Meaning

As an artist, creating from a place where the world's noises and distractions are muted is peace like no other. I don't mean being in a secluded studio deep in the woods, but away from everything the mind has the daunting task of processing, deeper within ourselves. If you search for meaning in external things, that sense of fulfillment may be brief. Meaning comes from deep within us, where our spirit and creativity can flow without distraction, where we are our most truthful, uninhibited away from the outside world. I often feel that deep sense of being when working in my studio, that "Ah" moment that comes from being completely immersed in the creative process. It reflects in an artist's work, giving it so much more dimension and value. And others, I believe, can sense that energy too. And pulling from that deeper part of us, presenting what we found there to others, is such a gift. It is such a pure, honest part of you, that you're sharing. What a blessing that is for others, and for yourself. Thank you for reading.

the inevitable art of rejection

If you're a professional artist or crafter or creative...or heck, anybody in life, rejection is that hurtful, humbling, ego-flattening monster we will inevitably face. In 2023, I believe I got smacked with more No's than ever. But that didn't happen because I became a sucky artist. I mean, after 21 years of doing a craft, how does that happen? No, it happened because I reached higher. I went for things, like exhibits and gallery representations and highly-demanded shows, even when I felt that my work would not get in. I did it because I felt brave. I believed in my work.

With each denied submission, I felt my confidence wobble. And then, I would spend hours working on a new piece, and I'd feel good again. And I appreciate the people in this business who do appreciate what I do, and who are happy to represent it. For each negative that occurs with your work, you can draw several positives...if you let yourself see them. LET yourself see them. If you're reaching high, and getting rejected, YOU are proving that you have the courage to reach up there, and to face the possibility of No. And if you DON'T reach, you will definitely not experience the euphoria of hearing YES.

So what I would ask that any artist/creative in the business take from my words, is to know how courageous you are to aim high. And even when your work gets rejected, you do not give up, you're already UP THERE, my friend. Sometimes all it comes down to is a technicality in your art submissions, like maybe in your photos. Make your work stand out. And better yet, do your research and know where your work will thrive. You're a star, my friend. Keep creating!

art life is tidal

       Being an artist is tough. The creating is the easiest, of course, because art is what we want to do. If I made a list of everything else involved in having a living as an artist, the list itself would become too overwhelming to continue. In many cases, you're your own public relations person, marketing firm, bookkeeper, office manager, gallery liason, show/festival coordinator, merchandising expert....okay, I'm stopping....see? It can keep going for many, many moons.                                

There are bad days, like shows you work hours to prepare for, then sell close to nothing. If you've been trying to make it in art for a year, 5 years, 10, 20, whatever the case, you know it can be discouraging. You're practically putting your soul out there and asking people to appreciate it enough to spend their money. At moments, you might be tempted to give up. Go get a full-time job, work your schedule, go home, enjoy life...easy! Let someone else do all the business-running part, right?       

But then, you start feeling unfulfilled. Something is missing. You need to create. You miss those late nights with your pup and your zero dress code in the studio. Being an artist is not a choice, it's a calling. How many people can draw, paint, weave, sculpt, knit, mold, etc. what you do? Only one. You're giving something to this world, while discovering self-fulfillment by doing it. 

As a jewelry artist who's been shuffling around this vastness of color and design for 20 years, I've experienced the ebb and flow. I've been way up, and I've been way down. I've wanted to give up, and I've wanted to keep going. Just like the tides...you're low, and you're high. I get it. Every artist selling their wares gets it. Our life isn't easy. But it's what we do. And oh, what sweet glory when we're successful. If you're talented, you're successful. You can get through the discouraging parts, just hang in there. That goes for anything. THis is YOUR thing, YOUR calling, unique to you. Believe in yourself and in what you create, and you'll get there...or you'll get there again. 

one of my first necklaces, cowrie shell , pearls and coral

Me? After a 2022 of many highs and just as many, it seems, lows, I'm reassessing. Evolution, change, progression...these are words on my brain in 2023. I'm taking what I learned from my stumbles, pulling up my boot straps, and pressing on. 

