Year of the Crow -Carved Stamps and dishwashing

Today has been a day full of everything I love- even the dishes were done with love- I do love the warm soapy water and getting the sink cleared- it is very satisfactory to wipe up the counter when it is all finished- but alas there is always another dish I find and the clean counter is no more.

Then I moved onto photographing jewelry and some meditation-

tonight I finished carving an eraser- it has 4 different images and I am selling it on my new etsy shop.

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 Tomorrow I will be finishing up some ornaments I started.

Also I have started a new blog with inspired writings I do. It is named The Year of the Crow.

Enameling faces-New Studio

A friend of mine and fellow artist Penny McCall called me up the other day and said she was helping a friend clean out her stuff and asked if I wanted her kiln. Duh!!!  And not just one month ago I was telling my Metal clay class how I needed to manifest a burn-out kiln to go with the centrifug I had recently acquired from Syd's Nephew Mike. Since I don't have the rest of the equipment for casting I could use the kiln for enameling.

A client recently ordered a necklace with one of my enamel faces. As I was setting the face in the silver bezel I cracked it!   I took it as a sign that I needed to paint some more faces, and while using the old method of torch firing I had so many mishaps I decided it was time to set up an enamel studio in my garage as the Art Clinic doesn't have enough ventilation being in the basement.

 

When painting with enamel, you have to layer the paint slowly so building up the face takes about 5 layers that enter the kiln. 

Above is after 3 firings, with the fourth layer ready to put in the kiln. I never know exactly how it will look after the heat.  Red is a tough color as it tends to sink in to the under layer- I am probably using the wrong terms as I am basically self taught in this process.  I have read as much as I could find, and took one class at SBCC Adult ED. and the teacher wasn't talking about painting the sort of detail I wanted.

Here they are out of the kiln, still cooling.

 Now cool, I can see I need to add a few more layers.  Working so small I have to use my magnifiers, and though you cannot see the fine detail  with the naked eye, the effect you do see,the depth created cannot be achieved without layer upon layer of paint.  As with every other art making endeavor, it takes time- I had to make myself go to bed last night as I have to get Ruth off the school in the AM, but I could have painted more!!!

  Of course they look so much better in person as my photos really do not show them off well.

You can tell I am pleased with these little beauties.  I can't wait to get back in the studio!!!

art books, moo cards and life

It has been an eventful week- seven days ago I was working on opening a new ETSY shop with crows as my theme.  Then a fellow art friend, Rachel Cane approached Syd and I with a possible space for a store front- a place to sell our art.  It is so exciting, and so much to do.  I feel like I have been moving in full speed for days, and I love it!!!  Meanwhile I made some books from my moo cards.  The images are so nice on the small card, and the moo cards have such a great weight.  They have been whispering for me to make them into little books.

New Year, New Classes- JJewelry making basics- Felting

Jewelry making 101 Sat. January 28^th 10-3pm $45 plus materials

Do you have jewelry projects that need to be finished, but you are unsure of how to proceed? This class focuses on finishing_ what findings to use, how to wire wrap beads, how to make a clasp. I will even teach you how to use a micro torch so can finish wire off with a nice round silver bead.

Other areas covered will be riveting and Keum boo for those interested.

Kuem Boo is an ancient Korean technique for bonding metals, in this case, 24k gold to Fine Silver. If you have taken Metal clay classes with me and have a fine silver piece you can add gold accents to it with this process. I have had requests to teach.

Riveting is a way of making a cold connection (without solder) between two metals.

Supply list:

Jewelry pliers, round nose, chain nose, cutters

For riveting, a riviting hammer 

A chasing hammer is good too

For torch work- Micro torches are great.

Fine silver for fusing, 24k gold foil for kuem boo- let me know if you are interested in this as we can order together to get the best price.

Wire for wirewrapping - let me know if you want sterling silver wire and we can order as a group to get the best price.

  

Barbara Carr is offering a Felting class on Saturday, Feb 18. 10 am- 4 pm. $65. Includes supplies and materials needed.

We will be felting with roving as well as commercial pre-felt making flat felt for a scarf or ...

Soon Carol will be posting about a new journaling class I am putting together- Heart Journals- tools for creating your very best self.

Day of the Dead at the Art Clinic

Come to the Art Clinic on Tuesday from 5-7pm and vote for your favorite art piece. Bring a rememberance for the Alter. Food,wine and art activities.

Jewelry studio with store front

I finally got a jewelers bench.  I needed a more ergonomic situation especially for sawing as I was sitting too high downstairs in the art clinic proper. This is called a mini bench and it sits on a table I found at a store called "Pink Trash" which is owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters who love to collect stuff.  Sound familiar?  The large drawer under the bench pin is used to collect all metal scraps and dust (silver is sooo expensive to not let any go to waste!!). I found that my saw was hitting the drawer so I use the drawer in the table to collect the silver. 

I've been wanting to work closer to my soldering station which is located on the street level landing and the back entrance of the Art Clinic.  You can see the windows that look out onto a drive that leads to public parking.

The foot traffic has been increasing since Knit Fit an arts and crafts store opened on the corner, Fresco Cafe opened across the parking lot and Art at Sevtap Wine Tasting opened up his business to share the back patio with the Art Clinic. There are people around!!!!  My friend Shelly Niro washed the windows and I painted the walls and moved my studio into the corner, left of the door.  I also painted a peg board to hold my tools.  I collaged and stenciled it as well.  I was afraid it would be too busy for such a tight space, but no--  I absolutely love it!!!

I am slowly creating a storefront to sell the wares made at the Art Clinic.  More photos to follow... if you haven't been to the art Clinic for awhile your in for a surprise.  Come by and say"hi".

Art and showing art

One Night Stand

Last Saturday in Santa Barbara there was an opening for a show called "One Night Stand".  It was a fund raiser for Art From Scrap and I heard it went very well.  Lots of money made for a viable ecological and art education facility.  I was not able to attend as I was sick in bed, not wanting to do anything- a cold caught from my family after attending my family reunion and hanging out with my mom and sisters in San Rafael, CA.

I noticed on the website for Art From Scrap under "The Morning After" heading, that a not so great picture of the piece I entered was up, indicating that my piece did not sell.  I am not too sad about that (lest the hurt to my ego), because I really liked the piece I did, and since the "unveiling" is over I can post a picture here: 

This is a tribute to how I, in the very far past, felt after allowing myself the frivolous encounter of a One Night Stand. 

I thoroughly enjoyed making this piece- something I started in Michael deMeng's class.

And though, in my life I have made choices that have not been to my greatest benefit, I am here to say that life is good, that this moment is an opportunity to make a great choice for me, that I have everything I need, including a fabulous husband, kids and extended family and that I love making art!!!!