Stevie B. Jewelry

The Metal Museum - Metalsmith Exhibition in Print 2011

2011-12-04T18:30:00.002-05:00

My work will be shown at The Metal Museum!
Featured will be one of the pieces from the EIP (Year of The Swine (flu)) & one ring from the series (Mad Cow). See them live!

Exhibition in Print:

From the pages of Metalsmith magazine, comes a juried exhibition of work produced since 2009. Metalsmith magazine is a publication of the Society of North American Goldsmiths. There will be an opening reception for the exhibition in conjunction with our Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 11, 12-5pm. The event will feature hands-on activities, holiday music by pianist Hayley Roth, refreshments and holiday items on sale in the Museum Store.

More about the Exhibition:
Work from the following 30 artists was chosen by jurors Lola Brooks and Cindi Strauss for Fresh: Exhibition in Print 2011. The Metal Museum will feature works by the majority of the artists listed.

Stevie B., Suzanne Beautyman, Nikky Bergman, Jim Bové, Namu Cho, Jennifer Crupi, Adriane Dalton, Sidney Caldwell Deaghlan, Anja Eichler, Aliyah Gold, Kevin Hughes, Minwon Kim, Andrew Kuebeck, Robert Longyear, Timothy McMahon, Andrea Miller, Edgar Mosa, Seth Papac, Mary Hallam Pearse, Ryan Peters, Sara Pfau, Devin Ragotzy, Katie Rearick, Sondra Sherman, Natalie Smith, Amy Tavern, Stephanie Tomczak, Jennifer Trask, Andrea Wagner, Amy Weiks & Gabriel Craig

More info: http://www.metalmuseum.org/fresh

Metalsmith - Exhibition In Print 2011

2011-08-22T13:40:00.005-04:00

~~I have yet to receive my copy but~~ I am thrilled to be featured in the current Metalsmith Exhibition In Print!

Mad Cow - Silver, patina, found object by Stevie B.
Photography by Steven Brian Samuels

3 people so far have asked , so here is the full artist statement I sent:

My current series, Zoonoses, takes a disturbing social issue, diseases passed from animals to humans, and adds a bit of humor to the discussion. The work is reminiscent of trophies, head and rear mounted, that can be displayed like the once prized, exotic, stuffed, and quite dusty animals of a dead era.

As diseases passed by these vicious and vile animals continue to mutate and threaten humankind is hunting them for sport, and a bit of pleasure, so far fetched?

When great herds of wild, mad cows rise up en masse to slaughter those who once slaughtered--

When geese, ducks, and other avian demons start dropping their payloads by the score on the innocent heads of our young--

When swine gather secretly in their pens under cover of night, coughing and sweating from fever, (followed by chills and mild aches) planning humankind's destruction--

Will humankind be ready for the Animal Armageddon to come?

In the end, it's either our bacon or theirs.

I for one choose their bacon!

Stevie B.
www.steviebjewelry.com
www.artjewelryphotography.com

BTW- The only reason I answered the call-for-entry for EIP was because Tabitha Twistyarm twisted my arm!

Thank you Tabitha for your relentless arm twisting and far too often arse kicking!

FOCUS: SOFA. Not just something to decorate with ridiculously overstuffed pillows.

2011-05-04T13:19:00.007-04:00

FOCUS: SOFA. Not just something to decorate with ridiculously overstuffed pillows.

SOFA New York 2011

April 14-17

Posted a bit late on Crafthaus. You can read it here!

I'll hopefully get back in the studio soon since I need to make a few things for the upcoming Metalsmith Exhibit In Print which photos of my jewelry will appear in... The real "announcement" will come a bit later after I redo my jewelry/art website. So just forget that bit for now.

Some things I have learned about walking around with a ginormous camera rig & a badge with the word "PRESS" on it.

1. Everyone looks at you with pleading eyes, especially the artists.

2. I feel bad that I can't photograph & write about everyone/piece I want to.

3. I even feel bad about not photographing & writing about everyone/piece that I don't have any interest in.

4. If you are an artist. or more likely a gallery owner, and you insist on dragging me into your booth and making a scene about it I will take photos and record our conversation (I also utilize a very nice 5.1 surround mic/system for interviews). Once I step out of your booth the photos and interview are deleted. I don't like pushy car salesmen types.

In the meanwhile, in real life, Ive had to move offices which was hell. Hell continues as everything is still not working correctly and the A/C keeps breaking down. And some other things that I will go into at a later date when the issues are resolved. Hopefully resolved. One day. Or year. Perhaps in some parallel, and assuredly better reality, they have already been solved but I am not sure how to read that blog for within this reality. Sorry.

Here's a treat for reading. The backside of a cow. Cow ring that is. The front cost extra.

FOCUS: BMAC - Buyers Market of American Craft

2011-03-01T11:54:00.001-05:00

FOCUS

Just a quick note to tell you guys that I wrote an article on Crafthaus about my trip to the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Members of Crafthaus can join my group, but non-members can still read the article they just cant post themselves.

FOCUS: BMAC - Buyers Market of American Craft

Is Love ever really late?

2011-02-26T12:56:00.007-05:00

Tabitha L. Mitchell

Some girls want flowers and chocolates. Others, a dinner out in The City. A quite walk. A weekend away from It All.

Mine, she wanted photos, so that's what she got.

It might not have been the most romantic Valentines we ever spent.

But, as Tabitha reminded me, "After 15 or so years together, who needs romance? I need photos!"

-Stevie

How long?

2011-02-03T23:25:00.002-05:00

Tabitha L. Mitchell

I know, I know. Been a long time hasn't it?

I also know that you guys don't want to hear the excuses...Been busy doesn't really work with a blog because then everyone feels like they have missed out on something.

Well, you haven't.

I have been shooting photos of jewelry for artists and galleries and when not doing that I have been shooting some for my girlfriend who has finally opened an Etsy shop which she has wanted to do for sometime now as she hasn't done any craft/art shows these last 2 years. And I did say I would help...And I do keep my promises even if they show up a year or so later ;)

So if you guys can check out her shop, say "hello", favorite her or something, I would really appreciate it!

click here!

Etsy Seller compulsivejewelry

For right now she is just listing her beaded items. Hopefully she will get back in the studio and do some other work as well.

Speaking about the studio...IT'S A FREAKIN MESS STILL!

