Thank you ever so much.

Many of my USA Project donors received a reward or "perk" for contributing to "This is the Way I Remember It." I sent 20 Graffiti Badges and 14 Bow Pins out the other day after working on them last week. I included a handmade letterpress thank you card made by my friend, Ele Annand. It truly was my pleasure to make these gifts and put together each package.

More images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

My USA Project

THANK YOU!

Final Day, Final Glimpse

Today marks the last day for my USA project and the final glimpse of the first piece for my show. These images show the nearly completed piece--I still have some surface work in the form of scratched details to add and I may paint a few more cubes for better visual balance. At this time I am taking a short break to work on other pieces.

I have also included a picture of the necklace it was inspired by, my favorite piece in the jewelry box I played with as a child. I carried it with me allover my grandparent's house and loved hanging it over my forehead like a tiara Cleopatra would have worn. I also have a memory of holding it during dinner and accidentally dipping it in the gravy on my pile of mashed potatoes. I don't think any adults saw this happen and I did not draw attention to myself, maybe for fear that the necklace would be taken away from me. I wiped the rhinestones with my napkin but was not able to clean it completely. There is a yellowed area that marks this moment. 

 the original

 final silhouette

So thank you! What a amazing journey this project has been with all of you! Thanks for all your support, for every donation and kind word, and for reading these entries since I began on March 21. I do have all day today until 11:59pm to raise additional funds! Any new donation will be used for professional photography. If you would like to donate, please do! There are some great donor rewards still available AND if you donate at any level you will become a part of a special list that will receive email updates about the progress of my work. (This list is the ONLY way you will be able to see more until November!)

Thanks so much and thanks for reading!

Final Days

There are only a few days left before my USA project deadline (May 9) is here! As many of you know I already met my goal and now I'm trying to raise additional funding to offset the cost of professional photography. I have made $292 above my goal of $6000! Really exciting! As I've said before, if you were thinking of donating earlier and didn't, you still can and I would LOVE it! There are still some great donor perks left, too...

For $100 you will receive a Sterling Silver Bow Pin 

(approximately 1.75" x .75" x .75")

For $500 you will receive a One-of-a-kind jewelry piece based on your favorite piece of jewelry. I will ask you to email an image of your favorite piece of jewelry for me to use as inspiration.

My $50 perk (Graffiti Badge in the color of your choice) has met its limit (there were 20 available), but I'm opening it back up for addional donataions. If you donate $50 you will still receive a Graffiti Badge in the color of your choice--I will email you when I get your donation and confirm your gift.

Also, anyone who donates at any level will be added to a very special email list. This list will get updates about the project over the coming months. I'm not planning to talk about the work publicly after my project deadline arrives. This list is the only way to see what I'm up to with the project as I move forward until my solo show happens. Maybe that's a good incentive to make a donation?!

I am ever-grateful for the tremendous success of the project already! Any additonal funds will truely be icing on the cake! Thanks for considering it!

Here's the link to USA. 

Thanks for reading.

Some Thoughts

The seven weeks of fundraising for my USA project have been incredible for a number of reasons. Months ago when I was first approached to submit a project I wasn't interested--the idea of asking people for help made me feel uncomfortable and seemed like something I definitely did not want to do. Then I took some time to think about it and I realized I had to follow-through. It was a challenge I couldn't ignore. At this point I also had the concept for the solo show which gave me confidence and enthusiasm.

The days leading up to the launch were nerve-wracking for me, the fear of (public) failure hanging over my head. Those were some anxiety-ridden days. But, once it was live I felt a huge sense of relief. Then the incredible initial response from all of you was just what I needed to move forward and remain positive. I felt like I was part of a team, something bigger than me, and being supported by so many different people was thrilling! I also had a plan for the coming weeks and felt prepared, despite also feeling blind.

Over the next two weeks I followed my daily schedule which helped me to stay focused and helped me to manage the stresses of unknown territory. Each day I would review the plan and modify as needed. I ended up turning this plan into a daily journal with detailed entries.

It was also difficult and pretty much impossible for me to do anything else. It was a struggle to be at the bench and I discovered all I was capable of doing when I wasn't working on the project was to putter around organizing things.

I look back now at all of this with complete fascination and excitement! I have learned tons about fundraising, marketing, and building community, while experiencing an array of emotions. I had expectations, of course, and yet I had no idea what to expect.

Thanks for reading and thank you over and over for your support!

Week 7 and a Sixth Glimpse

Week 7 and a sixth glimpse AND my final week of fundraising! How time flies! (My deadline is NEXT Monday, May 9!) These new images show the masked necklace with spray paint layered in white and light blue. I chose light blue because the original necklace was made of light blue rhinestones. I know it's hard to tell from the images but only certain cubes are painted. Next week I will post images of the completed piece and I will also reveal the original necklace. Stay tuned...!

