Marty Magic Blog

Ouch!

Posted on March 11, 2014 by marty

For those of you who are following this blog or Marty Magic Jewelry on Facebook, you know that Alisha recently completed the wax carving for her detailed, ocean themed ear cuff, “Poseidon’s Gift.”

Octopus and Starfish Ear Cuff – Poseidon’s Gift

Ouch! Broken pieces of wax. Poseidon’s Gift Ear Cuff

What many of you may not understand is the long and involved process of production following the many hours of design and sculpting the wax. There are many pitfalls that can happen along the way to a finished product.

Wax carving of a giant squid attacking the Nautilus submarine

On Friday, March 28th, I carefully pack both Alisha’s wax, “Poseidon’s Gift” and Art’s and my collaborative wax design of a giant squid attacking the Nautilus and ship them to the California based foundry that does our casting. I tuck each of our waxes in tiny zip lock bags, pad each wax between clouds of soft cotton batting inside small jewelry boxes and subsequently float the two small boxes in a larger box cushioned with bubble wrap, tissue paper and love. Wanting to be extra careful, I put this box inside yet another larger box, cushioned all around with styrofoam peanuts. Our precious cargo is virtually packed within a cloud that I imagine an angel will love bouncing or floating within. I hand carry the box to our local post office where they stamp it FRAGILE and I ship the box U.S.P.S. express mail so that it will arrive at the casters on Monday.

With my conscience clear, I fly to Baja on Sunday leaving Alisha to tend the Marty Magic business for a week on her own. I get only intermittent e-mail when I am off the grid at the tip of Baja but I make sure to call Alisha daily. I call to check in on Monday and to ask how everything is going and Alisha is distressed. Her wax had broken during transit and the foundry is shipping the two sections back to her for repair. Art’s and my wax of the Giant Squid and Nautilus had also arrived broken and is being returned for repair plus suggested design adaptations to make the casting easier. I will need to thicken up the stabilizing fin of my squid so that the molten metal can flow smoothly into all sections of the intricate design. I assure Alisha that aside from a few hours more of our time, all will be fine.

The anatomy of a squid

On Thursday, when I speak to Alisha again, she is nearly in tears. The foundry has returned both of our waxes but her wax is now in six pieces. I tell her to wait until I am home and on Tuesday when we will put “Humpty Dumpty” back together again.

Today, Alisha and I worked together at our wax stations and both of our designs are repaired and improved. We will mail them to our casters tomorrow. Please say a small blessing for the safe passage of Poseidon’s Gift Ear Cuff and the Squid and Nautilus Pendant.

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Take Two!

Posted on March 1, 2014 by marty

Last weekend Alisha and I met with photographer and friend, Jeremey Bot for a photo shoot. Although Alisha takes the majority of our product shots we have few professional shots of models wearing Marty Magic Jewelry. We met Jeremey at his home studio and set to work adorning beautiful Teresa Maher with dragon and snake jewelry.

Python Ear Wrap and Alpha Omega Snake Ring

This was our second model shoot with Jeremey and the shoot went well. Jeremey’s camera was connected real time to his computer so as he clicked away, we could see the images coming in. It was great fun to see the images instantly and we could make subtle adjustments to the positioning of the ear cuffs and jewelry and Jeremey could make necessary changes to the angle and lighting.

Gothic Dragon Neckpiece and Throne Dragon Ear Wrap

Elfin Dragon Ear Wrap

We walked down to the beach carrying reflecting screens, camera and computer and Jeremey caught this candid photos of Teresa wearing the Alpha Omega Snake Ring.

Playful Power Shot!

Jeremey took hundreds of photos and these are just a few of our chosen. A number are already posted on our web site and we will incorporate others in a new fold out business card.

Magic Lamp and Alpha Omega Snake Ring

Throne Dragon Ear Wrap

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Poseidon’s Gift – Octopus and Starfish Ear Cuff

Posted on March 1, 2014 by marty

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and delightful name suggestions! A month ago Alisha posted photos of her wax carving for a new ocean themed ear cuff and ran a Facebook competition asking our fans and followers to help her name it. Dozens of excellent names poured in and for several weeks Alisha has agonized over choosing the name and ultimately the winner of her new ear cuff.

