Tutorials Downloads – August 1-15, 2009
I will not be accessing the computer from August 1-15, 2009, so if you have any download problems during that time, please just send me an email, and I’ll get back to you soon after August 15.
Thank you!
YOJ09-30 Copper Art Nouveau Cab Bangle
Copper Art Nouveau Cab Bangle (2009)
Copper, dyed paua shell
Constructed, cold joined
L 8 1/2 inches x W 1 inch
Over the next couple of days I’ll be posting the work produced by my students in Wire Jewellery 1 and 2, but for this week’s YOJ entry, I’m posting my teaching sample of the AN Cab Bangle. This project ended up being quite challenging for the students and took an entire day for the class to complete. That was something I hadn’t anticipated, so there’s going to be a scheduling adjustment for next year’s class. What really impressed me was that everyone showed a lot of persistence in doing the project, which had a few tricky steps in it. One lady, Janice, was so determined to do it – despite how much it was frustrating her – that she refused any suggestion by me to modify it to something simpler. That caused me to joke that she was channeling her inner German: “I VILL complete zis bracelet!” The class cracked up laughing.
The next day, Janice came to class proudly showing off the bracelet, which she had attempted again on her own at home. She said that she’d found the instructions very clear and easy to follow. She had every right to be proud: her bracelet had turned out beautifully!
Scenes of Haliburton, Ontario
Some photos taken during my stay in Haliburton.
Shiva’s Pomander at the Rails End Gallery
There are a still a few days left to catch the HSTA Faculty show at the Rails End Gallery in Haliburton, Ontario. The show’s theme this year is “Vessel”.
My piece, “Shiva’s Pomander” is included in the show, which runs until July 30. Laurie Jones, the Executive Director, kindly allowed me to photograph my piece as displayed in the show.
YOJ09-29 Freeform Bangle
Freeform Bangle (2009)
Copper
Constructed, cold joined, liver of sulphur patination
I’ve been in Haliburton for the last week teaching the Wire Jewellery course, so this week’s entry is one of the projects made during the week. This is the “freeform” bangle we made on Thursday.
Week 2 and Wire Jewellery II start tomorrow. Four of the ladies from last year have signed up again, and one from last week is in the class as well. So there are going to be lots of familiar faces!
I’ll write more about the classes after next week when I’m home again.
Tutorial Downloads – July 13-24, 2009
I’ll have limited access to a computer over the next two weeks while I’m in Haliburton. If you purchase a tutorial and have trouble with the download, you can still drop me a note. There may be a small delay in replying, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
YOJ09-28 Prong Set Ring
Prong Set Ring (2009)
Sterling silver, cubic zirconium
Size 7
Constructed, cold joined
Life is crazy busy right now as I finish preparations for Haliburton. So this week’s entry is a variation on Jorgen Greftegreff’s Prong Ring (published originally in the April 2001 issue of The Wire Artist Jeweller).
The good news is that my wire arrived finally, and I didn’t need to reorder anything! *Whew*
My computer access is going to be limited for the next two weeks, so while I’ll try to post YOJ pieces on time, more than likely it will wait until I get back.
George Brown College – 2009-10 Class Schedule
The 2009-2010 classes for Wire Jewellery at George Brown College have now been posted! Here’s the schedule (quoted from the GBC website):
Wire Art Jewellery 1
October 18-November 8, 2009
Course Number: JEWL 9038, CRN# F10447
February 21-March 14, 2010
Course Number: JEWL 9038, CRN# W45521
Learn the foundational skills needed to make wire jewellery. Make chains, earrings and findings using cold-joining techniques. Learn to manipulate different gauges of wire. Complete three bracelets, one necklace and four pairs of earrings. Create a piece based on a design of your own.
Note: A project kit of basic tools and wire will be supplied in the first class, but you must provide beads. The supplies required will be discussed in the first class.
Cost: $412, plus cost of beads
Location: Casa Loma
Hours: 20
Day/Time: Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 pm.
Wire Art Jewellery 2
April 11-May 2, 2010
Course Number: JEWL 9050, CRN# W45608
Refine your ability to control wire by creating bracelets, pendants and rings using multiple wires, twisted wires and binding techniques. Learn how to calculate the price of a finished piece of jewellery.
Note: A project kit of basic tools and wire will be supplied in the first class.
Cost: $450
Location: Casa Loma
Hours: 20
Day/Time: Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 pm.
YOJ09-27 Art Nouveau Cab Bangle
Art Nouveau Cab Bangle (2009)
Sterling silver, bloodstone
L 21.5 cm x W 2.5 cm
Constructed, cold joined
Although it’s supposed to be a calming stone, I’ve always found bloodstone to have a kind of overpowering “in-your-face” energy that’s difficult to deal with. For the last few weeks, though, I’ve been wearing it while working on my tutorials, and it’s been helpful for keeping my energy levels up and focused. I love the red spotting on this cab, and the slight yellow cloud overlaying the green. This was part of a group of cabs I bought when The Nautilus closed 10 years ago. The Nautilus was *the* place in Toronto to buy rockhounding and lapidary supplies. Located in the far, far east of the city, I remember it taking an obscenely long time to get there on city transit from where I lived in Little India. But what a treasure trove! The owner, Roy MacLeod, was a passionate rockhound and filled his store with all the bits and bobs needed to work with and admire rocks. Sadly, Roy didn’t live to see the millennium, and the closing of his store left a void that still hasn’t been filled.
In designing the Level II course for Haliburton, I was thinking about what skills would be most useful for the students to learn. In Level I, they learn the basics: working with single wires, developing dexterity with tools, etc. There are very few multi-wire projects. In Level II all but two of the projects are multi-wire pieces, and the students have to deal with doing steps early on that don’t actually come into full use until much later in the construction. Wire control becomes very important.
One of the things Level II focuses on is settings: half of the projects deal with some form of stone setting.
I think this is by far the most complex of the projects I’ll be teaching. Hopefully by the time we get to this point in the course, the students will have enough confidence to tackle it. If not, it’s easily adapted to something simpler. I’ll let them decide how energetic they want to be.
This tutorial will be available for purchase and download off my website after I get back from Haliburton. I’ll post the link when it’s up, along with more photos.
YOJ09-26 Prong Set Pendant
Prong Set Pendant (2009)
Sterling silver, labradorite
Constructed, cold joined
Private Collection
I found this labradorite in my stash again recently while working on the prong set pendant tutorial.
I’m rediscovering my love of stones, and am fantasizing about going to Bancroft to *shop*! Having put myself on a buying moratorium for the last few years, I normally go to the gemboree just to have a look around.
When I floated the idea of going this year, my DH surprised me by suggesting I go by myself! It’s a long drive to take the boys on, and since they don’t show much interest in rocks (other than the ones they can throw into water), the show is wasted on them.
Hmmm…. the possibilities…
More photos:
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