Jill MacKay's BLOG

Art Defined!

There is a lot of movement and action taking place as remodeling has begun to bring my elder parents to live next door to me. In the process of clearing and moving things about the following definition was found in some old book in the garage. It was written by the woman whose house I am living in. She was a two time Guggenheim Fellow, a professional sculptor and lived in this house from the age of five (1914) until her death. She also built the huge sculpture studio on the property which we are now bringing back to life. Yes there is a lot going on here on the property. Much creativity underway.

So sit down as I believe this is the very BEST definition of what ART is that I have ever heard! Enjoy:

"All men are concerned with the communication of the issues of their inner being. From the endless movement of the spiritual and intellectual, they seek to choose and immobilize some fragment of innate discovered self-truth, to render it visible to others. Only thus do they feel  the bond of immortality with God and man which perpetuates the spirit and reiterates the great rhythm of  truth.

Art is this fragmentary vision of truth made articulate through the labor and guidance of hand and eye. Taking root outside ourselves, it grows and blooms in the new soil of another's understanding.

Thus is established this miraculous language which speaks to man from man, renewing his contact with God, clarifying his concepts, and giving voice to his own nostalgic soul."

Janet De Coux

WOW!
xoxo
Jill

PEARLS of Wisdom

Hi All,

I know it has been  a long time since I last posted, when I could not remember the password I use to log into my blogging site.

This is because I have been very busy working and my personal life is also keeping me hopping emotionally speaking. In order to do what I do (design a lot!) I have to keep myself emotionally clear. This takes time; though I have learned to process very quickly (had to) to be able to survive (at first) and then to succeed and continue to grow (second). But it does take time and there are only so many hours in the day. Sometimes something has to give...

Let me try to explain hopefully without sounding too corny ... As an artist (how it works for me) is the work simply moves through me. Often shows up complete, and intact.  I even work in my sleep regularly. Wake up and have to get up to draw  what I have just seen in my dreams. For me creating is like stepping into a river that is already flowing...I just to get to be a part of it when I step in it. But I have to be clear enough to let it move through me or I just get knocked down by the current and it rolls over me instead of through me. When it moves through me I get to add a bit to it, shape it with my hands and eyes somewhat... but all in all it shows up intact. So I spend  a fairly large amount of time  processing and clearing any emotional content that may keep me stuck and off center each and every day.

When life becomes emotionally challenging, which it often likes to be...this means taking the time to clear myself. For if I am upset about something I get blocked and then I am unable to work and nothing is moving through. Life not to mention survival come to a screeching halt! And believe you me I like to eat!

Often times the process I use to clear after reflecting on the situations and circumstances is to write it  out.

Many close friends over the years have encouraged me to share what I have written (read learned) so I think I will give it a try. Though here is the question...I am not sure if I should do it in post form on this blog...as this blog was intended as a marketing tool...or if I will just start a PAGE on this blog dedicated to these little bits of insight (pearls of wisdom) that I am able to glean. Posts get sent out to all those who have subscribed to my blog. Whereas if I file it under a PAGE on the blog it will not be sent out to all.  Pages are static and have to be intentionally clicked on. They are not on the home page but filed away and have to be sought out.

Would love to hear from any of you on which you think I should do. Post it or file on the side under a page, so that those who care to read it can... and those that do not want to do not have to receive it. If I blog it yes the email is easy to delete...though many who have signed up for this blog signed on for jewelry related topics. Not pearls of wisdom!

What say ye? Would love to hear your input please!

Thanks so much.

xoxo

Jill

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

May your new year find you in good health.
May it find you exploring your creativity more, plunging into greater depths of knowing found there.
Your creativity is a sign post that speaks of your love of the moment and of being in it.
May your year be full of laughter, good company and loving ones ...Happy eyes across the fire.
Let your caring take flight and alight on many.
It will ease your aches and bring you joy...so lend a hand where a hand is needed.
May you have courage in your spirit and love in your life.
Stand tall, speak the truth and and live fully.
Trust your intuitions and let them guide you.
Thoughts become things, so think good thoughts.
Dream big, cling to hope and smile a lot
it confuses people!

:o)

xoxo
Jill

Watch this! Will Make You Happy!

