Whats happening at YIKES!-A lot!

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

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

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

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