YIKES! Studio

Beads, beads, beads!

2010-03-19T14:07:00.005-04:00

Though I've been making jewelry for many years, what really got me excited about jewelry creation was when I began making my own beads from polymer. There is something really amazing about creating a necklace or bracelet from start to finish with handmade beads.

I want to share this experience with you! I'm now offering my expertly handmade beads, ready to string, for your own jewelry adventures. And I'll be showing them off at the upcoming Beads and Baubles Downeast bead and jewelry show this April!

The Beads and Baubles Downeast will be held in the Maine Grind Building, on the second floor of 192 Main Street in Ellsworth. It's happening this April 16th and 17th. The focus is on beads and lovely beaded jewelry at this spring bead show.

The show features 15 vendors including bead stores, lampwork glass artisans, jewelers working in the beading medium and individuals selling beads and buttons. Among the beads available for purchase will be vintage beads, artisan beads, Czech glass, Swarvoski crystal, felt beads, polymer beads, porcelain beads, gemstones, seed beads, findings and much much more.

It's going to be a lot of fun! If you've never made your own jewelry pieces before, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to put something together once you have beautiful beads to work with. And they'll be no shortage of gorgeous, artisan-made beads at this show!

My beads are very affordable and loved by jewelrymakers, beginning crafters, and kids, too. Stop by my booth and say hello!

Fashion Home - Splashes of sunshine for spring 2010

2010-02-24T16:51:00.001-05:00

Fashion Home - Splashes of sunshine for spring 2010

Posted using ShareThis

Winter News

2010-02-04T11:27:00.004-05:00

Ah winter in Maine....good time to work on projects like updating the web site (coming soon!) taking photos, gearing the Esty site up for sales and teaching classes.

Brandon and I have been working hard towards generating more online sale opportunities on Etsy. I hope to pass more of the online YIKES! responsibilities on to Bran over the coming year.

Teaching my first class in Beginning Polymer Clay and I am really enjoying my students. I will have more opportunities for night classes within the next couple of weeks. My insurance does not cover classes at my studio so other arrangements will have to be made at this time

I have been busy lining up shows for 2010. Starting with the Portland Flower Show in March and then Beads and Baubles in April. These are both new shows for me and I am really excited to be starting the season off a little earlier this year.

Keep warm!
Suzanne

2x the fun+YIKES!Studio

2009-12-01T10:28:00.006-05:00

AND

2 great venues for all your shopping needs. YIKES! will be at both. Lots of jewelry at each location. Come meet my assistant Brandon and my husband Anthony. Both will be helping out this weekend.

day after...

2009-11-08T10:19:00.006-05:00

Designing Women show yesterday in Bangor

"harvest pin"

"jumpin' jax"

I am writing, tired and excited at the same time after the Designing Women show in Bangor yesterday. It was a lovely show with many old friends showing up and visiting. I was really impressed with how strong the work was and how supportive and nice all the women exhibitors are.

In my recent e-newsletter I talked about how really honored I am when my customers choose me for their holiday gift purchases. At the show yesterday many such customers were getting a start on their holiday buying. One very nice and very interesting woman, who is a writer, spent quite a while in my booth buying a gift for every female person on her list! It was a big purchase. It is such a nice validation of my hard work to have that kind of response.

Booth makeover

I am very happy with the way my booth is shaping up! I guess there is always some anxiety (like waking up and freaking out at 5:00 am on show day) around making changes when things are going so well. I love maniquins and am happy with the new ones in my booth. The pedistals are really great too!

Will spend the rest of today getting ready for trip tomorrow to Maine Center for Craft in Gardiner to work out wholesale order and do some ordering of supplies. No rest for me today!

Next weekend I will be at "The Gifted Hand" in Ellsworth. See the awesome write up in the Boston Globe about The Gifted Hand show and the Brewer Thanksgiving show, of which I am also doing! What an exciting time it is.

Hope to see you there.

Suzanne

"fruti fruti"

Review: The Work of the Hand exhibit is just as much 'art' as 'craft' | Portland Press Herald

2009-11-02T10:05:00.001-05:00

The Work of the Hand exhibit is just as much 'art' as 'craft'
| Portland Press Herald

My work got a nice mention in this review by Daniel Kany.

"While "Work of the Hand" focuses primarily on craftsmanship and strong design, there are some bright flashes of fun as well. I particularly like Suzanne Anderson's polymer clay jewelry. It is witty and uplifting, and it looks even better when worn than on display."

Last minute add on!

2009-10-31T12:54:00.004-04:00

Had last minute opportunity to add on the Designing Women show at Husson College . I am happy to be a part of this great show again this year. Looking forward to seeing my local customers and friends again.

Yikes in MUD and CMCA

2009-10-06T23:33:00.006-04:00

I have spent the last month in the studio getting ready for the "Work of the Hand" show at CMCA and I am really excited about the direction my work is going in. Its been awhile since I have not been in production and instead focused just on developing the higher end work for a Gallery show. I am exhausted and energized at the same time!

"Fall nesting" polymer clay caned and formed, embellished
with Swarovski crystal and glass seed beads.

This is a brand new piece. I call it "Fall Nesting" because it really reflects my feelings about fall and how I just want to hunker down more than ever and get really focused. The colors are influenced by the beautiful Maine landscape in the fall. Catching my attention are crisp blue skies with bronzes, violets and yellows in the folliage This piece is for sale at CMCA
along with many other fabulous new works.

2 shows for YIKES opening this week.
My work will be in 2 shows this month "Work of the Hand" at CMCA in Rockport and "Mud" at Pearson Legacy Gallery in Deer Isle. I will be attending both openings and perhaps I will see you there.