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Wow! GIANT 5 Pound PEARL Found !

WOW!

New York—A five-pound blister pearl found in the waters off the Philippines has been authenticated as one of the largest, most valuable pearls ever to be discovered and documented, according to EGL USA.

The brain-shaped specimen—a giant, non-nacreous natural blister pearl—was found in the giant clam Tridacna Gigas and measures over six inches in length.
A team of EGL USA expert gemologists, led by Nicholas Del Re, analyzed the pearl using a combination of advanced technologies including digital radiography, close magnification and data provided by a hand held X-ray fluorescence unit.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime look at one of nature's most unique treasures," EGL USA Director Mitch Jakubovic said in a media release issued on Monday. "A pearl this size is not only the largest ever seen at EGL USA, it is among the largest ever seen anywhere."

"This is clearly one of the most valuable pearls of its kind in the world today," Bidwell said in the release.

I mean...how big was the gooey big daddy of a clam this guy came out of???! WOW! I looked and found a picture of a Tridacna Gigas ...so it must have looked something like this ....Amazing.

xoxo
Jill

I Have A New LOOK!

My goal was to post at least once a week. I have friends that I know post to their blogs daily. How they find time to be so dang interesting I'll never know. I'm still learning how! Learning about blogging as a PR tool has been a great thread on the CHA Designer Section discussion list as of late. So much to learn, so little time.

I wish I had I had 4 of me... I could keep each one of me very busy (wow 8 pairs of hands and eight sets of eyes!) as there is so much I want to learn and do. That would have been great this week as I  got a  tiny piece of glass in my left eye and had to work with it taped shut. (ouch!) So I was the Pirate jewelry designer this week! (RRrrrrr maties....yo Ho HO I want me eye back!) Mono vision is so limited. Those of us who have two seeing eyes are so blessed.

RRrrrrr Though this week just happy to have one good eye!

Like everything else I have  ever done I am self-taught. Teaching yourself  is curious at best as normally the concept of teacher is one of someone who is at least familiar with the subject or material to be learned!! Though I must say that when you are self-taught you learn it very well, as many times you learn the hard way. I am not quite sure what the easy way is, though should I ever stumble upon it I will be sure to let you know immediately!!

Had a piece of very good news this week! Linda Kollatz called from the Bead and Button Show ( Bead and Button Show link click here!) and I was given a choice to move or keep my same booth. My new booth I am excited  to say has a great number #1010 and  I get to be neighbors to Paula Radke who is fabulous (Paula Radke's web site click here!) and will be right around the corner from Green Girls Studios! I love their work (Green Girl Studios home page click here).

I'm not at all sure I am supposed to be doing this but I am  pretty tickled at how this piece came out. One of my new licensed designs with Darice, that  hasn't hit the market yet. There are several pieces that go along with it that create a line though this is the center pendant. It is meant (as most of my pieces are) to have beads and dangles added. For the designer / jewelry-maker to make it their own, by finishing it as they desire.

There's actually a stone missing in the very center circle which is not in place.

What do you think? I'm happy with it, looking forward to seeing the silver plated version.  Trying to take the findings available at the craft stores up a notch or two!!

Happy weekend! Jill

CRUNCH TIME!

Well it happens every year about this same time...there is so much to do to prepare for what's coming next it's not even funny! That's because the same two shows always roll around this time every year! February is going to be an exciting month and I am so looking forward to it.

I start my travels out on Feb 5th by heading down to Arkansas to present my line of jewelry and a short trend presentation to the big dogs at WalMart with  Scott Catan from Darice. I feel especially honored to have been asked to present and actually love giving presentations so it should be a ton of fun! There was a time long ago when I use to get nervous about presentations and such but those days are long gone. I absolutely LOVE Darice for flying me down to show my own line! Thank you Darice!

Hey good news! They are going to put a link on the Darice website to my site cool huh?! They are also  almost finished getting the MacKay Collection up on the website! All the items are there just no descriptions. Want to see?

The MacKay Collection on Darice.com! (click)

Then on Feb 6th it's off to Tucson for the Super-bowl of the gem, bead and fossil shows!

