They Call It Work Archives - Page 3 of 3 - So Charmed by Jodi Bloom

My Manic Creative Episode

Posted on August 1, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

Lots happening at the So Charmed World HQ, I barely know where to start! I’m coming down the homestretch of one of my famously prolific creative high spells, and that’s a good thing b/c if said manic episode doesn’t end soon I am going to implode like some kind of burnt-out asteroid. I love these times, really I do, and I’m grateful as heck to find myself with a problem such as “too much creative energy.” But it is exhausting and tends to make me stumble around all dreamy-like.

I have loads of images to share (Oscar Wilde, above, from the Libertines series which also includes John Wilmot (did you see the film with Johnny Depp? I loved it!… and Aphra Behn), but really, what I think I’d like to chat about (rather than the work, which I hope will be somewhat self explanatory) is process(es) and maybe a little about bidness.

In the realm of technique and materials, I’ve been exploring the wonderful — and disgustingly toxic — world of resin. This liquid glass, measured, mixed up, poured, and kept dust-free for 24 hrs, allows me to create provocative photographic and text-based charms and this, my dears, has truly placed the power of story-telling-with-jewelry into my hot little hands. The most fun part, imho, is concepting as well as hunting down imagery. I have been combing my favorite antique stores for scanable ephemera and (illegally no doubt) yanking stuff off the Internet. I’m trying to be all public domain about it, so please don’t rat me out. The part I hate about resin though is the chemistry… it’s smelly, sticky, and gives me a headache. It’s messy and can go hugely wrong in an instant. Many (too many!) sterling charms ruined! But when it’s good… it’s soooo good! And although much of this work is in sterling, it’s really quite affordable and I’m able to make multiples with more ease than usual. Pictured above is Under the Boardwalk from Pirates Collection at So Charmed, available in Redhead or Brunette. :).

I’ve also been exploring creative collaborations with other artists and this has been terribly exciting and fun. The first such effort I’ll share with you is with my friend Brad of New Beat from Brain. Brad’s pop surrealist collages are gorgeously way out there; you can purchase wall-sized versions from his site. And if you’re in the mood for wearing art ’round your neck, we’ve collaborated on a handful of OOAK necklaces featuring miniaturized versions of the collages sealed forever into groovy vintage bottle caps.

Pictured above, He Came for Me, available only at my new Etsy shop at the moment (search for socharmed in user names). Several other top-secret and very thrilling collaborations are in progress, so stay tuned.

As you all know, earlier this year I did a batch of very pretty charm bracelets in 100% sterling silver. They are gorgeous and some have found homes, but they are trés expensive due to the soaring cost of sterling. In an effort to get back down to earth with jewelry-making, I’ve moved away from sterling and am back to a playful MO with loads of other things, from plastics to fabrics to vintage metals, anything I can get my hands on that will keep my supplies and subsequent retail pricing reasonable. The brooch below — Crank it Up — was constructed of killer flourescent pink ribbon, black tulle with silver glitter, and a volume knob I bought in a guitar shop in the East Village. The prototype is on its way to a fab shop in Philly called Omoielle, but I can make more so please order away.

And, jewelry isn’t just for being pretty… it’s useful too. I personally have a deadly penicillin allergy and have always wished for a prettier medic-alert than the u.g.l.y. stuff that’s out there. Sooooo, introducing my Conditions collection–customized medic tags that are so cute you’ll wish you had… um… a condition. And not to worry, if you don’t, you can make one up. See these in the Poets collection, because you know, we poets all have some god-awful condition or another.

In other news… one-inch So Charmed buttons are on their way (my new “business cards”) and I’ll post photos when they get here, as well as include them in your pkgs from now on! Dontcha love swag?
Last but not least, if you’re not a member of my email list, please consider signing up soon. I’ll be sending out my Fall E-Charm Newsletter in September (when I’ll be ahem, turning 50!!!!) and it WILL have a coupon for your shopping pleasure.

Sorry to rant on… I TOLD you, I’ve been a busy bee!!!

xoxo and let me know whatcha think of the new stuff, k???

