Spring/Summer 2013 Workshop Schedule

Hey kids!  Here's your chance to get in on some fun with metal this spring and summer!  When possible, I have linked to the actual registration page, so just follow that and you'll be on your way!  And check back often because I'll add more workshops as they're confirmed!


Taste of Art : Enameled Pendant
Taste of Art is a wonderful new program at Sawtooth School for Visual Art.  Spend a fun evening learning something new, socializing with friends and create a lovely piece of jewelry to take home.  Perfect for beginners and anyone who just wants to spend a fun Friday evening out being creative with friends!  Students are always welcome to bring beverages and snacks, but all supplies and tools will be provided. In this class we'll be making an enameled copper pendant!

Sawtooth School For Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC
Friday, April 12
6:00-8:00pm

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.

Touchstone Center for Crafts : Laurel Highlands, PA

Extended Weekend Workshop
Friday, April 26, 7:00pm - Monday, April 29, 4:00

**Do not be deterred by the cancellation notice on the website!  Please call Touchstone directly to register : 724-329-1370.  If at least 7 people are registered by April 19, we can run the workshop!!!

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.

Columbus Cultural Arts Center : Columbus, OH

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, May 4 - 1:00pm-7:00pm
Sunday, May 5 - 10:00am-5:00pm

Intermediate Metals/Jewelry : Forming
This class is designed for students who have learned the basics of jewelry fabrication (soldering, sawing, etc.) and want to expand their skills. There will be lots of demonstration and plenty of time to develop your skills. We will concentrate this session's demos on forming metal with both hammer/stakes and the hydraulic press. Materials available for purchase in class.

Sawtooth School for Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC

Five Tuesdays
May 7 - June 4
9:30am - 12:0

Intermediate Metals/Jewelry : 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. Annie 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.

Sawtooth School for Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC

Five Tuesdays
May 7 - June 4
6:30pm - 9:00

Taste of Art : Copper Earrings
Taste of Art is a wonderful new program at Sawtooth School for Visual Art. Spend a fun evening learning something new, socializing with friends and create a lovely piece of jewelry to take home. Perfect for beginners and anyone who just wants to spend a fun Friday evening out being creative with friends! Students are always welcome to bring beverages and snacks, but all supplies and tools will be provided. In this class we'll be making copper earrings!

Sawtooth School For Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC

Friday, May 10
6:00-8:00pm

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, June 1 - 10:00-4:30
Sunday, June 2 - 10:00-4:30
Sawtooth School for Visual Art - Winston-Salem, NC

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.

Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, June 22  - 10:00-4:30
Sunday, June 23  - 1:00-3:30

Metal Forming Weekend Workshop
This workshop is designed for students who have learned the basics of jewelry fabrication (soldering, sawing, etc.) and want to expand their skills.  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.  We’ll get you creating small, delicate forms that can be used in jewelry and a variety of other applications!

Visual Arts Center of Richmond : Richmond, VA

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, July 20  - 10:00-4:30
Sunday, July 21  - 1:00-3:30

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

The Year in Pictures

January First.  Beginning of a New Year. 

And you know what?  I GOT this.  I am all over it. 

2011 was crazy and scary and amazing.  I worked my ass off, and I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction.  Yay!

I took the last few days off to work on some personal projects that I just haven't had time for with everything else going on.  I spent hours this past week going through all the photos I have taken this year, editing and cropping, and just loving reliving all those moments.  Now, I am my mother's daughter, so I pretty much always have a camera glued to my hand.  And I'm a sucker for sunsets and oceans and clouds.   But I'll try not to get tooo carried away.....

January:  I sent in my portfolio for my graduate school application.

Then Mark and I moved to Richmond.  This is the first day of setting up the new studio! 



February: Buster came into our lives and we all enjoyed exploring Richmond together.

March : I revamped the look of my jewelry business, CopperTide.

April: Worked on tool designs and Micro Raising Workshop development with NC Black Co.

May: Chuck and I taught our first Micro Raising Workshop

at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem, NC.

Then I went to the SNAG conference in Seattle and worked the 

NC Black vendor booth with Andrea and Les.

June:  I launched my new Reef Jewelry line.

July : Traveled to Colorado with NC Black to do a vendor booth at the CoMA Conference.

