The Art of Simplicity

Summer is officially over. It seems the holidays will follow shortly, our shadows will be longer and a bit misshapen, and some of us will have the desire to spend some time in bed reading a good book. I know this is true somewhere in the world but in Los Angeles the temperature has been hitting 100 degrees. Nonetheless, my dedicated and playful roommate ponders her reading list and her elongated image cast in front of her and is, no doubt, also contemplating what the next snack will be.

I like her simple approach to life; sleep when and where you want (in her case, it is her very favorite Barnes & Noble bag and it is 3/4 of her day), know enough to have a good conversation (again, reading the bag - her knowledge of titles is vast), know where the food is and go for the good stuff, and roll over if you think there's any possibility of getting a good rub and scratch. It seems to work for her. I might adopt the same basic principles.

In her off time, she tries to kill her fake mice, does weekends on top of the massage table, and stares out to the garden at the birdbath. Soon the birds will no longer be at the birdbath and she will go to her favorite winter activity which is batting around stray jewelry supplies that end up on the floor when I'm working. Since I've been working on pre-season designs, she also seems to be gearing up for some serious chases with fallen chain, misguided jump rings and the occasional bead that launches like a rocket when I've been in a hurry and lose control of such things. She loves when I'm working and so do I. We are a good team. In the six years that she's been my roommate, we have developed a mutual understanding. She doesn't eat my supplies, and I don't eat her food. We have solid boundaries. What more can we ask for? She is, in a way, my business partner, since she needs to sniff everything once its done, giving it her approval, and watch intently so I don't make mistakes. She plays her part well.

So "we" have a few new items we are working on to celebrate the upcoming holiday season which will be here quickly, arriving suddenly as if we didn't know to expect it, anticipating the last minute shopping spree.

We offer you a hint of what's coming and will be on my Etsy shop tomorrow afternoon - you can always check out the shop on the lower right of this blog.......these are fine silver (solid silver) crosses. Each is one-of-a-kind. Similar ones can be made but no two will be identical. I am using the symbol of a cross as a universal symbol as opposed to a religious one. I like the form itself. The ones you see here are heavily oxidized for maximum effect since they are highly textured.

So, as the summer ends and we enter a new season, think of the things you want to do to celebrate the upcoming winter - spend time with your family, learn to ski, get comfy beneath your winter throw and read a good book, start making hot chocolate - but if you live in Southern California, at least for now, don't put away your shorts because the heat isn't going away yet.

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This is the Rosebud cross (I will be making other versions of this) - one perfect tiny rosebud with two leaves - organic, textured, feminine - approximately 1 1/2 inches in length.

This is the Aztec cross - also well textured with wonderful high shiny points - a bit smaller than 1 1/2 inches in length - all my crosses are offered on 18 or 20" rubber cords with sterling silver clasps OR adjustable leather cord (no clasp).

And then, because I love the look of hammered metal, we have the Hammered cross - the center is a triangle on a circle on a heart - thick, rich, and substantial - again, approximately 1 1/2 inches in length.

So, whether its a fashion statement, a personal faith statement, or just because you like the form as I do, take a look at my Etsy shop (there are a few crosses on there already) tomorrow and see these and the rest of the pieces........my business partner has given her approval, she's educated now, she has good taste.....

Namaste'

The Art of Sport

For my bicyclist friend, who epitomizes good health, good attitude, and a great passion for life, the Georg Jensen Bicycle - silver with leather or perhaps the Schwinn Paramount Series 9 MSRP.........difficult to decide. Both are incredibly beautiful and so is my friend.

Art is in everything we do, see, make, feel. And isn't the bicycle the most amazingly sleek piece of functional art? Take a look at the Georg Jensen website (link below). Why not whiz through the universe on a silver cloud? Perhaps you don't want a $5,500 bicycle, but it is beautiful nonetheless. And isn't part of our legacy the creation of the objects we once considered ordinary and mundane? You have only to visit a good museum to see the elevation of ordinary objects from other cultures and times. There has never been anything ordinary or mundane about bicycles. They have been basic to our society, basic to our childhood and have been the building blocks for incredibly rich memories. This is simply a magnificent example of raising the bar.....and, well done it is. But there is more.....

Courtesy of Georg Jensen


Not into Georg Jensen silver bikes? As elegant and well built and as popular and gorgeous in its own right is the Schwinn 2009 Paramount Series 9 MSRP. It is also as pricey. So whatever your choice, these are only two examples of sport and art coming together for absolute and true beauty. Alone, however, they are simply objects. Add the rider, the master of the craft, and the journey begins......

Courtesy of Schwinn

Namaste'

Etsy Shop Announcement - Grand Opening

My Etsy shop is now open for business: http://www.jbaxstudio.etsy.com/ so please, visit. Here's one piece completely handcrafted by me, except for the luscious labradorite which was made by Mother Nature. The chain is long and short copper and silver links, all handcrafted and original; both metals have been aged with patina for an earthy yet modern feel. The labradorite chunk is topped with copper, silver, and brass wire.

Come by the shop, browse, pieces come and go, everything is one of a kind, although occasionally you will see variations on a theme but nothing is mass produced. There is more to come......this is just the beginning....and jewelry, while my passion, its not the only thing I'll be posting....

Namaste'