THE TUCSON GEM SHOW!!! WAH-WHO!!!!

Tucson Gem Show Guide  (click)

You can find all kinds of treasures great and small at the Gem Show!

  Sarpech Feather Pin with Multi-Color Spinels /The Gem Palace in Jaipur

Curtosey of the Metropolitan Museum This piece can be yours for only $7,750.00

Show Guide on the Colored Stone Site  (click)

JOGS Site-Tucson Gem & Jewelry show (click)

The legendary Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase has grown from a "club show" to a major show for collectors and enthusiasts from around the country and the world. Showcased here are the best gems, minerals, jewelry, lapidary and publication dealers from across the US and across the world. Also displayed are items from private collections and renowned museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

The show started in 1955 and has just kept growing and growing. There are satellite shows that have proliferated all over the city. These shows cater to the interests of the growing number of people coming to town. Today, one of the fastest-growing segments of the Tucson shows are the bead shows - first-time visitors to a bead show will be dazzled by the array available here and the amazing prices. This is where the bead shops shop! The entire city of Tucson is covered with shows and together they make up one of the largest and most popular events in the gem and mineral world, attracting exhibitors and buyers from all over the globe to this amazing international marketplace.

If you have never been to the Gem Show you really ought to treat yourself someday but If you haven't got a hotel room or a relative living in Tucson right now forget about this year sorry! When you do get there be prepared to shop till you drop because with prices like these you will not be able to stop. Strands of seed pearls for $1.00!!! I kid you not! Here is where I stock up for the entire year...There are these great organized shuttles in different colors that take you on different routes to the many many different shows. You never have to wait but a couple of minutes. It all runs like clockwork. Last year I was exhibiting, this year I AM FREE and will be walking the shows trend shopping with and for Darice. I POSITIVELY CAN NOT WAIT!

I love to see what the designers bring forth. Plus there are always museum pieces that you will have never seen before from all over the world created by masters now and long ago. So you get to see the best of now and then! For me...well I do not sleep much at the show. I get too inspired and my mind is just whizzing at the end of day!

THEN....after the Gem Show I leave Tucson on the 9th and head to California for the winter CHA Show!

CHA Show: The Craft & Hobby World's Fair! (click)

February 10-13

The winter show  (called that because there is always another CHA Show in the summer in Chicago) is the biggest our industry has to offer. I am very excited about going this year as it will be the very first year that I will not be standing and sculpting in Activa's booth (not that I won't miss you guys!!!) demonstrating and sculpting with one kind of clay or another...this year I get to join the adult table! I will be in the Darice booth meeting with buyers about my own product line! I don't have to demo and I will even get to walk the show! This will really be something for me. I have been attending the CHA Shows for years and years and I have never had time to walk the show! I know I will learn a lot. I am especially excited in seeing the licensing and design section where most of my friends will have a booth! They revamped the section and it should be great. I want to wish everyone well who is showing and who is doing the designer displays and showcases.

License & Design Section of the CHA Show (Click here)

My friends Lisa, Katie, Brenda and I are giving a business seminar (panel presentation) together on Sunday (**NOTE: LISA deserves all the credit she did ALL the work not sure why they stuck my mug on there!)

Working with a Manufacturer: Tips from Seasoned Professional Designers Business Seminar S111

Speakers: Lisa Galvin, Katie Hacker, Jill MacKay, Brenda Pinnick Room 207A From concept to promotion and retail $ales; products require a designers touch at every level. Manufacturers of all sizes utilize freelance designers to both create new products and to breathe renewed life into existing products through innovative designs. Filled with tips and best practices shared for building a mutually profitable relationship between both designer and manufacturer; you won’t want to miss this session as you plan for 2008 and beyond. • Making connections - using tools already in place to build on and network. • Working together – what types of services can an independent designer offer a manufacturer? • Best tips and practices to grow on – from payment agreements to building an understanding and long term working relationship; things designers AND their manufacturer counterparts can do to bridge the gap. Who Should Attend: Designers I will be blogging from Tucson and CA if I have time...at night in my hotel suite. I will take my camera with me and take pictures of lots of things so you all can see what's going on. I'd better get back to work on my presentation! Until next time...Jill