I AM FUSION Awards

This is the 2nd year I have created the I AM FUSION Awards for Boise's Fusion Magazine.

Boise's only red-carpet celebration of local talent & business: & I am honored to be able to create the trophies that are presented to the winners :)

 The big event was tonight at the Egyptian Theater: I was not able to attend this year due to other commitments, but from the buzz on Facebook, it sounds like it was a great success again :)

36 trophies were delivered this afternoon for the event; & I must say: I really like the design this year; polished aluminum for lots of sparkle, steel, & copper: simple & elegant...

Thanks so much to Rogue Graphics for the help, along with Blake Trailers & Idaho Custom IronWorks--could not have done this without you :)  

Even though I already know who won, it's fun to see the winner's comments coming in on Facebook.

Congrats to everyone who was nominated & to the winners---I'm jealous, lol: wish I could keep one of my trophies ; )   Maybe someday, lol; but seriously; love being a part of this event!  I hope everyone likes the trophy design---this is one of my favs of all-time :)

Amber

New Soldered Copper & Crystal Jewelry Creations

I just wanted to share some of the new jewelry I've been working on the past few days :)

This one is made from hammered copper that has been soldered to a crystal optic lens (thing).  I love the unique triangular shape of these pieces :)

 An old brass key with more pounded copper & crystal accents.

This one is a glass piece with copper, rhinestone, & silver baubles.  (not actually new: it was made for Boise Fashion Week 2012--just never got a good pic of it ;)

And; another BFW creation; this one is also copper wire that has been covered in silver solder.  I love the glass lens; it has a golden iridescence to it; very unique.

 Another lens, hammered copper & dragon-fire crystals; they change color from red/orange to purple/pink.

And a smaller lens accented with copper & silver crystals; they look like tiny disco balls :)

I'll be listing of these on my Etsy shop over the next few days.  If you see one you are interested in--email me at refinerii@yahoo.com :)

Amber

Trophies, Chickens, & Jewelry

Well, that's a bit of a random title, lol :)  But, that's what the last week had been...

 

I shipped off a custom trophy for the Mayor of Chicago

A mix of metals & custom acrylic plaque; I think it turned out pretty cool; it stands about 14 inches tall & will be presented to the Mayor for sustainable city initiatives.

In the Refinerii Farm Division; we added 4 new bird-brains to the Thundering Horde.

All Banties (half sized chickens), & sooo cute!  While working in the shop today, I had the big door open, watching them exploring their new surroundings.  3 tiny hens & one tiny Roo; he is the smallest of them all, lol.   I already have 2 banties in the flock & I'm hoping to have some cute little bantam chicks later this spring.   There was an add on Craigslist for bantam hens & the address was right up the street, so I couldn't resist going for a quick look: of course, I only planned on 2, maybe 3...but we came home with 4!

 

And, I've been working on some new jewelry designs---looking at doing a show in April; more details to come :)

 The last few things I have made are very Goth...blood red & black & silver; kinda a departure from my normal look, but I'm having fun :)  

And for the week to come; it's bouquet week---last week was trophies, this week is wedding bouquets--all of a sudden I have quite a few big orders...and some very different requests ; )  I have a few drying out in the shop right now that I'm pretty excited about--more pics to come.

Crossing my fingers for warmer weather this week...

Amber

Idaho Botanical Garden Fundraiser: 3 of my Creations up for Bid

Can you think of a better way to shop for the holidays?  All proceeds will benefit a local non-profit that provides community events, education, an amazing venue, & the amazing Garden itself...

This year, I have 3 items up for bid:

A lovely steampunk inspired necklace; with a glass lense, fuse, old key, old rhinestone & pearl charm, & a silver teapot charm: a princess length chain--a nice size for anyone...

A steel BioHazard sign; 17 inches in diameter & cut from heavy 10 gauge steel.  The perfect apocalypse gift... ; )

 And; a set of 3 recycled aluminum bangle bracelets; as seen at Boise Fashion Week. Made from aluminum canisters; cut, cleaned, & polished; they are very lightweight & easy to wear.  Will fit an average sized woman's wrist.

Check out all the items up for bid at:

https://botanicalgarden.afrogs.org/

Items are available to bid on through the 21st of December; just in time for Christmas.

Happy Holiday shopping :)

Amber

New Jewelry on the Etsy Shop

The "Ice Queen" Set; necklace, earrings, & matching tiara: as seen at Boise Fashion Week :)

 Aluminum, copper, & sparkling crystals; sooo different!  Adjustable length necklace with dangle-fishhook style earrings & a tiara with a silver hair-comb.

A one-of-a-kind set:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107561206/crystal-ice-queen-set-necklace-earrings

And...one of my favs (I love copper & purple is my fav color)

Created from almost all up-cycled industrial parts & pieces....

The big copper pieces are spent plasma-torch part; some of them has such a cool discoloration from the heat: it makes them even better!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107564156/upcycled-copper-hardware-necklace-and

This set looked soooo great on the runway at Fashion Week; 

colorful & sparkling under the lights; I bet no-one even suspected it was made from mostly recycled parts & pieces, lol :)

Feminine, strong, industrial & pretty... love it!!