Thank you and take care

Sharon

          

eau . wasser. vand . jal . acqua

 In whatever way you speak 'water', the sacredness of it flows strong through and around all continents. We each have a duty to respect it and do our role to protect it. I myself am guilty of sending a pair of sunglasses or sand bucket or three into rushing waves and onward, to contribute to the gargantuan Pacific garbage patch. So I try to do what I can every day, like conserving water use and using as little single use plastic as I can, to be a better earthling.

I took this photo in St. Augustine, Florida. 

As for watergirl designs, I'm happy to be growing. New shows are scheduled for this year, galleries are doing well, and gemstones and pearls are abundant in the studio! Please visit the events and locations pages on my website to find out where watergirl designs jewelry is and where it will be. 

And thank you for following! Take care

copper sunshine

  Ah, the amber bath of sunlight...what better feeling to bring artists forth from their cocoons to see themselves, after existing inside a thick billowing dark cloud, to once again feel the desire to manipulate objects into beauty, from the collaboration of mind and soul. That cloud, it could easily be many things - the pandemic, a challenging 2nd job, or the grey days of winter, which can in their own right be beautiful. This is a favorite image from a VERY snowy winter [which made my huskies VERY, VERY happy].

snowy nova

I myself dealt with the struggle to be an artist for a few months. I managed to do some drawing and poetry, I painted doors in my house, I pondered my next Halloween costume, while waiting for new wire designs to formulate. And then, galleries opened again, and arts festivals and shows began again.

In June, I participated in Asheville Art in the Park. For three Saturdays, we humans, as well as many dogs and a wandering black bear, celebrated art and craft in downtown Asheville. And now, I feel the fire again. More shows are on the horizon. There will be 3 more of Asheville Art in the Park in October. I'm considering another show or two in the meantime. In summary, it sure feels good to be back out there...

peace to you,

sharon bass

asheville art in the park, june 2021

the urban art-loving bear visitor

Galleries & shops where you can find jewelry by Watergirl Designs:

buffalo creek gallery, downtown shelby nc

woolworth walk, downtown asheville nc

sanctuary of stuff, asheville nc

main street gallery, blowing rock nc

hands gallery, boone nc

Time...

It's been a year since my last blog post. I stay plenty busy besides having an online presence, so that is the element of my business and personal life that remains less tended to. That is okay by me, as having a life away from the computer is far more desirable. Life is a consistently flowing river of movement, with bends and changing currents along the way. No matter what, the water steadfastly flows, over and around obstacles and changes. 

The jewelry of Watergirl Designs is currently in 5 galleries in North Carolina. No plans to enter any new galleries at the moment. But I do plan to sell in a couple of shows/festivals this year. Stay posted. I'll do my best to keep you posted...

That snowy sky

Lately, I've had so many ideas, it's hard to keep up with them. I'm content to go to my studio and sit there during these last remaining, chilling days of winter and create. But frankly, right now I don't want to do any updates or talk about what I'm doing. I want to get real. I hesitate to write a blog many times because of thoughts like, "Is anyone even reading this?"..."What am I accomplishing by doing this?" I like sharing thoughts and photos of my work, in case that maybe someone is being inspired. But really, who's out there? 

If you are, let me know. Let's connect with each other more. Let's remember what it was like to actually communicate with each other, to acknowledge each other with something more than a Like button on a social media site. If someone smells good, tell them. If you really like them and want to be closer friends, tell them. It doesn't have to be some grand gesture, just a simple few words of acknowledgment. "You inspire me". I've said this to people, and it feels good. I've known many artists, and I've gained a bit of enrichment from each one. 

We could all use some form of human interaction. Animals are great. I love them. Some days, I wish there were only animals and just a few decent humans. But it could get pretty lonely, even for us introverts. Pretty....lonely. Let's learn to communicate again, shall we? In the meantime, let's give our animals some love.

luna mctuna

Staying simple to become greater

An artist's mind can become easily cluttered with so much more than just the creative process, especially when that artist is in business for their self. It's easy to succomb to stress and lose your creative flow. Too easy. It's almost critical to punch a re-set button each time your momentum starts to slow. And if you've been around for 15 years, this button becomes even more necessary. I always say an artist is an artist, no matter what. But sometimes you can lose your enthusiasm to go to the studio and stay there, happily creating all day. 

