Debut: The Microcosm Collection

It's been a busy season, and it's not over yet!  Just wanted to add some images of new work that debuted at the Piedmont Craftsmen's Fair a couple of weekends ago.

These pieces feature a new technique I learned in Ken Bova's Torch-Fired Liquid Enamel workshop at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in September.  Other than a few pieces that have a little sifted enamel, the majority of these pieces feature ONLY white liquid enamel.  The color comes from the oxides in the copper being drawn up through the enamel when they are torch fired.  I LOVE this technique and plan to include it in more work soon!

I'm calling this the Microcosm Collection because of the nature of the torch-fired enamel technique, being somewhat controllable unpredictibility - each piece looks like its own little world.  I hope to have them up on my website and etsy shop very soon.  Enjoy!

Summer Craft Show Schedule

Hi all!  I've been working diligently on some revisions of an older line of enamel disc jewelry, so once again I've forgotten to post in a while.  I actually started off the craft show season this past weekend at The Handmade Market in Raleigh, NC.  They put on a very nice event - I also did their holiday show in November of last year, and will probably do that one again this year, so stay tuned.  My sister, Cat Kostka, came along this time as my lovely assistant - thanks, Cat! We had a great time and got to debut what I'm now calling the "Polka Collection."

Fun and bright and perfect for spring and summer!

If you would like to visit some craft shows this season and see these lovelies in person - so that you can try them all on and decide which ones should be yours - check out where we'll be in the coming months, and plan to come out and see us!

May 3 - The Handmade Market - Cobblestone Hall, Raleigh, NC

June 7 - Ocrafolk Festival - Ocracoke Island, NC

July 4-5 - Festival for the Eno - Durham City Park, Durham, NC

August 24 - Big Love Fest - Pack Square Park, Asheville, NC  

Still working on the Fall schedule, but I will definitely be at the Piedmont Craftsmen Fair, November 21-23 in Winston-Salem, NC.  More to come!

If you gotta have 'em now - these guys are so brand spankin' new, they're not even on my website or my etsy page yet - shoot me a message at coppertide@gmail.com or through my facebook page!  

The new necklaces are reversible! Whaaaaaat?!?!  I know.  Plus I have different options for matching earrings. There are several fun color combos that are ready to ship or I can take custom orders for your favorite colors!

New Members' Show

Hiya friends!  To anyone who is in or around the Winston-Salem area in the next month, I have some brand new pieces in the New Members' Show at the Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery in Winston's Downtown Arts District, right now through March 28!  We have quite a lovely arts district, worth checking out for the variety of galleries and shops as well as neat restaurants and bars if you happen to find yourself coming this way!

Unfortunately, due to an ice storm, our opening scheduled for this past Friday at the First Friday Gallery Hop was canceled... however, I will be doing a demo and artist talk for "How2Night," one of PCI's programs for educating the public about all that goes into making fine craft.  That takes place this Thursday, March 13, 6-7pm at Piedmont Craftsmen.  Open and free to the public, and a great chance to see the New Members' Show, which features the work of the 19 newest craftsmen accepted into the guild.

I'll be demonstrating how I form my "SeaPods" pieces from flat copper sheet into pod form with hammers and stakes and then how I apply the enamel to the interior of each piece.  Should be a fun time!

Winter / Spring 2014 Workshop Schedule

Well, another busy season has come and gone, and it's time to start off 2014 with some metalsmithing fun!  Below are your chances to get in on a class or workshop with me this Winter and Spring.  When possible I've linked directly to the sign-up for each workshop, but keep checking back because we're firming up more classes in the late Spring!

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
Section A (Winter)
Five Tuesdays
January 14 - February 11
6:30 - 9:00pm

Section B (Winter)
Five Tuesdays
February 18 - March 18
6:30 - 9:00pm

Section A (Spring)
Five Tuesdays
April 8 - May 6
9:30am - 12:00pm

Section B (Winter)
Five Tuesdays
April 8 - May 6
6:30 - 9:00pm

Etching Workshop
Etching is a fabulous way to add design and texture to your metalwork! Learn different types of resist methods to be used in the etching process, including paint pen, stamping, and heat-applied print resists. We will make samples in copper and explore both traditional acid etching as well as electro-etching processes. This is a great pre-cursor to the Champleve enameling (etching recesses filled with enamel) Workshop to be offered in the Spring!

Sawtooth School for Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC
Saturday, February 1
10:00am - 4:00pm

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, February 28
6:00-8:00pm

Exploring Enamels Weekend Workshop
Enameling is the process of fusing powdered glass to metal. Focus on basic techniques such as sifting and kiln firing, and learn additional techniques such as Sgraffito (scratching through enamel) and Basse Taille (using transparent enamels over textured metal).  Beginner - Intermediate.

Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA
March 14-15
Saturday 10:00-4:00, Sunday 1:00-4:00

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 an enameled copper pendant!

Sawtooth School For Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC
Thursday, April 3
6:00-8:00pm

Metal Forming for the Jewelry Artist

Students will learn to use thinner gauge materials to create voluminous and structurally sound metal forms.  Techniques covered include synclastic and anticlastic forming as well as shell forming – all on a  miniature scale. We will create small, delicate forms that can be used in jewelry and a variety of other  applications. All tools are provided. 

Visual Arts Center of Richmond : Richmond, VA

2 Day Workshop
Saturday, April 5  - 10:00 - 5:00
Sunday, April 6 - 1:00 - 4:00

Metals/Jewelry : Forming

This class is designed for students who want to bring dimension to their metal work. Learn how to bring volume to pieces by shell forming with hammers and stakes, or by using the hydraulic press. There will be demonstrations and plenty of time to develop your skills. Good for beginners and beyond. Materials available for purchase in class.