Work of the Hand- Center for Maine Contemporary Art
Event Date: 10 October 2009 ends 19-October 09
Each year, approximately 50 artists present their fine contemporary crafts in this highly-anticipated juried show and sale. This year, Work of the Hand will be celebrating its 20th year as one of Maine’s most outstanding crafts shows, and will run from October 10 through 18, 2009. Fine crafts artists from Maine and New England will offer work of exceptional quality and unique design, including jewelry, furniture, glass, lighting, pottery, clothing, fiber and leather works for sale, order, or commission.

Work of the Hand opens Friday, October 9 with a Collectors’ Preview Evening from 5 to 8 pm. Guests can meet the artists and will have an opportunity to purchase exceptional work or commission a custom piece as they enjoy the reception. Admission is $15. Artists will be present on certain days as the show continues, October 10 through 18, 10 am to 5 pm daily, admission $5.

Transformations: Mainstreaming Mud
Opening Reception Thurs Oct 8, 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Pearson Legacy Gallery, 13 Dow Rd., Deer Isle. Over 40 artists use clay: some as a material for an elegant vase, bowl or platter or perhaps for a sculptural wall or free-standing piece. Some capture the work of others who use clay in a photograph or a painting. And many interpret clay and mud as they exist in nature. It's really a wonderful landscape! The exhibit is open Thursdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., ending on October 25th. For information on the exhibition, call: 348- 2535. After October 12th, call: 348-6848. Website soon.

+ + + +

Thanks to everyone who attended my shows this summer. It was a great season and I anticipate a nice fall and holiday season as well. Please check my schedule at the right for dates and locations.

Suzanne

Busy September to get ready for a Busy October

2009-09-24T11:52:00.004-04:00

Work has been practically exploding out the the studio lately! Having fun with new, more, sculptural forms for beads and then stringing into necklaces. They have been very challenging pieces. Some times invention is called for in order to string these new beads and still keep it comfortably wearable. All my walks in the woods are definitely influencing my jewelry. In addition to these new pieces and directions that my jewelry seems to be going in I will always have plenty of my great earrings and necklaces in fabulous, eye popping colors.

YIKES! October Highlight

October 10 - October 18 2009
Work of the Hand at Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport
Main and Loft Galleries
Each year, approximately 50 artists present their fine contemporary crafts in this highly-anticipated juried show and sale. This year, Work of the Hand will be celebrating its 20th year as one of Maine’s most outstanding crafts shows, and will run from October 10 through 18, 2009. Fine crafts artists from Maine and New England will offer work of exceptional quality and unique design, including jewelry, furniture, glass, lighting, pottery, clothing, fiber and leather works for sale, order, or commission.

Work of the Hand opens Friday, October 9 with a Collectors’ Preview Evening from 5 to 8 pm. Guests can meet the artists and will have an opportunity to purchase exceptional work or commission a custom piece as they enjoy the reception. Admission is $15. Artists will be present on certain days as the show continues, October 10 through 18, 10 am to 5 pm daily, admission $5.

Something i found

Dan Cormier, Fiji Mermaid, 2000
isn't it the coolest polymer piece?

Audubon Show and feeling fall-ish

2009-08-13T22:56:00.006-04:00

Playing with a fall palette in this multi-layered bead necklace.
Handcrafted polymer clay beads strung on heavy elastic cord
with genuine Swarovsky crystal.

The nights have grown cooler and the cicadas are buzzing in the tree tops signaling summer is beginning to wane only just as it seems to have started! At YIKES! Studio while I am still creating lively summer patterns and colors, my interests are starting to turn to the fall palette.

At this weekend's Audubon Show at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, I will have some lovely fall inspired pieces available to those seeking something special, in a more subdued palette, that will carry over through the fall and winter.

My fun beaded necklaces, strung on elastic without a clasp, have continued to be a very successful item this summer. Many customers have really liked the easy on off of these pieces and the price continues to be very reasonable for such a special and unique necklace.

Remaining '09 Show Schedule
Aug 15-16, Audubon Show, Gilsland Farm, Falmouth. The Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, Maine is a perfect setting for this wonderful, high end art and fine craft show. The farm is a sanctuary maintained by the Maine Audubon. It has many well groomed walking trails, open fields and woodlands along the Presumpscot River estuary. The Visitor's Center and the pristine apple orchard will all be open to sixty of the area's best artists and finest craftsmen. Come and join me for these two important August days.

DIRECTIONS:
From the south, take I-295 to Exit 9, Falmouth Foreside. Continue north on U.S. Route One for 1.9 miles and turn left at the Maine Audubon sign just before the junction with Route 88. Take a left at the Gilsland Farm sign and follow the dirt drive ¼ mile to the parking area.

From the north, take I-295 to Exit 10, Falmouth/Bucknam Road, and then left to the traffic light on U.S. Route One. Turn right (south) on U.S. Route One and go 1.3 miles and turn right at the Maine Audubon sign just after the junction with Route 88. Take a right at the Gilsland Farm sign and follow the dirt drive ¼ mile to the parking area.

From the northwest, take I-95 to Exit 52, exit onto U.S. Route One south. Go 1.4 miles and turn right at the Maine Audubon sign just after the junction with Route 88. Take a right at the Gilsland Farm sign and follow the dirt drive ¼ mile to the parking area.

Schedule
Sept 5, Designing Women, Camden

Oct 9-18 Work of the Hand, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland

Nov 13-14, Gifted Hand, Ellsworth Holiday Inn Convention Ctr., Ellsworth

Nov 27-29, UMC, Brewer Auditorium

Dec 4-5, MECA or SEA Holiday Show, Portland-TBA

Where you can see my work
If you can't make it to any of my shows this season, please look for my work in any of the following galleries, Aarhus in Belfast, Stable Gallery in Damariscotta, Paper Moon in Westbrook, Maureen Elizabeth in Bangor, Sea of Cotton and Pretty Marsh in Bar Harbor and The Center for Maine Craft in Gardiner.

Hope to see you at a show!