Poseidon – Guardian of the Ocean

Octopus and Starfish Ear Cuff – Poseidon’s Gift

We loved so many of the names and it was hard to choose. Many were delightfully clever but Poseidon’s Gift is the winner so it is Shizuka Kohmoto who will receive the bronze version of Alisha’s ear cuff, officially named – Octopus and Starfish Ear Cuff – Poseidon’s Gift. At the shows we will refer to it simply as Poseidon’s Gift but online, because of the search engines, it will have the longer more cumbersome name.

Since posting the partially completed wax carving Alisha has worked many more hours completing the detail for Poseidon’s Gift and it will still be another five or six weeks before this ear cuff is available for sale. In the meantime, I hope that Shizuka will contact us directly to give us her shipping address. It looks like this ear cuff will be swimming all the way to Japan!

Posted in Design projects, Jewelry, Uncategorized | Comments Off

News Report! Giant Squid Attacks the Nautilus!

Posted on February 26, 2014 by marty

My husband Art works best on a team and I prefer to work alone. Although we are both artists and designers, our different approach to creativity frequently prevents us from collaborating.

1954 Disney Stage Set, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

I am pleased to present one of our first design collaborations, the Attack of the Nautilus, inspired by Jules Verne’s classic tale, 20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Wax carving of a giant squid attacking the Nautilus submarine

The image above is of our blue and green wax original Nautilus and Squid pendant, that will be cast in both sterling silver and bronze and available for sale towards the end of April.

Jules Verne Nautilus, Disney Version

Arts mind is technical and a few years back Art taught himself a 3 D graphic design program. In the evenings, I might step into his office and see 3-D images rotating on his computer screen. Using a Rhino Cad program, he rendered a 3-D model of Jules Verne’s submarine, the Nautilus. Technology is remarkable and a wax model was subsequently “printed” from Art’s files. A month ago, Art presented me with a miniature blue wax submarine and it became my turn to create a giant squid attacking the Nautilus.

Over the past two weeks, I have spent many hours sculpting and wrapping tiny squid tentacles around the miniature blue wax submarine. This pendant is 2 5/8″ long, a solid torpedo shaped piece; a giant squid pulling the Nautilus down to the depths of the ocean. The pendant is now ready to be cast and we hope that our whimsical version of Jules Verne’s epic tale will amuse and delight you.

I was introduced to Jules Verne’s writings early on. My father was a geologist and my mother an artist and they read these novels to me and we watched all three of the Hollywood movies. I have no doubt that these fanciful and scientifically based epic tales have influenced my work and seeded an early curiosity for travel and adventure. My favorite was undoubtedly the 1954 classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea which has certainly has inspired much of my passion for the strange creatures of the deep, both real and imagined. Because my father was a geologist, Journey to the Center of the Earth, (1959) took on a different appeal. My father would guffaw over the scientific inaccuracies and instruct me in armchair geology. My mother’s favorite, having traveled around the world with her family in 1938 was Around the World in Eighty Days, (1956) Jules Verne’s Victorian novels have greatly influenced the Steam Punk movement with imagery of retro-futuristic inventions and wonderfully impossible monsters.

Silver Kraken Squid Pendant

Silver Squid Charm Pendant

For years I have been making octopus and squid jewelry so I was delighted when Art initiated this collaborative design project, a melding of his technical talents and my whimsical waxing.

Posted in Design projects, Jewelry | 2 Comments

Playing with Dinosaurs and Shopping for Opals

Posted on February 8, 2014 by marty

Alisha and John – Playing with Dinosaurs

Alisha and Marty at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Marty and John – Playing with Dinosaurs

Alisha, John and I just returned from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. We went to buy opals and fire agates and to find sources for other specialty stones that are not readily available from the main stream gem stone suppliers. It was Alisha’s first experience and it was important that I introduce her to many of my special gem sources in addition to teaching her how to approach to this megalithic show that encompasses much of Tucson; it’s tendrils reaching into every motel room and parking lot along side of Interstate 10, in addition to convention centers and tent sites throughout Tucson. (One would need three to four weeks and considerable stamina to visit all of the venues.)

