Disjointed Perspective

Apologies for the disjoint in my postings, friends and loyal followers!  2012 was a bit of a disjointed year altogether.  I actually can't believe it's over because it kind of seemed like we skipped from March to December in about three weeks.  There was a lot of work, some play, but mostly the packing/moving/unpacking/settling insanity that made things disjointed in my mind. 

I haven't posted anything to this blog since about a week after we moved back to Winston-Salem in August.  It's not that I haven't thought about it, but it's been a whilrlwind of stuff going on, and I couldn't make myself sit down long enough to actually do it.  I feel like I have had A.D.D. recently.  My mind hopping from one thing to the next, and it's kind of hard to concentrate and get the things done that need to get done.  Here is an example of a week's to-do list. 

Don't know if you can actually read my handwriting, but I divide it into categories based on my specific jobs: Home, CopperTide, CopperDog Studio, Teaching, NC Black, and my own work for upcoming shows, etc.  I try to prioritize within each category, and then check stuff off as I get it done.  But I think I'm going to have to go back to a schedule like the one I had in Richmond, too, where I have certain allotments of time each day for certain things.

Anyway, I'll be honest, I think maybe that one reason I have felt so weird the past few months is that I didn't really want to move to Winston.  Not yet anyway.  Don't get me wrong, I love being back closer to family and friends, and I have enjoyed every moment I've spent with them.  But in Richmond, I was getting things done, I was making things happen in a way that, for whatever reason, I didn't when I lived here in Winston before. 

I had moved to Winston-Salem after college.  My parents live about 20 minutes south of the city, so I had grown up nearby.  I never meant to move back so close.  But when I graduated from college, I had no job lined up and no money (and was seriously just starting to think that maybe a degree in Art was a touch on the crazy side.)  So I moved back in with my parents for six months.  Which I never meant to do.  I love my parents, and we are the best of friends now, but after you've been on your own for almost five years, it's a little tough to go back to living under their roof.  I got a part time job at a gallery in Winston.  Then I added another part time job at Jon Kuhn's glass studio.  All of this hoping that I would still have time to work on my own artwork.  Which I didn't do.  I was a little depressed.  Quarter Life Crisis and the whatnot.  After a few months of that, I cut back to weekends at the gallery and went on full-time at the studio, and soon earned enough to rent a small apartment in the city.  I lived there for four years and set up a tiny studio space on one side of my living room.  Then moved across the hall into a slightly larger apartment, where I finally had a whole room devoted to my studio!  Yay!  Progress!  But still, I wasn't getting that much done.  I felt kind of trapped and stagnant in my career.  It wasn't until the economy went sour, the glass studio was shut down, and I lost my job that I really started to formulate a business plan.  But I was also planning my wedding, commisserating with my fellow glass artisans, and trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do to make some cash.  Easy distractions from getting actual work done.  We got married, which was fabulous, and Mark moved in, which was glorious, but then we had two people and two people's (packrats') stuff in a tiny apartment meant for one.  So yes, all of these things are excuses. 

It wasn't until we moved to Richmond, and I was on my own during the day without distractions of the familiar life I knew in Winston, that I really started making things happen for my business.  I was really proud of myself and everything I had worked so hard to get rolling over the year and a half we had been in Richmond, and I wasn't ready to leave.  I know it wasn't Richmond itself, but it was being away from everything comfortable and forcing myself into these new challenges.  I was afraid that moving back to Winston-Salem and that comfort zone would be a step backwards for me career-wise.  That I would be easily distracted by friends and family, and that I wouldn't be able to carry on quite like I was.  I just wasn't ready to leave this place where I was making things really happen for the first time in my life.  And I was kind of right.  I have been distracted.  But it's my fault for letting myself get distracted.  For getting away from that daily schedule I had for myself.  I felt myself fighting off a certain kind of depression... maybe more like complacency... and that was distracting.

When the Christmas season rolled around this year, I kind of threw myself into it.  I made production work for holiday shows and filled orders for dog tags and ornaments.  And baked my little heart out.

I think I needed that break from thinking about things too seriously and getting all worked up in my brain about getting (and not getting) things done.  Now that the new year is here, I have plans to get back to it, balls to the wall.  I start teaching at Sawtooth School for Visual Art on the 15th.  (Winter class/workshop schedule coming soon!)  I start an apprenticeship with an amazing metalsmith on the 16th.  Details on that forthcoming as well.  I have a show at Quirk Gallery in Richmond in April, and a whole lot of work to make for that. 

