art books, moo cards and life

It has been an eventful week- seven days ago I was working on opening a new ETSY shop with crows as my theme.  Then a fellow art friend, Rachel Cane approached Syd and I with a possible space for a store front- a place to sell our art.  It is so exciting, and so much to do.  I feel like I have been moving in full speed for days, and I love it!!!  Meanwhile I made some books from my moo cards.  The images are so nice on the small card, and the moo cards have such a great weight.  They have been whispering for me to make them into little books.

New Year, New Classes- JJewelry making basics- Felting

Jewelry making 101 Sat. January 28^th 10-3pm $45 plus materials

Do you have jewelry projects that need to be finished, but you are unsure of how to proceed? This class focuses on finishing_ what findings to use, how to wire wrap beads, how to make a clasp. I will even teach you how to use a micro torch so can finish wire off with a nice round silver bead.

Other areas covered will be riveting and Keum boo for those interested.

Kuem Boo is an ancient Korean technique for bonding metals, in this case, 24k gold to Fine Silver. If you have taken Metal clay classes with me and have a fine silver piece you can add gold accents to it with this process. I have had requests to teach.

Riveting is a way of making a cold connection (without solder) between two metals.

Supply list:

Jewelry pliers, round nose, chain nose, cutters

For riveting, a riviting hammer http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Riveting-Hammers/112195?pos=9

A chasing hammer is good too-http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Chasing-Hammer/112227?pos=6

For torch work- Micro torches are great. http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Blazer-Butane-Torch/500230?pos=2

Fine silver for fusing, 24k gold foil for kuem boo- let me know if you are interested in this as we can order together to get the best price.

Wire for wirewrapping - let me know if you want sterling silver wire and we can order as a group to get the best price.

  

Barbara Carr is offering a Felting class on Saturday, Feb 18. 10 am- 4 pm. $65. Includes supplies and materials needed.

We will be felting with roving as well as commercial pre-felt making flat felt for a scarf or ...

Soon Carol will be posting about a new journaling class I am putting together- Heart Journals- tools for creating your very best self.

Day of the Dead at the Art Clinic

Come to the Art Clinic on Tuesday from 5-7pm and vote for your favorite art piece. Bring a rememberance for the Alter. Food,wine and art activities.

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Jewelry studio with store front

I finally got a jewelers bench.  I needed a more ergonomic situation especially for sawing as I was sitting too high downstairs in the art clinic proper. This is called a mini bench and it sits on a table I found at a store called "Pink Trash" which is owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters who love to collect stuff.  Sound familiar?  The large drawer under the bench pin is used to collect all metal scraps and dust (silver is sooo expensive to not let any go to waste!!). I found that my saw was hitting the drawer so I use the drawer in the table to collect the silver. 

I've been wanting to work closer to my soldering station which is located on the street level landing and the back entrance of the Art Clinic.  You can see the windows that look out onto a drive that leads to public parking.

The foot traffic has been increasing since Knit Fit an arts and crafts store opened on the corner, Fresco Cafe opened across the parking lot and Art at Sevtap Wine Tasting opened up his business to share the back patio with the Art Clinic. There are people around!!!!  My friend Shelly Niro washed the windows and I painted the walls and moved my studio into the corner, left of the door.  I also painted a peg board to hold my tools.  I collaged and stenciled it as well.  I was afraid it would be too busy for such a tight space, but no--  I absolutely love it!!!

I am slowly creating a storefront to sell the wares made at the Art Clinic.  More photos to follow... if you haven't been to the art Clinic for awhile your in for a surprise.  Come by and say"hi".

Art and showing art

One Night Stand

Last Saturday in Santa Barbara there was an opening for a show called "One Night Stand".  It was a fund raiser for Art From Scrap and I heard it went very well.  Lots of money made for a viable ecological and art education facility.  I was not able to attend as I was sick in bed, not wanting to do anything- a cold caught from my family after attending my family reunion and hanging out with my mom and sisters in San Rafael, CA.

I noticed on the website for Art From Scrap under "The Morning After" heading, that a not so great picture of the piece I entered was up, indicating that my piece did not sell.  I am not too sad about that (lest the hurt to my ego), because I really liked the piece I did, and since the "unveiling" is over I can post a picture here: 

This is a tribute to how I, in the very far past, felt after allowing myself the frivolous encounter of a One Night Stand. 

I thoroughly enjoyed making this piece- something I started in Michael deMeng's class.

And though, in my life I have made choices that have not been to my greatest benefit, I am here to say that life is good, that this moment is an opportunity to make a great choice for me, that I have everything I need, including a fabulous husband, kids and extended family and that I love making art!!!! 

Metal Clay- Private classes

I have had the pleasure of hosting private parties for classes.  Below are some pictures of  the fantastic creations made. Send me an email- lifsart@verizon.net for more information if you are interested in making some incredible jewelry in 99.9% pure silver.

 This is what seven people made in a day class- 2 to 4 pendants each.

(click on photo to get a better look at the silver pieces)

 Thank you guys for all the fun!!!

Michael deMeng teaching at the Art Clinic

I know this was last month (time flies when you are having fun)- but here are some pictures of the creations from the great class we had with Michael deMeng in July. Michael is a fantastic teacher who is very generous with his knowledge and know how, and he is quite entertaining!!!

Pretty Vial Things:

 Cold Blooded Journals:

 Michael and his great and informative critique:

Shirt redesign-

I have had time to rethink this. Camp Serenity is in the redwoods so the tree should be a redwood!!!
I like this so much better.

Family Reunion

                                                     My family reunion is coming up in August.  We have a very lively and loud family, very loving and special.  Every three years we have a get together at my parents property in Mendocino County, 20 miles west of Ukiah and 20 miles east of Mendocino proper. There is a few decks for sleeping on and a large fire pit for cooking the food.  My dad built a sauna with a tradition Finnish wood burning stove to heat the rocks.  He also built, with other family members, a cesspool for one flush toilet.  You sit on the "throne" and look out over a forest of trees, redwood, firs, madrone and lots of beech trees.  I have been thinking about a design for the t-shirt for a few months but didn't have the time to work on it until recently.  I made a few designs, one of which I liked but decided it wasn't unisex so in the eleventh hour I went with a freehand sketch of a tree.  I forgot most everything I learned in my graphic software classes so I really had to keep it simple, but I'm happy with it.  Sometimes less is more, especially when you are out of time.  I hope my family likes it. 

                                                       This is the front of the shirt

and this is the back, (Ruth's idea)

Vacation,sun and recharging creativity

Although we never played volleyball, the water was so much fun.The waves were a blast to ride and the temperature was perfect. You can stay in the water for a long time unlike the cold water of home. I spent a bit toouch time in the sun. My belly is really red! Ouch!!!!

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