Sawtooth School for Visual Art

Six Wednesdays
April 9 - May 14
6:30 - 9:00pm

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, February 28
6:00-8:00pm

Champleve Enameling Weekend Workshop
Champlevé is an enameling technique in which troughs or cells are etched into the surface of the metal and filled with vitreous enamel. The piece is then fired until the enamel fuses, and when cooled the surface of the object is polished. Learn the process of creating beautiful enameled pieces to use as jewelry. You’ll get hands-on practice and learn the process from beginning to end. Materials included.

Sawtooth School for Visual Art
Saturday & Sunday, May 17-18
10:00am - 4:00pm

Fall 2013 Workshop Schedule

Woo-hoo!  It's time to play with some metal this Fall!  Here's your chance to do it with me! 

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 : 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

Section A
Friday, August 16
6:00-8:00pm

Section B
Friday, October 18
6:00-8:00pm

 

 

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
Section A
Five Tuesdays
September 17 - October 15
6:30 - 9:00pm

Section B
Five Tuesdays
October 22 - November 19
9:30am - 12:00pm

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, October 5  - 10:00 - 5:00
Sunday, October 6  - 1:00 - 4:00

 

 

 

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!

Sawtooth School for Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC

2 Day Workshop
October 19-20 (Sat-Sun)
10:00 - 4:00

 

 

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
October 22 - November 19
6:30pm - 9:00

 

 

 

Taste of Art : Copper Bangle Bracelet

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 bangle bracelets!

 

Sawtooth School for Visual Art : Winston-Salem, NC

Friday, November 1
6:00 - 8:00pm

 

 

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, December 7  - 10:00 - 5:00
Sunday, December 8  - 1:00 - 4:00

 

 

 

Hope to see you this Fall!

Finally! A Post About My Show at Quirk!

I promised pics from my show at Quirk Gallery in April, so here goes.  I know, it's 2 months later.  Explanation: the day I was installing my show at Quirk, Mark and I were on the phone back and forth with our real esate agent bidding on a house!  We ended up with the winning bid, and closed on our beautiful old house - a Craftsman Bungalow built in 1918! - a month later.  Since then it's been balls-to-the-wall with packing, moving, unpacking, renovations, etc.  I got my new studio up and running just in time to make a few extra last minute pieces for the Ocrafolk Festival on Ocracoke Island the first weekend of June.  Sadly, that trip got canceled due to a tropical strorm, but still took up a good deal of time.  Nothing like everything happening at once!

So anyway, here are some photos of new work as well as show installation!

 

Quirk Gallery, Richmond, VA

 

 

 

A peek through the door at installation.

 SeaPod Wall Installation going up!

 

 

 

View from the front of the gallery.

 

Left Wall : Neckpieces

 

Right Wall : SeaPod Wall Installation Piece, Reef Jewelry, Seapod Rings

 

Center Table : Neckpieces, SeaPod Jewelry

 

 

 

Me with my work!

 

 

 

SeaPod Rings

 

 

 

Cone Cluster Neckpiece

 

 

 

Collected SeaPods Neckpiece

 

 

 

Pod Cluster Neckpiece

 

 

 

 

Pod Scarf Neckpiece

 

 

 

 

Chain of Pods Neckpiece

 

 

 

I had a great time with this show.  It was a ton of hard work and long nights leading up to the show, but totally worth it to see eveything all up and together!  I'm working on setting up other venues, but I would love some suggestions of places to show, and I would love to hear your feedback on my newest work!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check everything out!  More to come soon, I hope!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Creative Process : Leading up to a Show

Aaaack!  I've done it again!  It's not that I haven't thought about it, but the past few months, any time not spent in the studio has been guilt-ridden time!  Horrible from the marketing perspective, but really, who has time for all of this blog business when you're trying to get ready for a show?!?  And by show, I mean my first solo exhibition!  Super exciting!

Quirk Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of my new work, right now through April 26.  So if you're in the Richmond, VA area, please stop by and check it out! 

 

SeaPod Wall Piece

photo by Linda Grimes

 

So yeah, it was pretty exciting to see it all up and installed!  With my name and everything!

 

 



 

Invitation Postcard

photo by Lauren Carroll

 

 

But let's go back for a moment, shall we?  It was last April that I planned this exhibition with Quirk.  A whole year.  So about July, I thought, "I have plenty of time, but maybe I'll start working on a piece before the move."

 

And that was as far as I got before having to pack up the whole studio and move to Winston-Salem in August.  Then I didn't touch it again until January.  So sad.  This piece did eventually come together... though I will admit, just a couple of weeks before my show deadline.

Apparently that's how I work best, because pretty much everything for the show came together in those last few weeks.  A few pieces in the last few days.  I don't know why I do this to myself.  I decided a week out from the deadline that I needed one more large neckpiece, and I did manage to finish it.  I had to leave on Wednesday morning, and literally finished the last piece about 7:00pm on Tuesday.  Geez. 

 

A friend of mine posted this to her facebook page when I was about 2 weeks from D-day. 

 

 

So true.  I guess we all do it.  Something about that last minute pressure.  Maybe it's just that you have no choice.  The last couple of weeks I was working all day in the studio, I'd have dinner with Mark, and then go back to the studio.  It felt like college.  But without the 1am trips to the bar.  Don't think I didn't think about it though...

 

 

Coming soon (I promise!) : lovely photos of show pieces taken by my lovely and talented friend Lauren Carroll and some shots show installation at Quirk!  Plese check back soon.  I swear it won't be another four months...

 



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