In addition to this new glimpse I also want to comment on how fascinating this experience has been for me. I have never done anything like this before and I have learned so much! I plan to write more about this this week. I hope those of you who haven't contributed might feel compelled to donate, too. Additional funding above my $6,000 goal will be used toward professional photography, a necessary and costly component of making new work. I've been working with my wonderful photographer, Hank Drew, since 2004. This October I will work with him once again as he shoots the completed body of work and I hope to fly to Seattle to be in the studio when he takes the pictures. Needless to say, this will be an expensive endeavor so any funds beyond the $6,000 will be incredibly helpful. (So far we have raised $217!) Every little bit helps so if you've been following my project please consider making a contribution this week and help us to end with a bang! Thank you!

Here's are some helpful links to my project: "This is How I Remember It"
Flickr
USA Works-in-Progress showcase and blog

Thanks for reading.

Week 6 and a Fifth Glimpse

Welcome to week 6 and your fifth glimpse, the masking process. Originally I planned to spray paint the entire necklace with light blue paint, but after seeing how the piece reflects light I knew I couldn't cover-up all that shine. Instead I decided to play on the light effects and only paint a few pieces. Masking was made very tricky then and I began by very carefully masking each cube. This got old fast and I ended up just piling on the tape. (Please visit my Flickr set to see details of all that tape!) When I was done I placed the piece on cardboard and taped down a few exposed spots. Now it's ready to paint!

If you are still thinking about donating to my USA project, you still can! I have two weeks left to raise funds and I could definitely use extra funding beyond my $6,000 goal to offset the cost of professional photography. Please consider it! And THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading.

Week 5 and a Fourth Glimpse

It's now week 5 and time for a fourth glimpse of my first solo show piece! These images show the completed necklace after I connected all the cubes with "staples" followed by tumble-polishing overnight. Once I had the necklace arranged on the dress form, I discovered all those sparkling light effects which I was not expecting. Next week I will talk about how they made me change my plan.

Once again I would like to say thank you for making the success of my project a reality for me! I raised a little bit more over the weekend! I'm lucky enough to still have several weeks to accumulate funding and would absolutely love to raise some "extra" funds for professional photographs, a costly but necessary undertaking. You are welcome to continue to contribute if you haven't yet and are still interested in helping! All additional funds beyond my $6,000 goal will be used towards professional photography of the completed body of work. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email (amy@amytavern.com) or read more about this here.

Thank you and thanks for reading!

Week 4 and a Third Glimpse

This week's glimpse shows the first stage of the construction of the necklace. Once I had figured out how many cubes I needed to make the necklace, I made wire "staples" that act as the connectors between each cube element--one end of each staple was melted into a small ball. I pierced two holes in each cube and sanded away the burs left behind after drilling. I then began to connect the cubes one by one by threading a staple through two cubes and melting its other end into a ball. (This ball is larger than the hole and is what keeps the connection together.) I hope this makes sense! It's a challenge for me to describe in words!

This process was tedious! I had to grab the end of the staple to be melted with my third arm, making it stick up just enough that I could melt the wire and not cause any damage to the cubes. I also had to quench the necklace after melting each ball so I would not burn my fingers as I set-up for the next round--after patting the necklace dry, I set-up the system again. The completed necklace pictured at the top is composed of 40 cubes and took about 9 hours to connect.

Lots more images on Flickr and my USA project showcase.

I also wanted to let you know even though the project has been funded, I will continue to post a new "Glimpse" and updates every week. You are also welcome to continue to contribute as the project can still accumulate funds until my May 9 deadline! Any additional funds will be used towards professional photography of the completed body of work. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email (amy@amytavern.com) or read more about this here.

Thanks again for your continued support!

Thanks for reading.

Week 3 Updates! and We Did It, Part 2

I am still reeling from the fact that my USA project is now funded! When people ask me about it I often stumble over my words and say things like "I can't believe it" or "It's so cool," both of which are completely true but do not come anywhere close to expressing my feelings. I am honored by the way this project has gone, its success and speed, and, most importantly, how generous everyone has been. I really do feel like a part of team. We did this thing together and that is truly remarkable. We did it! I am so grateful and I will never forget this experience!

My project will remain live and can continue to accumulate funds until my deadline of May 9 even though it has reached "funded" status--having nearly 30 days left is such a great thing! If you are still interested in contributing, it is not too late. I will use any additional funds to help pay for photographing the final body of work. As I stated in my video, I anticipate making at least 30 pieces which will be photographed individually and in arrangements. I estimate that photography will cost $1000. Professional photographs are important for many reasons, documentation and promotion of course, but also they will allow me to show the work in its best light and to share it with all of you. Sharing this process and the completed works with you is incredibly important to me!

