Tuesday, March 6, 2012

My Biggest Critic

Coffee Cup Cam
I’ve been a jewelry artist for over a decade. I’ve taken group classes, invested in private tutoring sessions and spent countless hours in my own studio. Yet, I still find myself disappointingly thinking that the jewelry I make is fairly lackluster. In fact, I’ve created pieces convinced that it would never sell only to have someone fall totally in love with it.

I am, by far, my biggest critic; and have often been reprimanded by friends for saying something like, “Oh, I’m really not an artist.” Or, “I’m not that good at making jewelry.” After such a long time, I still rarely find myself pleased with one of my own creations.



Except, when it comes to the sailboats. Our sailboat line has been the most fun! I love sitting down with piles of glass, trying to pair up pieces. I’ve really enjoyed the whole process of sawing, torching, and sanding. Slowly, the piece comes to life as I work, and with each finished product I'm certain that I've just made my favorite sailboat.


Finished Sailboats

Some final outcomes are more abstract than others, but I’ve found that is all part of the allure. The ocean doesn’t always send me perfect pieces to work with, but sometimes customers prefer the imperfect. Kim returned a sailboat that her husband bought her so she could get one that was less picture-perfect. Yah, she thought my jewelry was too perfect.

It also doesn’t hurt my confidence that the sailboats tend to sell right away (or sail away, cheesy pun totally intended). It’s wonderful to hear stories of others who are falling in love with the sailboats, too. Like, the woman who bought one for her daughter… Then one for herself. And I just shipped her a third sailboat pendant for her other daughter.
Contact: Lindsay at West Coast Sea Glass
253.302.2447

I’d love to be able to spend my day just making sailboats, and you can support my efforts. Feel free to email me your favorite pairing (at right) so I can get started on your one-of-a-kind sailboat.

3 comments:

Silly Little Sheep said...

Your sailboats are beautiful - it is such a nice idea!! :) I like seaglass a LOT, but never really have luck picking some good pieces. Last time I was picking the beach in Weymouth, England, UK with my boyfriend and we got a lot of pieces, but only really little ones! I love the way the sea shapes the glass and mostly love the fact that it is something that used to be rubbish once and now it is considered beautiful!
Your work is awesome :)

missscarey said...

Absolutely beautiful!, I've been collecting sea glass and vintage bottles for a number of years now, my house is full will jars of glass and old bottles which are dotted around everywhere. It's wonderful to see someone else who loves theses little Sea jewels.

kapil said...

hi

very nice blog and thanks for this info.

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