New Poly Clay Work

I have just added this and a couple other new items to my shop at signatureleilei.etsy.com. I am having tons of fun playing with this stuff. Trying to perfect imitating minerals like agate, jade, and some others. Very difficult to perfect but should have some new items to add again soon.

I have also been working on building my portfolio website. I am almost done but am using a template. I can't wait to take some web design classes in the spring. I really feel constrained by the template but I need to get something up so I can direct potential employers and clients to see my work and get in touch with me.

Until then I am looking forward to a nice two week vaca to New Jersey for Christmas to visit the inlaws and then to San Diego to visit with my family for the new year. Yippee!! Aside from all the flying I am really looking forward to the trip.

Well Happy Holidays to all and remember - if you are looking for "secret Santa" gifts for the office or one of a kind stocking stuffers check out my store at etsy. The link is on this page!

TTFN! ;)

How much do I love this? - Let me count the ways!

This is a new piece that I have just added to my web store. It is 1 1/4" fine silver (.999 pure silver) sunflower, hand made by me of course. This beautiful pendant hangs on a simple yet sweet brown satin ribbon. The clasp is made of sterling silver and is also hand made.

I have a ton of ideas brewing for this stuff so stay tuned!

If you like this and have an idea for a piece of jewelry you'd like to see in fine silver be sure to contact me! I am always open to custom orders!

YES WE DID!!

I am so proud to be alive to see this. Never so hopeful for our future.

We have got to protect our president now. Have to help him achieve the goals that he has set for all of us.

Let us make this the beginning of a new era. The choice for our president was in our hands. Now let's choose to do the work to create the changes.

More PMC pieces

I made a "Thor's Hammer" in fine silver for my brother along with the earrings for his wife. Here are both pieces shown boxed for gift giving.

I really like this new medium. I have a Sunflower Pendant in the works. Stay tuned!

Looking forward to a very productive and hopefully profitable November!

Suggestions? Ideas? Make sure to leave a comment ;)

My new love!

These are my first design using a fantastic medium called Precious Metal Clay. Not so new on the market but new for me!

I was trained in metalsmithing in college at Syracuse University what feels like a hundred years ago. Actually only 13 years or so ago. But because setting up a metal studio was so pricey I hadn't been able to work in metals for the longest time. The introduction of PMC has totally opened up a new world for me and I am so excited to explore and experiment with this new medium.

I am pleased with the outcome of these earrings and can't wait to give them as a gift to my sister-in-law for her birthday. This material is actually a purer form of silver, .999 pure. Most silver jewelry that we are used to seeing in the stores is called sterling which is .925 pure. The best part about this is that you can make pieces without having to use the lost wax casting method. And thus I do not need as many tools and equipment to create silver pieces.

These earrings are the first of what I expect to be a long and loving relationship with PMC.  Yippee! Fun! Fun! Fun!

I'm a PCAGOE Member!!

This is a pic of the winner of PCAGOE's last challenge for "Texture", Marcia Palmer. Truly amazing work! Check out her work at marciapalmer.etsy.com

I am so excited as I have been accepted into the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy!

I am so pleased. Check out their website (PCAGOE. com) and see all the amazing things people are doing with polymer clay.

I will be working on their new monthly challenge, Dio De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Fitting as they celebrate this day well here in Nuevo Mexico!

I expect to learn some new techniques from these talented artists and I am honored to be a part of their group!

PCAGOE or Bust!

I am trying to join the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy - www.pcagoe.com.

I was following links at Etsy and came upon their most recent competition and was totally blown away with the multitude of thing some very talented people are doing with polymer clay!

Wish me luck! I'll let you know if they accept me. Until then check out these photos of some other people's work from their website!

Layers

A set of magnets I have just added to SignatureLeiLei.

I was playing with layers when I made these and I think the photo highlights them well. I like the contrast between the clean, geometric shapes of the square. You can really concentrate on the height of each layer and the contrast of the shapes themselves in this mini sculpture.

I love the round shape whose base or background is a pretty clean circle, only a few rough edges. Then as the levels progress the shape starts to degrade, with natural edges and clean edges on the same layer. The sharp square of glass gives a nice contrast to its setting.