August : My first outdoor "craft show," the Watermelon Festival in Carytown.



Then took a little time off for the beach, and got to see a hurricane pass by the SC coast.  Amazing.

September : Mark and I launched our new business, CopperDog Studio.

October: Taught my first enameling workshop at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

November : Started teaching an evening course at The Visual Arts Center, then got some more beach time for Thanksgiving.



December : Made lots of jewelry, dog tags, and festive confectionery delights!

So here's to 2011!  It was a hell of a year! 

2012 : BRING.IT.ON.



Blogging Slacker!

My, my, my... what the little blogging slacker I have been!  Here it is, the end of October, and I have not posted all month!  I may have had a few other things going on, though.....  here's a brief (ok, mabe not so brief) summary of my 4 jobs + life:

My main business focus has been CopperDog Studio.  I've been using what I've learned so far in my Marketing course to apply it to getting this business started right.  Unfortunately, I am only 5 lessons deep in a 12 lesson course, but I'm learning.....  I got the website up and running.  For those of you who have been following, we decided to go with Big Cartel as our host, and we have already made more sales than I've ever made from my CopperTide site through Other People's Pixels.  (I think I will switch that one over when review time comes up in a few months.)  So, that's going.  We made samples of each style of tag we offer, and came up with a clever display... on a dog collar!

We sent a similar display with order forms, etc. to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, NC.  My friend Nicole works there, and is advocating for us.  We hope to have a good relationship set up with them soon, with 10% of the proceeds from sales made through BWAR donated back to them.  We also hope to set up similar sitiuations with other rescue groups.  This display set is going with us to the dog park this weekend to try our hand at person to person sales.  A little marketing tip on placement there.  The people are there, thinking about their dogs, so just place this right in front of them and start a conversation.

So there's all that for CopperDog, plus filling orders, etc.

CopperTide has fallen a little behind while getting CopperDog up and running, but I've made a few items, and I'm applying for holiday shows.  Check.

Job #3 is with NC Black Co.  I have been down to NC a couple times in the last month or so to work with them.  The first trip was supposed to be just a quick one to take photos of their new hammers for their website and for a catalog.

Well, that turned into a weekend trip with my teaching partner, Chuck, to Gatlinburg, TN to deliver tools to the store at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.  And we got to see some of the glory that is Gatlinburg.  Wow.  That place would make me want to vomit if it wasn't for Arrowmont.  But since this amazing craft school is there, it just makes the rest of the insanely weird tourist trap tolerable, and even hilarious.  It was a great time.  I love my job. 

So anyway, I took some photos when we got back to NC.  Edited them, and sent a CD of images to Grobet for their catalog.  Congrats to NC Black on the Grobet parnetship, by the way!  It's so inspiring to see a small company of talented people finding success!  I'm so fortunate to work with them and call them my friends!  I took another trip down to see them mid-month to take more photos for ther new website - this time, photos of the people behind NC Black.

And we spent some time working on plans and samples for a new workshop offered by NC Black, Etched Anticlastic Neckpieces.

Which brings me to Job #4 : Teaching.  Last weekend I taught an enameling workshop at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.  That was a great time with great students.  The workshop will get its own post tomorrow.  But I just wanted to mention it as another thing I have going on these days.  This was the first time I had taught this particular workshop, so planning was involved.  And that includes writing a handout and making samples, among other thing.  But I really enjoyed it, and look forward to teaching more at VisArts.  In fact, I have an evening class in Galvanic Etching and Champleve Enameling coming up, starting November 15, so I guess I better get on the preparations for that!  Plus, I've been writing class proposals and sending them in for Winter/Spring classes at VisArts and Sawtooth School for Visual Art.  Whew!

Sometimes it's hard to get my mind all organized around everything.  Especially when you throw in life stuff.  Mark and the pets and I have a lot of fun (somewhere in there), but there's still shopping, chores, and cooking to be done.  And there's that looming portfolio situation, and a big decision to be made with that.  But I won't get into that right now.  So hopefully it's understandable why I've been such a blogging slacker lately.  I do plan to get back on that.  And start one for just CopperDog Studio.  So I'm off to check things off my lists, add more things to them, and make Halloween cookies.  Nope, I'm not sorry.  There's always time for Halloween.   Cheers!