I'm not perfect.  Nor is my blogging ability.  But its not all that bad- The important thing, of course, is that I am here again now, and I've added some new pictures of jewelry, some brand new, some old, and some newly reworked.  I added a new section of sets, some more bracelets, earrings, and a few necklaces.  Take a look and enjoy!   

Flashback to college......ah, good ol' Rowan U.  I can't even begin to explain how many hours, weeks, months, etc., of my life were spent in the Westby art building's jewelry/glass studio, completely consumed by larger-than-life ideas, and this huge chess set is a fantastic example of one that blossomed into reality. 

I love the technique of lost wax casting, particularly more when used in glassworking.  The same principles apply for use in jewelry, but glass seems more practical when you want to work on a larger scale.  About 2 years into my glassworking classes, I developed a real affinity for sculpting the human form and creating figures in glass.  I loved how the beginning wax work allowed for the inclusion of such intricate features and details, and unlike clay, I never had to worry about it drying out.  I remembered a ceramic chess set my mom had made a long time ago for my dad and how cool I always thought it was, and I wondered if I could make one of my own out of glass- but of course, make it bigger, on a more intense, grand scale, if you will.  A set fit for the gods.......Greek vs. Norse to be exact.  "Massive endeavor" doesn't even begin to describe the process.  After 2 years full of sketching, research, 32 individually carved wax figures and silica/plaster molds, and countless pounds of crushed glass later, I had done it!  The largest piece (approx. 7" x 4.5" x  2.5")is on the Norse (green) side, Odin, opposite Zeus on the Greek (yellow) side.  They made their debut on a 3' x 3' board/table made from Lexann and wood at my graduating Senior Thesis Exhibition.  They now  rest securely tucked away with their creator (for the time being) but I always look forward to the possibility of an avid chess set guru wanting to add them to their collection!

A great friend recently (ok, it's a bit longer than recently) asked me what I was waiting for to share myself and my work with the world, or at least with my family,  friends, colleagues, and local communities.  And I didn't have an answer, really, except one that I felt was quite stupid and completely out of character for me- I was afraid of the unknown.  A blog??  A website??  I don't know, will I have enough time?  Will everything be ok?  What if, what if , what if (this is how my mind works every, single, day of my life.)  I've been an artist for as long as I can remember, officially earning my BFA in Studio Art in 2005, and currently blessed beyond words to have achieved a wonderful career as an art teacher in the school of my dreams.  So, for a ridiculously large number of days, in the back of my mind I kept asking "Well, Laur, what exactly are you waiting for?"  And then, one day, I just decided.......do it.  Well actually,  the spark came after my supervisor showed me this fabulous web hosting site at our very recent department meeting (thank you!!) and I became totally inspired.  I went home that very day, explored the site, and told myself, I can and will do this.....now!  Not next week, not next month, NOW.  And so, here it is.  This is me, an artist less ordinary, bravely sharing herself with the world.  ~LMJ