My Gordi Turtle
I was able to re-arrange my crazy schedule to attend a workshop with Gordon Uyehara last week. The session was hosted by the most gracious and hospitable Florida Suncoast PMC Guild, which is based just 2 hours from my home. I really enjoyed getting to know this great group of gals, and I learned so much from Gordon.
The project was his Cosmic Honu pendant, which is a sea turtle. The basic construction was pretty straightforward, but the real fun was in decorating the turtle. It was very cool to see how everyone in the class gave such a different look and personality to their turtle. The school of class-produced turtles is pictured to the left, with Gordi’s class sample leading the pack. My turle is pictured by itself to the right.
Some of you may be asking where I’ve been recently. My day job with the National Mango Board is busiest in the first three months of the year. I’ve already made half a dozen business trips since the start of the year and tomorrow I leave for a week in Mexico. Along with the travel comes a constant stream of deadlines. I love my job and I’m not complaining. Just please know that my blogging schedule will pick up again after I get through this current batch of madness. Thanks for your patience!
McKinnon’s Fine Silver Chain
Okay, so today’s post really isn’t about this fine silver chain, lovely though it is. It’s actually about all the new stuff Kate McKinnon is cranking out these days, including a nice little video about metal clay safety that she has posted on YouTube. If you are a reader of Kate’s blog, you know she is outspoken and opinionated - both qualities that I quite like. The beauty of this video is that she has managed to keep her more incendiary positions off the agenda, so she can speak clearly and directly about metal clay safety, a subject she cares about deeply. Check it out. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Kate has also promised a second YouTube video about the advantage of full firing, and she’s got a DVD and a new book in the final stages of production. She was also recently added to the faculty of CraftEdu.com, which is Donna Kato’s new education program for fine craft. Check out Kate’s blog for a glimpse into the stream of consciousness that is her world. But look out, it’s a fast-moving stream.
Oh yes, the fine silver chain is made of metal clay which was fired, fused and forged. The sweet s-hook is fine silver wire, forged and with a metal clay sculptured end added for flair. I’ll bet that baby is really strong!
Van Kleeck’s Eccentric Donut Earrings
Kathy Van Kleeck is shaking off the chill and letting the subtle signs of spring inspire her to create with gusto! I love her take on the tried and true donut shape in these Eccentric Donut Earrings. I get the feeling that no shape cutters or templates ever touched these pieces, which are infused with the raw energy of Kathy’s hands working the clay. Her fingerprints create a most interesting and organic texture here. Very nice.
In addition to new creations in clay, Kathy has been refreshing her online presence. She has moved her blog, so be sure to update your blog reader to her new home. And, check out her Etsy store for new listings. You can also find more about Kathy on her Web site.
Horn’s Turkish Round Bracelet
The chunky texture of this turkish round chainmail is beautifully complemented by a COPPRclay toggle clasp in this piece by Darcy Horn, also known as the Jade Dog. I especially like the cool shape of the toggle bar, which looks to me like a forged piece of copper wire.
You can find more from Darcy on her Web site, blog, Flickr photostream, Facebook fan page and Etsy store.
Funnell’s Moonlit Sea Pendant
This colorful creation from Joy Funnell is not what it appears to be. At first glance, I thought she had masterfully used enamels to get these gorgeous colors exactly where she wanted them to go. After reading her blog post, I learned that she used the very inexact science of LOS patination to achieve this effect. Wow! She calls the process “selective patination” and my mind is spinning with the possibilities.
Joy’s online presence includes her blog, her Web site and an Ebay UK store stocked with metal clay supplies.
Barth’s Leaf Broach
I was poking around in the Yahoo Metal Clay Group’s photo collection and stumbled across this talented artist and her lovely leaf broach. Lisa Barth does amazing work and often incorporates natural stones in bezel settings with her metal clay creations. I just love the lacy texture she created in a few sections of this leaf. It adds a rich, organic feel to the piece that’s really nice.