Suzanne

New Paintings for Stable Gallery

2009-07-27T17:39:00.005-04:00

"red fish roiling" from the journey series, 12 x 12, acrylic on canvas

"Ice Bound" from the journey series, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16

Paintings

Happy to say that Stable Gallery in Damariscotta has sold another of the journey series paintings ("Refuge") and so i am sending 2 more to them. I am really happy with how these came out. They are smaller than the previous paintings (except the very first one which was tiny at 5x5). I have them priced at $275 which is a very good price for what has become a desirable series. Not sure how many more I have in me at this point and everyone of them has sold. Funny, but i really miss them....

Shows

Show season has been going fairly well. I have had some great sales and met some wonderful people. Looking forward to taking it a little bit easy (like taking a day off once in a while) over the next couple of weeks till the Audubon Show. I say that now, but most likely I will be revving up pretty hard as it is an important show!!

Best always,
Suzanne

News from a cool and wet July in Maine

2009-07-07T10:12:00.006-04:00

Paris Necklace
Just finished and sent off a new commission piece. I am very happy with how it came out and hope the owner is too. The requirements were to include the Eiffel Tower and the year 2009. The color scheme was to be light blues and greens which I love to work with anyway. Beads are all high polish polymer clay. I embellished the piece with Swarovsky Austrian Crystals, seed beads and pearls. The toggle clasp was hand forged from sterling silver.

BELFAST ART in the PARK
Getting ready for the Belfast show this weekend. Praying for no rain as it is an outdoor show on the water. This is usually a really great show so i am looking forward to it. Great and appreciative crowd.

FUNGUS!
Have recently been working on some pieces that are sooo directly related to my rainy woods walks. Not sure what direction this will go in. The pieces remind me so much of fungus and mushrooms and slugs (ewe.... but these are pretty ones!!) Will post picts soon.

Off to the Lupine Fest tomorrow

2009-06-19T10:59:00.007-04:00

Getting ready for the Stonington Lupine Fest tomorrow. A little anxious as it is the first show I am doing this year by myself with no help! arghhh. I only have 2 hours to set up and thats just not enough time, even with the new display, to do alone. Oh well, it will all be fine. Come by and see me if you are in the area. Deer Isle-Stonington High School gym on Saturday, June 20th from 10-5. The weather looks a bit cloudy and rainy so it will be a good day for a craft show!

Using my new halogen lights for the first time tomorrow too! Pretty exciting for me.

Food for the Soul

Found this really really cute video about art on Soul Pancake this morn. Love Soul Pancake!

Made to Match

Decided to put the word out on my Etsy site for Made to Match custom jewelry and beads. It was so fun creating the matching pieces for a dress I have and it came out so well that I thought I would just love to do more of this sort of thing. Don't know if it will fly or not but why not try it?

gettin' my grove on

2009-06-14T11:51:00.004-04:00

Standing with my painting at Stable Gallery, Damariscotta

My Jewelry and painting at Stable Gallery

Stable Gallery in Damariscotta
My work is one of the featured artist's work for this month at Stable Gallery. Anthony and I attended the lovely opening last Friday. It was really nice and I was impressed with all the work there. They put out a lovely spread of food and even had live music. The members all did such a great job hanging the show. It is really one of the nicest galleries and Damariscotta is a sweet little town.

Made to match!

What came first, the beads or the fabric?
I am posting a pict. of the necklace I made to go with my dress that I wore to the opening. I was happy with how it came out. It was interesting to hear people's comments about it (all positive!) Someone asked me if I made the dress to match the necklace. That would have been really hard! I would have had to make the fabric!!! Much easier to make beads to match the fabric! I would love to do more of this sort of thing. Custom beads/jewelry to match outfit/fabric. New from YIKES! Studio!

Some flowers at Le Vatout

Le Vatout
We stayed overnight at a great B&B called Le Vatout in Waldoboro and made some excellent friends with the owners. We hope they will come and visit us in Lucerne if they can ever get away. The garden at this place is incredable!!! I am inspired to work on my own pathetic garden.

Talking to some customers at the Old Port Fest.

Shows
The Portland Old Port Fest weekend before last was a blast. I was really pleased with the turnout and made lots of sales. People continue to respond very favorably to my work and it is very rewarding. I could not believe how this little event has grown since I was an art student in '80's

Next weekend is the Lupine Fest in Stonington. Not sure what is will be like as it is the first time I have done this show. I think it will be fun and Stonington is so pretty.

Following week I will be in Ellsworth for a new show upstairs at the Grind on Main Street. Its part of a brand new event called "Art Across Ellsworth"

Happy Summer!☺

YIKES! news

2009-05-27T20:09:00.007-04:00

Valerie McCaffrey of Ballard Street Studios looks over pieces at Luna Form in Sullivan, Maine

Road Trip

Last week was pretty busy with getting ready for shows, having company and a birthday party for a friend of the family. Did a little road trip "downeast" to Luna Forms in Sullivan with my best girlfriend Valerie of Ballard Street Studio. Valerie is a sculptor who creates wonderful planters, called appropriately, "Garden Guardians," from concrete. Luna Forms also creates their pieces from concrete and we got to see the workshop and works in process during our visit. It is a wonderful place. Very Asian in feeling. The pieces are huge and gorgeous! Maybe one day they will trade us a piece for an ad in the Gallery Guide!

Studio News ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sea Candy

Coming up with some really cool shapes in reference to pods and crazy looking underwater forms. Here is the first piece fully assembled, though not quit done. This piece will probably under go some changes.

I've been blasting through some awesome color combinations=violet+goldish orange+metallic browns+pinks. Sooo fun!!

Next week it will be time to seriously work on the display overhaul!

spring in the woods

2009-05-13T12:05:00.000-04:00

Is this a trillium? Most amazing flowering plant. All about the number three.

Summer Collection

2009-05-13T11:15:00.010-04:00

Preview of New Jewelry for Spring & Summer!

Getting ready for the retail season has been a blast. I have been working with lots of bright colors and great combinations. The big color combinations out this season seem to be in snappy, happy pairings of pinks, oranges & bright greens. Very bold, very fun.

bold;">IndiePublic is another site for people like me who like to make things and try really hard to sell them!
This is a slide show from IndiePublic that features some new earrings-- Feista!

