Dustward Studios

So it’s been too long, to put it mildly. A few things:

1. Redesign of this thing, with increased usage to come.
2. Etsy shop for Beth’s pieces has been in the works for a couple of months, and should be launched in May – finally!
3. Jason has been exhibiting and selling art at Detroit Comics in Ferndale, and will be dropping off a fresh batch this Friday, just in time for Free Comic Day on Saturday 5/4. His words here:
“Next Saturday, May 4th, is Free Comic Book Day, and I’d like to highly recommend that you pay a visit to Detroit Comics in Ferndale. Not only is this the best comic shop in the state, but it just so happens that the wonderful David Petersen, Creator of Mouse Guard will be signing there that day from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Detroit Comics has something for all ages, from mainstream comics to indie books, and they even go out of their way to get me the obscure British publications I crave – they have something for everyone! I’m also excited to announce that some of my new art will be on the walls and up for grabs at the event, so please drop in and enjoy.”
4. There wasn’t a People’s Arts Festival last year, due to retooling on the part of its creators, but it’s supposed to return this year, and we plan to participate again.
5. In the meantime, you can still see things here, and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustwardstudios/

Cheers!

Time flies when you’re having et cetera…

The months after the PAF were crowded with vacation, catching up with friends, and then a frenzied holiday season. Recently we’ve had time to regroup and get back into our studios, which has been a very good thing.

Some photos of recent jewelry projects are now up on Flickr. ‘Twas a very cold, crisp and BRIGHT – OH LAWD, SO BRIGHT – winter day today, and everything looks extra shiny and SO BRIGHT as a result. But I tried.

I’ve been exploring steampunk a bit more lately, although I’m not really drawn to the fine ‘n fancy delicate aspect of Victorian period jewelry that a lot of people who do steampunk costuming are into. I prefer the look and feel of accessories cobbled together from spare parts found in laboratories, machine shops and airship junkyards, if you know what I mean. A little more clunky and less refined. It’s been fun. Am looking forward to attending The World Steam Expo in Dearborn, MI again this year, come Memorial Day weekend, not to mention vending there at some point.

Tribal style belly dance continues to be an influence as well. Haven’t had the time to continue taking classes in recent months [criminal!], but I’m still ridiculously excited about all the bells and whistles – the accoutrements – as worn by Rachel Brice and Mardi Love in particular. Again, it’s all about the cobbling.

More experiments and photos to come, and soon we’ll be ramping up preparations for this year’s PAF. Stay tuned!

- Beth

Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustwardstudios/sets/72157629291036235/

Another variation on the same theme… this time in red agate and crystal quartz.

-Beth

Tektite is what happens when huge meteorites hit the earth and make greenish-black glass. This necklace is what happened when I set out to make a bracelet of said material.

A fun project, and one I intend to replicate with other stone and chain combinations.

Tektite Necklace

- Beth

This afternoon I spent a few hours unpacking a new supplies shipment and reorganizing existing studio goods [and bads]: Agate and serpentine and black stone and geode and magnetite and yellow turquoise and new jade and kyanite and river rock and carnelian and amethyst and tiger eye and fluorite and labradorite and jasper and quartz and tektite and grey-black marble and howlite and ammonite, oh my! Not to mention beads and findings and focals and wire and chain and cord and ribbon and clay and Godzilla knows what else…

So much to do with so many things, and so little time. My working theme of late has been rustic talismans/tribal relics, and I’m now prepared to run with it. Prototypes and photos to come.

- Beth

‘Twas an indecently long winter at Dustward Studios, but Spring is in the air now, accompanied by Plans [and dust bunnies] [and so very much pollen]. Preparations for this year’s People’s Art Festival and numerous other projects have begun, and that’s a good thing – our horde of supplies and ideas isn’t going to thin itself out.

- Beth & Jason

I’ve posted a gallery of most of the handmade and painted polymer clay and metal/silk flower pieces I featured at the festival last weekend here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustwardstudios/sets/72157624742507781/

Many items are sold out, but if you see something you like, let a sista know.

- Beth

A certain juvenile Lucilia sericata insisted on hanging out on one of Jason’s brushes as he painted the other night. It’s good luck to have a colorful and persistent studio mascot, right?