Jill MacKay's BLOG

Wonderful New Book by Teresa Meister!

My lovely talented friend Teresa Meister has worked diligently  and has written her first book, which by the way is no small task! Writing your first book is kind of like giving birth, you put so much effort into bringing it into this world. She even did the  digital illustrations which clearly guide you through how to recreate the projects. Her fabulous husband Jason who is a very talented photographer did all the step by step shots. I love how they work together. Going to their house last week was so fun because I got to see both of their work!

Her book is titled "Creative Seed Bead Connections: Using Wire, Jump Rings and Chain" and was published by Kalmbach Books who generously allowed us to use these fabulous photos from the book as well as the cover shot below.

Teresa is very innovative and creates amazing designs utilizing metal components. Her work always stops me in my tracks because it is fascinating to see how she figured out ways to create beaded dimensional components and totally new ways to connect them. It's wicked good!  LOVE her and her work. I am so blessed because she uses my components in her designs. I always look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. She is one of my favorite people to collaborate with because her mind works in wonderful ways...ways that my brain totally gets!

I think this is one of my favorites though I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at the whole book while visiting her last weekend. The pieces above utilize some of my stainless steel beads as well as  one of my clasps. Thank you Teresa for including my work throughout the book! Woo Hoo!

You can pre-order the book right now click this link http://www.kalmbachstore.com/64797.html

xoxo

Jill

BOOKS

I have been on the verge of writing another book for about 4 years now. I am courted by publishing houses, and by wonderful editors, yet I have resisted. In the past I have written successful “how to” books for the creative industry and craft world. I feel a step or two closer to writing a book but the actual writer in me keeps trying to get involved. Something deep inside me wants to discuss life, not just how to make something clever, wants to depart wisdom that arrived the hard way…wants to shed a skin.

I have come to look at books differently now due to the availability of electronic format but also because of my most recent move across the country from PA to Colorado. I moved from a great, big, old charming home to a much smaller funky tiny living space (in an amazing gem of a location). So I had to scale back all the belongings in my life, and one of the major players were all my books. I had a library that any artist would have been thrilled to inherit. Culling them down was like parting with old friends. I had to decide their fate one by one. It took days. Which book deserved to come with me? Which books deserved physical space in my life? I love books.

I also love libraries, the smell of them, the proximity of space within libraries, they are always housed in very nice buildings.

My favorite libraries have grand marble staircases. I find myself climbing them slowly so I can take in the way the center of each stair has been worn down, from footsteps!

 What a gradual process, the soles of souls wearing a hard edge off one of the most durable materials into a softer, thinner center impression of all those who passed before me. Kind of what life itself does to us as we age. Something beautiful there.

Libraries have big windows where the sun streams in and illuminates the dust in the air reminding me of things smaller than myself that make up myself. Rooms full of people all being quiet and respectful moving around in the same room each with some entirely different subject matter going on in their minds. Libraries are beautiful places. I have an e-reader and love it because my beautiful daughter gifted me with it, and I use it but it does not compare to holding the spine in my palm and turning the delicate pages of a chapter. Life has changed. Now books have to deserve to stand in fleshy pulp on the shelf and take up physical space in my life. 

xoxo

JIll

Ancient Inspiration!

My dear friend and neighbor Peter has an amazing collection of specialty books. Today I called him and asked if I could come over and find one on ancient symbols. He sent me home with 4 amazing books and then used Google Books to show me the one we looked for and could not find!

Do you know about Google books? Go to www.google.com then click the little drop down menu next to "more" (top left) and click on books. Apparently they are on a giant book scanning mission of great proportions! Not sure what this will do for book sales but there's something good and bad about everything.

The book I am enjoying looking at and reading the most for ancient inspiration is

TREASURES of EARLY IRISH ART 1500 B.C. to 1500 A.D.

Front Cover

Back Cover

I love all the spirals and flourishes!

Here's a  hook & Eye clasp from the my latest Tonal Duet line.

Lots of flourishes here too!

I recommend going to the library and or google books and checking out the earliest of jewelry makers and their designs for tons of inspiration. Google Books has many, many out of print books that are very rare and difficult to find already scanned in. You can read them for free. It's actually a rather amazing undertaking by google.

More soon time to go swimming!

xoxo

Jill