Thanks so much to Bourgeois Chic for letting me go wild with crazy new jewelry for the runway shows.  Also, thanks to Aubry Brower, Moz Couture, Nena Earl, Jim Reidenbaugh, Megan Wright  & Laurie Anne's Creations for the amazing photos!

Amber

Boise Fashion Week Pics

just wanted to share s'more pics from Boise Fashion Week.

from the Bourgeois Chic show on Thursday night :) Still loving those big battle axes...& the model: yep, that's my sweet-heart up there ; )
--photo by me (that's why it's blurry, lol--I'm not great at low light-working on it...)

One of my fav. necklaces made just for this collection :)  Copper with glass & matching copper earrings.  Photo by: AmmoPhotog

Necklace & earring set made from recycled aluminum, brass, & copper hardware & spent plasma torch parts, with purple crystal accents :)  Photo by the amazing Craig Lamere of Moz Courture

  

One of the looks for the Saturday night show; aluminum cuffs & earrings & necklace; love the asymmetry of the necklace :) Photo: Laurie Anne's Creattions

Another aluminum cuff with aluminum spikes necklace & earrings accented in red crystals :)  Photo by Nena Earl

More cuffs with aluminum necklace & tiara: clear icy snowflake crystals for accents :)  Photo by Aubry Brower

The icy set again for the Saturday night show :)  

And the fabulous "Queen Nena" & hubby with one of my fav necklace creations :)  Nena designed all the clothing & put together the whole Bourgeois Chic show :)

Looking forward to the next one; I already have some wild ideas for new crazy accessories.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the shows & big thanks to Nena & the team for letting me join in the fun!

Amber

Featured on Style Spy Girl!!

StyleSpyGirl just published a feature on the RAWartists Show in June; with some great shots of my jewelry, the battle-axes from the runway show & more :)  

Summer is Hot, but RAW is HOTTER!!!

With photos by Alysha Kautz

Have you heard about the latest arts & entertainment event to hit this town? If you haven’t been to a RAWartists show yet, you definitely have to check it out! If you HAVE been to one, then you know how unforgettably entertaining they are, and have already bought your tickets for the next one!
It’s only $10 per ticket, for an amazing night of art, music, fashion, and fun, and you get to specify which artist your dollars support!
What is RAW? According to their website, RAWartists’ mission is “to provide independent artists within the first 10 years of their career with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity.”

This is happening all over the country, with live, incredible shows every month! It’s a dream come true for new & emerging artists of all genres; it gives them the opportunity to showcase their talent in a fun, party atmosphere, surrounded by their friends, the artistic community, and hundreds of appreciative fans!
Oh, and did I mention how FUN it is??? A night of inspiration, artistic expression, and partying with tons of cool people, all for less than the cost of a movie ticket – AMAZING!!!  read the full article here

Great article; thanks so much for including me :)

Amber

New Hair Accessories: coming soon :)

I made these hair clips for the the Bourgeois Chic Fashion Show a couple weeks ago: love them!  I just wanted to share: I'll be working on more designs to list on the shop soon :)

Salvaged copper wire that was pounded into shape with a hammer (good for taking out your frustrations ;) and old key, & feather accents.  The key & copper are soldered to the large silver hair clip.

this is the back of one : )  Perfect for an up-do or just clipped into long hair...

Another; with big, long pheasant feathers; too much fun!

And, I couldn't resist adding some sparkling crystals to this one... :)

These will be seen on the runway at Boise Fashion Week--details coming soon.  Also to be seen: copper tiaras, more feathers, & some new big necklaces: will post pics soon!

Look for all these soon on my Etsy shop; and see the in person at upcoming events: check the events page for the list: it's going to be a busy summer!!

Amber

Bourgeois Chic Fahsion Show-more pics, thoughts, hightlights, etc

My jewelry display at the RAWartists Showcase last week; thanks again to everyone who turned out; it was a great evening :)   I sold a few pieces & got to take part in dressing the models with my jewels for the Bourgeois Chic Fashion Show--omg; so much fun!

This was the first time I've been involved with a fashion show & I had a great time; as each model was dressed & finished with hair & makeup, they stopped by to get accessories: it was a whirlwind of snap decisions; as I had not seen any of the fashions in advance :)

Earring, Necklaces, Bracelets, Leather Cuffs, & more; I even did quite a few hair accessories; brass keys with copper & feathers :)

And, I also created 2 giant "battle axes" (really, they are a couple of my wall art pieces mounted on poles)---they looked sooo cool up on stage under the lights!!

The show was a great success; everything looked great on the runway, the music was amazing & the models performed beautifully...

It was so much fun to see my jewelry & other artwork on the runway; notice the silver swirly sticks in the background: 2 of my vases sat on the end of the runway ; )

one of my fav. looks: & loved the way the purple crystals in this set sparkled!

Copper tiara with crystal accents & matching earrings.

One my my "pipe" bracelet cuffs; encrusted with sparkling rhinestones :)

"well behaved" necklace & "pipe" cuff...

It was a great show & I'm so happy to have been a part of it.

We will be presenting the collection (with a few mods) at Boise Fashion Week the end of July & hopefully again in September at Canevale :)

I'm definitely looking forward to the next one & have so many ideas for new designs & improvements floating around...if you missed this show, I hope to see you at the next one :)

Back to work... ; )

Amber