MOON TREE STUDIO

Nestled in the back roads of Donaldson, IN you will find the most unique art studio around!

MOON TREE STUDIOS

I am excited to announce I will be teaching a two day experience in June at this fantastic facility! 

Here you can create and draw inspiration from the vibrant display of nature as you are enveloped in color, texture, and the sounds of nature around you.

Moon Tree Studio is a unique kind of "artful living" place...a peaceful environment where you can get more in touch with your creative side and deepen your understanding of 2D or 3D visual arts.

Take time to slow down, open your heart and discover something new, out of your creative imagination from a wide variety of art experiences led by master facilitators. 

I will be leading a wonderful, fun filled two day experience here on Saturday and Sunday

JUNE 24 and 25  

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m

NATURE INSPIRED SILVER JEWELRY

BOTANICAL CREATIONS IN PRECIOUS METAL CLAY

In this experience, we'll use Nature's bounty to create beautiful jewelry designs in precious metal clay.  We'll walk outdoors to gather leaves, pods and grasses, as we discuss using plants and learn what works and what doesn't.

I will demonstrate step by step along the way over the two days of how you'll be able to turn your

chosen plant materials into fine silver jewelry designs using metal clay paste and then design a bail that compliments your leaf.  

Students will learn proper techniques on how to kiln fire, brass brush, tumble and add patina to your fine silver creations.  I will also share and provide molding materials that will allow you to create leaf designs throughout the year.

You will leave this two day experience with a beautiful finished nature inspired fine silver pendant.

Class includes lunch each day and all materials!

Fee $225 members/ $250 non-members

PLEASE REGISTER BY JUNE 12

Call for more information or to register by charge card: 574-935-1712

For More Information: 

http://moontreestudios.org/

2017 Catalog of Experiences and Events:

http://moontreestudios.org/index.php/2017-schedule

Spring is Here!

Spring has finally sprung here in Michigan!  Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths and so many flowers are unfolding and presenting a glorious array of colors.  Fills me with joy and sparks my creative juices and is spurring me on to get back into the studio after several months off.

I have so many people ask, what do you do over the winter? Good question, I’ve wondered the same thing over and over the last few weeks.  Where has the time gone that I’d planned to redo my studio and get things organized?  Then I realized I’ve worked all along.  The months of January & February were devoted to creating oodles of new vintage designs for a show that I did in February.  Then March rolled around and I grumpily gathered all those receipts and bits of paper that I’d failed to record last year, and forgot to enter into my books along with the yearend inventory for the tax man.  April, well that was set aside for a studio do over, however, my body had other ideas.  Several trips the doctor’s office over the winter, MRI’s and then on to the Spine Clinic to decide what to do with this deteriorating spine of mine.  Four new bad discs with more cracks and bulges than the hills of Kentucky lead me to having spinal nerve blocks.  As I write this I’m am recouping from the procedure they did this week.  One down one to go and I should be ready to go for my summer shows. 

Speaking of summer shows, I have applications out and am awaiting acceptance.  I will post them later today.  Yes, Spring has sprung and I can’t wait for summer to unfold!

Happy New Year - Here we go!

The new year is moving so quickly already, and my first show for 2017 is just 4 weeks away!

I'm  really excited to have been accepted to this Vintage Antique Show in Kalamazoo at the Expo Center.  No, I won't be selling antiques, but I will be showing my vintage repurposed jewelry line.  
 
I have scoured antique shops, auctions and garage and estate sales over the last two years collecting a large hoard of unique old jewelry for my upcycled vintage line. I'm like a kid in a candy shop creating with these old pieces that each have a spirit and a story of there own.  

Kalamazoo's Vintage Market will certainly have something for everyone including: antiques, painted furniture, home decor, signs, vintage clothing, boutique clothing, jewelry, shabby chic, and MORE!  This is a large show with 170 vendors for your shopping pleasure.

Be sure to put February 12th on your calendar!  Show hours are 10-4 at the Kalamazoo Expo Center

You'll find me and my Magdalena Moon Vintage Designs in booth #13!  

I hope you can make it out to this exciting show.

Admission to the show is $5 at the door.

The Kalamazoo Expo Center
2900 Lake Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49048

It's Fall Already - Where did my summer go?

The leaves here in lower Michigan are later than usual and have just started to pop. By next week I think we will be in a full blaze of glory.  It's like God has His own box of crayons and dailey adds new touches to the scenery.

With the weather being in the high 70's  the past few weeks, it just doesn't feel like fall.  That's fine with me cause warm is good, considering what is next to come on mother natures agenda - "WINTER", oh my!!!