Thanks for all your support and kind words!

Thanks for reading.

We Did It!

Yesterday just before lunch I received the donation that brought me to my goal. It was such an amazing moment. I stood there dumbfounded and then let out a huge scream. Thank you for making me feel this way. Thank you for every donation, every encouraging email, every Facebook comment, every Twitter retweet, and all the high fives around the Penland campus. I feel like I am part of an incredible team and I am so honored that you have all helped me to fund my USA project. I never imagined that funding would happen so quickly. I honestly did not know what to expect and have been on pins and needles for several weeks. Now 60 donors, $6092, and 17 days later I am in absolute awe. What a fascinating and humbling process this has been! My sincerest gratitude and heart-felt thanks to you all. 

Thanks for reading.

Week 3 and a Second Glimpse

Last week I began to reveal images of the first piece for my solo show. After creating a scale paper model I began working with a 12" x 6" sheet of 26 gauge sterling silver. I cut the sheet into strips and then began scoring them by filing a groove into the metal. Once I had three grooves I used my saw to make smaller pieces and folded these at the grooves using pliers. I also did a lot of filing and sanding to create subtly rounded corners and soft edges. I made about 76 total pieces, soldering each bent groove for stability. I have posted lots more images on Flickr as well as to my USA Projects "Works-in-Progress" showcase. Please visit either to see more of my process.

It has been an exciting two weeks! I am now 94% funded and less than $400 away from reaching my goal. This is all so unexpected. I did not even imagine that the response from all of you would be so incredible. I have received donations from family and friends, colleagues, artists working in a variety of media, gallery owners, clients, collectors, former students, and my Penland friends. Thank you! Each donation means so much to me!

Please help me to reach my goal this week! Here's a link to the project...

Thanks for reading.

Week 2 Updates!

$100 donor perk - sterling silver Bow Pin

Hello! Just a few updates... I've added images of the donor rewards or "perks" to my USA project page. You can find the showcase here:

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/showcase/donor_rewards_perks

For a donation of $50 you get a Graffiti Badge in the color of your choice.

For a $100 donation you get a sterling silver Bow Pin.

For a donation of $500 you get a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece based on your favorite piece of jewelry. (When the deadline is here and I have reached my goal I will ask you to email me an image of your favorite piece of jewelry which I will use as inspiration for your special piece.)

Sound good? Email me if you have any questions - amy@amytavern.com

 $50 donor perk - Graffiti Badge

In addition I created a showcase titled "Works-in-Progress" where you can see images of the first piece for the the show. I will add more images over the coming weeks.

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/showcase/works_in_progress

Also, if you would like to make a donation with a check, you can email me for a special mail-in form. I will email it to you, you print it, fill it out, and send along to USA with your check. So simple. (amy@amytavern.com)

Please keep spreading the word!

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/project/this_is_how_i_remember_it

Finally, I can't say it enough THANK YOU!  This has been a remarkable 10 days!

Thanks for reading.

Week 2 and a First Glimpse

Over the coming weeks I will be posting images of the first piece I started for my solo show. It is based on a light blue rhinestone necklace I played with as a kid. At that time I saw this necklace as the ultimate in opulence and I remember I loved just holding it. I am lucky enough to still have this piece in my possession, but have chosen to not look at it until this new necklace is complete. This image is of the paper model I made when I began working. It is constructed of lots of folded paper cubes. I made this maquette so I could see the actual size of the piece and to determine how much material I needed to make the piece in sterling silver. Please visit Flickr or my USA project Works-In-Progress showcase to see more images.

Before I sign off here, I must say thanks to all of you for supporting my project through donations, spreading the word, and your encouraging emails. Your support really helps to keep me going! Week One was incredible and now Week Two starts at 75% funded! I am in awe! Thank you!

Thanks for reading.

Amazed

I am amazed. My USA project launched on Monday around 4:30 and I am now just over 60% funded. I want to give a public shout-out to all my supporters and to all of you who are out there spreading the word. Your generosity is truly special. Thanks also to anyone who has visited my project page, watched the video, or read the description. This is incredibly exciting for me and I hope you are excited, too! Thank you!

And thanks as always for reading.

"This is the Way I Remember It," My USA Project

I am excited to announce that I launched a project called "This is the Way I Remember It" on the USA Projects website. USA (United States Artists) is a wonderful organization that promotes and supports artists around the country. I was invited to create a project for the website and I feel honored to be involved with USA. My project focuses on the work I will be making for my solo show as I raise funds to cover the cost of the materials for this extensive body of work.

Please visit my project page to learn more about the project, watch the video, and find out about USA.

In the coming weeks I'll keep you updated and post more information. I hope you will join me here or on Facebook.


Thanks for reading.