Kelly Limberg

Aha!

Kelly Limberg — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:27:07 +0000

It is always wonderful when you have an “Aha” moment about your work, and that is what happened to me earlier this week.

I had been working on making these fun silver bezels. I knew I wanted to pour resin in them, as I am teaching a resin class next month and wanted to experiment and freshen up on working with it. However, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with the resin. But alas, right before I fell asleep a few nights ago I had an “Aha” moment. It became clear to me how to connect so many of the ideas I have been working with for some time now..

I won’t give away all the details, but here are some photos of my bench in the process of making these new pieces.

Starting with the silver bezels..

A great source of inspirations is my bible.. The Smithsonian Natural History of the Earth, the most amazing book I own..

Working out my new ideas…

Working through the U.P. Winter

Kelly Limberg — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:06:06 +0000

With this being the first winter my husband and I have spent in the Upper Peninsula, we have survived more snow than either one of us has ever seen. Walking through the yard is quite a challenge, as the snow is past my waist in areas, so it’s more like crawling through the yard.

But the winter makes it feel nice and cozy to be inside at my workbench. I have had some fun custom orders recently, along with the chance to get a few stones set to make some fashionable rings.

This is a necklace I just finished up. It is a custom piece a customer had made for his wife as they are expecting their first child this spring. So each stone is the different birthstone to represent each of them.

These are some tie bars I made for a wedding party, each with a custom charm. Fun to make!

And snow..

And then Ring Making!

Check it out..

Kelly Limberg — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 02:04:43 +0000

I believe in supporting other talented and passionate artists and designers, which is why I wanted to take the time and bring some attention to this Kickstarter project created by designer Michael Cepress.

So take a moment to check out the video and look through the wonderful rewards he is offering to his supporters.

Michael Cepress | 2013 Collection

2013 Resolutions & Goals

Kelly Limberg — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:12:36 +0000

With today being New Years Eve I started thinking about the goals I made a year ago and what new goals I should create for this upcoming year.

First looking back at the past year, I feel proud that most of my goals were accomplished. In 2012 I had a successful Kickstarter project, made several portfolio pieces, participated in a number of art shows, my work is now carried in the Marquette History Center Gift Shop, and I also gained a good amount of exposure with my work. Actually just this month Jason and I were both on the front page of our local newspaper.

One of my top goals for the past year was to reach 100 sales on my Etsy shop, and I can proudly say that as of today I have 103. (111 if you include my newer bridal shop) Yeah!

A big change over the past year is that Jason and I relocated to Upper Michigan. We have fallen in love with the area and all the wonderful people we’ve met here and now hope to make it home for a long time to come. That’s something to be excited about too.

Goals For 2013

For this next year my goals are somewhat similar to last years.

~ Make one portfolio piece a month.

~ Participate in at least 6 venues.

~ Master a new technique. I just picked up some engraving equipment and a manual, so I hope to dive into engraving and gain a little skill in the technique.

~ Reach 200 Etsy Sales. Working from my home studio is great and Etsy helps make this possible, so lets keep it going.

~ Get Involved. Meet other artist, teach classes, and get involved in the local art scene.

Picture of my current studio space. Just moved into the dinning area a couple weeks ago, love the windows!

At my work bench finishing up..

Kelly Limberg — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:47:02 +0000

To continue where I left off a few weeks ago, I am posting the final stages of the making of the birch cuff.

The finishing process included cutting holes for the stones, soldering bezels to the piece, riveting all the layers together and finally setting the tiger’s eye stones in place.

The final piece has already been shipped off to it’s new home, but not before I took lots of photos to share.

And the final piece all shined up and pretty..

Etsy Shop

Kelly Limberg — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:45:46 +0000

I have been continuously adding items to my Shop over the past several months. Since it is the holiday season I figure everyone is looking for those special gifts, so check out what’s new in my store. And as a Thank you for checking out my blog here is a coupon for some free shipping good for the next month… Blog2012

A peek at what’s available…

At my work bench…

Kelly Limberg — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:43:24 +0000

As part of my Kickstarter project a few months back I had sketched up some designs that I hoped would be part of my new line of jewelry. One of these designs was a bracelet inspired by the beautiful birch tree.

The design itself has been updated and the piece has been in the works for a few weeks now.

The initial sketch on top..

At my work bench…

Happenings

Kelly Limberg — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:52:49 +0000

The holiday season is on it’s way, and with that comes Art Shows!

On Saturday my husband and I participated in a show at the William Bonifas Fine Art Center. It is a very nice center and the show drew a good crowd of people.

It was the first time Jason and I both had a booth at the same show and we got to take over our own corner to set up in. Here are some photos from the event.

My booth set-up..

My husband’s fabulous display of work! Love it!

Our work, side by side

Birch. Jewelry. Love.

Kelly Limberg — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 02:35:11 +0000

I love birch trees! So naturally I’ve created a number of jewelry pieces which are inspired by their beautiful wrapping bark. Recently I had the privilege to work on a more intricate custom piece for a client. The design was to be based off of the birch tree and some of the techniques I used in past birch pieces.

After several sketches and samples, a final design was chosen. The final piece was to be made in white gold and include a number of diamonds. Obviously since I was going to be working in gold, there was little room for mistakes.. so I made MANY samples to make sure I had all the details perfect before cutting into the sheet of white gold.

Here is what I started with, a small sheet of gold with my pattern set on and ready to cut.

Here is the cut out piece.. nothing too crazy.

Then I started the forming.. which was the part I practiced over and over in the samples

and some more forming..

and here are all the samples that I mentioned.. ha.

After the piece was formed, the center bezel was soldered in..

And then with lots of love, stone setting, and some elbow grease came the finished piece..

In the U.P.!!!

Kelly Limberg — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:01:14 +0000

In wilderness, searching for inspiration to create beautiful jewelry. I really could not ask for a better place to find inspiration to create new work. There is so much to see and explore that it has taken quite a bit of discipline to keep from wandering outside when there is work to be done. But I will say that my new work area has been an easy to get settled into. Since the move I’ve created this large orchid hair stick among a few other rings and necklaces.

Jason and I have been here about two and a half weeks and have already encountered a number of animals. Sandhill cranes, turkeys, a couple black bears and a number of deer. Actually countless deer, and in the morning we usually wake to hear crunching noises coming from outside our window, only to find the deer chomping away on the apples that have fallen from the trees in the yard.

Oh and a couple days ago there was a turkey parade in the backyard…

Now you can see why its hard not to get distracted from work a little.