Things have a way of happening, whether you're ready for them or not.  And things have a way of working themselves out.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Soooo.... back on my game.  Ready?? Go!!!

Fall 2012 Workshop Schedule

If you're interested in learning some fun metalsmithing techniques - such as enameling, raising, etching, and hydraulic die forming, then this is the post for you!

I know, this is the second post in less than a week's time - crazy.  But I want to go ahead and post this Fall's workshop schedule, as Fall is rapidly approaching! 


Exploring Enamels Workshop
Students will learn basic techniques in enameling such as sifting and kiln firing. We will also explore fun and contemporary techniques such as controlled over and under firing, inclusions and more. Students will make several samples and will have the opportunity to finish a few pieces to take home.

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 15 - 10:00-4:30
Sunday, Sept. 16 - 1:00-4:00
Visual Arts Center of Richmond

Enameling
Enameling is an ancient process where glass is fused to metal through heat. Students will experiment with enameling on copper and are encouraged to explore the possibilities that this process allows.  We will introduce a variety of enameling techniques such as sifting, stenciling, sgraffito, and basse taille. Students may apply these techniques to everything from pendants and earrings to decorative home items. No experience necessary. Most materials included in the fee.

7 Week Class
Tuesdays, Sept. 18 - Nov. 6  (No class Oct. 6)
Sawtooth School for Visual Art

NC Black Co. Micro Raising with Galvanic Etching Workshop
Raising is a process for forming sheet metal into vessel form using the metal's natural response to hammering. This workshop focuses on traditional techniques in raising, but on a small scale. Using tools specially designed and fabricated by the NC Black team, students will explore methods for creating miniature vessel forms. These methods can be used to create sculpture and jewelry as well as vessels.   We'll also explore Galvanic Etching - etching with electricity rather than acid - techniques and apply these to some of our raised pieces.  This is an excellent workshop for beginners as well as experienced metalsmiths who enjoy learning new techniques.  Students will focus on samples in copper, and will complete a raised/etched piece by the end of the workshop.      

This workshop is taught in tandem by Annie Grimes Williams and Julie Brooks of NC Black Co. Two instructors for the price of one means that each students gets more individualized attention from each instructor. All tools provided.

1 Week Workshop
October 1-5 (Registration Deadline August 15!)
Pocosin Arts Folk School

Hydraulic Die Forming in the Jewelry Studio - Part 2
In this workshop, we'll further explore hydraulic die forming techniques, such as texture plates, contained die systems, creating punches, and more! We'll also work with pierced and formed metal in the press, and try different techniques for altering pressed pieces. This is a great follow-up workshop to the beginning die forming workshop in the Spring, but any student who has basic/beginner knowledge of hydraulic die forming is welcome. Supply list available prior to the workshop.

2 Day Workshop
October 20-21 - 10:00-5:00 both days
Sawtooth School for Visual Art

NC Black Co. Micro Forming Workshop
Micro forming techniques are very useful in today’s market due to the rising cost of
precious metals. Using NC Black Co.’s specially designed tools, students will learn to
use thinner gauge materials to create voluminous and structurally sound forms. Students
will learn synclastic and anticlastic forming, as well as shell forming, all on a miniature
scale. We’ll get you creating small, delicate forms that can be used in jewelry and a
variety of other applications! This class is taught in tandem by Annie Grimes Williams
and Julie Brooks of NC Black Co. All tools are provided.

3 Day Workshop
Friday Nov. 2 - Sunday Nov. 4, 9am-5pm
http://jacksonvillecenter.org/2010-classes/metalsmithing-02-by-media/

 


Hope to see you this Fall! 

Please check back - I'm still adding late Fall / Winter workshops to the schedule!

Spring/Summer Workshop Schedule

Want to learn some metalsmithing and enameling techniques?  Here are your chances this Spring and Summer!

Fall 2012 schedule is in the works - Check back soon!

Using the Hydraulic Die Press in the Jewelry Studio

Explore the fascinating realm of forming metal with a hydraulic die press. You can easily add dimension to your metalwork with the hydraulic press. Being able to easily create multiples of a simple form is one of its greatest assets. Students will learn to create original dies in acrylic sheet or other material, then use these dies to make puffed metal forms that can be altered using various techniques and textures. You can make multiples for a series of jewelry pieces, each one with the same outside silhouette but finished differently. The possibilities are endless. Basic Jeweler's Saw skills are helpful, but beginners are welcome.