I really need to clean it and get working! Iv'e been having a hard time juggling the Art Jewelry I love to make and taking photos of Art Jewelry.

I'll get it right sooner or later...Watch me :)

I also might start posting some tips and how-to's for people who want to shoot their own jewelry but I may do so in another blog. I'll see...

I won't finish this by saying I'll post soon because that never works. I'll just post.

-Stevie

Head In The...

2010-12-27T23:11:00.001-05:00

Elves...

2010-12-14T22:33:00.004-05:00

Xmas Bathroom...Yeah, bathroom


Sweety Da Elf. Thats a back breaking 12 foot tree creating that nice bokeh.

Lights in the kitchen & the back breaking tree behind.

Tuesday Da Elf.

My Work In Metalsmith Magazine!

2010-10-30T16:54:00.000-04:00

Artist - Thomas Gentille Photographer - Steven Brian Samuels

Have I secretly been hiding the truth?

Deep down am I really world renown artist Thomas Gentille?

Yes & No.

I am not Thomas Gentille.

I have, however, been hiding the truth. Secretly.

Artist - Thomas Gentille Photographer - Steven Brian Samuels

For the last 6 years or so, I have been an underground photographer, shooting mostly art jewelry, and only for a select group of artists under the pseudonym Steven Brian Samuels. Yea, I know. Silly name, but I couldn't think of anything else. ;)

Up until recently I have been very reluctant to pursue photography full-time. This hesitation had mostly to do with my perfectionist's eye, which only grew larger as I took on more work.

But, because of the gentle nudging of one person and the not so gentle nudging, swift kick in the buttocks and then a quick spin and kick to the bollocks from another person, I have finally decided to throw caution to the wind, lay bare my naked soul, and come out as an art jewelry photographer!

Artist - Thomas Gentille Photographer - Steven Brian Samuels

Ahhhh. That feels better...

Like a weight, lifted.

You can see more of my photography work here @ my site: www.artjewelryphotography.com

& Thomas Gentille @ Gallery Loupe

Artist - Thomas Gentille Photographer - Steven Brian Samuels

And yes! I am still doing my own art jewelry work. One obsession helping to feed another :)

I give you...

2010-10-28T02:48:00.000-04:00

Year Of The Swine (Flu)

2010-10-06T16:40:00.000-04:00


Zoonoses Series - Brooch - Sterling Silver, Found Object

Moo!

2010-10-01T23:25:00.000-04:00


Mad Cow - (Zoonoses Series) Sterling Silver, Found Object, Patina - By Stevie B.

MOO!

LOOK! Actual studio work instead of photos!

2010-09-19T17:48:00.003-04:00


Untitled (as of yet) Ring- Sterling, Rutilated Quartz. By Stevie B.

I failed to mention that this work was done months ago. Only the photo is new.

Its the ring I now wear more then any other and it has no name just yet.

Another day much like the last one only different...

2010-09-12T21:55:00.001-04:00

=:====>Just the kind of day I'm having...

2010-09-03T20:22:00.001-04:00

The mess of 2010...or The Day I Lost Half Of My Space To Another One Of My Personalities (or just an excuse not to have the orders done just yet...)

2010-07-29T10:41:00.000-04:00

So...

2010-06-25T13:41:00.002-04:00

--INSERT EYE CATCHING PHOTO HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE DISLIKE READING WORDS WITHOUT SOME SORT OF VISUAL STIMULI TO KEEP THEM ENGAGED--

OMG! No photo! I've committed one of the many "blog sins"! (I also post all to irregularly but we will skip that sin for now).

Before I lose all of my readers I just wanted to give a quick update:

My girlfriend, Tabitha, who has recently started to really read my blog*, needed gallbladder surgery which she had on Monday. Recovery is going OK just a lot slower then expected...

* The 2 items, gallbladder surgery and reading my blog, may or may not be related**. Further tests are needed. Volunteers have been ~~dug up~~ found. A Unified Field Theory is still pending...

**You have been warned in a legally binding way.

Other things are happening as well but for now everything is on hold till Tabitha is better...

Sinfully Yours,

Stevie B.

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

2010-05-14T09:00:00.002-04:00

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."

My favorite line from the Wizard of Oz because it seems to have many meanings which change with time, point of view, life experiences. Outside of the movie, beyond the loss of innocence and the courage to see the reality that lies past the smoke, mirrors and yellow brick road, the line always held more meaning for me in Real Life™. Or perhaps I have just attached more meaning to the line over time, much like the way we all attach meaning to ourselves.

At times I've felt like the people on the outside of the curtain. Sometimes you know there is a curtain, sometimes your oblivious to its existence. If you know there is a curtain and there is no obvious way to see behind it, you may fantasize about what goes on in this unseen world all the while knowing that whatever you makeup to fill this void of unknowing won't be close to the truth. You may also think that unseen world behind the curtain must be better then the world I inhabit...the grass always being greener.

Most of the time in my life however, I have felt like the wizard.

Not the all-powerful wizard, but the much diminished human being that hides behind the curtain. Pulling levers. Making smoke. Adjusting mirrors. Sometimes there are more curtains then one can count.

But lets not forget what the much diminished human did worked.
Behind the disguise of the all-powerful wizard was a wizard.

The truth is we are all wizards. At times all-powerful, and at other times Just Human™.
We are all people outside of some curtains.
We are also people behind some curtains as well.

Art is a way for me to bypass all curtains.
A conduit from one diminished human being to others.

From one wizard to another...

So you wanna see where the magic happens?

2010-05-13T14:45:00.003-04:00

I am that person that you sit with during a movie and within 5 minutes will sum up the entire plot. I am usually spot on.

I am that person who will tell you how the magician does his tricks or a close enough approximation that it makes little difference.

I will point out CGI.
Show you were photos have been digitally manipulated and how.
Help you to notice slight printing mistakes an errors.
Dyed hair.
Fake eye color.

That the women you find so attractive is really a man.

Why?

Since I have been tortured by unwillingly noticing these things and many others, it's only fair that I share this information with as many people as possible.

But yet, I feel sort of weird sharing process and studio photos.

