Me and My Sketchbook

 I've been using my sketchbook a lot lately.

Lot's of new jewelry designs leaving my pen.

And the best part is actually bringing those sketches to life.

I love it.

Trial and Error

I like to sketch out my designs.

Sometimes...

 ... they don't turn out so hot. Probably should have used smaller beads. It's a design worth trying again.

Then other times, I surprise myself and actually make something that I hold up and say, "Holy crap! I made that? I brought it to life?" 

Its quite a wonderful feeling. Something that I hope all artists experience. For me, it's rather rare with my jewelry making to bring a sketch fully to life. I'm tickled pink and want to show the world. 

Thank goodness I have a blog :P

Can you tell I've been dreaming of India?

Adventures with Rod- Volumes 1 & 2

The past three Thursdays, Rod and I have had the day off together and we've been going on mini-adventures. What's wonderful is we get to spend the day together and more often than not, we're talking about creating and what projects we're working on... and we go off in search of random things.


Last week, we went to the Old Barn Antique Mall in San Juan Capistrano. So much vintage jewelry! I couldn't afford any of it, but it certainly was beautiful and made me want to go home and play with my beads. I also loved looking at the jewelry stands and boxes. Rod gave me one of the catalogs that got sent to him at work that's filled with fixtures and displays... It makes me want to open up my own little shop.

We also saw LOTS of Pyrex. My sister-in-law collects old Pyrex. They're really pretty, I think. And make food look even yummier. But maybe that's me...



This week, we went to Laguna Beach. We walked past a jewelry shop that was featuring the work of an artist named Enric Torres. The pieces reminded me so much of Mucha. So pretty.

We sat by the beach and had a little picnic. I sketched and he did a little watercolor painting. It was a really good day. I hope we have more adventures together...

Who is "Ahtee?"- Week 4

So, of course yesterday, after being sick in bed the whole day, I couldn't sleep! I sketched these out at around 2am this morning. It's how I see myself.

I'm told I don't have quite as big a face as I draw. Or a double chin that is as noticeable as those in my drawings... but when one does a self-portrait, sometimes they focus on what they don't like and highlight it. At least, that's what I do. These sketches were drawn with pen in my little sketchbook (little meaning 4"x6" maybe...). I wonder. Each sketch is different, but each is me. Do you think so?

This self-portrait project is fun. And I'm glad I'm doing it because its forcing me to post at least once a week. And that's good, I think. Keeps me on track and reminding me that I have an art/jewelry blog and need to keep at it!

I did a semi-autobiographical comic once... I wonder if I should give that a go again. It was fun.

Sleep calls... hopefully some new jewelry next post!

<3

Rainbows and Puppies

My world isn't always full of rainbows and puppies. It's raining right now and after a cold and sad night, it isn't cheering me up like rain usually does. So, I thought I would share some puppy sketches that I did a few days ago. Puppies always cheer me up.

I've drawn quite a few different animals in my 22 years of living. I think I can honestly say I struggle the most with dogs and cats. Wolves, I can do. Tigers, lions... those I can eventually get something decent out of my pencil. But domesticated cats and dogs? I just am never happy with my ("realistic") sketches of them.

These at the top were some doodles I was fooling around with when my eyes grew tired of staring at a computer screen. I think the puppies came out ok. They look a little like Blue from "Blue's Clues," but I rather like the one holding the heart in its mouth. I was thinking of Valentine's Day when I drew that.

Here's to hoping we all get through this Wednesday and make it to Thursday, the beginning of the end of the week :D