RING No. 151

Today I flew into CLT and then went to Orangeburg for calling hours. I also got to go to my sister Sarah Beth's pinning ceremony (she is a senior in the Nursing program). Tomorrow is my grandmother's memorial service. I am super tired....so it is time for bed!

This ring is made from found ribbon. I am so ready to be back in my studio where I have tools and materials galore!

Thanks for reading and Goodnight!

Materials: Ribbon
Dimensions: 4 x 1 x .25 inches

Me and my niece Braelynn....Moments ago!

RING No. 150

Today I made my ring at the Airport while waiting for my flight. I had a 6 x 6 inch piece of tissue paper that I found at the hotel when I was getting breakfast the other day. I tore it into small squares then tore those into small circles. Then I tore holes out of the middle. I used my trusty glue stick and pasted them all together. People looked at me strangely sitting on the floor tearing paper...( I had to charge my phone at the only available outlet).

Materials: Paper and glue
Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x .03 inches

RING No. 149

Today was an awesome day at the conference. I got to hear Heidi Schwegler speak. Her work is amazing! Check out her website! I also got to hear  Stacey Lee Webber, Lori Talcott, and Sarah Troper. The Education Dialogue was very interesting, as was the SNAG juried student show (Digital) entitled Fluxuation.

I went to Value Village thrift store today, which was a trek from the hotel, but well worth it! I made tonight's ring out of the bag they gave me to put my purchase in. I cut, twisted, tied, and sewed it together.

I am about to go to the Final Night Dance party! It is 70's themed! I am so excited!

Materials: Plastic bag, thread
Dimensions: 3.25 x 4 x 2.5 inches

RING No. 148

Today has been a good day. The sun is out, Hooray! The professional development seminar was awesome, with artists Emiko Oye, Hilary Pfiefer aka Bunny with a Toolbelt, and Deb Stoner. Click their names to go to their websites! You have to see their work! Their advice was so valuable! I took so many notes! Emiko makes jewelry out of LEGOs, Hilary carves the coolest animals and custom cake toppers you've ever seen, and Deb is a master of eyewear.

I also got to hear Masako Onodera, John Grade, and Miel Margarita Paredes speak. John Grade was by far my favorite. Please see all of their websites!

I got this paper from one of the galleries that was on the tour last night. The sticker came from the inside of a hat that I got from the Mobilia Canada peeps across the street from the Westin yesterday.

Materials: found paper, found sticker
Dimensions: 1 x .75 x .75 inches

RING No. 147

Today's ring is made from a coaster that was in my hotel room and a plastic piece that I found on the ground while I was doing the gallery tour tonight with Tina. I drew in ink on the coaster a simple line design and then wrote the conference info on the bottom. It reads: SNAG-SEATTLE 2011-Flux

Today was a great day at the conference. I took so many notes and saw so many amazing things!
Thanks for reading!

Materials: paper coaster, ink, found plastic
Dimensions: 2.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches

RING No. 146

I am finally in Seattle. My first flight from Akron, Ohio to Chicago was delayed tremendously, so I missed my next flight, which was to Denver. (I was connecting twice) But, I went to the counter as soon as I got to Chicago and the desk clerk actually found me a seat on a plane bound straight for Seattle! So I ended up skipping Denver altogether!…..Well, I am glad I did not wait any longer to go to the desk, because there were countless people coming up to the gate for the Seattle flight asking for open seats. There were standbys out the wazoo. I was super lucky! Anywho, I got to Seattle, and went to find my checked bag….it wasn't there. I am actually still waiting for it….The hotel says it may be 11pm before i get it. All of my clothes are in that bag! also, my ring making kit…I just finished with the pin swap (got here just in time)….I got some pretty sweet pins….about 40 I think (because I actually gave some away to people that were out of pins) I took the Link train to the hotel and it took forever, but it was only $2.50! as opposed to $15 for a shuttle. Now I am trying to decide whether or not to wear these clothes to the student mixer or wait for my bag to arrive….decisions decisions. Oh, and by the way, I am on Seattle time, which I am pretty sure is 2 hrs. behind east coast time.....So just keep that in mind if you see that I haven't posted yet.

Tonight's ring is made from one of my left over pin swap babies. The paper, I found in my hotel room here at the Westin. I folded and tore it into strips (it was a postcard)....I couldn't wait any longer for my ring kit to arrive!

Materials: pin (plastic, aluminum, brass), paper

Dimensions: 1.75 x 1.5 x .75 inches

RING No. 145

I am back in Ohio now. I leave for Seattle tomorrow morning. I am flying to the SNAG conference(Society of North American Goldsmiths. I am pretty excited. I have over 50 pins for the pin swap. I debated whether or not to go, but I feel like I should get away and do something productive to get my mind off of being so sad and anxious.