Art, especially jewelry, has a sort of mystique that shrouds it. A romance. Much like the romantic notion of the lone artist making wonderful works in some tiny studio a million miles away from civilization. A bit crazy. A bit mad. All by himself. Making masterpieces because he has to. Not worrying about money. Then one day a very rich art collector finds the tiny isolated studio by chance and becomes the artist's patron saint. The artist of course stays in the tiny studio a million miles away from civilization, continues making masterpieces, letting the uncashed checks pile up in the corner.

Unless of course you are an artist. All that is lost on you then, or will be if you continue in your pursuit.

Without further ado, or some such overused cliche, where the magic happens...

A heated and air conditioned tandem garage...not so many miles away from civilization (like 5 miles from NYC)

Soldering (brazing), metal melting-ingot poring Station.

Everything is setup in different stations. Probably because that's how most of the schools I have been to have it setup. Will make it easier if I ever decide to teach, but mostly it helps me get up and move about when working in the studio. I have a tendency to get lost in my work, having to move about wakes me up a bit.

Just a bit.

*Notice the acetylene tank. Hopefully I will be getting an oxygen tank as well one day

(if I can get it past the guard/girlfriend)

Hammering, forming, rolling mill Station

The red, yellow, and blue balls are very heavy rubber juggling balls.

A necessity for relaxation and creative thinking.

Closeup of the most expensive thing in the shop:

A Durston 150mm rolling mill

Straight ahead: Design Station.

Though I really do most of my designs in my head, on a napkin, on some scrap of paper late at night with an eye pencil because I cant find a feckin pen that works. This station doubles as a Put Stuff Somewhere Station. There is an actual Put Stuff Somewhere Station behind and to the left of this photo. I need to get my wide angle back from a friend so I can take a complete shot with a real camera instead of this point and shoot (which I kinda like cause it's like...point...shoot)

Bench Shears

BEWARE! Don't let the name fool you! This things sucks at shearing benches!

The bench shears are a new item to the studio after Janice had tested it for me. Thanks Janice!

(Please check out her blog and the wonderful Jewelry Artist Network (JAN) forums!)

Bench Shears (closeup)

This thumb is here to remind anyone that uses the shears what can happen if you are not careful.

I should add a tiny bench to remind people that you can't shear benches with these shears!

Flex shaft, usual work area, Station.

In the metal draws, as with all the previous metal draws, there is stuff. Like hammers, files, burrs, all my casting wax that I haven't used yet (a ton).

Under the fan to the left (in the bins) is some copper etching things. To the left of that is a toaster oven for heating plastics and other things.

Buffer, sander, drill Station

The sander I try an avoid at all costs as it will take down material in moments...
The buffer was a gift that I will use some day.

Ipod player, epoxy, scroll saw Station

The iPod player is for audio books. I am almost always listening to some audio book or another. I use to be a vivacious reader but reading takes way too much time, time that can be better spent in the studio. Only unabridged, good, and most importantly, well read books accepted.

I mix most of my epoxy on this table. The pigments are in draws (see: stuff).

The scroll saw...Notice that the "safety" junk has been removed. If it was attached I couldn't really do any cutting. No plastic. No metal. Nada. The holder does not hold thin material well and lets it jump around like a hyper child on a bed. So I must manually hold the material and push down hard enough with one hand so the material stays flat...all while the other hand is moving the material so it can be cut. I have never used this saw over a very low setting. Its just too dangerous and any plastic will melt anyway and then reattach once the blade goes through. Since I don't use it much I haven't gotten the knack of controlling the material and cutting pieces. Its different cutting metal and plastics then it is cutting wood, not that cutting wood is easy--it's not. Cutting is also backward compared to a jeweler's saw (or the other way around if you like) and my mind flips out a bit. The concentration needed is extreme. On the plus side: It does take jeweler's saw blades. Also, its good (with much effort) for cutting plexi for a hydraulic press since you can flip the piece and have the other side of your design for pressing.

Closeup of the Mind manipulating hell-saw.

The pig is needed. I don't know why.

The finger warns of danger...

Vise, Bonny Doon, golden cat, hand Station

I will hopefully get back to using the hydraulic press sometime this year. I hope..

Well, that's almost the whole studio. 2 stations left out. Complete overview photo left out. All the stuff in draws and on shelves ignored. I really should take photos just for insurance purposes...

In future I will take some additional photos, some things I wish to move about (I get bored of the same layout and will try for a more efficient layout) so the photos new again. Also, I may actually clean up a bit. I really do hate it messy...

Everything DOES have it's place...The getting to the place, that's the problem.
Stupid non-legged everythings...

NJArts Annual Craft: Make Me Something Beautiful -A Few Process Photos

2010-05-12T12:54:00.001-04:00

From this...

To this...

From The Love #3 (40 Loads Series)

Brooch, 2010, 2 ½ x 2 ½ x 1 inches

Sterling silver, plastic laundry detergent cap, epoxy resin, gesso, Prismacolor, marker, acrylic paint

From The Love #3 (40 Loads Series)

(Detail)

From The Love #3 (40 Loads Series)

(Back)

One of the pieces being sent to the Newark Museum for the upcoming show (see left side: Upcoming). I did manage to take some process shots with my point & shoot instead of with the pro camera so image quality and focus may vary. Looking through them I see I took too many shots of some things and not enough (or any) of others...I'll have to work at that...

That's all. Sorry for the lack of metal work photos. For some odd reason when I have a torch in my hand I don't think about taking a picture. As usual I am lacking hands...

Zoonoses - Diseases Humans Get From Animals

2010-02-13T20:03:00.006-05:00

Year Of The Swine (Flu)
Ring
Sterling silver, plastic
(front)

Yeah, I know. Weird right? Who would want to do jewelry about that?

Well that's my newest series and I'm sticking with it!

This piece was finished in December of last year and I haven't been able to get in the studio since then :( All my sketches and ideas are done...Some rings, cameos, necklaces all ready to be made but I haven't made the time. I think I've stalled. I just need a nudge, a gentle push, a kick in the arse to get me going once again.

I hope by posting it to the masses (that's you!) I may be inspired to get back to making.

Year Of The Swine (Flu)
Ring
Sterling silver, plastic
(back)

Going to SNAG!!!

2010-02-11T16:25:00.008-05:00

2010 SNAG Conference, "going to eXtremes," Houston, TX, March 10-13, 2010

Only part of me is actually going to SNAG this year. No, not that part! I'm not done with that part just yet. Though I am getting older and thinking more about quite walks, holding hands, and companionship...

