Via Penland

shane darwent

the 8th annual "via penland" exhibition at rebus works in raleigh, nc opens this friday, december 3. the show features work by artists affiliated with penland such as resident artists, core fellows, instructors, and students. this year's show features the work of shane darwent, a former core fellow. shane is joined by book artists who made books inspired by his work. the book makers are marianne dages, andrew hayes, kathy steinsberger, robynn raines, and beth schaible. shane will give an artist lecture on saturday, december 4 at 4:30 p.m.

there are a number of jeweler's in this year's exhibition including sarah tector, una barrett, sarah warner, lisa colby, sallie ricks, cynthia rohrer, erin considine, and myself.

erin considine hand-dyed necklace

sarah tector ring

cynthia rohrer formica earrings

the show opens this friday from 6-10 and closes january 29.

thanks for reading.

what a day!

transistor brooch by caitie sellers, sterling and steel

yesterday was one of those special penland days for me. it began with a demonstration in the metals studio lead by david anderson, a goldsmith from taos, nm. david is the visiting artist in julia woodman's concentration metals class and julia was kind enough to invite me to watch. the metals studio at school just got a new 25-ton electric hydraulic press and david showed us how to use it. the demo began with hydraulic press basics, an excellent refresher for me. then later in the afternoon he showed us how to do some anticlastic raising with it. it's a pretty incredible machine. techniques that normally take countless hours can be done in minutes. the bracelet by david posted here was formed using the press after the stones were set. awesome!

bracelet by david anderson, sterling, 18K gold, garnets

woven majesty tea service by julia woodman, sterling silver

next i went upstairs where lisa colby is teaching a one-week beginning jewelry class and listened to rhonda and elijah wyman talk about their business, figs and ginger. rhonda and elijah were visiting because their friend and employee, caitie sellers, is lisa's assistant. (caitie was also my assistant at penland.) it was great to hear them talk about how they make it work. caitie and i toured them around school after ward.

whale charm necklace by figs and ginger, sterling silver

finally, i went to lisa's instructor slide talk. i really like her work and have for awhile. she has a great design sense and i like her textures and use of repetition. i got to spend some time with her that evening along with some of her students, caitie, and adam whitney.

bracelet by lisa colby, sterling silver

what a great day!

thanks for reading.