Find more photos like this on Indiepublic

Galleries
Dropped off pieces for Stable Gallery in Damariscotta last Saturday. The Stable Gallery is gorgeous, situated in an old carriage house. My work will be one of the featured artists next month with an opening in June. Looks like they are putting together a wonderful collection of artists and I am looking forward to seeing the gallery with all the work displayed.

life imitates art.... or vice versa....

2009-05-04T12:32:00.010-04:00

New Paintings!!

Spent a wonderful weekend painting. Worked on doing abstracts from the canes that I make for my jewelry work. It was a very interesting process and one that i plan to continue to explore. The canes are mostly abstract anyway and give me a good jumping off point for the paintings. I found that I am using many of the same approaches to the paintings that I do in the jewelry work. I love building form and shape from color. I have a natural inclination to certain shapes like pods, stalks, circles, etc. I feel like there are some pretty cool paintings yet to be done!

I can't wait to get painting again!

"geocircles," acrylic on canvas, 28 x 36

"from the deep" acrylic on canvas, 6 x 10

"deep in the bones" acrylic on canvas, 28 x 36

This painting is from the journey series that I had been working on a while ago. I never knew till this weekend how to finish the painting. I realized that it needed more of an "ending" and added the bleached white sticks around the edges to represent bones. I am happy with how it turned out. It has many meanings to me and I hope to others as well.

Gearing up for Show Season!
Getting all my ducks in a row for the busy time of year and happy with all the new and colorful pieces I will have out for sale. Also doing a revamp of the YIKES! show display and the web site! No one said this would be easy but i love it. I look forward to seeing all my returning and many new customers this summer.

Web-ly Wanderings

2009-04-21T17:32:00.006-04:00

Web Findings

I am always interested in seeing insects and little sea animals so this really caught my eye. It's a short interview with the wonderful Isabella Rosellini discussing her Sundance channel short films where she investigates the sex lives of insects & sea creatures. She's such a pleasure to watch and listen to. Thanks to BUST Magazine for this video.

Exploration continues

2009-04-12T23:01:00.005-04:00

I have been having an interesting time continuing my exploration into social networking sites. So far now I am maintaining pages on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and IndiePublic with the new addition of SoulPancake (not quite a social networking page, but intends to be one someday). It is a lot of work and very time consuming but pretty fun. I certainly don't want to be spending this much time in front of the computer everyday though!

IndiePublic is another site for people like me who like to make things and try really hard to sell them!
This is a slide show from IndiePublic that features some new earrings-- Feista!

Find more photos like this on Indiepublic

new ways to market in the viral world

2009-04-01T15:13:00.002-04:00

Hello,

While on vacation (really, I don't think I could ever leave my jewelry work and YIKES! behind) I have also been having some fun exploring twitter and other social networking sites and info. All eyes seem to be turned to this kind of marketing posibility. Like all marketing though, it takes time and careful planning of which I seem to have little(time) when it comes to this kind of stuff. One thing I do know is that it is a great way to offer my clients and potential clients some great ways to keep my work in their radar and generate some extra interest if done right.

Auction

I am looking at the possibility of having an online auction of one of my pieces. Something along the lines of a nice piece with a minimun bid and then the winning bid gets it! I think it might be fun and interesting.

Coupons
I plan to continue with the newsletters that will include special coupons and deals. I will be sending one out soon to highlight the summer shows and perhaps a drawing will be in the works.

Hope to see you this summer

Great time to be an artist

2009-03-23T14:48:00.002-04:00

exerpts from Art Issues blog by Barney Davey

..the argument that this is the best of times for artists

"This is a great time to be an artist. I go beyond just saying it's great timing to be a visual artist, which encompasses fine artists, photographers, digital artists and graphic designers. It arguably is a great time to be a musician, an actor, or a writer, too.

Technology has made so many things possible, like this blog, for instance. Print-on-demand technology and increasing advancements in video and audio recording all put tremendous power in the hands of individual artists. Couple those advancements with the ability to deliver their creative output via the Internet and other digital distribution methods and you have a strong argument for this being the best of times. I think it is easy to forget that in the good old days breaking in as an artist in any genre was tough. It still is. What is different now is that artists of all stripes can make their own luck in ways not available to previous generations.

Don't stop now

Technology is not a tool to make the works of hacks and amateurs passable. In the hands of the most talented, it will lift us and inspire us in ways we have yet to imagine. To my mind, it is the worst of times to be a pessimist and the best of times to be an optimist. It is a time to cautiously go forth with one's best plans, and to be cautiously aware those plans will need to be monitored and adjusted to inevitable changes. If you are like everyone else, you have already slowed your roll a bit, which is natural and prudent. I do admonish you, however, to keep on moving and leave you with the wisdom of the Great Depression era's best humorist and philosopher:

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)"

here here

the wierd and wonderful web

2009-03-21T21:02:00.005-04:00

When You're Smiling... from David OReilly on Vimeo.

Really, there is so much interesting a mind blowing stuff being done!
I have been looking at animators tonight and wanted to post something i found. There are others by David OReilly that are so worth watching on his site ("Please Say Something" is amazing). They are a little long so I didn't embed here. His web site is davidoreilly.com

Also looking at something called Datamashing. First used by OReilly, though he doesn't care for the term or the potential overuse of the effect. OReilly says it is like seeing the brush strokes of a painting in a digital video form. Chairlift uses the effect in their music video and its stunning in a psychedelic way.

1000 Bills (In Imago Speramus) from Alex Itin on Vimeo.

Why is a polymer clay jewelry artist blogging about cool animations? 'Cause i get my influences from everywhere and anywhere!

Some New Works

2009-01-25T17:23:00.003-05:00

Just a quick posting of some newer pieces.

