Monday, April 1, 2013
No-this is not an April Fools joke, I really wrote on my blog
So I have already broken my New Year's Resolution and missed writing a blog for March. But we have been busy at SMS Jewelry Designs this past month so I think we should be allowed a pass. We have been selected as one of the designers/artists to display at RAW:Austin Marvel. If you want to see the profile click on this link (you can also purchase tickets on this page in support of SMS Jewelry Designs and/or to attend the amazing event on April 18th): http://www.rawartists.org/smsjewelrydesigns
It is going to be a long day on April 18th, but we are really excited. Exhibitors show up at The Belmont at 3pm to begin setting up and doors open for public at 7:30pm which is when the live music, videos, visual artists, and entertainers begin as well. The runway show begins around 10:30pm (SMS Jewelry Designs has been asked to dress 10 models with our jewelry for Elyshet Clothing Designs). Everything closes down around 1am. So it is going to be an amazing day!
SMS Jewelry Designs has also been selected as a top accessories designer for Austin Fashion Week so we will be one of the eight selected designers displaying at the Retail Showcase Designers. To see our profile for the Retail Showcase Designers this link will take you there: http://fashionweekaustin.com/featureddesigners/showcasedesigners/sms-jewelry-designs/.
We also are on a Mash Up Team (which is a team of designers/artists put together, in less than a week in regards with my team, randomly mashed up together to produce a photo of our items on a model that will be voted on and walked down the runway). Starting April 19th our photo will be released to the public online to be voted on and decided which image is the best out of all of the Mash Up Team. Then on May 11th our look will walk down the runway on our beautiful model. So it is looking like May is going to be one busy month as well.
During the month of March we also displayed and sold our jewelry work at Up Collective during SXSW (South By Southwest) and have been working on a few other retail locations. SMS Jewelry Designs is now for sale also at Sanctuary in Austin, Texas http://www.shopatsanctuary.com/ (our first Austin store selling our items-yeah!!).
This month we may more links and no photos actually posted, but we hope you enjoy this blog still and are able to attend some of the events we are attending! Thanks for reading!
It is going to be a long day on April 18th, but we are really excited. Exhibitors show up at The Belmont at 3pm to begin setting up and doors open for public at 7:30pm which is when the live music, videos, visual artists, and entertainers begin as well. The runway show begins around 10:30pm (SMS Jewelry Designs has been asked to dress 10 models with our jewelry for Elyshet Clothing Designs). Everything closes down around 1am. So it is going to be an amazing day!
SMS Jewelry Designs has also been selected as a top accessories designer for Austin Fashion Week so we will be one of the eight selected designers displaying at the Retail Showcase Designers. To see our profile for the Retail Showcase Designers this link will take you there: http://fashionweekaustin.com/featureddesigners/showcasedesigners/sms-jewelry-designs/.
We also are on a Mash Up Team (which is a team of designers/artists put together, in less than a week in regards with my team, randomly mashed up together to produce a photo of our items on a model that will be voted on and walked down the runway). Starting April 19th our photo will be released to the public online to be voted on and decided which image is the best out of all of the Mash Up Team. Then on May 11th our look will walk down the runway on our beautiful model. So it is looking like May is going to be one busy month as well.
During the month of March we also displayed and sold our jewelry work at Up Collective during SXSW (South By Southwest) and have been working on a few other retail locations. SMS Jewelry Designs is now for sale also at Sanctuary in Austin, Texas http://www.shopatsanctuary.com/ (our first Austin store selling our items-yeah!!).
This month we may more links and no photos actually posted, but we hope you enjoy this blog still and are able to attend some of the events we are attending! Thanks for reading!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Finally Started This New Year's Resolution!
Each week I say to myself "This is going to be the week I will carve time out to blog!" Then each week goes by with no new post. I feel bad for not keeping up, but at the same time I would rather be behind my bench than spend more time in front of my computer screen. Most artists and jewelers sympathize with me on this. Anyway, enough of the whining because it is better late than never that I typing a new post for this new year!