John beside Megalithic Crystal at the Riverside Inn – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Alisha beside Giant Amethyst Geode – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

There are venues that specialize in gem stones and rough mineral material for the lapidarist, others that specialize in fossils, crystals, pearls, oceans of beads, Costco sized tents with buy and sell jewelry, and parking lots overflowing with international imports. One can buy a pair of pliers for a dollar, or a laser printer for $35000.

Boulder and Korite Opals – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Crystal Display – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

I’ve shopped this show every couple of years for nearly 20 years and at this point, more or less understand the timing and how to approach the various venues.

Trippy Trilobites – Tucson Fossil Show

John and Marty examining Tourmaline Crystal Specimens

Alisha was both overwhelmed and exhilarated by it all but adjusted quickly to the scene and the task at hand. John, who has been to the show 3 or 4 times when he was younger felt completely at home, but looked at the venue through more mature and entrepreneurial eyes. It was a joy to mentor both of my adult children; to watch and advise them with their purchases but to allow them to make their own choices in collecting their special treasures.

Opalized Ammonite – Tucson Fossil Show

Painted Lady – Australian Opal Rough

We were away for five days with four full days to shop the many shows. John, now a junior at S.F.S.U. is taking chemistry, geology and religion and had a scientific and new age approach to the show. For the most part we stayed together to share our experiences, but at times we split up to cover more territory and to scout out booths that might be of interest to each other.

Amethyst Geode Formation – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Boxed Mineral Specimens – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

We laughed and played together and in the evenings over dinner, discussed philosophy, art, design and business.

In addition to being an artist and jeweler, I am a traveler. I have been to the bone carving villages in Ubud, Bali and hope one day to visit Papua New Guinea and see these penis sheaths on live models:)

Bali Carvings – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Papua New Guinea penis sheaths – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Posted in Museums and Shows | 3 Comments

Going to the 2014 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Posted on January 30, 2014 by marty

Crystal Pavilion – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

It’s that time of year again! I’ve just unpacked my bags from three weeks in Cambodia and Myanmar and I am packing again for my annual trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. This year I am taking both my daughter Alisha and my son John. This will be Alisha’s first experience at Tucson, John’s fourth or fifth, but it is time to show Alisha the scene since I am grooming her to take over Marty Magic. Both Alisha and John already have a good eye in knowing what to look for in a fire agate or opal, but the Tucson Gem and Mineral show is an overwhelming experience if one does not know how to approach it. John and I look forward to showing her the ropes (or in this case, the rocks.) I will be shopping for Fire Agates, Mexican Fire Opals and Australian Boulder and Korite Opals.

Opal and Fire Agate Purchase – 2012

Each February, Tucson is invaded by tens of thousands of gem dealers, rock hounds, fossil dealers and importers. The rooms of most every motel are turned into mini showrooms and every exposition hall and hotel convention room, hosts a show. Many of these shows are open to the public but the more elite shows are open only to those who are in the jewelry business. Gaining entry to the AGTA show requires much documentation; a minimum of $10,000 in trade related invoices, resale numbers, business checks, business card, pay stubs etc.

AGTA – American Gem Trade Association Show

The photos for this blog post are from previous years but next week, I will post photos of this years event and some of our special “finds” at this years show.

Amethyst Crystal with John for scale – 2011

Dinosaurs Anyone?

Posted in Museums and Shows | 3 Comments

From Russia with Love (Magic Happens!)

Posted on January 30, 2014 by marty

14K Gold Magic Lamp with Ruby Pendant

This is the story of a Gold Magic Lamp, a beautiful woman and Russia.

Tatiana

In April, 2013, I received an order for my The 14K Gold Magic Lamp pendant with a gold rope chain. It is one of my favorite designs, completely solid and set with a ruby in the tip of the lamp. The shipping address was to Russia so I checked U.S.P.S. postal service regulations and gold jewelry, although taxed between 30% – 50% was allowed entry to Russia.