Today's ring is made from some foam that my sister gave me. I stuck some paper inside so that the sticky doesn't attach to the finger. Thanks for reading...Goodnight

Materials: sticky foam and paper
Dimensions: 2.25 x 1.5 x .5 inches

RING No. 144

I just got off the phone with my mom. She told me that my Nanu is gone. Evidently it happened shortly after I had left the hospital today but she was waiting until I had arrived in WV to tell me. I loved my grandmother so so very much. She practically raised me for the first 6 months of my life and has done so much for me throughout my life. I feel sad, sick, and kind of empty right now and I really don't even want to make a ring but I am going to make my Nanu proud of me. She never gave up and was a determined, independent woman. I inherited those personality traits from her for sure. For the past few years she has been in a lot of pain and discomfort and I know that she is happier in heaven with God right now. I am trying very hard not to be selfish and wish that she was still here.

Tonight's ring is a simple wire tied in the fashion of a string. Like in the olden days when people would tie a string around their finger to remember something, I am vowing to remember my grandmother and to never forget her.

I have also posted some photos of my beloved grandmother below...

Good night

Materials: wire
Dimensions: 1 x .75 x .5 inches

RING No. 143

My niece Braelynn spent most all of the day with me. I was pretty tired and sluggish for the first part of the day and it was a real task to keep up with her. I fixed her some lunch and then we went to the hospital to see Nanu and stayed there for a while. She is pretty much the same as yesterday. Breathing on her own and having a bit of congestion from the fluid in her lungs. A harpist came to provide music therapy for her right before we stepped into the room. My mom noticed that Nanu was more relaxed in her breathing while the music/singing was taking place. My cousin Ginger and her husband Frankie were there when we first came and it was the first time I had seen them since Christmas. Ginger is pregnant and is due on Thursday. Some of us feel that my grandma is holding on to see that the baby is born and in good health. But only God knows the answer to that. His name is going to be Chandler Drake Peagler. I can't wait to see him!

My best friend of all time, Brittney Ulmer came to the hospital when she got off work. It was so good to see her. We went to Hudson's for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. Talk about Soul food! After that, I came back to my sisters and made tonight's ring with Braelynn. She had this big tub of foam shapes, letters and animals. She insisted upon tonight's ring being made from some of her toys..... I found a shark that happened to be my favorite color blue, so I decided he was going to be the center of the ring. I cut a foam strip for the band and attached the coral and shark to it. Braelynn added the dark orange dot to the back of the ring. Thank you for reading. Good night :)

Materials: Foam and adhesive
Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 1 inches

RING No. 142

Today was a long day. My sister and I went to the hospital at 10:15am this morning and were there pretty much all day minus a food break and a break to go pick Braelynn (my niece) up. My grandmother is still holding on. We are not sure how long she will be with us. Today, I think I cried more than I ever have. I have never lost anyone close to me and out of all my grandparents, I am closest to my "Nanu" or "Nana". I was the first grandchild and I chose the name "Nanu" for her when I was very tiny after hearing that word on the TV show Mork and Mindy. If you have ever seen it, Robin Williams says that word quite often as I remember. Anywho, the name stuck and we all sometimes interchange "Nana" for it as well. Her real name is Ogretta Till. What a beautiful name, right? I want to make a ring for her soon. I am going to work very hard on it, so it may be when I get back to my studio in Ohio.

Today was extremely sad and emotionally difficult, but it was also good because I got to see my family (which most of them I see once a year at Christmas). It was nice to be close to them and talk with them. We reminisced about good times with my grandmother and conversed about all the wonderful moments we shared. I miss my family and friends tremendously. Being 7.5 to 10 hours away from them in Ohio is difficult. My mom and sister try to skype with me as much as they can, but we are all very busy and it is hard sometimes.

My grandfather is a stoic man, but has a great sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. Today, he said: "How many people do you know that have had a still in their house for 61 years and never had a visit from the sheriff? (My grandmother's maiden name was Still).....When the hospice worker asked how long him and Nanu had been married, he said, "Not long...........just 61 years"....he has remained very strong throughout this, but seeing him beside her bed talking to her (she was non-responsive) just touched my heart. To see love that has lasted that long and is still going strong is simply amazing to me. I only hope that I can be that lucky one day. I really have witnessed true love: In the form of my grandparents marriage.

Speaking of Marriage, todays ring is the last to celebrate Angie and Brett's Wedding. I made it out of the program from the ceremony. I simply cut, curled, and glued it all together. I wish the best for them and I am so fortunate to have been a part of their special day. Love you guys!

Materials: Paper, glue
Dimensions: 2.25 x 2.25 x ..5 inches

RING No. 141

So, today's the day of Angie and Brett's wedding! I am so excited! I made this ring out of ribbon from their wedding invitation. The blue color is the same as our bridesmaid dresses! I'm currently sitting in the hotel room with Erica watching ABDC! Its awesome! the crew is dancing to Nicki Minaj! The weather here is awesome! It is 80 degrees and super sunny.....Ok time to eat and get ready! Thanks for reading! Have a great day!

Materials: Ribbon and thread
Dimensions:  2.5 x 1.5 x .75 inches