My right thumb will be going! My Thumb Thumb Ring (for Douglas Adams) was selected for eXtremities: Exploring the Margins of the Human Body, at the Jung Center of Houston. A juried exhibition of works for and about the arms, hands, legs and feet – as inspiration, as subject, as site. March 1–15. Juror: Seattle artist, Andy Cooperman.

As for the SNAG conference, perhaps next year I'll get to send another body part...

Maybe even that one!

Lark Books - 500 Gemstone Jewels

2009-11-30T21:54:00.003-05:00

Headstone
Ring
Resin, Various stones

Seems that my work has been accepted into Lark Books - 500 Gemstone Jewels juried by Cindy Edelstein!

Due out in stores Spring 2010...

Although I am extremely happy to be included in the book, I will be ecstatic to read the description and finally be able to find out which stones I used! I had accidentally deleted my original description and had to use "various" stones :(

Also, unbeknown to me same piece had been featured on The Carrotbox in July!

Thumb Thumb Ring (for Douglas Adams)

2009-11-09T21:55:00.002-05:00

Thumb Thumb Ring (for Douglas Adams)
Ring, 2009
Sterling silver, resin, prismacolor

I have been working on a few pieces for an upcoming show and though I would share one.

If you don't know who Douglas Adams is CLICKY!

Latest publication...

2009-11-08T16:37:00.004-05:00

1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse

I'm in this book :)

Two Shows!

2009-11-08T16:00:00.010-05:00

Two Shows!

I'll be at this one!
Click here for more information about this show.

Participating Artists:

Paper:
Hoyeon Chung (Carbondale IL)
Artemis Herber (Baltimore, MD)
Ellen Jantzen (St. Louis, MO)
Eun Yeong Jeong (Champaign, IL)
Ji-Leun Lee (Woodside, NY)
Amy Lipshie (Pittsburgh, PA)
Ryan S. Murphy (Brooklyn, NY)
Midori Saito (Seattle, WA)
Emi Savacool (Bloomsbury, NJ)
Hyeseung Shin (Chicago, IL)
Michelle Sotolongo (San Marcos, TX)
Francesca Vitali (Rochester, NY)
Brian Weissman (Brooklyn, NY),

Plastic:
Eliana Arenas (Charlotte, NC)
Stevie B. (New Jersey)
Melissa Borell (Houston, TX)
Brenda Bregman (Bethesda, MD)
Burcu Buyukunal (Mugal, Turkey)
Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez (Henrietta, NY)
Bifei Cao (Indiana, PA)
Cynthia del Giudice (Navarro, Argentina)
Sung-Yeoul Lee (Smithville, TN)
Emiko Oye (San Francisco, CA)
Michelle Pajak-Reynolds (Stow, OH)
Mary Hallam Pearse (Athens, GA)
Jon Radermacher (Pittsburgh, PA)
Carol Ann Rafferty (Clarence, NY)
2Roses (Anaheim, CA)
Rickson Salkeld (Toronto, Canada)
Anthony Tammaro (Philadelphia, PA)
Carolyn Tillie (San Francisco, CA)

I'll try very hard to be at this one as well :)
Click here for more information about this show.

Collaboration (or How To Kill Yourself Without Really Trying)

2009-08-30T20:27:00.003-04:00

The following is from a post I responded to on Crafthaus on collaboration. Thought I would re-post it here for everyone to see because (1) It's sort of funny, (2) It's true, (3) I am lazy.

Here is the link to the original discussion:
CRAFTHAUS

Here is my latest reply:

I would love to try a collaboration as discussed here, it has to be better then the one I recently tried (see below).

I blame this discussion for almost ruining my relationship with my girlfriend of 13+ years. I blame everyone who has responded or will ever respond in the future in this, and every other dimension.

While my girlfriend (I'll call her "Tabitha")...While Tabitha and I both "do" jewelry and other art and work next to each other in and out of the studio we have never worked together before. Sure, we have always asked each others advice, bounced ideas off each other, and all that, but we never worked on the same project together.

So we tried it. A simple project combining simple metal techniques and some fiber work Tabitha has been "researching".

It surprised me...more then surprised--It feckin scared me to find out after 13 years of knowing each other that our artistic view was so different! The piece started very simply with 1 square wire oval(ish) shape and 1 square wire rectangle(ish) shape. I placed the shapes in what I thought was a nice simple design but Tabitha kept moving them around to what she thought was a great design! HOW DARE SHE!

I moved the shapes back. She moved them around again. This went on for a very long time. I even skipped making dinner (I am the house chef ). We ended up "compromising" on a design we both sort of hated equally and we ate frozen gluten free chicken for dinner.

The next morning Tabitha woke with "a really cool idea for the piece", which she was really excited about and I, of course, immediately rejected and hated from the depth of my soul.

The fun continued on and off for 3 weeks. When I say "fun", I of course mean "misery". She wanted both parts of the piece to include fiber, I did not. I wanted a black and white fiber, Tabitha did not.

We continued with the 3 C's. Choke. Compromise. Kill. (Alright, "kill" doesn't start with a "C", but 3 C's sounds better then 2 C's and a K). We did this for another week and after about a month we came up with something that should have taken 2 days at most to make.

This was the most stressful and painful piece I have worked on. Many of my super, great, fabulous, and amazing ideas were shot down as soon as they left my mouth, if not before. I had to deal with a whole other person, with her own distinct vision, personality, and grooming habits. It was much more of a challenge then either of us anticipated and it sometimes took us far outside our comfort zones.

Of course we are already collaborating on our next piece.

2 Professors & Stevie B. !

2009-07-25T15:50:00.020-04:00

That's Arkansas.

Which just happens to be where I went recently to be a juror.

Coincidence?

Yours truly, Stevie B., along with Associate Professor Erica Spitzer Rasmussen (Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN) and Professor Richard Hirsch (The School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY) were invited by the Arkansas Arts Council to juror their Individual Artist Fellowship Award in Contemporary & Traditional Crafts. Many artists entered, but only 3 were chosen to receive the $4,000 grant.

The Process & What I Learned From Behind The Curtain Instead Of In Front Of The Curtain Where I Usually Am...