We at SMS Jewelry Designs (which the 'We' consists currently of my husband, me, and my cats when they want to hide, destroy, or sit on my work) have already been super busy for this year. We have set up a booth on the famous South Congress Street on one rainy Saturday and are planning to be there several more times during South by Southwest (or as everyone in Austin and any music fans know it as SXSW). We are discussing with several stores about consignment and wholesale options. We are even planning to possibly exhibit at next year's BMAC Wholesale Trade Show in Philly! On the way up our own business hill we know we will have to do plenty more rainy outdoor booth days in combination with other smaller events, but this is the exciting part of developing the work to be at its prime, final stage for PA.
While challenges have already occurred and we have become flustered and overwhelmed, we are still moving forward in hopes we will be seeing SMS Jewelry Designs some day in stores and magazines (ok, well that may be shooting for the stars, but if we are going to aim we are going to go all the way!). We are going to keep this momentum going and continue to share all of it with you followers along with way!
Us loading up the car the night before
My husband being cheerful and manning the booth during the rainy day
We at SMS Jewelry Designs (which the 'We' consists currently of my husband, me, and my cats when they want to hide, destroy, or sit on my work) have already been super busy for this year. We have set up a booth on the famous South Congress Street on one rainy Saturday and are planning to be there several more times during South by Southwest (or as everyone in Austin and any music fans know it as SXSW). We are discussing with several stores about consignment and wholesale options. We are even planning to possibly exhibit at next year's BMAC Wholesale Trade Show in Philly! On the way up our own business hill we know we will have to do plenty more rainy outdoor booth days in combination with other smaller events, but this is the exciting part of developing the work to be at its prime, final stage for PA. 
While challenges have already occurred and we have become flustered and overwhelmed, we are still moving forward in hopes we will be seeing SMS Jewelry Designs some day in stores and magazines (ok, well that may be shooting for the stars, but if we are going to aim we are going to go all the way!). We are going to keep this momentum going and continue to share all of it with you followers along with way!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
A to Z
It has been awhile since I have had an opportunity to post on my blog. Life just gets away from you and I feel like all I do lately is play catchup. What I have been working on only is my new collection and the photo shoot I will be having for my lookbook on October 13th.
As some of you have heard me talk about, my "mother piece" was finally completed. This piece was something I designed almost three years ago. I knew I wanted to do something with the sketch as soon as I was finished with it, but did not have the resources or training to pull something like this off yet. So I waited and kept redrawing the idea so as soon as I did have the skills I would know what I wanted.
After completing bench jeweler school and saving some funds I got the go ahead from my husband to use the money for my 'experiment.' I had already finished the research on who I wanted to do the CAD design (the 3D imaging to produce a wax and cast) so I sent in my sketch with measurements (as you can see below) to them. After several weeks of going back and forth, changing a few touches and measurements, I confirmed the design. My caster went to work then and produced the 3D image, molds, and casts in less than two weeks.
I received the molds and casts and was so excited I barely knew how to begin putting pieces together and setting the gemstones and diamonds. My mind went into overdrive. Many that know my work know that I do have things cast, but that each piece is then handcrafted by me into a special, one-of-a-kind. Once all of my pieces for the pendant arrived I had already received the diamonds and gemstones and knew exactly what I wanted to set. I had a plan, but realized the piece looked better switched around. I thought this was no issue so continued on with my plans, incorporating the changes.
My problem was I had jumped ahead and forgot the important lesson to remember each step and what problems I may encounter during the process. I set the burnt orange diamonds, but then realized right after that my vendor strongly suggested never applying heat to the diamonds since they would loose the heat treatment possibly. Something that is very common sense, but I had jumped ahead. I researched and called around to see what options I had. I could destroy the 14k yellow gold setting and remove the diamonds or I could risk the diamonds and apply the heat (I was even told laser welding was a risk). After many attempts for many days with safer strategies that ended in bigger messes I finally went for the original, more risky plan. The diamonds were fine, but other parts were ruined in the process and many lessons were learned. I had also switched where I wanted to set the greenish blue tourmaline, which I had thought would be no problem. Because the setting was going to be below and in the center of the entire piece I thought it would be an easy solder and easy setting (again, got ahead of myself). Many burnings and angry words later I realized it was never that easy.