Box

Mama Cash

2009-01-13T18:10:00.007-05:00

Come to my dinner party at Mama Cash and support women activists in developing countries! Find recipes, post recipes and have fun checking out this worthwhile global cause. So far Mama Cash has contributed about 30 million euros to women's issues.

Dead of Winter Open Studio Day

2009-01-04T16:31:00.003-05:00

ONE DAY SALE
One day only, before going into production for 2009, I will be opening the studio to anyone who would like to stop by. Many items will be on sale and it will be the last chance to get them!

The Studio will be open Jan 10, 11-5
207-843-6344

Holiday Greetings

2008-12-16T20:32:00.004-05:00

Thanks for all your business, the wonderful comments and support for my work! It has been a really great year, and in 2009 I will continue to offer the funniest and funkiest jewelry of all, at prices that everyone can afford.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the 2009 shows!

Link to Map

2008-12-02T21:51:00.001-05:00

Hope to see you at the OPEN STUDIO Dec 13 & 14, 10-5!
We are located on Phillips lake in Lucerne, on Rockridge Rd, (link to google map)

OPEN Studio Dec 13-14

2008-11-12T22:48:00.001-05:00

Its final, the YIKES! Studio open studio holiday show and sale will be Dec 13-14, 10-5. I will have many sale items to make way for the 2009 pieces. Time to clear it out!!

I plan to post a map here soon but you can always google directions.

The studio is also open by appointment if you can't make this date.

Please stop by and have a hot chocolate or an espresso! I am excited to show off my new studio update.

Holiday Sale and Open Studio Plans

2008-11-09T20:38:00.009-05:00

MECA/SEA Holiday Sale--click to see larger version

HOLIDAY SHOW
My next show is the holiday show in Portland. Its a wonderful show with lots of funky and fine stuff made by MECA students, alum and SEA artists. The show is a Christmas tradition for me as I have done the show for about 6 years. It never feels like Christmas til the MECA holiday show.

OPEN STUDIO
My studio is cleaned up and redone and ready to open for the YIKES! Open Studio Holiday Sale. The date will most likely be the weekend of Dec 13 -14, 10-4. Come by for hot chocolate, espresso or cappuchino, lots of jewelry, paintings and drawings. Many on sale!!

Suzanne

Congrats to US!

2008-11-05T10:53:00.003-05:00

Happy happy day today!! Obama wins with ease and the elections are almost flawless. It truly is a new day for America.
Yes We CAN!!!

Great Show in Bangor!

2008-11-02T17:51:00.005-05:00

Wow, it was great to be out and seeing everyone in Bangor this past Saturday. The Designing Women show at Husson University proved that Bangor can really turn out for a high end craft show. I don't know what the count was for attendance but the women from the Mable Wadsworth Women's Health Center seemed happy with the turnout (the Center was beneficiary of this year's admission charge). My booth was hopping all day long and I had many wonderful people stop by.

Studio Makeover
I have outgrown my crowded little studio and my very helpful and accommodating husband Anthony is helping me redo it into a more usable space. I will be very excited to get it done and open for the December Open Studio I am planning. Will announce the date in a few weeks.

Suzanne

The New Center for Maine Craft

2008-10-26T23:17:00.005-04:00

New necklace showing at the Maine Center
for Craft in Gardner Maine

This November sees the opening of the New Center for Maine Craft in Gardiner Maine. Located in the new West Gardiner Turnpike Authority rest stop, the Center will offer year-round retail opportunities to juried craft artists in Maine.

Don't Miss the Center for Maine Craft Gala Opening!
Friday, Nov 14, 5 - 7 pm
Work by Over 225 Artisans for Sale
First Annual Exhibition of Members' Limited Edition Holiday Ornaments
Refreshments & Music & More

Beginning Friday, Nov 14, the Center for Maine Craft will be open to the public 7 days a week from 10 am - 8 pm. So, if you miss the opening event, you don't have to miss out on all the great shopping for the coming holidays!

Directions:
From Maine Turnpike 95 South Exit 103,
From Maine Turnpike North Exit 102, From I-295 Exit 51

The Center for Maine Craft is inside the new West Gardiner Travel Plaza
located on Rt 126.

I am working like mad in my chilly studio get everything done in time!

Joining the Guild

2008-10-20T11:05:00.004-04:00

Red pendant in silver bezel with glass bead tassel

Fun Meeting
Last Saturday I attended my first Maine Polymer Arts Guild meeting. It was so much fun and very informative. I learned many new things and got to meet like minded, crazy for clay, people. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday and a much needed break for me from production work. Hope to have links here soon to member's web sites.

These are really much more red than the picture shows.
Set in silver with Swarovsky cyrstals.

Posting of some new works
While creating my pieces for the Work of the Hand show I got to further explored the use of silver with polymer clay. I feel a real union of these materials and hope to be using the silver fabrications more and more frequently. These are the higher end pieces though and I still am devoting a majority of my time to the production pieces for my regular shows and customers. It is important to me that i have a line that is affordable to everyone as well as the more "art" pieces.

Multi patterned polymer set in silver

The show has ended but the CMCA will be carrying my pieces in the gift shop through the end of December.

COMING SOON
Hope to see you soon at the Designing Women Show at Husson College in Bangor Nov 1.

My work will be at the new Center for Maine Craft in Gardiner opening in Nov. Will provide details soon.

MECA/SEA Holiday sale in Portland Dec 5,6,7. East End Community School

Show at CMCA and other events

2008-10-14T09:09:00.005-04:00

George Pearlman, at Center for
Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland

Last Friday night was the preview party for the show at the Center for Maine Comtemporary Art in Rockport. There are many beautiful pieces in the show by 40 artists. Some of my favorites were the fantastical pottery of George Pearlman of St George Pottery, Stephanie Sersich's hand blown glass bead jewelry and Jan Owen's gorgeous wall hangings. Gabriella d'Talia's monochromatic wall hangings are also intense and beautiful. The show only runs till Oct 19.