However, winter provides me with time to plan new designs for the coming year, work on new techniques and plan out my summer show and teaching schedule.
I attended a few new shows this year and I had a great time and will add them to my 2017 line up.

BEFORE MAKEOVER

Summer 2016 was full of new adventures. Good changes, and not so good alike.  They made my summer season a challenge to say the least.

AFTER MAKEOVER 

I started the summer out with a new booth and a new look.  My old EZ up had been hammered by the wind one time to many the year prior and the cost of repairs outweighed the purchase of a new used tent. Those bright white walls and small banner just had to go!  So, it was time to make new table covers and make some changes.  It was time well spent and if I have to say so myself, the new booth below looks great and I love how it feels now. The new booth feels so spacious and I believe its the open domed top without all the cross beams like my old EZ up.  I just love the new tent and its getting easier each show to put up.                                                                              
The addition of a corner stand made a great change in the booth also and gave me more room to display my dichroic glass pendant designs. The sun hits them and they just glisten now.

Of coarse this new stand, also took up more space in my little HHR, but by gosh, I got it all in there.  I have one more item that I want to add to the wall on the right side, if I can figure out how to get in the car! No one tells you that once you start doing art shows you also need to be a master packer, a body builder to lug it in and out and a fashion designer to make it appealing.

Then in my spare time I make incredible jewelry to fill it up and walla, you have Magdalena Moon Jewelry Designs!



Along with the good comes the bad!  Two of the gallerys that carried my jewelry designs closed their doors this summer, it was unexpected and so sad to see both of these beautiful stores close.
D2E in Crown Point and Nido Bianco in Three Oaks were two fantastic stores,and their owners were both genius in the field of store merchandising.  I will miss them both so much!

D2E Artist Gallery Crown Point, IN

Looking back over the summer its hard to say which show is my favorite, but two shows come to mind right away, and they are the Chesterton Art Show and Oakwood Fine Art Show.  These two shows brought new friends and new experiences for sure.
I was hesitant to do the Chesterton Show since they were moving to a new location.  That is not always a good thing for a show, but in this case, it was a great move.  The new park is lovely and I really like the new location. I liked the new booth  layout, and as usual set up and take down was a breeze. Another plus was the addition of a food truck, this got a big thumbs up from us.  By the way, it wasn't just any ole' food truck, it was Reddamak's and the burgers were oh so good! I'm thankful that Kathy M. encouraged me over and over to come back and give the Chesterton Art Show another try, I'm glad I did!  I WILL be back next year.

The other show that really is at the top of my list is the Oakwood Fine Art Festival in Syracuse, IN .  It was the most memorable of all!
This one day event is held on the beautiful ground of the Oakwood Resort.  The setting could not be nicer.  The staff was increbile and helped in any way they could to make our experience great.  The photo on the left was the view out of the back of my booth. The lake and a mass of lily pads and a few swans every now and then, beautiful.  What a nice change from the concrete streets at other shows.
You would know that the rain came in buckets that day, wave afer wave.  That usually is the death of a show but these people waited in their cars till the rain slowed, just to support the artists that had come.

They came out in rain coats with their umbrellas and they didn't let the rain stop them from shopping and talking to the artists. It was such an enjoyable show but that wasn't the best part for me.  Mid-afternoon a group of about 8 ladies ascended on the booth, I thought they were all together, but I learned later they were not.  They asked how things were made, complimented me on my work and were just a joy to interact with. One of the ladies commented that she loved an angel neckace I'd made.  The women next to her then took the necklace, stand and all and handed it to me and said, "I'd like to buy this".  I first thought how rude, to take it from another customer!  Then I thought, no, they all came in at the same time, they must be friends.  

The women purchased the angel necklace and asked me to be sure to take off the price tag, which I do anyhow.  Then she turned to the other women and said, "here I want you to have this, you liked it so much".  The look on the other women's face was priceless as she said, WHY?  I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!  The lady who purchase it just smiled and put the necklace around her neck and said, it was meant for you!   The other ladies in the booth stood awestruck at this act of generosity and kindess.  It was all I could do to keep from crying!  It was the highlight of my summer and renewed my faith that there are wonderful people out there.
I have one more show to do in November and then I will take a few weeks off before I start to work on new vintage designs for a new show I"ll be doing in Kalamazoo in February.  So stay tuned, come back often to see what's new and what I"m up to.

 HAPPY FALL EVERYONE

ART BEAT - SOUTH BEND

Just one week till Art Beat!  

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Hours 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

I'm looking forward to going back to my home town for this expanding show.  

