Thursday, May 28, 2009

1st anniversary of blood milk and first giveaway!

this week marks the very first anniversary of my jewelry line, blood milk. i have always believed that jewelry serves purposes far higher than ornamentation; that the pieces you choose and wear become your talismans. for these reasons, last year, i wanted to try my hand at furthering my artistic pursuits of creating paintings and fictions to making things that people could actually wear against their skin. 

it is important for me to create the anatomies of my jewelry with vintage and antique elements as i have always been interested in the memories these haunted items have. each time we own and use something, i believe a part of ourselves, particularly our emotions, and our era becomes imprinted on it. i feel this belief is especially potent in pieces that are older or charged with spirituality such as vintage rosary beads and animal bones i purchase mainly from native americans, who often use bones in their jewelry for spiritual purposes. the addition of semi-precious stones and knives are meant to illuminate the idea of the jewelry being psychic armor, as the stones carry special meanings and soothing powers while the knives are meant to quite literally protect its wearer or serve as a metaphor for it.

 by adding these layers of age and spirituality by way of the surrealist spirit of assemblage is then coupled with my romance with language as i often create histories for the pieces based on literature, mythology and histories both real and exaggerated. each piece begins from the same place all my other work is rooted; the dark and complex feminine experience and the duality of our inner and outer landscapes, as the jewelry serves to be worn outside the body but meant to resonate with our inner lives. it is from this focus that I choose the name of 'blood milk' ;the idea of our life forces having a macabre tone as well as one that is nurturing and rooted in the female body. 

so! i want to say thank you to every one who has ever bought a piece of jewelry from me or has given me encouragement, or has read my blog, its been an amazing year! to say thanks i want to also offer my first giveaway...... a custom piece of blood milk jewelry. the winner and i will communicate their interests and beliefs and i will make a special piece for her/ him  based on these conversations. the winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, June 6th. To enter, just leave a comment to this post!
xoxo


27 comments :

Leila Marvel said...

I am so happy for you, it is lovely to hear you bare your heart about your creations. I covet that in an artist. May marked my second year and what a journey.

It is quite fascinating when someone touches a piece of jewelry for example, there scent or even there inner heart beating thump touches this one particular piece, that is why I love old photographs and mourning lockets so much, someone once held there close ones to their soul.

I have this one piece I made that I've kept for myself, I actually wore it to your show, remember the casket escutcheon, well it smelt so weird like old hand wrapped cigars, a strange moment when I first worn it on my chest, I smelt it for the longest time.

BaronessVonVintage said...

It is rare to find an artist who shares many of my views about why I love vintage things. I always feel sad when I see people selling family photos or family members of deceased relatives throwing out the so called "junk" (but actual treasures) that they can't see the intrinsic value or importance of. I think it's important to be in touch with the past and agree with Leila that there is something amazing about the feeling of the ghostly spiritual traces that vintage jewelry often carry with them.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your first year in business!

I agree wholeheartedly with your notions about psychic armor and the proper use of a unique find. I've enjoyed reading your blog ever since I found you through Etsy, and, same as your other commentors, like hearing more about the artistic process behind your lovely creations.

Keep up the work, can't wait to see more of it!

GetReadySetGO said...

congrats on your etsy-verssary! i wish i had something more though-provoking to say but i'm all dired up as it's 3:41 AM and i'm thinking of putting on a pot of coffee! but it's so awesome to see you here- for soooooo many reasons. so little degrees of separation right? well, keep on doing what you love and writing the stories you write behind each piece because it is truly an experience when going through your shop. you stimulate the eyes and the soul. i absolutely LOVE how you've set up your shop. so artistically brilliant you are!
yaaaaaaay:)
-rachel-

GetReadySetGO said...

and i misspelled so many words in my last post it's embarassing to say the least. poor grammar from a girl who is waaaaaaaaay over-tired. night night:)

danielle v. said...

i feel so fortunate to wear these creations of yours... each piece is many places, hands, and times meeting in a new place here: to be held, conjured, remembered, and recreated... thank you for creating these talismans.... love love

Rachel Gold. said...

I bought my first piece of bloodmilk jewelry today at Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philly, and I am thrilled. It spoke to me, just like you said it should! Thank you for bringing your beautiful thoughts and visions to life for all of us to enjoy. Best of luck with everything.

*RachelGold*
*GoldmineVintage*
shopgoldmine.etsy.com

seaeffess said...

Well done! The beauty of your art and passion is evident in every peice you've made- while I could tell that each was elegantly created on your websited, at Penn's Landing over the weekend, it surprised and warmed me when I realized that you really, really care about what you do: your work reflects that. You say that each peice has a story, and I think yours is most definitely part of that. Congratulations on a year of making things that each make the world a little more beautiful :)


-C.

Megan Roberts, MPH, ACSM-CPT said...

Your work really speaks to me. I took jewelry in college and high school and loved pouring intense focus into such small objects of beauty.

I also share your concept of jewelry as talisman. A lot of what I am drawn to looks like it could double as a weapon. In addition to my weaponry I collect and wear antique compasses, though they are not incorporated into a piece, they are the piece, unadorned. Not nearly as amazing as what I saw at your stand at the Art Star Bazaar Sunday.

I like to think the compasses provide direction in a metaphysical way.

I wouldn't describe myself as lost. But the world is so filled with distractions and complications, I find it helpful to have a reminder hanging around my neck that I have a direction-- it's the path I'm meant to travel, the one that makes my spirit feel full and therefore allows me to help illuminate other paths as well.

