Gosh it's been a long time since I posted on my blog. Motherhood has taken center stage and I am just loving it. It has been quite a struggle, balancing my professional life with my family life. ...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2013/01/13-months-and-counting.html
What a difference a year makes! On December 1st my partner and I were blessed with the birth of Maeve Elizabeth. Weighing in at 9lbs 2 oz she made a statement from the beginning. I will adm...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2012/02/maeve-elizabeth-has-arrived.html
Spring has sprung!! Today marked the change. A little bit of hail and rain with the sun shining bright. I look out my kitchen window and there is a rainbow, wait a second, it's a double rainbow!...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2011/02/2011-teaching-calendar-february-june.html
Last weekend I was invited to sell my jewelry at the Oakland Art Murmur with 16 other artists. For weeks I had agonized over making jewelry to sell. It doesn't usually work this way for me. The ...
Oh my, it's October! Suddenly when the months turn to double digits it feels like the end. I have the desire to drink warm cider and curl on the couch with a blanket but it's 90 degrees t...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2010/10/time-flies-when-we-arent-even-looking.html
Yep, it is right around the corner!! The Bead & Button show is much like attending the Super Bowl of bead shows. With nearly 650 classes to chose from you can't go wrong. Of those 650 classes I...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2010/04/bead-button-memory-lane.html
This is a story of finishing something I began before I knew what I was starting. I admit there is quite a lot of laziness to my work. More often than not, the goal of my work is to complete en...
Leaving Oakland I was disappointed that I would miss a weekend that boasted 80 degree weather. No worries, I’m heading to New Mexico! All was well until the drive from the Albuquerque airport ...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2010/03/bead-fest-santa-fe-travel-notes.html
Join the fun at Bead Fest Santa Fe March 18-21. Not only is this a great show with wonderful classes and loads of beads, Santa Fe is a bit of an art mecca. I must admit I tend to mix this trip ...
I am excited to announce my new wire retreat which will be located in Kelseyville, CA at Perlz Beads & Yarn ! This is a three day workshop that explores the possibilities of creating jewelry with...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2010/01/textile-techniques-in-wire-retreat.html
It's another first peek at something good inside. Lisa Niven Kelly's new book, Stamped Metal Jewelry is about to be published. There was a little dance around the house in slippers and a robe wh...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2010/01/someone-put-up-brag-pole.html
In 2003 a tornado hit my parents house. At the time, my mother had taken my father to a last hope cancer clinic in Mexico. The next day I flew down to Tennessee to help my sister reclaim my mo...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/12/theres-gold-at-bottom-of-well.html
Just in, the Bead & Button Show 2010 just revealed their cover for the class catalog. I am humbled to jump up and down and point excitedly at my Leaf Cluster Pendant as the wire representative!...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/12/horray-my-mom-will-be-so-proud.html
I've been in my new house & studio for a month now. In the battle of time my house has been the winner so today I'm shifting gears. My new jewelry digs are alas, located in the one car garage. W...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/11/call-it-what-you-will-just-dont-call-it.html
All these years I have lived in the Bay Area and only because of Maureen Delema did I find out about MAASV. I am so excited to see such a great local organization that I have posted a few pics...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/09/metal-arts-association-of-silicon.html
Grandmother exhibited many talents, from gutting fish to knitting a knobbly sweater, all in a day's work. There are remnants of her exhibits around my home, minus the scaled fish. A quilt she m...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/09/last-grandparent-standing.html
I get quite a bit of flack at home for not posting often enough on my blog. After a bit of soul searching I recognize that I have lost direction in my work. Maybe it is that word alone that has m...
I'm a tool junkie, I can admit it. I have so many tools in my drawer and each one has a special place in my heart (and hand). Writing about them is like taking a trip down the Lost & Forgotten L...
Franklin was the most annoying studio cat ever! When he would hear the hiss of the torch it was like I was shaking food in a bowl. When I sat at my computer, there he was, trying to get his fat...
For all of you who have requested kits I have just opened my ETSY store. If the one you are looking for is not listed please feel free to contact me about availability. I am working to get as m...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/04/bite-my-tongue-etsy-finally-hits.html
If you haven't started your Jewelry Journal this post is here to get you started. What is it about? This is not a "these beads make me feel funny" journal, well actually it might be depending on...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/05/how-to-start-jewelry-journal.html
Gosh, the Las Vegas show was a whirlwind! I love the smaller venues for classes. This was my first year teaching for Bead Away. Scott and Wendy Remmers from La Brea Beadworks hosted the event. ...
Oh it is sooo exciting when you make a new design. Back in the old days I would work something up in secret and as soon as it was completed I'd wear it to work. The benefit of working in a Bead S...
I have had se veral conversations lately with students regarding a general lack of design classes. It brings to mind many questions. Why do I choose those beads: textures, colors and material. Wh...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/02/where-do-designs-come-from.html
My mom has been checking this blog of late. It come to mind that some people may be so new to wire that even a simple loop means agony. For those of you who need a refresher I now present you wit...
http://www.lisaclaxton.com/2009/02/my-mom-has-been-checking-this-blog-of.html