That does not make you less of an artist. It means you're human.

something i love to get lost doing, photography

It's time for me to hit that re-set button. In the past, I've found it easy to motivate myself. I get inspired by looking at other artists' work. I get ideas by looking at colors, nature, designs, patterns, etc. My creativity builds whenever I buy new wire, new gemstones and pearls. Lately, it's been easier to store ideas away in my brain for later...and later again........and then much later. In other words, I'm pushing it aside more often and dealing with other things in life instead. 

Sometimes, you need to simplify. Sort, organize, get rid of what isn't necessary, take care of yourself, take care of things that occupy too much of your mind [bills, car trouble, etc.].  

Do that, and your work can become something even better than before. The last time I re-organized my studio, a fresh batch of ideas popped into my brain, and I was sitting there bringing them to light. 

Well, I'm going to do it again. It's time to de-clutter and re-organize and get re-inspired. There's a fresh batch of wire and pipe in the studio, as we speak, to help me do it. Stay creative!

Thanks for reading, Sharon R Bass

old school and such...

It's not a mystery to myself and to most people who know me well that I'm not the biggest participant in the social media world, nor am I at all savvy with tech stuff. So when it takes me a whole year to post another blog, it is because I still write my thoughts in this thing called a paper journal with the once innovative tool called an ink pen. 

However, I do dive into the internet sea and swim around here and there. This is what I've managed to do lately:

-I created a new website: www.watergirldesigns.com

-I have been updating my etsy shop, which sat empty and sad for a long time 

-I have been focusing on the five galleries and shops I sell my work in. I included a list of them below.

Aside from having more of an internet presence, I've been in the studio working on men's jewelry. I also have new pieces for women to sell in galleries and to add to etsy.

I won't lie, Watergirl Designs ran into a bit of a funk for a couple of years. The demands of my second job and of moving around several times took their toll on my creativity. Now I feel it again. It's hard to not feel it when you're an artist. You might get sidetracked, but it stays with you. That flame, which sometimes dims to blue, never dies.

re-discovering the blog

Watergirl Designs is going through some changes in 2016, including a newly updated website [website maintenance is the biggest pain!]. I've also left a couple of galleries and am facing new opportunities with other galleries. Gotta keep moving, keep chasing the horizon. I plan to have more of an online presence because even though Watergirl Designs has been pretty active in the real world, you basically don't exist globally unless you're live online. More updates as the year progresses. 

Also, photography has become a bigger part of my life, so I'll be sharing it as well. The photo of me jumping was taken by my talented friend Libby Watson, who has a versatile photography style and is great at photographing anything. Till next time! 

new year, new aspirations...

On the heels of my last show of the year, which is the Presents of Art gallery show by the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, NC, is the highly anticipated 2012. At the end of every year, I always set new goals for the coming year with a newfound vigor. 2011 ended well with a new venture, my work becoming part of the indie-pendent boutique in Atlanta, Ga. and with the gallery show. How to pick up where this year left off has been most perplexing to me this time around. Those droplets of water are still drifting through the air, yet to splat upon their intended places. I am not Miss Planner, tight & well-organized schedules have never been my forte. But I look forward to keeping you all posted as the droplets do fall. Shows? New galleries? Yes to both...let the mystery begin to unfold...Thanks for following and Happy New Year!

steel wire sphere - 'endless'

since June...

Another round of Art in the Park Asheville took place in October, a very successful month for sales, despite this wounded economy. New venture on the horizon: A new gallery/boutique in Atlanta, GA [more details in the near future].

I'm working on new designs. I'm also working on adding more pieces to the etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/watergirldesigns

And now, I want nothing more than to get to work on new pieces. Au revoir for now!

p e a c e     o n    e a r t h



June Kickoff of Asheville Art in the Park

AAitP 2010 [right in front of fountain]

The first Asheville Art in the Park of the year happens Saturday June 11. Lots of unique, local artists will be set up near Vance Monument and the fountain in Pack Square downtown. Come check us out. Show creator Andrew Montrie aka Muddy Knees Ceramics and his work will be around. I'll be in space B10 with my handmade wire jewelry. Support local artists. We donate 10% of our sales to area non-profit art-based organizations.