You will find me and my jewelry designs in Scene B - the green section on the map below.

Booth # B149

  

When one door closes - opps make that two doors close!

How's that old saying go?  

When one door closes, another opens. 

For me, its two doors that have closed and a wonderful chapter of my life has come to an end.  

D2E Gallery and Gift shop in Crown Point, IN closed their doors the last week of July.

I can't tell you how much I loved being a part of this lovely gallery! Michelle and her husband Chris put many long hours into creating one of the most beautiful gallerys ever!

I am so sad to see them go out of business, but I know they have so much more to give to the community down the road.  Keep creating Michelle, you are so talented and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you and Chris.

Having my designs showcased at this lovely store for the last two years has been a great experience and the owners were a joy to work with.  Thank you for the opportunity to showcase my work at your store!

Farewell, D2E, Crown Point, has just lost a precious jewel in the community!

Nido Bianco, another great gallery and hot spot in Three Oaks Michigan is making big changes and will be closing their gift shop and aritst stores the last week of August!

I met Heather last spring and loved her bubbling personality right away.  I was so excited to be asked to be a part of their store and set up a shop with my vintage line of repurposed jewelry.  I loved being a part of this spacious and unique gift shop and artist community, I will truely miss everyone there.

Heather has an incredible vision and we will see her new store opening in Union Pier this coming fall.  I can't wait to see the new store she has named "Ruby Slippers" along the Red Arrow Highway.  I'm sure it will be as incredible as Nido Bianco!


.

SUMMER ART CLASSES AT THE BAC

I'll be teaching three different jewelry classes at the Buchanan Art Center this center in the month of August. Now's the time to sign up and reserve your space. 

Call the art center at 269-697-4005 to register for any of the classes listed below!

SILVER METAL CLAY JEWELRY—THE BASICS - Wednesday August 3
10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Adults and Teens (LIMIT 6 STUDENTS)
$60 member $80 nonmember, plus the cost of silver clay
Come see how easy it is to make beautiful silver jewelry with this incredible Fine Silver metal clay made by FYI. Students will learn design, construction, attaching a bail, kiln & torch firing techniques and how to patina and polish your designs as you create and finish a beautiful pendant. All basic tools will be supplied by instructor. You are welcome to bring a sack lunch and
beverage.

You will purchase silver clay, from the instructor at the start of class.

Current market price is $40.00.

 REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY July 26, 2016

ETCHED COPPER CUFF BRACELET - Wednesday  August 10

10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Adults and Teens (LIMIT 6 STUDENTS)
$57 member $76 nonmember — All materials provided
Learn how to etch designs onto copper as you create a one-of-a-kind cuff bracelet suitable for gift giving. Techniques on preparing copper for etching, applying designs to metal, using etching solution and forming your unique copper cuff into a bangle will be taught in this class. Copper sheet, etchant, and tools needed to complete your project are included in the class fee. Feel
free to bring a sack lunch and beverage. There will be time to eat as your creations are soaking in the etching solution.

 REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY August 5, 2016

UPCYCLED COOKIE TIN EARRINGS - Wednesday August 31
Adults and Teens (LIMIT 8 STUDENTS)
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
$57 member $76 nonmember — Materials provided
Create unique jewelry by repurposing beautiful vintage enameled tins. We will be using old cookie tins, biscuit tins, or pie tins, that were once used to store all kinds of goodies, including cakes, pies, cookies, tea, coffee, candies, and even medicine. In this class you will learn how to select, mark, cut, and more as you create one or more pairs of beautiful upcycled earrings. We will also discuss how this technique may be used to make other types of jewelry.
Please bring: old enameled tin containers, tin snips, and heavy gloves to protect your hands when cutting. All other materials will be provided. (If you do not have any tins, instructor will have a few on hand. If you do not have tin snips, instructor will have a pair in class that you may borrow but you may have to wait to use them.)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY August 26, 2016

Lemon Creek Art & Wine Show

Love this show!

We couldn't of had better weather this weekend!  Both Saturday and Sunday were fantastic summer days!  Light breeze, sunshine and fun loving people.  Doesn't get any better than that!

One thing that I really noticed was lack of cell phones being used.  People were out enjoying music and the art.

It was fun to see old and new customers alike on my opening weekend.  The many new designs I had created were well received and now have new owners.

Thanks to the Lemon Family for again, hosting another great Art Show!!!!

Buchanan Art Center Classes

Just finished a wonderful class yesterday at the art center in my Cork Clay Hollow Core Bead Class. Students learned how to make hollow core beads using Metal Clay over cork..  We had a great time and they made some really creative designs. 