I contacted my customer Tatiana and she gave me a U.S.A. hotel address for a colleague of hers who was traveling in the U.S. Unfortunately, his stay was too brief to make the shipping connections so we opted that I ship Global Express Guaranteed Mail to Russia. (This is a three to four day trackable and insurable service to most parts of the world.)

The package did not arrive. Tatiana did a search at her end and I opened an insurance claim at my end. We were both hopeful that the package would surface eventually. Several months passed before we gave up waiting and I shipped a second 14K Gold Magic Lamp pendant to a colleague of hers who was traveling in the U.S. He received the package and carried it back to Russia and delivered it to Tatiana. She e-mailed me a photo of her wearing the piece; a big smile on her beautiful face!

Below is what she wrote to me in her e-mail:

Dear Marty, I am very happy, because today I got a Lamp from you!!! I like it very, VERY much! I was waiting for it half a year, and finally, I am wearing it!!! Thank you for being in contact all the time, and sending me a second copy! You are very nice and you made me happy! I wish you all the best, and all your dreams come true!!

(2/10/14 -Tatiana just sent me an e-mail telling me that I may of course use her photo in this blog post:)

In December, I received a letter from the U.S.P.S. denying my insurance claim. Although 14K gold jewelry can be shipped to Russia, it may not be sent via Global Express Guarantee. (fine print that I did not read.) I was disappointed since I had now lost money on the sale, but my customer was happy and that was the most important thing. I closed the file and put the loss out of my mind.

The returned package from Russia

A week ago, to our amazement, a battered package from Russia arrived at my P.O. Box. It was the first 14K Gold Magic Lamp that I shipped last April! Magic does happen!

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Back Home and Inspired

Posted on January 26, 2014 by marty

A few days ago, John and I returned from three weeks in Cambodia and Myanmar. The adventure has inspired and recharged me and in the evenings, after a busy day of designing and wearing the “Marty Magic Hat”, I edit photos and write my travel blog. Here are just a few of my favorite photos to share with you.

Sunday at Shwedagon Pagoda – Myanmar

The Shwedagon gilded Pagoda was built 2500 years ago and has been renovated over many centuries. It is jaw dropping. The terrace alone spans 14 acres. We were there on a Sunday and I was as touched and inspired by the families and school children as much as by the temples venerable history.

Shwedagon Pagoda – Myanmar

We arrived in Bagan, Myanmar on the once a year full moon celebration. We climbed ancient temple stairs at dawn and later attended the annual celebration at the temple where the monks are honored with baskets of food and money. Pictured below are novice monks, (children) during the event.

Novice Monks at the full Moon Celebration – Bagan Myanmar

There are over one thousand, 12th century pagoda temples in Bagan, Myanmar. This heritage site was a visual delight and my legs are tired from climbing temple steps. Many of the temples looked similar but each was an adventure and had its own story to tell.

Horse Cart in Bagan Myanmar

Temple Panorama – Bagan Myanmar

The temple sites surrounding Siem Reap, Cambodia are where Indiana Jones was filmed. Below are photos of the “Temple of Doom!” John and I visited this temple site twice; once during the day and again at the break of dawn when there were no other tourists present. Although we were sleep deprived, it was worth crawling out of bed to be alone with Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie.

Ta Phrom Temple, Cambodia

John and I had the privilege to visit many workshops at Inle Lake, Myanmar. It was a Sunday at this silk weaving workshop and the mother had both her children in tow.

Mother weaving with her children – Silk Weaving – Inle Lake, Myanmar

Mother weaving with child – Inle Lake, Myanmar

The photo on the left below is taken at Phnom Da, Cambodia, where the village children followed John adoringly. Wherever we went, the children gravitated to him.

The photo on the right is of me, taking photos of very large fried spiders. Although we spent nearly an hour at the Skuon Insect market, I did not indulge in any of the insect delicacies.

Children – Phnom Da, Cambodia

Fried Spiders, Insect Market – Skuon, Cambodia

It was a great joy to travel with my gregarious and inquisitive son, who seems to connect easily with many of the children on this planet.

