Long time, no write.

Sorry! I will work on keeping up with this blog. For a while I haven’t been able to do much more than keep up with my two and a half year old and make the occasional batch of jewelry…

Gallery Night

I showed mostly older work that I created while studying with Billy King.

May Gallery Night was super fun.  Thank you everybody who came out to visit my studio!  I didn’t take any photos on Gallery Night since I was too busy, but here are some photos of my set-up.

I tidied up the work table!

I displayed photos of my time with Billy King along with the jewelry.

That'd be me now on the left, and a slightly younger version of me on the right, giving the school salute with Billy King and Meg Moir.

Gallery Night, May 7th, 5-8pm

I will be having an Open Studio during Gallery Night this month, thats Friday May 7th from 5-8pm.  Come visit me at my studio above Handwork, entrance across from the State Theater (up the stairs and on the left).  I will have a bunch of cool stuff that I made during my time studying with Billy King in Mexico.  I’ll tell you about it and show you around the power tools.

Class with Joleen and Andrew

Joleen hard at work.

We had a great jewelry class in March! Two students, Joleen and Andrew, joined me for a day long workshop in my downtown studio.  They learned the basics of metalsmithing and designed and fabricated their own one-of-a-kind pendant.  Here are photos of both Joleen and Andrew very carefully arranging their pieces prior to soldering.

Andrew deciding between his designs.

And the finished pieces are shown below!

Andrew's creation.

Click the picture for a close up of her pendant.

Workshops next offered April 24th and May 29th.  Email me to sign up.

My Winged Heart Necklace

Sterling Winged Heart Necklace

The winged heart is more than just a common tattoo! I learned from my friend and fellow Handwork member Pat Halpen that it is the symbol of the Sufi movement (a mystical branch of Islam).  It is the heart rising to God and not only finding and embracing the divine in everything but opening so wide as to bring us all with it on its accession.   I liked this description, especially: “Embracing all forms of spiritual touch, all forms of mystical joining, the winged heart represents to mankind, the lover that seeks the Beloved, the seeker that seeks the Truth, the heart of the beloved that seeks to be free.”

Inexplicably–being the atheist that I am–it just seemed relevant to my life lately.  Go figure.

No-Sugar-Added Heart Necklaces

Organic and sweet…but not sappy. For the natural beauty in your life…

There's more styles in the store...

Draya Designs’ New Space!

Look at my pretty windows...

Here’s my new studio above Handwork! I just moved in and haven’t hung my rollers yet or soldered anything yet (this is always an important ceremony for me…the first lighting of the torch in a new space…) but I have been going here every afternoon and doing beading and etc. I am trying to establish a real work schedule for myself (self-employed moms can relate to how hard this is) of every afternoon beginning when she goes down for her nap.

The space is beautiful and super bright with three big windows across the front and the view below is very Times Square-esque! I am very eager to get everything set up so I can give some classes since I keep hearing from interested students!

That says "Adult outlet" for those who don't know...

Photographing Jewelry…

Or rather not photographing it…

I need tips on photography!  Anyone ever made a lightbox?  How do other people do it?  I got lots of new stuff but…no photos!

CLASSES

I’m going to start giving classes again!  Click HERE for info.

The only thing I am nervous about is leaving Jellybean for three hours–in other words, my first students might need to be tolerant of Jack appearing mid-lesson with a screaming baby in his arms!

Want free classes? I am looking for an Apprentice!

I am looking for someone to work with me this summer! I have had two apprentices in the past, one was in her first year of college and one was a professor at Cornell–both were fantastic! The way it has worked in the past is I give a mini lesson on a skill (texture earrings) and then I have the person practice it. They get to keep something (a pair of earrings they made) and I keep the rest of the components. I get an extra hand and they get free classes and free jewelry!!! Interested? Apply now!
Email me at draya@draydesigns.com

My craigslist ad:
Independent Studio jeweler and teacher looking for an apprentice interested in learning in exchange for fun work. Anywhere from 2-8 hours a week.
You would have to be a good personalty match, flexible, trustworthy, and detail oriented as well as eager to learn. A high school or college age woman has worked best in the past. Contact me to apply! References required.
Draya Designs
www.drayadesigns.com