 I have only one more class scheduled for this semester as I'm gearing up for my summer show season.  Time for me to get busy in my studio creating new designs.  So, if you've been wanting to make a metal clay ring then this class on April 20th may just be what your looking for!

Wrap Ring (.999 Fine Silver Metal Clay)  
 April 20 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR, Darlene Troyer,
 PMC Certified 

 $40 Member $55 Nonmember plus $39 per student, Materials Cost for Metal clay and supplies, payable to the instructor prior to the start of the class

Adults and Teens (LIMIT 6 STUDENTS) Prerequisite: To enroll, a student must have completed a basic beginner Silver Metal Clay class at the BAC.  

Create an adjustable fine silver metal clay wrap ring in this fun class. Your ring design will be fired flat and then shaped onto a ring mandrel after firing. You will learn how to achieve the ring size needed and make needed adjustments to compensate for metal clay shrinkage. Depending on ring size and your creative designing elements, you will be able to make 1 - 2 rings in this class. 

Please bring your sack lunch/beverage.

 REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Call the Buchanan Art Center to Register : 269-697-4005

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY 

AND BLESSED

NEW YEAR!

Where did 2015 go?  

The older I get the faster the years seem to fly by.

  The year has just started and there are so many things I need to do already. Art Shows, Classes, New Website and or coarse, fun and exciting New Jewelry Designs, oh my!

No rest for the weary!

I've been researching a long list of new art shows and trying to decide which ones to apply to.  

I will post the shows as I'm accepted, so check back often to see where I will be over the summer. You won't want to miss my new booth.  I can't wait till it's warmer to  get started working on the new layout and color scheme that I've designed for 2016.

If can achieve half of what I have planned it's going to be a wonderful new year.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Fall Classes at Buchanan Art Center

I'M EXCITED TO BE TEACHING THESE CLASSES THIS FALL SEMEMSTER!

SIGN UP NOW FOR MY FALL JEWELRY CLASSES
at the BUCHANAN ART CENTER

Call to Register (269) 697-4005

*Silver Leaf Pendants*  

WEDNESDAY, September 23

10:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Darlene Troyer, Instructor   

Adults and Teens (limit 6 students)

Registration Required by September 20

$55 member, $74 nonmember plus cost of silver to be paid to instructor at start of class (Approx. $45)

Make a beautiful silver leaf pendant using .999 fine silver metal clay.

 I will provide an array of fresh leaves for you to create your stunning pendant design.

 Students will make one leaf in this class that can later be finished into a necklace. 
Bring a sack lunch and beverage too.

*Silver Metal Clay Jewelry-The Basics*

SATURDAY, September 26

10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Darlene Troyer, Instructor    

Adults and Teens (limit 6 students)  

Registration Required by September 23

$60 member, $80 nonmember 

plus cost of silver to be paid to instructor at start of class (Approx. $40, depending on market cost)

Students will create and finish a beautiful necklace design using the new Fine Silver metal clay by FYI. Students will learn design construction, attaching a bail, kiln and torch firing techniques and how to patina and polish their designs in this beginner class. Bring a sack lunch and beverage too.

 *Jewelry 101-Putting it all Together*

SATURDAY, November 7 

1:00 to 3:00 PM

Darlene Troyer, Instructor    

Adults and Teens (limit 6 students)  

Registration Required by November 4

$15 member, $20 nonmember

Students will learn the basics of joining your jewelry creations together. Learn what to use and how to use it. We will talk about a variety of tools that are needed to assemble jewelry components and what they do. Learn how to use: jump rings, attach clasps and toggles, make wire wrapped loops and more. There will be an open discussion for questions at the end of the class.

*Embossed Copper Cuff Bracelet* 

WEDNESDAY, December 2

1:00 to 4:00 PM

Darlene Troyer, Instructor 

Adults and Teens (limit 6 students)  

Registration Required by November 25.

$35 member, $47 nonmember. All materials included

Learn how to shape, form, emboss and rivet copper sheet metal. Students will construct a bracelet using two layers of copper and then rivet them together. We will be using a Sizzix machine to emboss the copper and  I will have several design plates for you to choose from to create your impressions.

Call  the Buchanan Art Center Today to Register for any of the above classes.

 (269) 697-4005

The art center is located at: 

117 W Front St., Buchanan, MI 49107

Newest Creations

The designs that I had had rolling around in my head for new summer jewelry creations finally took shape and went from head to hand.

I spent hours going through my treasure trove of gems that I been hording for years, looking for inspiration for my new designs. The pearls and aragonite called out to me, proclaiming their need to be placed into jewelry. They had been stashed away in my inventory for so long.  Now was the time to let them come out and shine.