wire orbs pendant

Orbitals, wire orbs, and pearls galore in original designs. If you can't make the show, visit http://www.watergirldesigns.com/ to see my work. The website sorely needs updating, but you'll get the idea.

p  e  a  c  e

gypsy

new venue for watergirl

Sharon Tharrington, talented jewelry artist and proprietor of immensely successful ArtSource in Raleigh, NC, spotted my jewelry at the Arts Council of Wilson and invited me to be a part of the gallery. Just off Six Forks Road at North Hills, ArtSource casts a lot of fine artists talented in such mediums as painting, mixed media, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, and other mediums from realist to abstract. Take a visit if you're in Raleigh, you'll be impressed.

Au revoir to a good year

2010 -
You were a year like all others, bringing mayhem and madness, comedy and accomplishment, love and hate, rewards and punishments -- in your own right, you were a year like NO other. What a crazy dame. Farewell to you and hello to your successor, 2011. May it be another banner year.

spill-inspired pendant

Can an oil spill a.k.a. a major environmental disaster inspire the design of a pendant? Yes, it can.

'consciousness vs. greed' - chrysocolla & copper wire pendant

I took this wire and chrysocolla pendant to the Asheville Art in the Park, where it motivated a conversation about the issue with the lovely person who bought it and her friend. It made me realize the main reason I like my pieces to stir up conversation -- the connections that are made as a result.

live . breathe . be aware

photos by sharon

asheville art in the park, 10K, gulf support

Firstly, thanks to the artists of InspiredArts for putting on a successful show at Flat Rock Playhouse in May. Now it's on to Asheville Art in the Park, downtown Asheville, Pack Square. I'll be there on Saturday June 12 and Saturday June 26, 10-5. The show occurs on the 19th as well. I've got the race bug and decided to skip that show to run a 10K. So come see me on the 12th or 26th. Lots of great art, lots of great other stuff in downtown Asheville.

I've decided to send proceeds from my sales to either Greenpeace or the Red Cross towards their Gulf oil spill clean-up and support efforts. I can't not do something. My heart has the say-so in this one, and I'm listening. Any other artists doing shows that want to match my proceeds, feel free. Artists are some of the most conscientious people I know. With our collective action, we can make a dent. 

clean oceans. happy lives

nc coast at sunset

shows, galleries, summer!

Wow, is this summer filling up! Apart from beach trips and surf camp, training for half-marathons and triathlons, and a part-time job, there is the business side of things. I'm happy to say that the business side of things [a.k.a. the jcb -- jewelry creating biz] is so not like work sometimes that it should be illegal. To still enjoy it after 8 years is a Godsend. I might even have to do a 10-year anniversary thingie when it arrives.

I'm preparing for upcoming shows in May and June, the first being the Flat Rock Playhouse Craft Show from May 7-9. Check out this link:

http://www.flatrockplayhouse.org/craft-show.html

Next up is the Asheville Art in the Park, the last 3 Saturdays in June. More details as June approaches.

I'm also considering 2 new galleries, one in NC and another in Atlanta, GA. Yes, I have felt the sting of the economy; but in these times, you just got to keep moving. Knowing that new galleries are opening this summer gives an artist hope...and plenty of motivation.

live green. smile. breathe in summer

new jewelry, updated site, tired eyes

I literally spent my whole Saturday working on new pieces and updating the website with new items: necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and men's jewelry. The website update was long overdue. Frankly, maintaining the site is one of my least favorite parts of the biz. A necessary evil, it is. But it is done. Check it out: http://www.watergirldesigns.com/

that's bull

This chaotic smorgasbord of Industrial Glam, I recently placed at Woolworth Walk in Asheville, NC. I actually created it about a year ago but held onto it, mainly because it was a unique piece and I got attached to it [which happens from time to time, or A LOT]. I was curious to see how long it would stick around. The fact that it sold within a couple of weeks had me wondering what unique being had bought it. I wish I could meet more of those who buy my work. Whenever I do get the chance, it's a pleasure. But this soul...yes, I would have loved to meet this one. Hope you're out there starting conversations with your new neckpiece. FYI, I found the bull skull, of all places, at a shop at the beach.