teaching part 3b

yesterday i showed my students acid etching, a long demonstration with many steps. it makes for an intense demo because of it's many parts but also because of the fact that acid is involved which for some students can be a little scary. once the demo was over i asked everyone to prepare a few pieces for etching and to have at least 3 etched by 10am the next day for our daily show and tell. they got to work immediately and did not waste any time. the studio felt like a bee hive. then this morning they shared their pieces and yet again i was very pleased with what they had made. this is a hard working group.


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teaching part 3

this morning when i arrived at school

we started today by "unearthing" our samples from the tobacco and sawdust mixtures we made on tuesday. the sawdust yielded some great blues but the tobacco was rather un-inspiring. the salt and ammonia was also pretty dramatic.

samples from tobacco (see top, bottom left) and sawdust (all others), both mixed with ammonia and vinegar

salt and ammonia

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teaching part 2

it's wednesday...class is going really well. i'm giving my students tons of info and they are so responsive and into it. they are working hard and doing some great work. yesterday we began with a demo on texturing with hammers and chasing tools and later we covered patination. we now have a bunch of yogurt containers filled with tobacco or sawdust and ammonia and vinegar. we buried our samples in the mixtures and will unearth them tomorrow morning. these mixtures will turn copper different shades of green and blue and also create interesting textures.

samples form the class - my students have been making lots of samples. yesterday we had a quick show and tell. everyone did great work and each had at least one sample that was unique and innovative. i choose one sample from each student and challenged them to push it further.

more images including close-ups on flickr.

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teaching part 1

my class has begun and it's going great! i shook the nerves and now i'm having so much fun doing demos and interacting with my students. i have a big group, all with varied backgrounds and skill levels and all very excited to learn and work. sunday night we did our introductions and talked a little about what the week will look like. then monday morning we began with a 45 minute lecture on details, surface design, and complementary findings. the talk consisted of nearly 80 images of contemporary jewelry incorporating the different techniques and topics we will be covering like roll printing, acid etching, and handmade clasps.

an image from the details lecture - rings by ann havel

next i demo-ed a bunch of basic texturing and finishing techniques with sand paper, files, and sand blasting. after lunch i showed them roller printing and everyone started making samples. i have a few beginners in the class so gave them a sawing, filing, and piercing demo followed by a dapping demo.

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it's the little things

my class "it's the little things" begins today...i am really excited and just a bit nervous (which i am sure will go away once class starts). i just finished packing up my studio and teaching materials and will move into the metals studio at school in a few hours. my lovely assistant, caitie sellers, is coming down to my studio shortly so we can go over the syllabus and other class-related stuff. this is going to be a big week that is sure to fly by - i have two demos (many of which are multi-faceted) planned monday-thursday and then friday is a work day for my students to explore techniques or work on specific projects. i'll try to post as much as possible...

...and one more thing...i was thinking about the class on friday and that's when it hit me: i'm teaching at penland! i started crying! looking back to 1999 when i came here for the first time i wasn't even thinking that far ahead and i never would have imagined this was possible. i know, this is not my first time teaching here but i am still in awe. this is such a special and important place for me. i am absolutely thrilled to give back in the form of teaching.

bracelets by caitie sellers

be sure to check out caitie's great blog - what not and such.

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STRASSENKUNST

Brooch No. 1

my brooch no. 1 was selected to be in the exhibition "STRASSENKUNST" at artspace in richmond, va. the show features artwork inspired by graffiti. while most of the work is 2D in the form of paintings and drawings, there is one other piece of jewelry, a ring by kelly robinson.

graffiti study #3, ring, by kelly robinson

you can view more pieces from the show in this picasa album.

opening reception friday, august 27 from 7-10pm
runs through september 19
zero east fourth street
richmond, va 23224

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a little bit more about the auction

penland's 25th annual benefit auction was aug 13 and 14th. this year's event was lots of fun and very busy. i was more relaxed this year, but still felt a little on edge. there is so much that happens in those two short days and watching one's work auctioned off in such an important auction is nerve-wracking. however, it really was exciting and an all-around excellent experience.

i began my day on friday by cutting fruit in the pines' kitchen with fellow resident margaret cogswell. (all the residents help a little "behind the scenes.") then i ran home to change clothes so i could attend an artist talk at the penland gallery followed by the "director's luncheon," a special luncheon for "lucy morgan leaders." i sat with a lovely group of friends and met lots of auction attendees; there were toasts and short speeches and the food was excellent. next i went home to finish some last-minute details in my studio and to change clothes again for the late afternoon and evening events, including an artist reception, cocktail party with live music, and a live-action preview. around 7 everyone headed to the big tent for dinner and friday's live auction, followed by a dessert and live music party. i left around 11 to get myself in bed because i knew saturday was going to be a big day.

check out this link to a beautiful picture of the tent on friday night.

at 7am the next morning i met with the volunteers who would be taking care of the resident breakfast. after i helped them get situated i spruced up my studio one last time and began welcoming patrons. once the last attendee had left i did a quick clean-up and got myself to the live auction and lunch under the tent. all the residents had pieces in this auction and it was exciting to see our work bid on. the most exciting moment, however, was when hoss haley's sculpture was auctioned. hoss gave an eloquent speech and then the bidding began. when it was all over everyone was on their feet cheering.

toric knot by hoss haley

the fruit i mentioned earlier was served at the resident artists' event "breakfast at the barns" where auction attendees get a complimentary handmade mug for their coffee along with breakfast goodies to enjoy as they visit each resident studio. this year's sale was excellent and i am very pleased with how well it went. a special thank you to my friend's who helped that morning, courtney martin, beth schaible, and marianne dages. i couldn't have done it without them.

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