Inspiration

People are always curious about inspiration. I took these picture in my garden of things that I find beautiful because pretty things inspire me- Rich color variations, organic beauty, interesting shapes... Take a look at the way the colors shift in the mint leaves- the transition from bright spring green to the dark forest green is just mouth watering. The delicacy of the poppy petals contrasts with the sturdy seed pod while the lovely salmon color is an unexpected match with the black half moons that make up the bottom of the petal. Amazing isn't it?


Another favorite way to find inspiration is through fellow artists. One such artist Sarah brundage of ThistleDowns wool designs tagged me and asked me to answer 6 questions and then tag 5 more artists- how fun! I'll show you the original 6 but I'm going to make up new ones just for fun...


The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

1) What was I doing 10 years ago
2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
3) Snacks I enjoy:
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
5) Places I have lived:
6) Jobs I have had:
7) Bloggers I am tagging who you will enjoy getting to know better

NEW QUESTIONS
1.Favorite ethnic food
SUSHI!
2.something you've always wanted to try
absinth
3.Favorite color
green, orange, red (can't pick just one!)
4.Something you collect
magnets
5.something you do to relax
massage
6.something you never leave home without
my H2O bottle
7.bloggers I am going to tag
Hot Mama Jewelry Designs
Jen Skelley
Avocado creations
little lotus designs
stela bird

Vote for Me!

For anyone that hasn't visited Style Bakery, you should. Actually, here is how you should do it: the next time you are bored and in front of the computer and wondering how to use up the next five minutes, go peruse the site (but do it before july 31, 2008!). It's filled with lots of wonderful ways to kill time. While you're there VOTE FOR ME! Follow this link and fill out the (really simple) form. My official business name is Luscious Metals by Natha Perkins and my website url is http://www.nathaperkins.com If you don't wish to be tied to them forever just uncheck the three boxes at the end of the litle form and Walaa! I'm one step closer to becoming rich and famous (teehee) and you are one step closer to winning a $500 shopping spree...

Sparkling Gemstone Heaven

Giant saucer jewels I purchased at the last show

Stones and pearls in lush shades of green...

Now that I'm busy writing copy for the new collections that will be launched soon on nathaperkins.com, I find my head full of dramatic adjectives- words like dreamy and luscious are floating around in there on constant rotation. While thinking along these lines I remembered that the Classic International Gem and Jewelry Show was coming to Denver this weekend. I'm like a magpie drawn to shiny objects anyway, but these shows have me fantasizing about new creamy colored pearls and candy colored gemstones. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. This particular show is being held at the Denver Merchandise Mart and will be in a massive building with row after row of vendors presiding over tables simply piled with beautiful gems, pearls, rocks, crystals, and a few random things like silk robes (?). The best thing about these shows is that every time I come home with a bag full of new toys (aka gems) I know I have another 4 months of inspiration comin my way!

First look at KellyBella!

We've all been waiting for the new collections to arrive and the truth is that they actually arrived some time ago but I had to get them photographed before I could begin to showcase them. There will be three new collections plus the rings are coming, the rings are coming!! I am especially excited about the KellyBella collection...pretty jewelry with little prices. Everything should be up on my website in the next 2 weeks but above is one of my favorite pieces from that collection..."Encircle" is a hand hammered hoop of sterling with flush set white zircons. The sparkly stones really shine in the oxidized metal and the back side has hammered dots so it's just as pretty as the front. Elegant and infinitely wearable. The chain is 20" so we have the double appeal of a long chain and a shimmering circle. I mean come on...how fashionable can you be? Eat your heart out Tom Shane...

Smashing!

As many of you know, I am expanding my horizons and web presence in many ways these days. One of the beautiful sites in which I have an online store is called Smashing Darling. According to the lovely ladies Julie and Trish who run the site, "We created a place for EVERYONE who loves fashion that thinks beyond the mall. Whether you want to shop, sell your own designs, find raw materials, meet others, collaborate, or just see what's new and hot in independent fashion..."

When you have a chance, I highly recommend you check this site out. The stores on the site are juried which means the dud factor is low. I have many of the same items in my Smashing Darling store http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/luscious-metals-by-natha-perkins that I have on my website, but every once in a while there are new pieces, like Starlight that can only be found on Smashing Darling. Now I've spent a lot of time perusing the stores on the site and I have a few favorites you might want to take a look at...Aelisheva designs dresses that are just downright amazing- lovely details and wonderful shapes. This is truly the difference between buying just any old dress from a dept. store and one that has been handmade with attention to detail. Thistle Downs Wool Designs is another one not to miss. Her gorgeous wool totes and scarves are so rich and wonderful. The best part is that she raises the sheep that grow the wool, so she is totally involved with the process from start to finish. Now that makes for some true love!

Salida time again...

On the road to Salida
Natha and Shannon on the Cruisers

I'm getting ready to register for the 14th annual CoMA (Colorado Metalsmith Organization) Conference in stunning Salida Colorado. This will be my fourth conference and I am excited to be attending this year again! CoMA members include jewelers, sculptors and blacksmiths as well as other professionals interested in supporting the arts. The conferences are a 3 day affair with lectures given by artists who are masters in their particular field during the days along with a banquet and other festivities at night. I am always simultaneously awed and overwhelmed at these conferences because of the caliber of work and skill that the presenting artists have.

The conference itself is always interesting both intellectually and socially (it tends to be a little clique-y) but my favorite part about the weekend is leaving my real life behind and hitting the road with one of my favorite girlfriends, Shannon Sunderland of Hot Mama Designs Jewelry. Shannon and I met in art school and have been friends ever since. She and I are trying to make a tradition of doing the conference together every year. It's such a lovely town to hang out in, wonderful shopping, delicious food, stunning river, and it's one of the most beautiful places to vacation in Colorado (although lets face it-Colorado is just plain gorgeous no matter where you are...)Last year she brought vintage cruisers up and we biked everywhere...I can't wait!!

Ooh La La! Custom Orders

One of my favorite parts of designing jewelry is working with clients on their custom orders. I find it to be marvelous inspiration. It forces me to think along lines that I'm not used to thinking along, and in devising a stunning piece for them, I am also opening the flood gates of my own imagination. Some of my favorite pieces have come from ideas that my clients have brought to me. I have included a few pictures of some recent custom necklaces that I have done. Both of these necklaces were made with meaningful words and stones with the intent that when their respective owners wear them, they will be reminded of the love around them. I think all of us could stand to be reminded of that once in a while right?