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, May 19   -   10:00-4:30
Sunday, May 19   -   10:00-4:30
Sawtooth School for Visual Art - Winston-Salem, NC

Enameling for Jewelry and Beyond
Students will learn basic techniques in enameling, such as sifting and kiln firing. We’ll apply these techniques (plus a few other fun things) to everything from pendants and earrings to items for the home - think drawer-pulls and light switch plates!

5 Tuesdays : June 5 - July 3
6:00-9:00pm
Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA

Exploring Enamels Workshop

Students will learn basic techniques in enameling, such as sifting and kiln firing. We will also explore fun and contemporary techniques such as controlled over and under firing, inclusions, and more! Students will make several samples and will have the opportunity to finish a few pieces to take home.

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, June 23  -  10:00-4:30
Sunday, June 24  -  1:00-3:30
Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA

Micro Raising Workshop

Raising is a process for forming sheet metal into vessel form using the metal's natural response to hammering. Students will explore methods for creating miniature vessel forms. These methods can be used to create sculpture and jewelry as well as vessels. Students will focus on samples in copper and will create a raised vessel by the end of the class. All tools are provided. This class is taught in tandem by Annie Grimes Williams and Chuck Kennington of NC Black Co.
Some metalsmithing experience is recommended, but not required.

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, July 14  - 10:00-4:30 PM
Sunday, July 15  -  1:00-4:00 PM

Winter/Spring Workshop Schedule

Feel like learning some fun metals techniques?  Here are the workshops and classes I'll be teaching over the next few months!


Enameling for Jewelry and Beyond

Students will learn basic techniques in enameling, such as sifting and kiln firing. We’ll apply these techniques (plus a few other fun things) to everything from pendants and earrings to items for the home - think drawer-pulls and light switch plates!

8 Tuesdays - Jan 10 - Feb 28
6:30-9:00pm
Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA

 

NC Black Co. Micro Raising Workshop

Raising is a process for forming sheet metal into vessel form using the metal's natural response to hammering. Students will explore methods for creating miniature vessel forms. These methods can be used to create sculpture and jewelry as well as vessels. Students will focus on samples in copper and will create a raised vessel by the end of the class. All tools are provided.  Some metalsmithing experience is helpful, but not required. 

Two 1-Day Workshops

February 4 - 10:00-5:00

February 5 - 10:00-5:00

Cape Fear Studios - Fayetteville, NC

3-Day Workshop

March 22-24 - 10:00-5:00 each day

Radford University - Radford, VA

Jewelry Fabrication Weekend Workshop

This is the perfect introduction to creating jewelry the traditional way, by starting with sheet metal and wire. You'll learn about the basic tools of the jeweler: a jeweler's saw, pliers, hammers, and the torch. We'll cover techniques that will enable you to create beautiful wearable jewelry, such as rings, bracelets, and pendants! We'll work with copper with sterling silver, and will provide all the materials, tools and equipment. No experience necessary - all you need is enthusiasm!

Feb 18-19 (Sat-Sun) 
10:00-4:30 both days
Sawtooth School for Visual Art - Winston-Salem, NC

Galvanic Etching and Champleve Enameling

Galvanic etching, or electro-etching, is a process that uses electricity rather than acid to etch metal. Students will learn forming techniques for their specific pieces, and then we’ll move into champleve enameling, a technique that involves wet-packing enamel powder into the recesses created by etching the metal.

8 Tuesdays - March 13 - May 1
6:30-9:00pm
Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA

Using the Hydraulic Die Press in the Jewelry Studio

Explore the fascinating realm of forming metal with a hydraulic die press. You can easily add dimension to your metalwork with the hydraulic press. Being able to easily create multiples of a simple form is one of its greatest assets. Students will learn to create original dies in acrylic sheet or other material, then use these dies to make puffed metal forms that can be altered using various techniques and textures. You can make multiples for a series of jewelry pieces, each one with the same outside silhouette but finished differently. The possibilities are endless. Basic Jeweler's Saw skills are helpful, but beginners are welcome.

May 19-20 (Sat-Sun)
10:00-4:30 both days
Sawtooth School for Visual Art - Winston-Salem, NC