New Photos

Photo Shoot at Mixed Metal Mimi's Studio.

I am so fortunate to have a

wonderful and creative photographer capture what I wanted in my photographs so beautifully. She is truly a professional.  Thank you so much for accepting my offer Marcelle  to photograph my work and myself. I am so proud to share these with my family, friends and wonderful customers.

Mimi xo

What a beautiful way to start my day.

This was a note from a customer that I received today and wanted to share with you.
Recently I have decided to take a leave from my dental hygiene position ( a profession that I have worked at for 22 yrs. ) to pursue my love for recycling vintage metal into one of a kind jewelry. This note encouraged me to continue doing what I love to do.
Thank you J xo

" What a lovely etsy shop you have! I found you quite by accident - I was searching for recycled copper earrings. I love how you described the process for developing the leaf earrings I am buying. 

I shop here on etsy because I want one-of-a-kind pieces - and I can tell from the write-ups in your shop descriptions that that is important to you too. I love vintage, I love originality, I love the idea that I can shop all over the world here on etsy! Finding your shop has made the start of my work day in a cubicle with no natural light much brighter! Your love for what you do came across in the descriptions of your creations; that was a needed inspiration! "

More NEW items in my Etsy shop

More new earrings and pendants from my NEW leaf collection at www.mixedmetalmimi.etsy.com
Mixed Metal Mimi xo

Leaves Collection- Copper Earrings

Updated 2 seconds ago

Up at 5 am, could not sleep , daydreaming of leaves. Crawled out of bed, made a tea and stepped out into the early damp day to my little warm studio in my pj's no doubt...
Copper leaves earrings collection: saw,file,clean,draw,etch,clean,form,melt sterling silver rain droplets,solder,pickle,clean,polish,patina,detail, polish,handcraft sterling silver ear wire, attach, photograph, nap...= 65.00$ for small pair.

Mixed Metal Mimi xo

Metal leaves continued...

Copper, sterling silver, fire, patina, patience, love...






Up close and personal the colors are iridescent.    

Mixed Metal Mimi xo 

Leaves Continued

Still working on these copper leaf brooches. Not quite complete.
Mixed Metal Mimi xo

A sneak peek into the creating and designing process of Mixed Metal Mimi jewelry's leaf collection , fall 2013

Stay tunes for more photos.

Mixed Metal Mimi xo

Inspiration

More pics

Photo Shoot

I am so fortunate to have had a wonderful photographer come to my studio to create a series of photos of my studio, myself, what I do and those important to me.
A huge thank you to Tracy Robinson of Thru Her Eyes Photography.

Mixed Metal Mimi

Happy Place

It is 6:00 am and the alarm goes off. A sound I used to hate. I still don't love the sound,a different tone would do. But the reason I am getting up this early is different. I  lie in bed knowing that it is dark out and I know it's raining. It is September and we are on the West Coast. I stretch, give the dog a snuggle and smile at the sound of my husband sleeping soundly beside me. I am going to work and I am happy.

Every time I would read an article about an artist, artisan or craft person who ' quit their day job ' to do what they love to do, I would wonder how they could possibly do that, how could they leave the security of the regular pay check, how they could take that leap of faith, how they could believe in themselves and what they did so much that they would quit their day job. Well now I know. It has been 4 weeks now and I am finally feeling that I now belong to this group of chance takers.

I read somewhere that if one works at home they should get dressed and 'go to work', that one should not work in their pajamas. Well I would have been a sight for sore eyes this morning. I rolled out of bed , reached for my thick fluffy socks, put on a fleece, threw my hair in a pony tail,  made my tea , and headed out the door for the 17 step walk to my studio. I turned on the lights, looked around and smiled because this is my ' happy place '.

I can be found here at Mixed Metal Mimi's home studio most days. I am usually covered in metal dust, my hands are as rough as the sand paper that I use and my finger nails are non existent. But am I happy. When the weather is warm and the sun is strong I open the lovely double doors but this morning it is cold so the heat is on and it is very cozy in here.I have some unfinished work on my bench that I want to complete before my hike with friends. Viking knit, new necklace designs, shawl pins, and so many earrings. I have been so productive. I am finding my groove, my routine but not one that follows a clock on the wall but my clock. I stretch when I need to, I stop and do something different when my body tells me to and I eat when I am hungry. It feels right. It was necessary. I know that now.

I do what I do because nothing else compares to the sense of freedom and empowerment I get from being my own boss, making my own decisions for myself and my customers. The more I put in the more I get out. It's that simple. I am not spending my life helping someone else achieve their dreams, I am building my own.



.

Mixed Metal Mimi xo

Victoria Vintage Expo

Mixed Metal Mimi will be part of this years Victoria Vintage Expo at the Crystal Gardens Sept. 27-28.
If you love vintage anything...this is the place to be.
I will have a booth on the main floor.
Come by and say hello.
Mixed Metal Mimi xo

http://www.victoriavintageshow.com/

Bench Pins

I have a fascination with bench pins. Bench pins are:

Web definitions A wedge-shaped block of hardwood attached to a bench to support work while sawing or filing.. I love bench pins, they ooze of character. They are handcrafted. Store bought. Modified. Altered. Clean. Dirty. Used. New. Old. Inherited. Borrowed. Worn. Drilled. Large. Small. Angled. Straight. Clamped.... I could go on and on. I just love them and I feel that they portray the character of the artist. Here are some pics of some bench pins from one of my workshops. Enjoy, Mixed Metal Mimi xo

Last day of a 5 day workshop on chasing and repousee at MISSA

Last day of a 5 day workshop on chasing and repousee at MISSA

I am spent, so much valuable knowledge floating around in my cold medicated brain. Yes,I had to get a cold just before this amazing course that I waited so long to take, but there was no way I was missing it, so between the sinus meds. and the advil for my sore back, shoulder and wrist... and band aids...I got through it :) and I LOVED every minute of it. I so enjoyed the camaraderie , the atmosphere at rustic west coast Pearson College, and our wonderful teacher Nancy Megan Corwin, thank you Megan xo.



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.693951560620854.1073741840.266765756672772&type=1

MISSA

I am having the best time at www.missa.ca taking the Chasing and repousse course. I can not wait to take my pitch and pitch bowl home where I can explore and experiment with more techniques.



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.692224127460264.1073741838.266765756672772&type=1

New store in Duncan

Mixed Metal Mimi jewelry

I am so proud that Mixed Metal Mimi's jewelry will now be sold at Duncan's most exclusive women's clothing store Fabrications.
They are having a sale right now, check it out.

Thank you to ' Thru her eyes' photography

New designs for Mixed Metal Mimi

LOVE travels upon the wings of angels...

Soon to be earrings and pendant,

Beautiful and strong.

I found a new love... xo