Until the opportunity to be a juror presented itself I have always been on the other side of the curtain (for a real visual of "the curtain" and for what it means when I reference it please see the movie The Wizard of OZ), the other side being the wrong side. Maybe not really the wrong side but at least the side that quite often wasn't chosen for an exhibition, photo inclusion in a book or other publication, an artists residence, or even an art grant. Which left me many times voicing the questions, "What the hell goes on? And why the hell wasn't I chosen?"

The Process

This is a short summary of the process I went through on a panel as a juror but is probably much like every other.

Tables are arranged in a U shape, the top of the U facing a screen were the images will be projected. Along with the 3 jurors are other members of the Board and a spokesperson.
After short introductions and small talk the jurors are given a hand out with all of the entry's listed, no names of course, artists are refered to by numbers only. The jurors are suppose to make comments in the space provided (think adjectives) next to each number.

The first round starts with the first artist's number being called and the images being shown. Each image is shown for about 3 seconds, then it's on to the next artist/number. Now 3 seconds doesn't seem like a long time, and it's not, but let's say 80 individuals responded with up to 20 images each as the max...That's a lot of images! Anyway, this is the norm. The first round is the "cattle call" as I heared it called in the model & acting business, a quick yes/no filtering out the fluff. There is little or no discussion during this round.

After the jurors see all the images in the first round each number is called out and each juror must respond with either a yes vote or a no vote, referring to their paper and notes for guidance. An artist need only one yes to proceed to the next round.

I didn't make many written remarks during this round other then scribbling a "Y", "N", "?", "*". "?" were turned to yes's, since I obviously needed to see the images again to decide. "*" were for very excellent work. It was sort of like watching a subtitled movie. If I watched the action I would miss the words and if I watched the words I would miss the action. So I decided on the action and scribbled some words and symbols. I was amazed to find that Erica on the other hand, could do both very well and later shared some really good adjectives! She has had some past experience as a juror, which obviously counts for something.

The 2nd round proceeded about the same way with some major differences. The time to view the images was little longer. Jurors could ask to go back to artists and images. Artist statements could be asked to be read. Image dates could be asked. Discussions could be made. Two yes votes are needed to proceed to the next round.

I guess we, the jurors, could have asked questions and had a bit of a discussion in the first round but it wasn't really needed, we all new that the first round was to quickly get rid of any fluff.

By the 3rd round, there were only about 8 artists left, with two artists already having 3 yes votes. We discussed. We asked for artists statements, dates of completion, dimensions, and then did it all over again. Eventually we had our 3 artists, but the choices were not easy.

Tips...From Behind The Curtain.

Here it is, what I, as an artist who participates in many call for entries, got from my experience as a juror other then some words on my resume, a free trip, and the opportunity to work with and meet many wonderful artist and people. Many of these tips I've heared before but they never sunk in as deeply as they do now.

(1) Have really good photos. If you plan on becoming a successful artists it makes sense to spend a little money to have your work photographed by a professional. It's an investment in your career, much like a suits and ties are in other careers. It should be a mandatory investment.

(2) Have really good photos. That's not a typo. Good photo's are that important. Your pictures may be good enough for your web site or Etsy shop but they probably won't cut it when projected on a big screen. At least three artist's received 3 no votes in the first round and I bet it was because of bad photos...Pixelated...Blurry...Bleh! I couldn't even make out the media, forget about if it was good or bad.

(3) Have really good photos. It's so nice I said it thrice! Seriously, if your trying to recieve money, say from a grant that will give you $4,000 if you receive it, spend a few hundred on some professional photos. Even if you don't receive the grant the first time you have the photos for next time and for many other entries. Believe in yourself, invest in yourself!

*If you must take your own photos or have them taken by someone who has never taken jury photos here are some tips...

(a) Use a white, black, or gradient (black to white) background only. In the first round the jurors got to see the photos of each artist for 3 seconds each, that's not a whole lot of time to decide. Why make the decision even harder by having a distracting background, like a pool or forest? Or even a lawn chair? Even those rocks that look so nice with your piece is distracting enough. You want to keep the juror's eyes on your work, your work must be the focus and nothing should compete with it.

(b) Your whole piece should be in focus. Short depth of field (part of an object in sharp focus with everything else get's blurrier) shots work in advertising but they completely suck when it comes to a jury shows. I want to see your work in complete focus! How else can I see if it's well constructed? How else can I really see what it is? Use a large f-stop. 20 and above. If you don't know what "f-stop" is, then don't take your own photos. If your camera's f-stop doesn't go up that far then buy a professional camera and take lessons on how to use it or hire a professional photographer.

(c) Don't use a model unless asked to. Models are distractions that you don't need. It doesn't matter if it's for a full length dress or a hand model for a ring it's a distraction. I will long remember the odd hair on a woman's knuckle more then the piece the finger wore.

(d) For jewelry artists - Don't use head forms. They are just as distracting as a model. Even if you could get all that dust and hair that all head forms seem to be born with off, they make everything look too much like a cheap "we buy gold" jewelers window then any sort of art or craft.
(e) Think about using a professional photographer. One more for the road.

(4) Keep your work consistent. Perhaps it fascinates people when you tell them that you create jewelry, dresses, woodwork, and can juggle, but it doesn't make for a good portfolio. At it's core all jury shows/competitions are portfolio reviews. Pick your best art or craft and stick with it. This is also not the time to showoff different techniques. Be consistent. Remember you are telling a story about yourself and your work with these images.

(5) Less is more. You don't have to send the maximum number of images allowed. You want to leave the jurors wanting to see more.

(6) Don't send crap. Why did you do it number XXXX? You had some really good work up until those photos. You should have stopped at 7 photos, if you had you would have had a chance at the gold ring. Maybe next year. (see 4 & 5).

(7) Keep your artist statement short. Even if not asked keep your artist statement under 250 words. Trust me no one wants to read or hear your manifesto! Yes, you used College taught juicy adjectives, but there is only so much bullshit that one can digest in one sitting, and fellow artists can digest even less than the average person having digested their own for so long. Again, less is more.

That's all for now.

The after...

When I was done with the Arts Council, Professor Richard Hirsch invited Tabitha and I to join him at the Arkansas Arts Center to see the work of ceramist Jun Kaneko. It's not very often that a ceramics Professors and artist of Richards caliber invites us to see a show so of course we joined him.