Rockin’ Out at CVS

Posted on May 3, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

I live in Takoma Park, a historic turn-of-the-century close-in Maryland suburb to Washington, DC. Utne Reader dubbed my hometown: Leftiest burb anywhere. I’ve also heard it referred to as Berkeley East, Tie-dye Park, and The People’s Republic of Takoma Park.

So, as you can imagine, when CVS wanted to build one of their stores, with its humongous blasting signage and Made in China m.o., right here in the heart of “downtown,” there was a lot of hullaballoo, hooha, and ole’ fashioned protestation by the ex-hippie-turned-uber-high-income-earning-big-SUV-driving populace. That’s another story for another time, and I’m not going there right now. But the dealio is, CVS did get built and it’s conveniently located across the street from our office building. We like to stroll over for a soda, to have a private meeting, or just to kill a little time when our brains are aching from too much brilliant creativity.

Besides, I’m a drugstore cowgirl from way back and where else can you score great cheap make-up by the bucketful, the latest affordable wrinkle-cream concoctions, giant tubs of dry roasted peanuts with this really tasty seasoning, and occasionally a bundle of awesome CDs for very silly prices, see above. So what if they give you the wrong prespcription from time to time? Is it gonna kill ya? Oh, and yes, all songs are the original recordings by the original artists. Whaddya think I am??

Thus, if you call my office, designfarm, you’ll be treated to the sweet sounds of Roy, The Byrds, Frank, and the O’Jays on our hold music. So call now and call often! Especially if you have some good graphic design projects for us, ok?

Shut Up!

Posted on May 3, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

A month or two ago, I was invited by hipstress editor-in-chief Sahar Vahidi to send a bunch of So Charmed jewels up to NYC for a photo shoot to appear in her super cool magazine, Shut Up! What could be more fun? Off the jewelry went, and here are some of the delicious pix. Next issue of the magazine is due out any minute, both online and in print, so keep an eye on their site. Photos by Samuel Tran.

Above, glam girl Caitlin wears Glory Ascending choker from the Rockstars Collection. Cutie-pie Caroline, below, wears Yes No Maybe So necklace from the Innocents Collection and sweetheart Liz wears signature sterling silver hip-hop necklace You Will Be Mine from the Pirates Collection.

My Office Door, by Jodi Bloom, Boss Lady

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

I think you can probably tell a lot about a person by what is taped up on their office door, cubicle, etc. And because I want you to know everything about me, I have lovingly photographed the objects that grace my door… which as my employees will tell you, is open most all of the time.

Above is an early work of art by daughter, Molly. As all moms and dads do, I collect my kid’s artwork. And as a woman with “difficult-I-mean-fabulous” hair, I am drawn to Hair Goddess images. I love this collage… it’s visually gorgeous, the colors are great… I love the brown paper skin against the fluorescents and metallics, and I think this is a smashing hairdo. Does anyone know a good colorist?

But there are also scary things on my door, like this image, courtesy of my dear staff who are always looking out for my interests with regard to finding Mr. Right. The post-it asks: Jodi, wanna go on a date with me? There are check boxes for Yes and No. As you can see, I have not decided and still need a little time to think about it.

I love this portrait of me by Molly. The likeness is uncanny and it lets everyone know that this is the Queen’s office.

designfarm proudly accepts Visa and MasterCard for your shopping convenience.

I saved the best for last. This very scientific document depicts an invention by Molly: The Chicken Powered Skateboard. Is my kid a genius or WHAT??!! BTW, the chicken’s name is Elvis (with a creative spelling) and if you look closely you will see that he sports quite a fabulous pompador hairstyle.

Maybe Elvis Chicken would like to meet Sylvia! (see January.) Maybe Molly is going to be a hairstylist? Maybe Jodi needs some more mature office decor. Nah.

Beads beads beads beads beads

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

For those of you have been reading this blog, you know that as Vessel of the Lord I am about to come into a large sum of money. $26.7 million to be exact.

And that, my friends, is a whole lotta beads. Especially when (professional and/or hopelessly addicted thrifter that I am), many of the very best beads in the world can be had for pennies on the dollah.

