Arrowmont Part 5

Joanna Merry - roller-printed and knotted pendant

The last day of my Arrowmont class was Friday. We began by talking about simple studio set-ups and essential tools. Then everyone had a chance to work all day until studio clean-up at 4. Things were bustling in there right up to the last minute. After clean-up we shared some wine and our work. Later after dinner there was an all-school show and tell. I said goodbye to my class then and drove back to Penland. I had a lovely time during the week and hope to teach there again. Here are a few examples of some of the things my students made:

Lea Donatelli - chased pendant

Carrie Crocker - cloud ring with silhouette

Sandy Osborn - textured and riveted cuff

Sarah Henry - roller-printed pendant with handmade chain

More images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Arrowmont Part 3

Yesterday was a very full day for "It's the Little Things." I started by demonstrating how to make simple earwires, headpins, and clasps followed by drawing down wire, twisting wire, making wire rick-rack, and making jumps rings. I am so impressed with how my students can just roll with the amount of information I am firing at them. They seem so excited! Individually they are all focused on projects of their own in addition to trying everything at least once.

Later in the afternoon we walked to the artists-in-residence studios for their open house. As usual I loved seeing how other artists work. The current residents include Phil Haralam, Lisa Johnson, Chandra DeBuse, and Dustin Farnsworth.

 something interesting on the studio wall of metalsmtih 

Lisa Johnson

Then after dinner a few students piled into my car and we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I worked alongside my students afterward, making paper models for pieces for the upcoming Penland Resident Artist show.

Lots more pics on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Arrowmont Part 2

Yesterday I did a variety of demonstrations for my students starting with simple surface textures using files, sandpapers, and other abrasives. In the afternoon I covered roll printing and also gave a multi-part demo on sawing/filing/sanding/piercing/dapping for my beginners. Today we started the morning with hammer textures and chasing followed by patination and rivets in the afternoon. But before I did those demos, I went on a fantastic tram ride with several students and artist-in-residence, Dustin Farnsworth. Throughout the day I met individually with my students and, I must say, this is what really got me excited. I loved talking with each other them about what they are learning and what they would like to accomplish by Friday. This kind of time with my students is absolutely wonderful.

 samples

view from the tram

More images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading. 

Arrowmont Class Reminder

Bracelet set by Sarah James

As you may already know, I will be teaching "It's the Little Things" at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts  at the end of the summer. The class will begin with a slide presentation of images of all different kinds of jewelry with great details, both subtle and extravagant. Then during the week we will cover roller printing, texturing with files, hammers, and chasing tools, riveting, tab setting, findings, patination, and keum boo. These longer demos will be complemented by quick ones as time allows and lots of talk about why details are so important. I will encourage students to make lots of samples as they try every technique. I also have project ideas that can be tailored for different skill levels once students are ready to make finished jewelry. We will begin each day by sharing the things we've made. This is a great class for beginning students and for more advanced ones as well. For those beginning students I will demonstrate sawing, filing, and piercing.

The class runs from August 28-September 3, 2011. You can learn how to register here or see the full catalog online. Please feel free to email me (amy@amytavern.com) if you have questions.

 rolling mill samples by Anneta Brady

 

You can look at images from the class I taught last summer at Penland including lots of student work here.

Thanks for reading.

It's the Little Things at Arrowmont

I will be teaching "It's the Little Things" this summer at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. I am pleased to have another opportunity to teach this class. I loved teaching it at Penland last summer and I like that I can try it again at a new venue this year. The class will be basically the same, except I have replaced acid etching with a longer, more detailed discussion and demo on findings (clasps, earring wires, bales, chain, etc.). Findings are a great way to add the right finishing touches on any piece of jewelry so I want to delve into the topic even more this time around. In addition, I haven't been to Arrowmont before and I am excited to visit. My class runs from August 28-September 3, 2011. You can learn how to register here or see the full catalog online.

my class description

metals & enamel page from the catalog

love this nighttime image of the school

Thanks for reading.