Girls with firewood, Inle Lake, Myanmar

Two Girls, Inle Lake, Myanmar

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Ear Wrap for Janelle Monae

Posted on January 8, 2014 by marty

Crescent Ear Wrap by Marty Magic

In mid September, we received a phone call from R&B musician Janelle Monáe’s stylist, asking if I would design a custom ear wrap for Janelle. I had just flown to Maryland to make my annual appearance at the Maryland Renaissance Fair and Alisha took the call. At the time, Alisha had no idea who Janelle Monáe was! To be fair, however, I would have been just as clueless had I taken the call. After getting off the phone, Alisha consulted with Art, and together they did a Google search. To their chagrin, they discovered that Janelle is not just a popular musician, but something of a star!

Alisha called me in Maryland, relaying the message and within minutes, I was checking with my Google phone genie to find out all I could about Janelle Monáe. She was very stylish and talented, and I learned that she had performed with Prince, who already wears my ear wraps. I knew I needed to call the stylist myself, though the thought of that made feel a little nervous – it was a great opportunity! To tell the truth, I am quite shy, and the phone is my least favorite way to communicate. Finally, I stepped away from my booth at the festival I was attending in rural Maryland, and found a bench in a nearby park. After jotting down a few bullet points and taking a calming breath, I called the stylist. I was somewhat relieved when an answering machine picked up and I left a stammering message in return. Although I knew this would only prolong my agony, it gave me time for some creative thought and to make some preliminary sketches.

The next day, I did indeed connect with the stylist, who turned out to be very gracious and responsive. I spent the following few weeks texting numerous design possibilities to her, when suddenly, a family emergency arose. Though this prevented me from returning to my studio, my husband Art was at home and was able to use his magic graphic design skills to make my sketches look professional. He even added a few of his own ear wrap designs to the mix, and the stylist later confided in me that his “Crescent,” with large forward facing Cubic Zirconia, was the one she hoped that Janelle would choose.

Although we did not have a confirmed commission, I too loved Art’s design, and when I returned to my studio I spent an intense two days at my wax table sculpting. This would give us a head start in case Janelle chose it, and we thought it would be an edgy design to add to our own collection.

As we continued to text new designs to the stylist, Janelle began the start of a new national concert tour. Her wardrobe team was particularly concerned about the fit, and rightly so — no one wants an ear wrap flying across stage in the middle of a song! Eventually we even received photos of Janelle’s petite and curvaceous ear, alongside a ruler. Art has many high tech tools, and, using his laser cutter, her was able to cut cardboard templates of one of his designs in graduated sizes. We express mailed these to the stylist, and are still waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed!

On that note, we thought we’d leave you with one of our favorite Janelle Monáe tracks, Q.U.E.E.N.:

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A New Design for Valentine’s Day

Posted on December 31, 2013 by marty

In preparation for Valentine’s Day, Marty has just completed the wax carving for her I Love You, hand symbol pendant in American sign language. Although Marty has sculpted hands in the past, this particular piece was challenging but at least she had an accurate model to work from…. close at “hand.” 🙂 The piece is completely three dimensional and designed so that a chain slips through the two downward folded fingers. This piece is 7/8″ high and will be available in both sterling silver and 14k gold in time for Valentine’s Day.

I Love You_Hand symbol pendant_back

I Love You_Hand symbol pendant_front

Marty’s original wax carving is picture here and the pre-sale price is only $35.00; $50 including an 18″ box chain. Beginning in February, the charm in sterling silver will be $45 separately; $60 including an 18″ box chain. We are taking pre-sale orders at the pre sale price throughout January. (Gold prices will be announced in early February.)

Pre-sale orders will be shipped by February 7th.

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Marty Magic Blog

Ouch!

Take Two!

Poseidon’s Gift – Octopus and Starfish Ear Cuff

News Report! Giant Squid Attacks the Nautilus!

Playing with Dinosaurs and Shopping for Opals

Going to the 2014 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

From Russia with Love (Magic Happens!)

Back Home and Inspired

Ear Wrap for Janelle Monae

A New Design for Valentine’s Day

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