The two collections pictured above and below were scored last week and this week and cost under $10 (total) for each group. Above includes a really gorgeous looong strand of either wooden or carved seeds (the ends are very strange), a nice string of black glass rosary beads, and two yummy pairs of beaded earrings. The clusters are probably 50’s (love that palette), the hot pink dangles are 60’s. Just amazing.

This group includes some early plastic candy-ish orange beads, probably lucite, but with incredible opaque creamy swirled inclusions, modern but still useful tiny rosary pearls, and a really yummy strand of mixed stuff including deep emerald glass crystal cut beads and what is known as “sugar” beads (those bumpy ones). I’m loving yellow right now, as well as turquoise… excellent score, eh?

Print Advertising

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

It’s really challenging (but way fun) designing ads for print magazines. The challenge is space… a small fry like me can only afford a couple of column inches. So how do you maximize that space, especially when your ad will be in there with a gazillion and a half other ads? Here are my most recent efforts.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

Posting a few portfolio images from my graphic design studio: designfarm. Above: Projects for the American Library Association. I LOVE those librarians. They are seriously the grooviest clients ever. We got to party with them (with over 10,000 of them in fact) at their annual conference in Orlando the year that Complete Copyright was published and it was an amazing fun time. Illustrations by artbabe Jessical Abel, design by Jessica Snyder, art direction by ~~Jessica~~ Jodi “just call me Jessica” Bloom.

Based in DC, so lots of our work is for non-profits, NGO’s and the Feds, various agencies. We’re good, real good. For more info, visit designfarm online. Know someone who needs great design? We’re looking for a few more clients to add to our roster, so hollaback, ok?

Made With Love

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

Sometimes my day-job business life is pretty stressful, like this week, when we had a very important press check for a very important project… a day when I really wanted to feel on top of my game, on top of the world and just plain good about myself.

For many DC businesswomen, this would mean a power-suit, but for me, it meant donning a cute outfit that was a mix of pinstriped fitted straight-leg pants and a layer-y jacket with a built-in hoodie (Urban Outfitters… I still love that place), and accessorizing from my massive collection of, well, accessories.

It’s so easy to overaccessorize isn’t it? While I do have a tendency to over-layer clothing (jeans under skirts under jackets with tank tops and t-shirts–oh my!) I actually don’t wear a lot of jewelry during the week b/c I’m so freaking busy and it always feels fussy and bothersome. But that day, I pinned on this adorable handmade flower boutonniere (above) that had just arrived in the mail from Alicia Paulson’s ingenious store Rosy Little Things, along with one of my newer charm bracelets called Bluebird of Happiness (below). I wondered if I’d overdone it, but as I entered the conference room where my staff and the client were awaiting my arrival, I felt a surge of… not power exactly, but goodness. Happiness. Worthiness.

And, as I toyed with a teensy sterling silver Jack charm, staring down past my left shoulder at my wrist, it was clear that the warm feeling of goodness was emanating from the lovely pin, and yes, my bracelet too. Maybe also a little bit from these kick-ass pointy boots I had on, but that’s another post entirely.

Wearing handmade goods is like walking around with a big hug squeezing you. You are saying, well… duh! Didn’t I know this?? I mean, I MAKE handmade goods, don’t I? Yep, I do. So, I can’t explain the epiphany; maybe it was the day, or the particular combination of another crafty-girl’s stuff plus mine. I can’t say for sure.

If you’re thinking that perhaps I’m tooting my own horn here, and asking you to go buy my jewelry, honestly, I’m not. In fact, I’d like to ask you to go visit Rosy Little Things because Alicia is an absolute GENIUS of art, craft, color and design, and her things are full of love.
Support handmade goods, with all your heart (and your pocketbook too). The love will flow back at ya.

Sweet Charlotte

Posted on January 27, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

Before reading this post, please know that Molly, age 8 at the time, took all of these gorgeous farm photos with a disposable camera.