Working on a wholesale order for the new Maine Center for Craft in Gardiner. REally happy to be in on this new opportunity for Maine crafts people who are very serious about their work. I will have a variety of new work for sale there.

Designing Women show is just around the corner now. It will be At Husson College again on Nov 1. This is a fun local show with the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Healthcare as the recipient of the money raised. I will have lots of new work at this show so check it out.

new computer to play with

2008-09-19T18:32:00.002-04:00

some of my favorite new pieces

My computer has a camera!
Since I was having a very rare good hair day I took a picture :)

Havin too much fun-Studio time is awesome!

2008-09-11T14:18:00.008-04:00

As the summer comes to an end and fall is very much in the air, I am, as usual trying to keep up with everything that is due or needs my attention--lovin' it though! Its all good.

Being back in the studio is truly wonderful. I spent the last month preparing for the NOLAProject which was fine but not my true calling which is working on little bitty things to wear and playing with clay!

NEW WORK-MECA Auction Invitation

Wanted to post my latest in the navigational series --deep water amulets.

This piece is going to the MECA auction. It is a caned polymer clay amulet that opens to reveal a little image inside. A fine silver "charm" dangles from the bottom. Circled by sweet lime green wool roving from a Maine farm the amulet hangs from a hand dyed silk cord. The colors and patterns are very organic and flowery and hopefully evoke a sense of mystery and awe at nature and the deep cool watery pools of summer.

the black hole that is colorlovers.com

2008-08-17T19:41:00.003-04:00

Going further into colorlovers.com i have found this bit of beauty.
Please turn off the sound at the bottom of the blog page before watching!

Advanced Beauty 2 of 18 / Directed by Carl Burgess from Universal Everything on Vimeo.

Advanced Beauty is an ongoing exploration of digital artworks born and influenced by sound, an ever-growing collaboration between programmers, artists, musicians, animators and architects.

This collection of films is the first in a series of exhibitions, with upcoming commissions for the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and galleries in Europe, USA and Japan.

Color Lovers Web site!

2008-08-10T10:06:00.006-04:00

I just found the fun-ist web site ever. It is colorlovers.com. You can create infinite palates and patterns. I only just played with it the first time today and plan to go back and play some more. There are thousands of downloadable patterns and palates free to use.

Two patterns I quickly found that i liked a lot!

Though i never have a problem coming up with ideas, I can see lots of inspiration happening here for my beads.

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STUDIO NEWS

Beginning to get work together for the NOLAProject show at the Bangor Library to hang Sept 1. Coming up on the third anniversary of the hurricane and i am thinking a lot about it and following up on some stories from New Orleans. Will be updating the NOLAProject blog soon.

--Suzanne

New Pieces and Preparation for BELTEK Aug 1-3

2008-07-25T10:19:00.008-04:00

NEW WORK
Pictured are 2 examples of my newest pieces. Very excited about these two lovelies. Feeling the need to be more three dimensional and to build forms. So many possibilities!!

Sterling silver, polymer clay, silk cord

Hand fabricated sterling silver bezel,
handcrafted fine silver bead and polymer clay

NEXT SHOW-BELTEK
Very busy getting ready for BELTEK which happens next weekend Aug 1-3. Making glow jewelry, grab bags, new pieces, signage, costumes etc!!! This is a challenging but fun bunch of stuff to accomplish by friday next week. whew!

Camping at BELTEK (its free to all) Been awhile since I have been camping and Anthony hasn't been camping since his boyhood days so we are preparing for that as well. So much to do in a short amount of time. Hope the tent is still good. Will the non-stop rain will come to an end by then??

Best, Suzanne

So sweet

2008-07-17T08:59:00.003-04:00

FREE Hugs!

Sorry about the two tracks of music playing. Choose either to turn the volume down on the movie or at the bottom of the blog page. Either sound track will work!

A BIG Thank you!!

2008-07-14T17:46:00.004-04:00

First of all, I want to wish every one a big thanks for stopping by my booth at the Belfast Art in the Park fair. The show was a big success and lots of fun over all. I enjoyed talking to every one and it was so nice to hear all the really great compliments on my work. After spending so many long hours in the studio it is invigorating to bring the work out to the public and hear so many positive comments.

Since sales were so high at the fair I will need to again get right back to work! And that is great as it is my life's joy to be doing what I love. It is my wish that everyone should find something that brings them as much happiness and play as my work does for me.

My next venue will be the BelTek festival in Belmont Maine, Aug 1-3. ***non-stop fun for 48 hours!!! Oh my, I hope I am not too old for this! Really looking forward to the experience. I will be sharing a big round tent with Chris and Michelle Ruin (sp?? sorry C &M!). There promises to be lots of great DJ's spinning tunes to people of all ages from all over the country into the wee hours. There is plenty of free camping for all.

Planning to have some special glow-the-dark jewelry esp for the event.

Hope to see you all soon.

New Work and Show Schedule

2008-05-02T12:11:00.005-04:00

Sterling silver and polymer earrings

Greetings from Lucerne! Its been a long winter, a sluggish spring, but the flowers are blooming and its May, finally!

After finishing up the Gallery Guide (my husband and I publish the Maine Gallery & Studio Guide- a yearly guide to Maine art with web site and blog.) I am beginning to get my start in the production of pieces for the summer show schedule. I have many new pieces to bring out this year and a couple of new shows that I have never done before. Should make for an interesting summer.

I am excited to be doing a show with my best friend Valerie McCaffrey of Ballard Street Studio who is doing some fantastic cement garden heads. We will be both at the Woolfe's Neck Farm Art Fest June 28th. I plan to have paintings in this show as well as jewelry.

I am venturing into some unknown territory by doing the BelTek music festival in Belmont, Maine this year. It is a free 3 day 24 hour techno music dance extravaganza Aug 1-3. I will have some far out earrings and pendants just for this crowd as well as for the Old Port Fest. June 1 in Portland.