I have a bunch of new beads that I am currently shooting. All playing with the line between the material itself and changing its surface just slightly to mimic other materials.

I am struggling with the photography, though as I do not have a tripod. I am a steady person except when I am holding the camera!! I am usually able to get the good shot. It just takes more takes and therefore extends the photo taking process which seems to lead to putting off the photo taking in lieu of actually making the stuff. So now I have a whole bunch of new products to get up on my sites but no pix. Guess I've got to get BUSY!!

Let me know what you think about these magnets. (Or anything else you wish to comment on in my blog! ;)

Batik - I love it!

These are some batik wall hangings I have done.

The top image is of a cicada. In Ancient China the cicada was a symbol of resurrection and immortality derived from its life cycle. A jade cicada was placed in the mouth of the dead for protection and to ensure immortality.

The image below is also influenced by Asian designs. It is my take on the eastern dragon which, unlike the western concept of the dragon, does not have wings and is long and snake-like with claws. These dragons were still able to fly as this one does in a surreal sky of beige and berry. This piece was shown in the Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY.

Both of these pieces started out as solid black cotton. I used the wax resist to hold color instead of block it. I then used a weak bleach/water solution to remove the color from the background. I then went back in and painted with some berry colored dye.

I have so much fun with fabrics. I love that they lend themselves to so many different venues, shall we say? I mean you can wear them, drape them on your windows or just hang them on the wall to name a few. Although I must be honest and admit that my sewing skills are such that I am limited to wall hangings ;) Maybe a simple bag here and there. Oh yeah, I can sew pillow coverings too! (As long as they are square or rectangular! ;)

I am looking forward to experimenting with some different natural fabrics. These pieces were both done with 100% cotton, but I would like to try working with hemp and bamboo fabrics as well.

I have a TON of ideas and I can't wait to dig out my dyes and tjanting tools! I wish my hands could keep up with my imagination!

I will be adding some of these and other batik pieces to my etsy shop soon so be sure to check and see what's new at SignatureLeiLei.etsy.com

Some illustrations that I have done for a children's book that I am working on:

These are some of the illustrations that I have been working on for a children's book for a local author here in Albuquerque.

This is so much fun! And what a challenge! The story is called "The Black Rainbow" about a little boy who sees a rainbow at night! It's true, there is such a thing!

The story caught my attention right away. The author, Dawn Em Davis, has a lyrical way with words. I can't wait to get this published for it will surely capture the imagination of a child. It did mine! Will give the first copy to my niece (below) for her critique ;)

This book will have twelve illustrations in total and I am halfway done. You will have to buy the book to read the story and see the rest ;)

It is my first book project and I have another lined up right behind it. That one I intend to use a watercolor-type style and it lends itself to a pop-up book.

I wonder how one designs pop-up books? Any ideas?

This has been a super fun project and I hope to do many, many more!

Miss Emma Marguerite Lawrence

This is a picture of my niece, Emma. She is my brother's and his wife's first child. I expect the first of many ;)

Although I haven't met her yet I love her so! I hope I can meet her soon before she grows up and doesn't think I'm cool any more!

Totally playful and cute - I designed this for my brother and sister-in-law as a plaque for Emma's bedroom door. I am hoping that when Em gets older that she'll want me to make her a new plaque to go in her "big girl" room.

I love to design things like this. And of course babies are an endless source of inspiration!

All my love, Emma Marguerite! Thanks for the smiles! You are surely going to be a heart breaker!

Ok. Ok. I give in! Here is my blog!

Well, though I am not the most eloquent I will try to be moderately interesting.

I am an artist, graphic designer and illustrator living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am solar powered and absolutely love the weather and the cultural diversity out here in NM.

I am married with dogs (three).

And we are owned by one cat

(the subject in image above ;). Would have more but husband would kill me! ;)

I believe:

In always working towards being the best person one can be. To treat people with civility and kindness.

In keeping the mind open to learning new things.

That art (in all forms) helps the world go 'round. It is what lasts and what is remembered. And that if it wasn't for creative people throughout the world that we would know nothing of the past ... and have nothing to do on the weekends! ;)

I will continue to add to this list, and modify, as I grow and learn. And hopefully this site will grow with me as I learn to navigate bloggspot :P lol