have computer components and skull centers with accents of fox fur, crystals from an old chandelier, and netting from fruit bags. The butterflies are hand-painted, embossed aluminum cans, and a printer cable with wire crocheted around continues to wind its way in and out of a snakeskin belt.  Lower sash Beast In Me The lower sash continues in the floral and fona theme with a twist, the large bulb flower is a computer camera suspended by a battery accented with crocheted wire, plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers, skulls, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, net food bags, crystals from a chandelier, misc. auto parts, snake skin belt, and a blue heart.  Left Shoulder of Beast In Me The left shoulder continues in the floral and fona theme, the crocheted printer cable is the main vine snaking throughout the piece. A varmint skull adorned with chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterfly is center stage. It is further embellished with a headdress of plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, netting from plastic food bags, and more fox fur. The vine cable continues to the back of the piece where a little surprise is waiting.  Back of Beast In Me The back is complete with a mink tail and grouse tail feathers. A plastic soda bottle holds this beautiful arrangement made of tail feathers, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterflies with the crocheted printer cable plugged in to complete the circuit. On Exhibit
June 8th 6-9 pm Opening Reception June 8 - July 7 2018 Train Station Gallery Hours: Thursday-Friday: 1pm-5pm ~ Saturday: 9am-4pm ~ Sunday: 1pm-4pm
July 8, 2018 - (by appointment) Saturday is our ladt day here, there are soo many fun things going on today; live carvings, tri-athalon, auctions, foods, crafts, meet the artists and more. Something for everyone.
Stop by our booth, carver #12, on Center St and say hi! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite carver!! Saturday, April 28 9am - 5 pm Carver & Artist booths open Around the courthouse 9am - 4pm Vote for People's Choice Award 9am - 4 pm Collaborative Carving - Nature Pole Tribute to Dave Love 11am - 4pm Live Music 1:30pm - 3pm Carvers demonstrate during Quick Carves, carvings will be auctioned at the end of the carve session. 5pm awards for carvers |
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January 2022
AuthorHi, I'm Janise Crow a jewelry designer and mixed-media artist. Here you will find our latest projects, experiments, and even how to's. |
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