Designing Women show in Bangor is on again for this year. That show is at Husson College in Oct.

I will again be at MECA/Sea show in Portland for the Holidays.

Currently I have 2 pieces in a show at Daniel Kany Gallery in Portland. That show will run through June 1.

Hope to see you at some or all of these shows!

Best wishes,
Suzanne

busy season

2008-02-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

It has been a very busy time here at the studio. I have had so much to learn very quickly in order to present my work the very best I can

....not to mention lots of show forms to fill out.

IN The STUDIO
I am working on a series of little containers and learning to do transfers. Building the containers with little lids has opened up (literally) a whole new way to work for me. Having to make things fit together has been fun but difficult for me. I am working on two at the moment and am including transfers as part of the design. I have many ideas now but not a lot of time to spend on them. Such is life i guess.
Will post picts soon.

WEB SITE reBUILT again!
I have rebuilt my web site to be geared towards jewelry instead of painting. I will still post paintings here on this blog from time to time but have found that the majority of my sales have been in jewelry. I will be concentrating on the jewelry more than painting at this time and that is perfectly ok.

Do, however, intend to get the NOLAProject paintings done soon. Have an idea on how they will be done --mixed media on canvas.

New

2007-12-03T22:00:00.001-05:00

Pendants on Silk

Conical shape necklace

Beads

2007-09-17T10:41:00.000-04:00

Perfect for Fall. Handmade beads in browns, blues
with faceted carnelian and sterling silver.
Hand forged sterling silver clasp. 16" (sold)

Greens and Blues. Long necklace of handmade beads, silver chain,
faceted blue quartz, swarovsky Austrian Crystal and opal glass.
Hand forged sterling silver clasp. appox 26"

Shell and Petal Necklace. Asian inspired in a combination
of handmade beads and pendant with sterling silver,
handmade precious metal clay shell, pink opal glass and seed beads.
Hand forged clasp. 16"

Pink and Green. Handmade large beads (approx 20 mm)
with varied fun patterns strung with copper, dyed jade
and Swarovsky Austrian crystal.
Hand forged copper clasp. approx. 20"

RECENT WORK
Posting a few pictures of some recent beads and necklaces.

NOLA Project
Things are going well with the fund raising bracelet. I have raised almost enough to cover my travel expenses! I will still need raise funds for materials, framing and publicity for the shows. Thanks to everyone who has so generously supported me!

SHOW IN BIDDIFORD
I will be having a solo show of my landscapes at the Biddeford Savings Bank, Biddeford, Maine Oct- Dec

~Suzanne

2007-08-27T17:10:00.000-04:00

I am happy to announce that I now have an ETSY site where I can sell my jewelry and paintings online. At this point I only have the "Home" bracelet listed on the site to support my trip to New Orleans. Please check it out sometime.

Suzanne

Art in New Orleans--The Nola Project

2007-07-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

I would like to refer everyone to my new project that is explained at www.thenolaproject.blogspot.com.

Please feel free to leave me some comments and buy a bracelet to support this worthy cause!

New Work
I am off for a quick overnight trip to see some art and do some pastels. We are going "downeast" as Mainers say. This refers to going up the coast of Maine, north of Bar Harbor. Perhaps some of these works will make it into the WLBZ sidewalk art show Aug 4 in Bangor.

Thanks for visiting--Suzanne

2007-07-06T14:04:00.000-04:00

"Moss Covered", Pastel 9 x 12

Thank you for your interest in my work.

Living on a beautiful Maine lake has offered me the wonderful opportunity to paint what I see right out side of my studio or just down the road a bit. To have this presented to me is like receiving a gift everyday. I am very happy to be able to share this beautiful place through my paintings.

Painting From Life
Painting in the natural environment has taught me how to see light and color. Living on a lake I am always fascinated by the water itself. The never ending patterns, color and reflections.

Cierra, my painting compainion of 11 years!

Life Influences Narrative Paintings
My narrative, more abstract paintings are created using what I have learned while painting from life. These paintings portray an idea of voyage, journey, transformation and self-actualization.

A transformation through difficult times or navigating changes can often be seen in the water and kayak paintings. The kayak is metaphor for the journey. The water can be treacherous or calm,
frozen solid or changing over from frozen to liquid. The going is
often difficult with a hopeful, positive place (island) as the
destination. The kayak, being a pod-like vessel, can be seen as
containing hope, desires, potential.

"Binding" acrylic 18 x 30 (in process)

Figurative Paintings
My figures are about the same kind of journeys with perhaps a bit more of a literal portrayal. My heroines or heros as I think of them, have changes to go through and difficulties. I seek to portray them as peaceful and strong individuals. Their faces serene.

COLOr~!
I use opposites in the paintings like warm and cool colors and complimentary colors (across from each other on the color wheel, such as purple and yellow, blue and orange). These opposites are used to try to push and pull the figure into and out of the canvas. These opposites work to point out the dicotomy in all humans between the feminine/masculine, the good/bad, strong/week etc. Also, to me these figures are still struggling and have a long way to go.

In all, it is my intention that they seem positive and the viewer feels optimistic about the outcome.

Visiting the Studio
My studio is open by appointment. Call anytime to arrange for a visit.

New Work and Show Schedule

2007-06-25T11:00:00.001-04:00

Lately I have been working with soft pastels. It is an interesting switch from the oil pastels I have been doing. These are all 9 x 12, done on location.

Lonely Kayak Series

Lonely Kayak #2 -moving toward contentment, acrylic on canvas

Lonely Kayak #3-Journey-landscape in flux-ice changes to water, acrylic on canvas (SOLD)

These paintings are really exciting for me and the response to them has been fantastic. I think working from life has helped to inform me on how to do the more "inner" paintings. This theme is very interesting to me. I love the shape of the kayak. It is a pod, very organic and yet not. I am painting a lonely journey. I don't know the outcome yet. There are many more paintings to come on this. I can't wait to get some more canvases and more cadmium yellow light paint!