Each Fall, we spend a day visiting with our rescued friends at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary–400 acres of heaven located a stone’s throw from the bustle of city life. We have our faces painted, roam the grounds, eat fabulous vegan food, and have all kinds of opportunities to snuggle up with the hogs, pet the goats and sheep, and (scroll down) hold a chicken… all while tens of thousands of dollars are being raised to support this dear place.

On those warm sunny days, I often think of one of my favorite childhood books, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, the first work of literature that that I remember touching me deeply with its terrors (Farmer Arable and his errant son Avery dispassionately wielding their axes and shotguns at the baby pig!), joys (much of the rest of the story) and sorrows (death, particularly) regarding love, friendship and the cycle of life.

Reading the book again with Molly, it resonated in newly profound ways… still about love and friendship and life and death, but also politically, as well as a treatise on the sheer power and potential salvation of the written word (um, not to mention advertising, which is essentially my chosen profession).

If you haven’t read this book don’t read this next pp. At the end, White writes of Wilbur the pig’s love for his dear friend Charlotte the spider (who essentially saves his life but does in fact die): “She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.”

Some pig! Terrific! Radiant!

No, I am not trying to work a radiantly pregnant-at-50 look in this photo. For goodness sake people, I’M HOLDING A CHICKEN. Even the boy behind me knows how alarmingly special this is. But, I really do look pregnant, don’t I? Trust me. I’m not. And if you’ve never held a chicken, it’s well worth looking pregnant for, so there.

Sexy New Packaging

Posted on January 25, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

I’m not going to say much about this, hoping the photos speak for themselves. Just received the new So Charmed boxes and velvet bags and they are SWEET. Kinda tough to get a good shot of, but the boxes are a slightly sparkling granite black, with SC logo embossed in matte black; the bag is rich black velveteen with logo stamped in silver. Still waiting for the smaller boxes to arrive and then will start shipping jewelry in these groovalicious wrappings. Magenta faux cheetah fur not included, sorry. That’s a bean bag chair here at the designfarm office!

Free Day to Make Stuff

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Jodi Bloom

So, you know I have two jobs right? One is my day-job as owner of a small but hugely fabulous design studio called designfarm, the other is my nights&weekends gig as one-woman jewelry subverter, owner of www.so-charmed.com (So Charmed). Oops, make that three jobs. The whole mom thing? Regardless of the number of hours you think you spend on this, it’s FULLTIME. In fact, the mom-gig is pretty much always on overtime, if you ask me.

designfarm is located in a real office building, which, due to the first actual wave of winter-like weather, including snow and freezing temps, experienced a water main break causing a 1.5 day lockout. Evacuation yesterday at 1pm (NO YOU MAY NOT even run upstairs to get your stuff) and continuing through the day today.

Work at designfarm ground mostly to a halt, work here at the So Charmed World HQ (my converted garage studio), kicked into high gear. Radio blasting away and the beads were flying. Here are some fruits du jour… yeah, I’m heavy into the cakes!

I’ve been working on this crazy series called Let Them Eat Cake that put to good use (I think so!) these totally amazing little Asian miniature cakes, both whole and slices. I could make a fourth fulltime job out of just collecting miniature foods, this stuff just really gives me mondo pleasure. Hopefully you can see why. Featured also are tiny little sterling silver guillotine charms… because too much sweetness gives mommy a toothache.

I love this little collection of charms and goodies, the first in a series of these, all of which will likely be one of a kind. My studio is SUCH a mess right now, with all the lovely surfaces covered in supplies and papers and magazines and beads, and CRAP. Yet somehow, out of the crap rises something that (hopefully) gels together.

Molly is learning how to bead so she can help out when the orders for the new work start flying in. Child labor laws be damned, time for this kid to earn her freaking keep. Unfortunately, she has the patience of a gnat and can thus do about 5 beaded charms before becoming bored to tears and running off to some other activity. Snapped these pics just a moment ago, as Molly was backing out of the studio going: “Mom, it’s ok, you just hang out here and blog as much as you want.” Which means that she is upstairs glued to the tv set, brain cells dying by the dozen… bad mommy, gotta run.