These blush pearls had such a beautiful color and shine and I wanted something simple and classy to show them off.   I like how they both turned out.

Once I had made the lentil shape for the pearl above I located this stunning piece of Aragonite from Sefrou, Morocco that I had been saving and decided to create a similar design but on a larger scale.   I choose not to use prongs that would interfere with the crystals and used an epoxy to  permanently adhere it to the silver.  It fit like a charm inside the little nest I had made for it.  

             

    

               

                                              

  

I created these copper and silver bangle bracelets designs a few years ago. These two bracelets are my favorite "go to" pieces when I put on jewelry.  I wear them all the time and love the marriage of copper and silver together. 

I thought I would make them again this summer, nothing like an oldie but goody to bring back into the collection.  

Once they were done, I put a really high shine on the copper this time and I love the way it looks against the cool silver.  

Of coarse, we can't forget earrings, oh my!  I could make earrings all day.  Lately the designs keep popping in my head.  Here are just a few of then new pieces I made.

Last but not least, are a few new bronze designs. 

The Sunflower necklace is one design that I have done over the years, joining the "old" with the "new". I make molds of "old" antique buttons and then incorporate them into a "new" design.  I think they are perfect in my Sunflower necklace designs. 

This year I literally put a spin on this design! I  thought it would be fun to have the flower move. The two pieces are riveted together and I wish you could see it spin!  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Love the simplicity of the CROSS.   

The texture in this bronze cross necklace is from a piece of driftwood.  Walking the beach up at St. Joe is one of my favorite pass time and a way for me to wash away the frustrations of the world.  I am always searching for unique patterns in the well worn wood that I can use in my designs.

I love the symbolism that the wood grain imparts to this necklace as it reminds me of the sacrifice on the cross.                                                            

This triangular shape has become one of my favorite shapes for earrings this summer. 

 I paired them up with vintage ear wires from the 60's that I got from a seller who has a stash of old vintage findings.  Love the look!

So here's the good and the bad news.  

The BAD -these designs are all SOLD!  

The GOOD - I guess I will just have to make some more!

I'm Over the Moon!

Dockside Market Place - Saugatuck, MI

       DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
I'm so excited to announce my new vintage line of jewelry that will debut at Mr. Miller's Emporium, located in the Dockside Market along the waterfront in Saugatuck, MI.

Their Grand Opening is this coming Sunday!

My fantastic cousin, Debbie Scofield, linked me up with store owner Linda Hopkins-Laakso just a couple of weeks ago.  Linda was looking for a new jewelry designer and Debbie directed her to my door step.  Thank you Debbie!!!

I have worked non-stop for days creating a new line of vintage jewelry that I have wanted to do for such a long time, in addition to the silver, copper, bronze and fused glass designs that I already do!

I do think I have an old soul from the early 1920's,  I have such a  love for vintage art nouveau jewelry creations from designers like: Alphonse Mucha, Weiss, Eisenberg, and so many of the talented jewelry designers from the early 1900's.

 So, it really comes as no surprise that I would marry my jewelry designs with the old vintage pieces that have lived through the best and worst of times.

While I design with these old jewelry pieces I've collected over the last two years I often wonder about the women who wore them and the type of clothing they once adorned.  I'm sure  many of them were worn at gala events. Oh, the stories they would tell if they could just give up their secrets.

I think part of my love for these old nostalgic pieces comes in part from my appreciation of jewelry that was handed down to me from my mother.  She had a wonderful collection of brooches. I don't think she ever left the house without a fantastic pin attached to her hat or dress.



I try to keep the integrity of the pieces in tact whenever possible, as I collage several pieces together into a new design with a vintage flair.

My work bench is cluttered with trays of old pieces I have collected along with vintage chains and beads too!  Oh, what a joyful dilemma it is to pick and choose the right combinations.

My  biggest problem these days is that I want to keep each one of them that I make! So hard to let them go when I box them up and send them on their way.   They may not be going to a gala event but I know they will go to ladies with a love for the day's of old.

I will still create the Magdalena Moon Designs so many of you love, but will now expand my creative line to share my "Vintage Moon Designs".

I have created many beautiful necklaces and bracelets designs to choose from, with more on the way over the coming summer season.  

So, if you're planning a trip to the Saugatuck/Douglas area this summer, please take the time to stop in at Mr. Miller's Emporium in the Dockside Market place to see my new vintage line. 

Oh, and while your at the Dockside be sure to stop in at tea shop, they have some great teas!

Happy Easter Everyone