Torch-fired Enamels

This week I am lucky enough to be studying torch-fired enameling with Marjorie Simon! It is only day two, but we have covered so much. Marjorie is teaching solderless settings for our enameled jewels, cold connections, and everything in between. I am having a blast, and know enamels will begin to have a presence in my work!

Check out the endless samples:

...and some of the beginnings of my own samples, over fold formed copper...

Can't wait to see what the rest of the week will bring!

Studio work

So its been a while since I've posted! A lot has been going on and I am excited to share the news as things unfold. But for now, take a peek at some of the work I have been creating here at Arrowmont. I have sorta left off with my ideas from graduate school with the sculptural pieces I am sharing here. I have also been making lots of production work, getting ready for a couple fine art holiday sales on the books.

Building studio components, creating new work, collecting tools and gear, making teaching aids, I am loving life at Arrowmont!

This is a wallpiece. It is about 14"across, and about 10" high. There is a stalactite slice cold connected onto this piece, with three grey pearls.This piece was made as a trade with another metalsmith, Joan Dulla. Check out the side view:

This next series is of five copper domes, formed hydraulically, which have a 6" diameter. They include various gems and minerals, such as ammonite, iolite, psalamaline, garnet, chalcedony, carnelian, and a slice of stalactite. These are talking about presence in deep space, and the void that surrounds. Sort of a smaller version of some very large ellipses I worked on in graduate school. I will be taking portfolio shots soon, and these will show the elements which are cold connected on them much more clearly.

So... I have been working on lots and lots of jewelry... I love making jewelry! It really feels good to be able to start and finish a piece in the same day! (although the patterned metal in this ring definitely took longer than a day!!) This is probably my most favorite piece of jewelry I have made since completing grad school. It just found a home in Chicago! I have been working on hollowrings, earrings, as well as various pendents. I am doing lots of exploring in metal and sketching ideas for production lines. I'd like to have two or three cohesive bodies by Christmastime so that I can start approaching galleries. I'll definitely post pictures of progress and hope for your feedback!

Crafthaus

This week I have been lucky enough to have been chosen as a featured artist on Crafthaus. And to boot, I get to share this with five other artists, including Lynette Andreasen, one of my best friends and former studio mate at ASU! 

Thank you to Brigitte Martin, who is the creator and editor of Crafthaus and the director of  Luke and Eloy Gallery in Pittsburgh. Crafthaus is a great place to see what's happening outside your own studio, to network, and to keep up with what your friends are creating in their studios. Check it out!