Paul Overton on Passion vs. Money, Gary Vaynerchuck, and Me

Remember last week when I said that Dudecraft mentioned me on his blog?  Well, now he mentioned me in an interview at the CraftyPod.  The interview is interesting and is about blogging and social media in the craft world and how so many people are just about the selling and not as much about personality.  Here’s the blurb on CraftyPod about the interview:

CraftyPod #95: Crafting for Money vs. Passion, with Paul Overton

- An interview with Paul Overton, author of the Dudecraft blog. This conversation was inspired by this post.

- Some thoughts on the difference between crafting for money and crafting for passion.

- How does handmade work change when it’s made solely for profit?

- What happens when independent craft businesses start flooding the online community with marketing messages?

- What does it mean when a handmade item has “mojo?”

Check out this interview because it’s interesting and really good.  It shows how passion in your work is what sells it, not following the trends, or simply trying to sell it.  You need to let people into your mindset, into your inspiration, and into your technique.  I do try to do that here.  Do you think I’m succeeding?  Do agree with Paul or do you think the complete opposite?  Let us know here and also comment on CraftyPod and Dudecraft.

Logic v. Emotion

Fewer debates have had as long a history as logic v. emotion.  Sometimes it’s been viewed as a man v. woman, or civilization v. barbarian debate, but it’s been there festering in the background.  “How could this be applied to the craft world?” you ask.  Good question.

Spock, Paradigm of Logic

Let’s start with the easy side to correlate to art – emotion.  Artists are often equated with passion, intuition, and even the highs and lows associated with manic depression.  To many people, artists can seem unfocused, undisciplined, or even “airy fairy.”  (we know better though don’t we?!)  Sometimes we’re seen as being (at least somewhat) out of control.  Being emotional also means that artists can create things that resonate deeply with other people.  We seem to understand how others are feeling and then have the ability to translate that through our chosen medium.  Emotions help us find a more personal significance in our work.

That doesn’t mean that an artist can’t be a logical being.  Logic helps us plan, to plot things out through completion.  It’s what makes us measure twice and cut once.  When dealing with logic, everything has a purpose, a reason behind why it’s done.  Logic tells me that if I do this with the hammer, then the metal will move like this.  (Conversely, emotion would say “just go with the flow.  Hit the metal and it will move where it wants to go.”)  This doesn’t mean that being logical keeps you stagnant.  Logic is the love child of math and philosophy.  It wants to find the answer, to follow an idea to its ultimate conclusion.  This is an exploration.  This is working in a series, experimenting, finding a better way to do things.

Ultimately, I don’t think that logic and emotion are that different from each other.  We just have to find a balance between the two that works best for ourselves.  We need to be free and passionate, but also work within some sort of structure (even if it’s self-imposed) to help us focus and keep improving.

July Artist of the Month – Daniel Sroka

Spark (Photo #29) ©Daniel Sroka

You know, I haven’t featured a photographer in this series yet, which is a little strange since photography was almost a major of mine.  Daniel Sroka is an abstract nature photographer who I became aware of through Alyson Stanfield and Clint Watson and have been following for awhile on Twitter.  His photographs are ethereal and remind me of some of the Hubble images from outer space.  They are delicate and flowing and you’d be hard pressed to know exactly what they are actually of.

Here is his biography from his website:

how my career got started

For most of my life, my photography took a back seat to paying the bills. I discovered a talent for graphic design, which helped me pay my way through school and lead to a professional career. I was the original creative director for Yahoo!, where I helped guide them from a quirky curiosity into a globally-recognized brand. But I grew tired of using my artistic skills to help other people realize their dreams, while ignoring my own. So I quit my day job, and focused my energy on my fine art photography.

Where my art comes from

Photography has always shaped how I see the world. My childhood desk was my father’s old enlarger, and I spent many days in our basement darkroom, listening to the creaking of the floorboards as we coaxed images out of the dark. Then when I was 12 years old, I earned my first computer by scraping a hundred years of paint off my uncle’s house. It was like a new part of my brain had woken up. That computer was my first experience with unrestricted creativity: an artistic tool that you can mold to the needs of your imagination. When I combined photography with computers, I felt like I finally found my creative home. Like a perfectly weighted hammer and chisel, the camera and the computer simply feel right in my hands, allowing me to see farther and deeper than I ever could alone.

