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!

Fall Arts Fair @ Sertoma Art Center, Oct 2

Join us on Saturday, October 2,

from 10am - 5pm for the Sertoma and Pullen Arts Centers' Fall Arts Fair at Sertoma Arts Center and Shelley Lake!

Visit our indoor & outdoor art markets, enjoy live entertainment, watch artists' demonstrations, enjoy a kids area, fishing derby, try out a music together class or Nia class and much more!

If you are in the area, come by, visit me, and help support the local artists.

I will be indoors at the Sertoma Arts Center. Other artists to look for - Jill of LivnGood Jewlery, Christina of ChristinaBellaBeads, Jill of OrangeCatArt, and Elena of TrendFemme.

My Latest in MetalSmithing...

It has been a while since I posted any of my projects from the Beginning Metals classes that I took at the Raleigh Pullen Arts Center.

My latest is this carnelian cab set in fine sterling on a sterling backplate. The 20g sterling sheet was first annealed, run through the rolling mill until it was approximately 24g, then it was textured with a piece of old lace on both sides, cut and filed to shape. I cut the leaves from a piece of sterling milled to 24g, stamped the details and soldered it to the backplate and bezel. In my hurry to set the stone I totally forgot to solder a bail - can't do that after setting a stone - duh! Not to worry, I drilled holes and wire-wrapped carnelian beads to sterling chain, and formed the front-closing clasp. Pendant tumbled for shine.

BTW, I made 2 of these pendants, initially thinking of earrings but... Now I have 1 to sell (soon to be added to my Etsy shop) and 1 to keep for myself!