Working on the lonely Kayak series

My Dog Cierra, acrylic on paper

My new beads! I have been exploring bead making and boy is it fun. I will be featuring these new necklaces at some of the shows this summer and fall.

Collaged pendant with lavarock, swarovsky austrian crystal,
yellow jade and skulls necklace. The skulls are fun and make
the jewelry seem primative and magical.

Schedule as of 6-27-07

Every thurs in Bangor, 4-8, at the Kenduskeag Stream. Mostly jewelry with a few acrylic paintings on board.

WLBZ 2 outdoor art show, Bangor, Aug 4, paintings and jewelry

Art at the Beach, Lincolnville, Sat. Aug 11, 10-4, paintings

Designing Women, Oct 3, Husson College, jewelry

United Maine Craftsmen, Brewer Auditorium, Nov 23-25, jewelry and paintings

Maine College of Art Holiday Show, Portland, Dec 7-9, jewelry and paintings

Thanks to everyone who attends my shows and a special thanks to those who purchase my work. It is my wish that you absolutely love it!

Whats happening at YIKES!-A lot!

2007-04-28T16:15:00.000-04:00

Haven't had much time for writing this blog. Ahhh... writing is not my thing but I find that I have to do it a lot more than I care to.

Wanted to make a note here about my very new and very very interesting beads (to me anyway) I have delved into the world of polymer clay and am totally addicted to the stuff. I am so thrilled to be able to use color and pattern in my very own beads!! It has been a lot of experimenting and I have so many ideas going through my brain. Can't make things fast enough.

Will have scans here for viewing soon.

Also, have started a new body of work in pastels of all things. Though I have always liked oil pastels, the chalk pastels never appealed to me before. It is very interesting to work with them. It is like the opposite of the oil pastels in that i am always bumping up the color as opposed to bring it down when using the oil. My work has loosened up.

updated web site

2007-02-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

If you arrived here via the updated Yikes!Studio web site then you already know that it has been revamped and hopefully is functioning better. The new site has an emphasis on the paintings but I hope to add more jewelry at a later time. I have removed the Paypal shopping as many people don't like to use it anyway. I think if someone is interested in my work they will just contact me through email anyway.

Besides doing my regular job at the Maine Gallery and Studio Guide and creating web sites, I have been busy doing a lot of paperwork and filing out forms for the upcoming show season. Hoping to get back to painting soon--need to get back to it soon!!

Working on some new jewelry for this year. A lot more silversmithing and creating my own beads too. It has been interesting and fun.

Besides the appearing in the usual WLBZ Show in Bangor and the Holiday show at MECA
I will be appearing in a Designing Women show this year and also the some United Maine Craftsmen shows. It should be a very busy season. I will post a schedule when I know more.

The lake has been gorgeous!
There is nothing like Maine light in winter.

New Logo

2006-11-15T17:12:00.000-05:00

New Logo Design for YIKES!Studio

Watch for the t-shirt. I may have a few for the Holidays

Working on getting ready for the MECA Portland show first weekend in Dec. Will have tons of new stuff. Working like mad on suzijewels. Really exxccited about them. If you haven't seen them yet check out the previous post for an example. The newer ones, however, are a little simpler but just as funcky.

Have a great Thanksgiving

Suzanne

Paintings and Jewelry

2006-09-25T15:16:00.000-04:00

The Hair Change, acrylic, 2006

Welcome to the new blog for YIKES!Studio and Beads & etc. I am really excited to finally be getting some new info and images up on this web site and maybe kick things up a notch as far as keeping clients up to date on the things I have been making and experimenting with lately. The blog seems like an ideal medium for this --a lot less time consuming than updating the web site leaving me more time to concentrate on what I do best!

Soon I will be dropping the Beads & etc name and will continue to work under YIKES!Studio. I think it is just too confusing to use both names and Yikes is really the best of the two I think. The site will continue to be hosted at www.beads-etc.net for now.

For those who don't know, Anthony and I have gotten married! (Sept 6, 2006) We had a beautiful, little wedding with perfect weather. It was so much fun! We celebrated with friends and family from near and far. We honeymooned in Paris and Venice. Absolutely awesome. While in Venice we took a tour of the famous and very old Murano Glass factory and needless to say I will be doing some work soon with Murano glass beads. I have a new wonder, fascination and appreciation for Murano glass. I didn't do any painting while away but came away with much inspiration and many photos.

Upcoming shows
Philips Strickland House Fall Fair-November
MECA Alumni Show Oct 6-Nov 17
"Hold Everything!" Oct Maine Discovery Museum Auction-painted bench
MECA Auction Nov 10-Kumbala Jasper Necklace
Philips Strickland House Fall Fair-November
MECA/SEA Holiday Show-Dec 1-3, new location at the East End Community School
CancerCare at EMMC Show Feb 2007

New Work

Ever since planning my wedding I have been interesed in making jewelry that is a bit more romantic and more dress-up. I have been very drawn to the Swarovski Crystals and want to incorporate lots of sparkle but in new ways that I hope will continue to excite people about my work.

silver flower necklace with Swarovski crystals,
garnets and cherry quartz sold

My paintings continue to move in directions that I enjoy and I hope will appeal to others. The landscapes and still lifes on the small boards are really fun and people seem to like them. I call them my kitchen art. The landscapes are still captivating me and I am anxious to get out and paint soon. Things have been a little crazy since the wedding and getting Maine Gallery Guide back on track has taken a lot of my time. The colors now are really magnificent and the air wonderfully clear. Yesterday it was misty and really lovely too.

I am interested in doing more figurative work. I feel I can really get at the center of things when working in this form. It is something that I feel calls for bigger canvases and am currently working at around 36 x 28.

Thanks for looking at my work! Till next time....Suzanne

Suzijewels necklace - mixed media

Binding, 2006 acrylic

Water Sparkles, 2006, Oil Pastel