Adorn: Contemporary Wearable Art

Please join me in Chicago for this exciting show!

ADORN: Contemporary Wearable Art
Woman Made Gallery
685 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

This exhibition showcases innovative works that challenge the traditions of jewelry, fashion, and wearable art as both personal adornment and public sculpture. Selections were curated by Yevgeniya Kaganovich, an artist, wearables designer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Art and Design at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and head of its thriving Jewelry and Metalsmithing program. This event will correspond with the EXPO Chicago art fair.

September 18th - October 22nd, 2015
Artists Reception: Friday September 18th 6-8pm
Artists Talk: Friday, October 9th 4-6pm

Penland Gallery Special Jewelry Collection

I have a great little collection of steel and stocking earrings and brooches that will be on exhibit next weekend for the Penland Gallery Annual Benefit Auction.  I wish I could be there!

Red Hot Summer Earrings

New Earring Alert! I've found time to make a few things in the studio lately and I'm really into these hot new stick earrings with red stockings.   What do you think?   I'm enjoying these splashes of color in my work.

http://www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/shop/?model_number=1278729

Mother's Day

Yesterday I celebrated my first Mother's Day.  It turned out to be much more than I had expected.  My life has changed in so many wonderful ways since my mini metalsmith, Hazel, has entered my world.  My husband totally spoiled me by giving me an entire day in the studio, complete with a coffee drop-off in the middle of the day and dinner, flowers, chocolates and a massage coupon waiting for me when I got home.  I am still kind of shocked.  How did Mother's Day turn into another birthday or anniversary day?  I'm not complaining!  Being a mom is hard work.  I'm glad there is a day that everyone takes time to appreciate how much sacrifice goes into taking care of a little one.  Mostly, I am still surprised at how emotional I got seeing everyone else's photos of their moms and reading their sweet words on social media. I mean, I always did that stuff when I was a kid, because you're supposed to, but something about being a mom and reading those words from the other side does something to you.  Motherhood has been a powerful shift in my world. It has impacted the way I see the world and the reason why I make artwork.  I am so thankful for this little girl.  At five months old, I have already gone through a lot of ups and downs.  She is the sweetest little thing and I am so excited to watch her grow into an amazing woman.

Website Refresh

Oh yeah!  It feels good to add a bunch of new work, news and updates to the website.  I've got a few exciting exhibitions, lectures and print going on this summer and later this year.

If you haven't been to my website in a while, check it out here:

 http://www.sarahholdenmetalsmithing.com/

SNAG Boston Conference Exhibitions

My work will be included in two exhibitions and one presentation during the 2015 SNAG Boston Conference.  May 20-23rd at the Boston Plaza Hotel.

Maia Leppo, Jessica Tolbert and Anne Fiala will be presenting research that they gathered from metalsmiths, jewelers and makers in the field of metalsmithing and jewelry that centers around the spaces that unite and divide the field of metalsmithing. It should be a very interesting discussion.  It's happening from 4:00 - 5:30 pm on Thursday May 21st.  I have submitted a bunch of great info about why I make, how I feel that's different and the subject of motherhood and making will most definitely be discussed.

#thisisabrooch started as a hashtag on Instagram and has turned into a full blown exhibition!  I couldn't be more excited to be included in this show, curated by Emilie Mulcahey and Maggie Smith.  Check them out in one of the Adorned Spaces Exhibits all day Friday 10am - 10pm.  Check out more about #thisisabrooch on their website here: #thisisabrooch

#thisisnotabrooch is a traveling exhibit that is hosted by Platforma One Gallery.  Images of brooches printed on stickers that will be distributed throughout the conference.  I will have a few stickers floating around.  Find them! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook.  I want to see them!

Center for Metal Arts

Check out this awesome blacksmithing and metal arts center that I just found...and totally fell in love with!! The Center for Metal Arts, just outside of New York City. How sexy are these hammers?  Blacksmith and Sculptor Patrick Quinn is teaching a workshop on how to make one of these sexy beasts... I might need to sign up for this. How rad would be it be to make a hammer for myself?? #imin