More lessons learned. My objective was to have this main piece ready by my 30th birthday, as a present and goal to reach for my 30th birthday. Two days before I actually reached it and the piece turned out just like I had hoped. After I had time to relax and take a breather I realized the wonderful things I had learned and experiences gained from this piece. Yes, I had spent a bunch of time and money on this one item and was taking a bunch of risks, but I had learned new processes and a better understanding that you just do not gain from class, only from experience.
I am not 13 days away from the photo shoot and gunning to get everything finished and perfected for the catalog. This huge step towards my future with my first piece was a hurdle that I am so happy to have completed. I am very excited to share this with you all and hope you are as happy with as I am. Thank you!!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Lost and Found
Lost and Found
Many would agree with me that when starting your own business there is a feeling of excitement and liberation. After those pass the next are followed with the sudden pangs of being lost and a little scared. For those of us that gave up other career paths, spent money on tools, schooling, and numerous other expenses the moments of panic are definitely there. "Did I make the right choice?," "Am I good enough or talented enough to be successful?," and/or "Should I maybe go back to my old job/field?" begin to surface which gives more doubt to the decisions you made. With the current economy and unemployment rates the way they have been it is very easy to get boggled down with the feelings of insecurity and apprehension when switching to an industry as volatile as jewelry design/creation.This last month I have gone through all of these emotions and then some with the decision I made of investing almost all of my money and time into this new career path. What seemed like a good idea, since I was so happy and enjoying what I did as a jeweler, was suddenly seeming like the worst decision I could have made. The lack of available jobs and the very scary prospect of not being able to break my line into the market crashed down on me.
Thankfully I have an amazing husband and some very encouraging friends that talk some sense into me when I start to think those thoughts. Don't get me wrong-they know and I know that all of those questions and feelings are certainly real. The important move they make for me is they do not allow me to get caught up in those questions and feelings, but to push past it all with assurance and reinforcements.
After assessing and evaluating all of these things with them I realized the fear pushes me forward because I do not want to go backwards. I do not want to go back to my previous career because it is really not an option anymore in my life and I absolutely do not want to be doing some menial desk job just to have a job and a paycheck. I have been given the opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do as my actual profession and I am not going to worry this positive chance away. When I really felt lost was when I had to take jobs that I did not enjoy. I have been given the fortuity that many wish for and have found what I truly appreciate doing with my life. When I have those moments of feeling lost I can remind myself that I am in no way lost since I found my passion in my new profession.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Catching up
With everything associated with a new move it leaves very little ability to be able to do the normal, week-to-week duties. Then you get to play catchup. I am not one to be alright with getting behind. I have a calendar that I carry wherever I go (and yep, still going old school and doing a paper notebook calendar) with a list of things to do each day. When something is missed or left for another day it makes me a little bonkers. So this catching up and finishing those missed items makes me a very happy camper.
Even with all of the hecticness that life brings it is still good, especially as an artist, to take a step back and enjoy a look with what is around. My new surroundings are not so new since I am familiar with Austin, Texas. This is a big difference from my other many moves when I usually am seeing the place I am moving to for the first time on arrival. Don't get me wrong-this first month I have finished school in TN, drove to Texas, unpacked and arranged almost everything in our house, already had family stay with us, found and started a full-time job, and organized a few other things in my spare time while setting up my own studio and registering my business in Texas. I am keeping busy, but having fun with this move instead of letting it stress me out as much. For the first time in 7 years I have an actual home with a backyard and have already unpacked all my boxes (note: just because items are out of boxes and boxes are gone does not mean I have organized it all-I am no magician(; ).I have been able to see friends and family, many of I have not seen in years.
In the spirit of enjoying my new surroundings and looking around I have posted some photos of the drive towards my new job and of the aquarium in Dallas. Like my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/SMS-Jewelry-Designs/247576968630128, follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/smerrillsampson, take a look and even favorite my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SMSJewelryDesigns?ref=si_shop , and definitely signup for email notifications with my blog http://smsjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/ to stay in the loop of all of the new updates for SMS Jewelry Designs! Please feel free to email/post questions and comments. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy!!