TIP! Next time you go to a museum forget about the show books, self-guided listening tours, or any sort of museum tour guide. Bring a Professor! Especially one who is very knowledgeable about the subject matter. You won't regret it!

With Richards knowledge + his sense of humor = we all had a great time!

Special Thanks to Sally A. Williams! Fellow artist and great person! For her kindness, help, and for her role in my selection as a juror!

THANKS SALLY!

SUPER SECRET TIP OF THE DAY!
NEVER, EVER take a 19 hour train ride from NYC to Chicago and another 16 hour train ride from Chicago to Arkansas just to get back on the train and take a longer trip back home even if you get to see your Aunt & Uncle in Chicago during the 8 hour stop over. It's just NOT WORTH IT!

Sorry Uncle Howie. Your good, but your not THAT good.

Additional Reader Comments available on my blog @ crafthaus.

Judge, Jury, and Executioner

2009-07-10T14:22:00.003-04:00

Yep, that's me!

Judge, jury, and executioner Stevie B!

Or something like that...

Actually I've been asked to be a judge in another state for some sort of art grant. That's as detailed as I can get.

It's all mysterious and hush-hush I know but if a prospective applicant got wind of it you never know. ..

I promise an update as soon as I get back from wherever I may be going.

*WINK* *WINK*
*NUDGE* *NUDGE*
Say No More. Say No More.

*edited by Tabitha*

500 Plastic Jewelry Designs

2009-07-08T12:42:00.003-04:00

Surprise!

When I heared the doorbell ring I did not expect it to be this book! I expected it to arrive sometime in September, at least that's when I heared it was to be mailed. Silly rumors.

I've only quickly checked out the book, somehow finding the page my piece is on, but so far so good. Like Disney World a Lark 500 book needs at least a few days to see everything.

Now if only I would finally receive some sort of news from the other 2 Lark books I submitted to...

Harold O'Connor

2009-06-25T22:07:00.004-04:00

MAD had an open studio today, June 25: Peters Valley presents Harold O'Connor.

To be honest I haven't gone to many of MAD's offerings to it's members or the public. Most just didn't grab me, and to get me to go to anything you have to really grab me. I mean physically. With hands and arms and all the rest that go along with kidnapping someone for their own good.

This time it was quite different. I actually wanted to go.

I admire Harold O'Connor's work very much. It just speaks to me. He is a master of design who's technical prowess helps him to create sculptural objects that just so happen to also be jewelry. I like that view of jewelry and follow it myself.

Suffice it to say, I had a great time. Even though NYC does not allow open flames in public buildings so no reticulation demonstrations. Even though Harold O'Connor's furnace kept tripping the electrical outlets so it couldn't be used to show how to make silver and gold granules for granulation. Even though there was no sound on the DVD Harold O'Connor played as a last resort (this was MAD's fault because no one thought to attach speakers to the set-up).

Despite all this I had a great time.

Why?

Because of all the different words connect to Harold O'Connor he is first and foremost a master teacher. He answered questions with full answers. He didn't say, "Well, take my class at Peters Valley and you'll find out." Or, "Buy my DVD to know that." He didn't keep anything back and that's the mark of a great teacher.

So, with the DVD going and Harold O'Connor narrating while answering questions I learned a lot about design, granulation, and a bit more about reticulation. But mostly I learned about what it takes to be a true teacher. We could sure use more of those.

Harold O'Connor's web site: www.haroldoconnor.com

20th Annual New Jersey Small Works Show - REJECTION!

2009-06-15T14:57:00.014-04:00

June 19 - July 17, 2009
Reception: Sat, June 20, 2-4 PM
For further information and directions please visit http://tasoc.org/framesgal.html

I will be going, but I didn't get in.

Why post it then?

Good question.

The answer?

REJECTION!

We all get rejected from time to time, it's a fact of life.

Leaning in for that first kiss and ending up on the cold, hard, floor.

Lifting your hand up when you know the answer in math class and not getting picked to write it on the blackboard (Which, in retrospect, turned out to be a good thing as you total suck at math and got the answer completely wrong).

Not getting picked to coach the girls topless volleyball team at your local College. There not being a girls topless volleyball team at your local College in the first place no matter how loudly you insist there is. You getting physically rejected from the grounds and placed not so nicely in a police cell to "sober up".

In the art world however, rejection is the norm. Yep. It's quite normal to get a ton of rejection letters. Instead of getting all depressed about it, I try to see it as a sign that I am doing something right.

Something right? You got rejected! Denied! Dismissed! Rebuffed! Excluded! Nothing! Nada! Do Not Pass Go! Collect Nothing! Thumbs Down! Kicked In The Teeth! Passed Over And Pissed On!

True, except maybe the pissed on bit. But the rejection letters remind me to get working on my call for entries.

Am I a glutton for punishment?

Maybe, and just in case my release word is "goats".

The truth is that an artist can expect a extremely high number of rejections compared to the low number of acceptances. It's true! I have a graph somewhere that proves it!...everyone believes in graphs...where did I put that stupid thing...maybe a PowerPoint presentation...

The cold hard fact is that you will get rejection letters, many, many, many, and a few more. It's just the way it is. You can take it personally if you want to. It doesn't matter. Just keep trying.

The more you try the more rejection letters you will get. What you do with them is up to you.

Plaster a wall.

Keep them in a memory box so you can look through them when your famous, or infamous, as the case my be.

Personally I use them for guest toilet paper. I'm not using the fancy TP on the kind of people I have over my house. Really, they could all use leaves for all I care and since I don't let them use my toilet and they are forced outside anyway they may as well. I don't think most of them use anything.

Regardless what you do with your rejections letters, and guest TP is always an option, one day you will find buried within those rejection letters an acceptance!

Be overly happy! Dance! Sing! Call everyone you know and tell them! Call all the other people that you don't know and tell them as well! Make a blog about it!

To sum it up:
The greater the number of call for entries and artist enters = the greater the number of free toilet paper the artist will receive + once in awhile one of those letters will be an acceptance letter , which is a good thing unless your trying for the free toilet paper.

BTW- Tabitha WAS accepted in the show. She will be using the guest toilet paper from now on.

