New Observations

a favorite bridge/view at Ocean Beach

With the end of my 10 year posts yesterday, it's time to talk about something new, namely, my new home in San Francisco. I've been doing a lot of walking--exploring new places, revisiting old favorites, and just wandering around my neighborhood. Here are some observations gathered in my first month:

agave and morning light in my neighborhood

abandoned building in Dogpatch

colorful alley in North Beach

lichen on shingles in my neighborhood

See more on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

It's Been 10 Years, Part 6

one of my absolute favorite pictures from my original collections by Hank Drew, the Bamboo Necklace

One final 10-year post, and in this one, I want to say thanks to the people I consider part of my "team." My photographer, Hank Drew, my graphic designer, Brandon Dawley, my editor, Katey Schultz, and my mentor, Lori Talcott. I have worked with these wonderful people for years and I am grateful to them for their expertise, hard work, insight, and patience. Hank started taking pictures for me in 2004 with my production collections and is now taking beautiful images of my larger, more sculptural and installation-based work. I have known Brandon since high school and he's been creating logos, ads, banners, and posters for me for a long time. He also got my new website going. I met Katey at Penland in 1999 and recently she began editing for me from grad school essays to artist statements. Lori was one of my first teachers and continues to guide me today. In fact we had a long talk just a few days ago about grad school and, as always, she questioned, challenged, and supported me. These gifted, generous individuals know my work, they pay attention, they listen, they advise, and they communicate effectively and thoughtfully. There is a balanced, natural give-and-take that occurs between us and we work well together. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with them and consider each of them a friend, too. I hope you will take some time to visit the links included in this post and check out their incredible work.

 current installation shot by Hank Drew, 

Silently (I Saw a Robin Today)

the logo Brandon designed for my solo show I Live Here Now

Lori in her studio

Artist Statement

I am devoted to observing the world that surrounds me and questioning the human condition through the lens of my own life experience. Through a variety of traditional and exploratory multi-media techniques, I create jewelry, objects, and installations that hint at memory, time, loss, and the layered sense of self I believe we all carry. I intuitively select materials and forms to represent the intangible and to create abstract narratives. Using my own memory of people, places, and objects, I seek to communicate the duality of the human experience, convey emotion, and connect with others.

my most current artist statement written with help from Katey

Thanks for reading. 

First Week Wonderful, and the Sale Continues

Sentiment Necklace on sale for $46.50, 

now relisted and ready to ship

The first week of my 10 Year Anniversary and Thank You Sale on Etsy was fantastic! Thanks to everyone who made a purchase. The sale continues this week and through August 30. All regular collection items are 25% off and sale items are an additional 10% off. I have relisted a few items that sold and added something new, too. I hope you will stop by the shop today or sometime this week and take a look! The shop will close indefinitely when the sale ends.

Hanging Web Earrings, a new listing, sale $150

Small Earrings in Red, sale $55.50, now relisted

Thanks for reading.

Pearl Stories, No. 5

Claire MacDonald from Toronto, Canada sent me a teardrop-shaped pearl in the most beautiful pinky-peach color. It had a delicate gold bail attached, too, evidence that it was once part of something. The letter inside the package detailed how it had been an earring and half of a pair given to her by an aunt a few years ago on her birthday. She described how the earrings had quickly become favorites. She also mentioned how as a jeweler she doesn't wear much jewelry but when she does, she chooses pieces that have "sentimental value, or nostalgic meaning," points I can relate to. These earrings, worn almost daily, were special. She continued that one of the jump rings would come loose and she would temporarily loose one of the pearls from time to time. However, somehow, she would always find it, repair the earring, and wear the set once again. Unfortunately, the last time this happened, just a few weeks before I announced my Pearl Piece, she lost one of the pearls for good. When she read my post about collecting pearls from people everywhere, she "couldn't think of anything better than to send the lone remaining pearl to [me]." Now this single pearl is once again a part of something.

Read the other stories:

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

Thanks for reading.

From the "Vault"

Winter Landscape Necklace No. 1, enameled steel, sale $600

I recently got a few older pieces back from a gallery in London and, instead of shipping them to another gallery, I decided to put them on Etsy. I don't offer many one-of-a-kind pieces there so I like adding a few now and again. Getting these pieces back was perfect timing! You'll find unique Line Drawings and two enameled necklaces, all included in the 25% off sale. The Line Drawings have a sculptural presence and the enameled pieces were based on winter observations made while living in Penland, NC. Each enameled plate depicts a different observation of snow and ice.

Cluster Brooch, sterling silver, $206.25

Line Drawing Pendant, sterling silver, sale $187.50

Arc Brooch, sterling silver, sale $112.50

Winter Landscape Necklace No. 2, enameled steel and brass, 

sale $375

Double Arc Bracelet, Now SOLD

Thanks for reading. 

10 Year Anniversary and Thank You Sale!

Curved Prize Earrings, SALE $51

The sale is on... please enjoy 25% off all regular items and 10% off sale items in my Etsy Shop. Shipping is free in the U.S. and the sale runs through August 30. At that time, I will close the shop indefinitely. This sale is another way of celebrating my 10 years as a full-time artist, to usher in a new phase in my career, graduate school, and to say thanks to you for all the support over the years.

Thank you.

And, thanks for reading.

It's Been 10 Years, Part 5

Paused Sentiment and Remembering Earrings, sale price $76.50

I began my Etsy shop, AmyTavernJewelry, in 2009 and I have enjoyed being a part of that awesome community. It's a fun and accessible way to connect with other my customers and other artists. I've been debating whether or not to close the shop once grad school begins and, although I haven't come to a definitive conclusion, I have decided to close the shop for now at the end of this month. I might reopen around the holidays, but that remains uncertain. So, to celebrate my 10 years, mark my next chapter, and say thanks to all of you for your constant support, I'm having a sale starting tomorrow. Everything will be 25% off, except sale items which will be an additional 10% off.  Everything pictured is in stock and orders will be shipped quickly. I am offering a limited selection at this time, but there are lots of lovely items in the mix and a few nice sale pieces. I will add a few one-of-a-kind necklaces and brooches, too. The sale will run through Sunday, August 30. Then my shop will go into vacation mode, indefinitely.

The sale will begin tomorrow at 9am Pacific time.

Large Circle and Arc Necklace, sale price $78

Small Pendants, Bright Palette, sale price $55.50

Three-Arc Cluster Earrings, sale price $81

Thanks for reading.