On the road heading towards work
What's up?!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Quick post
Since I am in the midst of moving from Franklin, TN to Georgetown, TX I thought I would post just some photos today of the last few steps and the finished photos of the hand-fabricated platinum and 14k yellow gold mounting. Next post will be more detailed after I am able to make a better path through all of the boxes, but until then hope you enjoy the photos!! Thank you!
The many stages shot in several pictures
Me soldering the platinum head to the 14k yellow gold shank
The finished mounting...!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Changes
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” - William Arthur Ward
This week has been a roller coaster. My husband has "accused" me of being too much of a realist at times. I know and hope for the optimistic turnout, but just in case I have a plan B. With this change in career has come independence, but also no fallout plan (a.k.a. my plan B). I went into this with a very different approach. Instead of a backup, I began with thinking (or trying to make myself believe) this will work and I will be great because there was no other option. There are not many jobs where a person can use their artistic skills while helping others and making enough to live. This was what I had wanted and I finally had taken the risk so there was no turning back or plan B.
In class we began working with platinum, fabricating an entire trellis from just wire, when platinum is $70+ per mm. Makes each file stroke not just a little more nerve-racking, but expensive as well. I also was able to fuse and solder platinum which means wearing special glasses to protect from the high temps my torch had to get up to (like 3000+ degrees).
The platinum wire I started with to make the trellis head
The platinum jump rings I made from wire in photo above-1st step to making trellis head
On the non-school side I have begun packing and will be loading up my car with most of my things tomorrow in preparation for the long 20 hour drive to Texas on Friday. Plans have changed (as they often do in life, especially military life) and I will be making the journey to my new home with my mom and my two cats.
I am looking forward to my new home, being back in Texas, seeing my husband, being closer to family and friends (many I have not seen in years-including family), and, hopefully, being stationary for awhile. I am also excited for the fresh job prospects and my different career. Although I am sad to be leaving Tennessee, the friends I have made here, and to be leaving the protected realm of the classroom, I know I am ready to head out into the jewelry industry in Texas and begin to make my own mark.
Some pictures of some pieces I took my own spin on (forgive my photography skills-still working on white/dark light concept)
This week has been a roller coaster. My husband has "accused" me of being too much of a realist at times. I know and hope for the optimistic turnout, but just in case I have a plan B. With this change in career has come independence, but also no fallout plan (a.k.a. my plan B). I went into this with a very different approach. Instead of a backup, I began with thinking (or trying to make myself believe) this will work and I will be great because there was no other option. There are not many jobs where a person can use their artistic skills while helping others and making enough to live. This was what I had wanted and I finally had taken the risk so there was no turning back or plan B.
In class we began working with platinum, fabricating an entire trellis from just wire, when platinum is $70+ per mm. Makes each file stroke not just a little more nerve-racking, but expensive as well. I also was able to fuse and solder platinum which means wearing special glasses to protect from the high temps my torch had to get up to (like 3000+ degrees).
On the non-school side I have begun packing and will be loading up my car with most of my things tomorrow in preparation for the long 20 hour drive to Texas on Friday. Plans have changed (as they often do in life, especially military life) and I will be making the journey to my new home with my mom and my two cats.
I am looking forward to my new home, being back in Texas, seeing my husband, being closer to family and friends (many I have not seen in years-including family), and, hopefully, being stationary for awhile. I am also excited for the fresh job prospects and my different career. Although I am sad to be leaving Tennessee, the friends I have made here, and to be leaving the protected realm of the classroom, I know I am ready to head out into the jewelry industry in Texas and begin to make my own mark.
Some pictures of some pieces I took my own spin on (forgive my photography skills-still working on white/dark light concept)
Although I have not cleaned up/filed/polished any of the piece I went ahead and hollow-tube riveted two sawed out brass designs and set a CZ in the tube-all of the pieces move (which I love!)
This sterling silver ring I assembled over a year ago when I basically had no experience and wanted a fun challenge. Well, I thought I would never finish it, let alone make it look alright. I am happy to say it is finished and not too shabby! 3 London Blue Topaz and 2 White Topaz bezel set.
A pendant mounting I purchased awhile back ago and thought I would never know how to set anything in it. Finished in an hour (getting faster!) and am so happy with it and the milgrain detailing!
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