Thea Clark & The New Jersey Metal Arts Guild

2009-06-14T17:02:00.007-04:00

As usual I was reluctant to leave the house. I am a bit of a homebody, enjoying spending my time in the warm womb of my home and hopefully, sometimes, the studio (which is just as warm, though a bit less womby).

Unfortunately Tabitha insisted. Tabitha from Compulsive Jewelry, aka The Girlfriend, aka The Pants, aka Some Other Words That I Better Not Say.

So we headed out recently to the open studio of Thea Clark, with Tabitha smiling and thinking what a good time we will have and me grunting the opposite. My pessimism had nothing to do with Thea, quite the opposite as I am well aware of her work and enjoy it very much. No the pessimism is some learned behavior I must have picked up while I was busy living. Or I got it from a toilet seat. Either way, it's a vice that I haven't completely let go of yet. It's also one of those things that Tabitha says is, "Un-Stevie B.-Like", and that I need to "work on it".

So there we were in front of Thea's house, with me "working on it" and grinding my teeth.

"Fifteen minutes," I said between grinds.

"Huh?", Tabitha smiled. A blue bird landed on her arm and tweeted a love song while a brown bunny and a gopher danced in a circle around her legs. Well, that's how it seemed anyway.

"Fifteen minutes," I repeated. "Then we are out of here."

Tabitha didn't respond as she floated toward the door, rose petals leading her.

We left three hours later and only because Thea's daughter kept on insisting that she needed to be fed and that she, along with the rest of the family, was starving. Like kids need to eat everyday or something...Sheesh!

Obviously I ended up having a great time. Thea was warm and welcoming, and the three of us talked for what seemed like hours, which it was.

While at Thea's Tabitha and I also joined the New Jersey Metal Arts Guild.

So in the end what did I learn? That perhaps I shouldn't be so pessimistic about going out? That sometimes, despite myself, I end up having fun? That Tabitha is sometimes right?

BAH! I refuse to learn a thing!

Except that maybe sometimes it's really fun to be wrong.

-Stevie

UPDATE: The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers

2009-06-01T17:04:00.003-04:00

The bottles that go with the bottle stoppers have been posted online at Online Exhibit.

It's really interesting to see what the glass artisans made to go along with each piece.

The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers May 1 - July 18, 2009

2009-05-04T20:47:00.000-04:00

The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers
May 1 - July 18, 2009

The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers, will run at the Center through July 18, 2009. Here is one exhibition that is bound to make truly unique gifts for wine lovers and collectors!

To push the frontiers of American and International Craft, the Wood Turning Center sent out a prospectus calling for original hand-made, limited production corkscrews and wine bottle stoppers. The Center recruited two internationally known artists, Boris Bally and Michael Hosaluk, as guest curators for this exhibition. Each juror reviewed the content, forms, materials and construction methods utilized in the corkscrews and bottle stoppers. This highly-imaginative exhibition is shown in conjunction with the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) annual conference, Revolution, in Philadelphia, PA, from May 20-23, 2009.

In an exciting collaboration that evolved from how to display these works, the Wood Turning Center and WheatonArts and Cultural Center, Millville, NJ, have partnered to work with local glass artists to create one-of-a-kind glass vessels inspired by each bottle stopper. These hand blown glass vessels and bottle stoppers will be on display.

Link to Online Exhibit

New Works

2009-01-19T15:14:00.002-05:00

I've updated my web site with some more work.

Please check it out here.

Corkscrews and Bottle Stoppers Exhibition

2009-01-19T15:12:00.003-05:00

Stevie B. is happily amazed to be participating in
Corkscrews and Bottle Stoppers Exhibition

The Wood Turning Center is putting together a juried/invitational traveling exhibition of corkscrews and bottle stoppers. Internationally known artists Boris Bally and Michael Hosaluk will curate this exhibit. We are looking for original corkscrews and wine bottle stoppers for a show scheduled for May 2009 in conjunction with the 2009 SNAG Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

More images are available in the resin & more gallery of my main web site.

I'm a laughingstock!

2008-10-29T14:38:00.004-04:00

Stevie B. is very happy to be participating in

LAUGHINGSTOCK - Humor in Art & Craft

Luke & Eloy Gallery

5169 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201

"Laughingstock: Humor in Art & Craft"
Exhibition: November 15, 2008 - December 23, 2008

We explore how artists use irony, goofiness, satire, and sarcasm in their work. Can humor and satire stimulate laughter as well as serve as a vehicle to explore serious subjects, such as feminism, the natural environment, the excesses of consumer culture, religion, sexuality, social injustice, and war ? Can artwork be "funny" and critical at the same time? How does the artist's choice of materials affect the outcome so that the work is perceived as "funny"? What are the boundaries in humor and who gets to decide what these are?

Are there topics we are not allowed to laugh about ?

Various Media.

Participating artists:
Cheryl Eve Acosta
Stevie B.
Karen Bondarchuk
Sally Bozzuto
Chun Chun
Michele Cleveland
Gabriel Craig
Wendy Emery
Karen Gallup
Mindy Herrin
Rumi Ishino
Katrina Kosturko
Dan Krueger
Julia Lowther
Heather McCalla
James Obermeier
Deanna Ooley
Tod Pardon
Kerianne Quick
Corliss Rose
John Rose
Demitra Thomloudis
Amy Weiks
R. Weis
Colette Zilka

For more information please click here Luke & Eloy Gallery

Finished that Martini!

2008-10-13T14:53:00.008-04:00

The Lover's Bench (with removable brooch)
martini glass created for Art of the Martini VII,
Zaruba & Zaruba gallery, Frederick, MD
Sterling silver, PVC, aluminum foil, resin, pigments, Prismacolor, charcoal, gesso, polyfiber, 23K gold leaf, yellow sapphire, Burma rubies, found objects, steel

The Lover's Bench (brooch)
removed from martini glass created for Art of the Martini VII,
Zaruba & Zaruba gallery, Frederick, MD
Sterling silver, PVC, resin, pigments, Prismacolor, 23K gold leaf, yellow sapphire, Burma rubies, found objects

Well, it's finally done :)

It was a very challenging project, and that's a bit of an understatement.
I've had millions of ideas buzzing in my head recently, none which would work with the glass, which only served to make matters worse. When my brain finally decided to give me a usable idea I quickly found Stainless Steel much harder to work with then I first imagined, and had to completely abandon my favorite idea because of time restraints. Silly brain.