Want to learn more about his technique?  Want read his blog?  Now check out (and buy) some of his work.

Wine Pairings with My Jewelry

You’ve heard of pairing wine with food, but have you heard of pairing it with jewelry?  It’s the new way to completely accessorize.  Match what you’re wearing with what’s in your glass!

Clipped

Definitely needs something bubbly like a nice brut champagne.

Blood, Elements #9

I’d go with something dark and velvety.  Maybe a ruby red vintage port?

Bean Pod Necklace

How about something light and crisp, like a dry riesling smacking of granny smiths with citrus notes?

Chinle

A hearty shiraz would be the best accompaniment for this brooch.

Wood, Elements #8

What else but a nice oaky chardonnay to match this piece?

Some Thanks to Haiti, the Smithsonian, and DudeCraft

First, I want to thank DudeCraft for posting about Hammermarks on his blog.  Check it out and see how men can participate in all crafts, not just “manly” ones.  (His words, not mine!)

Now, the meat of the post.

When I graduated college, I found  it difficult to practice my art.  I was living in rooms in other people’s houses and eventually an apartment, none of which were conducive to pounding on metal or storing flammable materials (i.e. my torch tank).  I was in a bad place and I couldn’t figure out what to do.  This ended up lasting about five years.

During this time, my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I would visit the Folklife Festival down on the National Mall.  It happens every year around the Forth of July and features different countries, regions, and ethnicities of the world and the US.  I was always excited when I would see metalsmiths.  I saw some from Mali, India, and Haiti.  The Malian guy was pretty much just selling his wares (at least when I saw him) but the Indian and Haitian men actually demonstrated.  The Indian man would hold his work with his feet while hammering so that he could use both of his hands. (This is a great idea that I have yet to implement.  I do like to use my feet as tools!)  He also used an actual blow torch.  He blew through a tube into a charcoal fire and used that to solder his pieces.

Haitian Metal Art

The Haitian metalworkers would take used oil drums and cut them up and form the metal into lightly 3-d decorative pieces.  Supposedly this began when one man wanted to create crosses for his local graveyard.  The designs often had animals or biblical themes and there was a lot of stylization and embellishments on them.  He used a wooden board and the ball end of a regular ball pein hammer that you would find at your local hardware store. The pieces were cut using a chisel rather than a saw or laser cutting.   (I recently ran across an article about these craftsmen, thus the idea for this post.)

What’s the point, Wendy?

Well, I figured that if these people who had so little were so determined to make their art that they would use whatever was lying around to do it, then I could find a way to make my work as well.  I went on to audit a class at Montgomery College so that I could gain studio access (as I’ve mentioned before) and the rest is history!

What is so important to you that you would use your feet, trash from the nearby dump, or a rudimentary tool from the middle ages to do it?  Leave a comment and let us know what was the final impetus to push you to make your art despite obstacles in your way.

More Crazy Hammer Links

My Favorite Hammers

Here are some more funny hammer related links for your summertime boredom.

Wikipedia definition of  “hammer”

Hammersmith Apollo (this is extra funny since my dog’s name is Apollo)

“Help, I’m Alive” by Metric (if you listen, you’ll hear the hammer part – we heard this song a bunch while out in San Diego)

Hammer Toe from ePodiatry (this is gross if you have a problem with feet)

The Shark Doctor’s Hammer Shark Jaw Shop

The Hammer Source (though, not my hammer source!  this is more for construction and auto shop hammers)

Open Studio Event Announced

My Workbench

You’ve seen and read about my work online.  You may have even seen some of it in person.  But now I’m giving you the chance to see it somewhere you’ve only dreamt about…

In My Studio.

