Article and Student Work from Dot Kimura

Hello Everyone! I sincerely apologize for not having uploaded videos on Youtube or updating any of my other social networking sites for awhile! My workload has gotten out of control for the past month. I still have quite a bit of work to do, but this should be easing up shortly. :-)

I have something very special and very exciting to share with all of you! Dot Kimura is a former student of mine. She has taken multiple jewelry classes with me and I recently met up with her this past weekend. She smiled and handed me a magazine to look at and to my surprise she had an amazing three page article written about her  in the June 2011 issue of San Diego Home /Garden Lifestyles magazine! Wow! What an incredible spread!

The above is a portion of the article with an image of her and an example of some of her ceramic work. Dot's work has an organic quality and her pieces are well composed.

I took pictures of some of the metal work that she fabricated in my jewelry classes. She enjoyed making functional objects out of sterling silver. I really like the fact that she incorporates her handmade objects into her everyday life. Below are some wonderful utensils she made!

Sterling Silver Tulip Salad Serving Utensils

Sterling Silver Cake Server

Lily Pad Serving Utensils

Dot has made ceramics for over thirty years. She has been involved in  metalwork for over ten years. Quite an accomplished woman! I purchased two of her ceramic vases a few years ago and they are proudly displayed in my humble apartment.

Way to go Dot! I'm so glad that she was so nicely recognized for her achievements.

Milka Lil' Scoops

Now that it is getting closer to Easter Sunday, I think it is time to do an Easter candy review! I love when Easter comes around because of the variety of candy offerings that are available! Cost Plus World Market has the best selection of European Easter candies that I just go berserk when I peruse their candy aisles!

Today, We are reviewing Milka Lil' Scoops. Milka was originally an Austrian brand, but is now housed under the Kraft corporate umbrella. Let me tell you, this product is to die for!!!

Look how great this packaging is! It looks just like a real egg carton! :-)

The quality of the chocolate and the creamy center is absolutely divine! If you want to watch my video review, head over to my Adorable Mayhem channel on Youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZs_6AIr7kg
 Happy Easter to everyone and enjoy lots of candy this weekend!

Earrings from Indonesia

My friend Candace gave me these wonderful pair of wood earrings from Indonesia! I love the curvilinear design and because they are made of wood, they are quite light for their size. They almost remind me of abstracted, winged gargoyles.

The peg fastener is visually appealing, however it is not so functional. I find it difficult to push through the ear hole, plus it isn't very secure. I have been fabricating an silver ear wire to make these earrings more wearable because I do like the design.

I showed these earrings to my Intermediate Jewelry Class and one of my students remarked that she owned a small collection of Indonesian earrings that were similar in design! Denise generously brought in several examples to show the class.

The earrings are made of a variety of different materials: bone, horn and wood. All of the designs were exquisite! My favorite pieces are the bone wings and striped spiral earrings. Some of the closures are clever in design. For example, the spiral design has a post that fits into the back portion of the earring. When they are worn, it gives the illusion that the entire earring is traveling through the ear lobe.

I hope you enjoy these earring designs as much as I do!