Thursday, July 21, 2011

Classes, Workshops Galore!

I am on a fast-track to expand my metal fabrication skills.  If you follow me on Facebook, you may have noticed that I am like the energizer bunny - getting more and more techniques under my belt!  I am so thankful that I have so many local resources available to me!


This year I made a point to do fewer arts and crafts shows to focus on learning and to find out what technique or techniques are a good fit.  It's been a year and half since I took my first class in metal fabrication at Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh.


My first fabricated pendant


Back of pendant


My first pair of earrings


















Since then I have learned:

  • how to use of the torch, solder, sawing, filing, and bezel setting with Megan Clark at Pullen Arts
  • how to use the hydraulic press to create dimensional forms with Betty McKim - made a locket with rivets
  • how to embellishment metals with Kathryn Osgood - etching on brass to make embossing plates to transfer designs to metal and using keum boo to add a pop of gold to silver
  • about various casting techniques (broom stick, water, rock salt, cuttlebone) from a group of wonderful women at the Jewelry Artists Retreat (JAR) @ Lake Gaston, NC
  • how to flush set faceted stones, again with Megan Clark
  • how to make rings with tim lazure - completed 2 rings that I really, really love
  • how to add alternate colors on metal with Kathryn Osgood - including patinas and colored resin
  • how to tube set a faceted stone and fold form copper at a spring mini-retreat in the NC mountains with Debora (member of JAR) and Kimberly
  • how to chase & repousse on copper and silver with the Italian artist Davide Bigazzi, Menlo Park, CA
  • how to fuse enameling to copper with Julie Brooks
Next week I will be at William Holland School of Lapidary to learn how to make lampwork glass beads.  It was actually my 3rd choice since my 1st (Silver II: Forging) and 2nd (Enameling) choices were at maximum!  Four other members of JAR will be there, too - we are going to have a blast!