On Sunday, July 26th, I am opening the door of my studio to members of my mailing list and to my online connections.  From Noon until 5pm you can see the crazy tools I use to make my work, take in the feel of my creative workspace, and even buy some pieces of metalwork!

This is your chance to learn a little more about the real Wendy Edsall-Kerwin.  This is also my chance to learn a little bit more about you.  Bring a friend, bring your family (though the studio is a dangerous place for small children, so don’t bring them), bring someone who’s interested in art jewelry.  I can’t wait to see you there!

Light refreshments will be available and parking is on the street.  We live at the end of a cul-de-sac, up a big hill, so plan on comfortable shoes.  Contact me for my address in Elizabethtown, PA via email (wendy@hammerstrokeandfire.com) or call me 717-201-8621 if you plan on attending or if you have any questions.

P.S. If you were on my mailing list you would’ve received a notice yesterday.

Navy Welding Shop Envy

Two weeks ago I visited San Diego.  One of the places we visited was the Midway, a retired air craft carrier (for those like me who aren’t into military history).  It was actually pretty cool and there I found the best job in the Navy (aside from pilot or Seal) – working in the Welding Shop.

Here are some photos that my hubby took for me.  This was deep in the ship, so there were some lighting issues.

Ooooo, I could really use that drill press and the workbench and vises too!

Imagine the sparks flying off that grinding wheel.

Flammable Gas, Anyone?!

Check back later for an event announcement!

Our Society’s Participation in the Arts

Yellow School Bus photo by Ian Britton

Remember how much fun it was as a kid going on field trips?  It didn’t matter where you were going, just that you weren’t going to be in the classroom that day.  I went to Gettysburg, Hershey Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, some Smithsonian and Zoo trips, and others to a variety of local spots.

According to a recent survey, kids aren’t visiting museums or galleries as much as they used to on field trips.  Their performance in visual art and music classes has also stayed pretty stagnant.  Another recent survey also mentioned that adults visiting art performances, museums, and exhibitions has declined.  (an article about both surveys can be found at the Washington Post’s website.)

So what does this say about our society?  What can we do to make this better?  I really don’t know.  I had very active art teachers in elementary and high school who made sure that we had access to extra art programs and field trips to museums.  I can’t believe that this is something that has declined in recent years.  Field trips are always a way to relieve boredom in the classroom and to help expose kids to things they otherwise might not be aware of.  I don’t have any children, so I’m not sure how my local school district would feel about me suggesting that they take their students on more art related field trips.  I don’t even know what kind of field trips they do go on.

I do know that when Lancaster has their art walks, there are always special activities for kids.  But these take place on weekends, so it’s mainly people taking their children who already know the importance of art.  Field trips are meant to expand kids experiences to include things that their parents might not have exposed them to for whatever reason (lack of interest, lack of time, lack of money).

What do you think we as a society should do about this problem?  How can we help to increase both children and adult participation in art events and venues?  What do you think has been keeping people away from these places?

Personality of the Materials

Fold Formed Cuffs in a Variety of Metals

Recently I was asked why I use predominately base metals in my work.  I guess you could also extend this question to why I don’t use precious gems either.  Mainly it’s about aesthetics.

I love the colors that come from using different metals and patinas (chemical and heat coloring of metals) and how they play off each other and different people’s skin tones.  Yes, I love silver too, and it is a dream to work in (usually), but there is a depth to copper tones, and an ancientness to brass, and of course the challenge of working with nickel.  I began using base metals in college when I was making bowls and other table objects, and I fell in love with metal while making these pieces.

As for the gems I choose, I base my selections on color and

Metal, Elements #6 - Look at that Pyrite in Agate!

texture and shape.  I look for stones that speak to me and want to be in a special, one-of-a-kind piece.  I do also use commercially cut cabs, but I’ve been moving away from that more to the freeform cabs I can find through different lapidarists online.  And like silver, I do love garnets and amethysts, and other sparkly gems, but they don’t always have the personality that agates and jaspers have.

So what draws you to particular pieces, sparkle or personality?  What are your favorite metals or gemstones?