handmade homework

Sometimes you just have to push yourself to do something. You know, give yourself some sort of incentive, even if making things is your passion. Sometimes you just get bored, or tired of making the same thing. I know Etsy teams have challenges like the CCCOE team that I (kind of) belong to used to have a monthly challenge (do they anymore?), and Etsy metal has "Ring a Day" here is how they describe it "This is an exercise in creative exploration. The rules are simple: create a ring every day for the entire year of 2010 out of anything, no matter where you are." I don't know how many people made it this far (it is november and all) and well that's a bit much for me.... but here are some I found that I like a lot on their flickr set:

What is your handmade homework? what do you do differently to push yourself? The holidays are swiftly approaching and I know that should be my impetus, but I'm still here in my studio, looking at my same old things wondering how to get motivated. The increasing price of my materials is not helping... maybe I will try to think of new materials to use and THAT will be my handmade homework.... I think I'll go eat.


www.myfriendroze.com

handmade jewelry- art or craft

The other day I was reading someone's blog who asked what is the difference between art and craft? This question hits very close to home for me, as I dated a man who considered what I do craft and not art, and therefore not worthy of any sort of admiration or time spent. I guess however that I find that even I, who went to art school, considers some of the things I do craft. I also think I might share some sense of snobbery when it comes to this BECAUSE I went to art school (and not for jewelry). But I do wonder where the line can be drawn or even if it should. There are people who add the word "art" to jewelry in order to distinguish themselves. But I wonder if they are distinguishing themselves from craft or as handmade from mass made items.

Below are a few examples of handmade jewelry that may blur the line:

meghan patrice riley

MaRía GoTi

Lynette Andreasen