Still, I am very happy with the way the glass and brooch turned out. I hope I have a chance at another glass next year, before this idea completely burns a hole in my head.

Visit ZaRUBa & ZaRUBa for more information. You can even go and buy my glass if you wish ;)

Foiled!

2008-09-19T21:36:00.006-04:00

The Collector's Gambit : from the Foiled! Series, Brooch, 2008
Sterling silver, Faux Bone™, aluminum, epoxy resin,
pigment, pastel, charcoal, marker, patina

This is the first piece from the "Foiled!" series, one of the three series I am working on. I need to re-shoot the picture at some later date but it's alright for now.

There's a meaning to the series but I'll leave that to interpretation...

...Have to run anyway, need to finish something else...

Hope you enjoy it :)

I'm Going MAD!!!

2008-09-11T08:53:00.006-04:00

MAD MUSEUM GRAND OPENING

September 27-28, 2008

Grand opening of MAD's new home at 2 Columbus Circle
10 AM to 5 PM

Free admission to the public.

Exhibitions:

Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary

September 27, 2008 - February 15, 2009

Elegant Armor: The Art of Jewelry

September 27, 2008 - May 31, 2009

Permanently MAD: Revealing the Collection

September 27, 2008 - February 15, 2009

There is a pre-opening for members
on September 25.

I will be attending the pre-opening and artists reception and will also try to make the public opening on the 27th or 28th depending on what life throws my way.

For more information: MAD MUSEUM

What Do You Hope To Find When You Search For That Elusive I?

2008-09-04T15:50:00.009-04:00

Venus I Trap

When I first finished the brooch Fresh Clean Scent I didn't imagine I would make it into a series. But I kept getting compliments on it, and since I like the challenge, I've decide to see what I can do with the same laundry cap.

Venus I Trap is the 2nd of the Fresh Clean Scent Series (tentative series name only), and will probably be the last flower-like piece I do. The cap takes too easily to flower shapes, and who want's easy?
I'm kinda happy about this series as I've been meaning to do a full series or two. People seem to like art jewelry in a series, and galleries definitely do. And since my focus is now getting into a gallery (I have a few in mind) I welcome the change.

To be honest, it's been difficult changing my mindset. I usually just like doing what I feel like and exploring different medium and techniques. I usually have way more ideas that I have time or hands for, my overwhelming number of filled sketchbooks ((DIB) Dead Ideas Books) attest to that. But doing a series is helping me to focus (of course I am currently working on 3 different series at once, but I need to do that for sanity sakes). Now when an idea pops in my head, usually while I am working on something entirely different, I write it down and do a quick sketch on a scrap of paper, and continue to work on what I was doing before I was rudely interrupted by myself. Later, I staple them or re-sketch them in a new DIB, with the hope of resurrecting them all one fine day.

A day when I have 13 arms and all the time in the world.

Venus I Trap on Canvas*

*On the back of the canvas:
"What Do You Hope To Find When You Search For That Elusive I?"

Now That I Have It, What Do I Do?

2008-09-04T15:36:00.005-04:00

My Steel Martini Glass

Ever since I learned about the Martini 7 event over at Zaruba & Zaruba (I know it says 8 but I'm sure it's 7) I've had a few great ideas.

When I found out I was accepted I had a few more great ideas.

As I waited for my glass to arrive I had even more great ideas.

Now that I have the steel martini glass in my hands I have no ideas at all, and all those past "great ideas" I now hate.

Oh well, I have almost 2 months to come up with something... Any suggestions? :)

AKA-Object and Image

2008-08-25T12:24:00.005-04:00

Marjorie Simon

"The original members of AKA:92, an association of jewelry artists were students of the noted metalsmith and teacher Bob Ebendorf. The four women artists, Susan Kasson Sloan, Marjorie Simon, Biba Schutz and Ginny Whitney, rightly suspected they might have more visibility as a group than as individuals, and in 1989, AKA:92 was born."

19th Annual New Jersey Small Works Show

2008-07-24T15:03:00.004-04:00

Stevie B. is proud to be one of the artists featured in the upcoming 19th Annual New Jersey Small Works Show and plans on attending the artists' reception on Saturday, July 26, from 2 - 4 PM. Stevie B. was also included in the 17th show in 2006.

"The 19th Annual New Jersey Small Works Show features artists who reside or work, past or present, in New Jersey or are otherwise connected to the state. This year's esteemed juror is Dr. Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, the curator of the Jersey City Museum. Awards are presented at the artists' reception."

Quote from The Art School at Old Church website.

For further information and directions please visit http://tasoc.org/

"The Process" - Part 1 - An Introduction

2008-07-24T13:43:00.010-04:00

"Enjoy the process"

How many times have you heard that phrase? I have, many times, and I think all artists have from time to time. It's something instructors love to say, like a simple mantra, which is suppose to answer almost everything.

To be honest, when I first started making jewelry I hated this mantra. I fought against it and everything that it stood for. I would ask questions like,

"Why do I have to cut this piece of silver with a jeweler's saw? Where's the jig-saw?"
"Why can't I just use the belt sander instead of a file?"
"What do you mean I have to sand this by hand!?"
"When will my piece be done? Isn't it good enough?"

I would get tired with my piece, the holy "process", and decide quickly that the piece was "finished". I just wanted it done and "poof!", like magic, it was.

Of course I made a lot of crap back then. Expensive crap, but crap nonetheless. Of course, the refiner loved it.

It took me years to "enjoy the process", to understand its Way. And in turn how to better understand myself and how I relate to "the process", and how it relates to me.

Do I still make crap? Sure! That's the risk we all take as artists when trying to do anything out of our zone of comfort. But to me, that's what being an artist is all about. Pushing ourselves, our skills, our art, beyond that which we know.

So, even though I do "enjoy the process" ("love" may be a better word), I still, sometimes, make utter crap. The diffrence now is that I learn from the crap I make, and use that knowledge to refine my skills and my art. And I enjoy it the whole time.

Stevie B.
www.steviebjewelry.com

The hope for "The Process" and this blog in general is to try and help other artists and to educate the interested who may be unaware of what really goes on and how much time and effort is spent when making studio jewelry. I plan on doing this by documenting what I went through and sharing those things that helped me. I also plan to share a few new works, from conception through to completion.