now open...

Something I've been looking forward to for the last couple of years is the opening of the Art Institute of Chicago's modern wing.  Finally the moment has arrived!  I got the chance to go check it out a week ago and took a few shots while I was there.  The building was designed by architect Renzo Piano, who created a structure that uses natural light to illuminate many of the galleries and public spaces.  The way in which this building breathes evokes a sense of calm while you soak up the artwork.  Beyond this, the openness of the space embraces the rest of the city as a natural extension of the museum.  To find out more about the collections, go here, or even better, go to the museum itself!

Nichols Bridgeway that extends from the museum to Millennium Park.

Bluhm Family Terrace has a cafe, sculpture, and provides a great view of the city.

bezel set...

After a couple of soldering meltdowns, I finally finished my first bezel set ring in metalsmithing class today.  tah-dah!  There are only two sessions left and it's hard to believe it's almost over.  Most likely, I will take another class this summer.  In the meantime, I've been posting other new creations to my shop.

special delivery...

Have you ever gotten something good in the mail that you weren't expecting?  Mail... as in those envelope things with postage on them and stuff inside that are delivered to your home.  My mailbox has primarily harbored bills, ads and the occasional birthday or Christmas card, but recently I found this in my mailbox.  A friend sent me a cd, for which she made this sweet pouch out of quilting fabric.  It definitely made my day...

new find...

I just recently found this paper and had to restrain myself from buying the entire store stock.  I'm using it in some of my jewelry, but I've also saved a sheet to frame with this photograph of my grandmother.  Now I just need to get a better copy of the print and a frame...

if only this were my backyard...

Last week I had friends visiting from out of town and I took them to one of my favorite spots in Chicago, the Garfield Park Conservatory. The first time I ever visited the conservatory was to see a Dale Chihuly show. This installation, Persian Pond, is still there. A bench is situated directly in front of it, so you can sit and pretend you are in the tropics and watch the koi fish. Seeing Chihuly's work again inspired me to visit his website to look at some of his other installations. If you're interested in taking a visual a vacation, you should look too. He has put his art around the world in many different environments, and he's even done set design. One of the reasons I like his sculptures is because he doesn't let the fragility of the glass limit him. He finds ways to juxtapose them in harsh environments, or do just the opposite - make them seem like they've belonged all along.

texture...

I just recently started taking a metalsmithing class at Lillstreet Art Center.  Despite the fact that it takes me an hour to get there, I've really been enjoying it.  It's great to be learning something totally new.  Yesterday I learned how to texture metal by putting it through a roller with fabric, wire, leaves, etc.  Now I am constantly searching for different materials to create unique textures.  This morning I made the ring above using nickel that I had run through the roller with some vintage trim.  The only sad part is that the trim gets completely destroyed when it goes through the roller, and there is only so much of it that I want to sacrifice!

Below is my very first project: a pendant made with copper and nickel.  It looks a little "crafty", but I learned a lot of techniques in order to make it...

Oh, that's right, I have a blog...

After arriving at a metaphorical "dishes are done" moment, I realized it's time to reunite with my blog.  I have checked a lot of projects and events off my list over the last month or two, but haven't been tracking them faithfully here.  So, on this sloppy, snowy evening, I am pledging a spring resolution to post more frequently.  

One thing that happened during my blogging dry spell was that my nephew was born!  TAH-DAH!  Here he is after his very first bath.

This is the little guy I was painting the nursery for back in January and February.  I also made some safari animal collages for his wall.  I posted a few photos back in January before it was all finished... so here are a few more.