The first compass I collected was my great-grandfather's. He was a dapper guy who dropped out of the Mennonite faith to open the first fine menswear store in his town. It was completely rebellious, doing something so materialistic, but he was an excellent tailor and businessman and loved what he did. He served as an example to his children and grandchildren of the importance of following that internal direction. Though his choices didn't necessarily make sense to others, they were still the right ones for him.

It's so hard to drown out the bullshit sometimes. You have to really listen to hear the important stuff. Little sparks of beauty along the way, people or art or the realizations you have just before you fall asleep, they all help make that journey so much easier.

mariarita said...

Congratulations on you first anniversary of blood milk. Love your creations!

Sue said...

Congratulations on your one year anniversary of Blood Milk! You are so talented and in tune with your pieces and their histories. I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Unknown said...

a rare and beautiful collection of sacred creations shared with mysterious strangers. the pieces speak a long-lost language restored.

with love and admiration (and a fascination with the ritualistic) i adorn myself with with your nostalgia-infused creations...

sincerest gratitude for creating and sending your personal creations out into the world.

love & luck.
jes

ps. the j.g. tarver necklace has not left my neck since sunday. it's in good hands.

Keri said...

I'm seriously into everything you create and can't wait to wear a piece myself! It was great to see it in person at Artstar and I wish you all the best in your second year!

Keri

Joanne Waryga said...

Hi, I met you at Artstar. I wish I could have purchased one of your necklaces, but, alas, I had spent all my money before I got to your table. Beautiful work, and I loved your setup!

Morgan said...

Hi Jess ~
Congrats on your first year !!! I am absolutely in LOVE with ALL of your beautiful and lovely creations !! I wish you many, many more years of super(natural) success - XOXOXO !!

Many Blessings & Best Wishes ~
Morgan

The Giveaway Diva said...

congrats on your first year!! you seem like you have amazing designs!! enjoy looking at them!!

Unknown said...

I was so captivated by your artwork and am proud to wear one of your pieces. I have gotten so much attention and questions about it and I love the fact that I am able to wear something that has a history, one that possibly predates me. That is a truly amazing experience, so thank you for giving me that.

JENN in Beautiful Bucks County PA said...

Oh Jess -
It was my pleasure to meet you @ the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Phila. Your creativity is in such abundance & your work reflects such incredible intricacies and cleverly combined assemblages. I was the gal who was taken with your BPOE Elks necklace (just a tad to short). I'd still like to get in touch to forward my personal BPOE for you to create with. I love adornments and you really do have quite the flair. I noticed you are looking for images of vintage cameras? I’ll check to see what I have that I can take a digital of & send along. Also loved the photo of the gal w/all the rings  - Jenn

Caroline Leopold said...

I'm inspired by artists, especially ones who create stuff that can be carried around in everyday life and not left hanging on a wall.

-Caroline

Heather Jean said...

Yay! Love your blog, excited about the giveaway!

. c h o k l i t . said...

Oooh, yes, I'll comment! I love your stunning work and the stories... keep 'em coming!

Unknown said...

Hello! I am a new visitor and instant fan of your blog. I follow a few other blogs that recommended you (phantasmaphile and lady lavona) and voila another fantastic site! I am continuously impressed with the variety of beautiful subject matter you post. It is unending entertainment and inspiration for me. Thank you and I cannot wait to read future posts.

Verse said...

Hello, I just discovered this blog from the Phantasmaphile mailing list. What lovely things here, I can't wait to go back through the whole thing!

MonVictorian said...

Whom ever you choose... I can only hope that the piece will evoke a real awakening, a sincere insight, to your talents. Thank you kindly for sharing your inner roots so-to-speak. Myself as a nature type of enthusiast coupled with antique firearms, sheaths, pocket knifes of antiquity, including the helve or haft, besides the blade. Being born of a Norse, Native American[Ojibwa], Bohemian heritage, must go with the territory, as I revel in all types of antiques since a child, no influence from my parents. My Navajo husband also shares the same influences...
To come across and be able revel in your… visual spirited goods by way of the infinite path of the internet was actually quite joyful.
The to find a place where one is able to commended you for your wonderful no-lackadaisical-attitude of discarded items that find they're way to a new home... goes beyond words. A mere thanks does snot cover the ground that I look so forward to in your future endeavors, and hope you will continue to share, as I will pass your work on to others... so parts of your work will continue on.... to...???
Respectfully & Fondly,
MonVictorian

NavajoTradingPost@yahoo.com
MonVictorian@yahoo.com

MonVictorian said...

[Correction - Apologies in Advance]
Your work resonates with me... and yet to find a place where one is able to "comment and commended" you for your wonderful no-lackadaisical-attitude of discarded items that find they're way to a new home... goes beyond words.

Pop Culture Casualty said...

I l-o-v-e your art and want to be entered in the giveaway! History and art are a lovely blend.

JENN in Beautiful Bucks County PA said...

I am just so fascinated with your writings – words with such depth, flow & feeling. But I am particularly smitten with your thoughts on your created adornments and how each piece lives yet many lives & especially of those they have touched. Yes, jewelry does serve to be worn outside our body & yes it does truly resonate our inner lives. So well put!

Again, I am so delighted to have met you last weekend in Phila & thoroughly enjoy your postings. I find the knowledge you possess & have so willingly shared is extraordinary. Something I never quite understood B4 was the use of knives. I must say you have explained it so clearly as being “psychic armour” to protect the wearer & serve as a metaphor.

And… the links you have provided have taken me into undiscovered territory and only seeking more.

I can’t wait to see what you create for the chosen one – I do hope you post a photo when complete. Merci & more later from … Jenn