You can see an extensive gallery of Lisa’s work on her Web site.
If you’re not a member of the Yahoo Metal Clay Group, you might want to check it out. It’s really easy to join, and some of the most talented and experienced artists and teachers in our community are regular contributors to the discussion forum. You’ll learn so much just by reading the threads, and if you have a specific answer, there will be lots of knowledgeable folks eager to help you.
Smith’s O My Tweet Love Pendant
It seems that bird motifs are everywhere these days, and yet I can’t get enough of them. Don’t we all wish for the freedom to fly like a bird? Remember Jenny, from Forrest Gump, who prayed to become a bird so she could, “fly far, far away”? Or, sometimes a bird (or a pair of birds in this case) can represent our feathered nest that we share with our one true love. Whatever meaning you attach to it, this pendant from Corrina Smith is just adorable. I love how she used the textured oval to frame the sculpted birds. The dangling ruby and pearl beads are icing on the proverbial cake.
You can see lots more from Corrina on her Etsy store, Web site, blog, Flickr photostream and Facebook page for her company, GreenRiver Studio.
Koltun’s Contemporary Pendant
Finding gorgeous, brand new metal clay work posted online is one of my favorite things. Today, I found Molli Koltun’s “Contemporary Brushed Silver Pendant” pictured here. I’m eternally drawn to circles and all they represent, so these seven circles all joined together are a real treat. The little silver balls set in resin and the textured backside are finishing touches that will surely be appreciated by the lucky person who eventually calls this piece their own.
To see more from Molli, check out her Etsy store and her Flickr photostream.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I got so relaxed in my time off from my day job that I couldn’t seem to get any blogging done. Well, I’m back to work and back to blogging. My wish for each and every one of my readers is that you have a joyful, prosperous year filled with love and creativitiy!
Uyehara’s Winged Skull Pendant
The gentle sage of the metal clay world is working his magic again, this time in one of the new formulas that have recently burst onto the scene. Gordon Uyehara created his “Winged Skull Pendant” in a combination of Art Clay Copper and Silver, and as usual, his keen sense of scale, flow and detail have resulted in a truly unique and beautiful creation. He’s calling the style “Steam Funk”. Leave it to Gordon to push the current SteamPunk trend just a little bit further.
For more from Gordon, check out his Flickr photostream and his Web site.
Alison’s Silver Fingerprints Family Book
I so appreciate pieces of wearable art that tell a story and really connect with the wearer. This little custom silver book does all this in a very personal way. Both the front and back covers are beautiful, but the really cool bit is the child’s fingerprint that’s hidden inside. What mother wouldn’t treasure this keepsake? Click here, here and here for photos of the inside and back cover. Precious!
Alison from Ali Bali Jewelry is prolific with her internet presence. Check out her blog, Flickr photostream, Facebook fan page, Twitter, Etsy store, DaWanda store, Artfire store and Folksy store. How does she find the time to keep up with it all?
Ragsdale’s Roseleaf Wreath
Robin Ragsdale recently posted some yummy new eye candy on her Flickr photostream, including this piece called “Roseleaf Wreath”. She describes these as copper frames inlaid with hand-painted copper rose leaves. The process is a mystery to me, but I love the results. Check out this photo to see the entire piece, which includes 5 of these medallions joined together in gorgeous, structural simplicity. Lovely.
For more from Robin, check out her Flickr photostream and her Etsy store.
Hunter’s Artists’ Palette Necklace
Louise (Lou) Hunter has a really fun, playful style that’s beautifully expressed in her “Artists’ Paint Palette Necklace”. I love multi-media pieces, and polymer clay will always hold a special place in my heart. If I had not started experimenting with polymer clay years ago, I would have never discovered metal clay and started this journey. Lou uses polymer clay in this piece to it’s supremely colorful, sculptable, fun advantage.
Lou’s business identity is Peculiar Forest, and you can find more from her on her blog, Etsy store, Flickr photostream, Facebook Page, Twitter and Trunkt.
