The Awesome Musical

THE SECRET GARDEN PART V

2012-01-27T16:17:00.000-08:00

Doctor Neville Craven, Archibald's brother, is a rather complex character. Because he is the youngest of the two he did not inherit the Misselthwaite Manor in the Yorkshire moors of England.... Nor did he receive the family wealth. He instead became a respected doctor in the area and made it his primary purpose to care for the very ill son of Archibald: Collin. He forbade Archie to even wake the child, he was "so sick ... maybe even dying".

But, Collin was not that ill.We later find that Neville had fallen in love with Lily, Archie's deceased wife and some part of his being tried to keep his brother from his son. Archibald, as I stated in a previous blog, had scoliosis: then known as a hunchback. Neville supposed that Collin had a more serious variety of that 'disease' and was going to die.

He wants to get rid of Mary and send her away to school because he feels she is, "disturbing Collin". He tells his brother this and also accuse Archibald of "shirking his responsibilities" because he is packing to leave for Paris. The father is destitute because he fears he cannot get away from Lily's 'ghost'.

Click on the you tube video below to watch the performance of two talented actors singing about how young Mary Lennox has LILY'S EYES.

Christopher Higbee and Brian Clark singing Lily's Eyes from THE SECRET GARDEN.
This is probably the finest male duet in the history of live theater

Archibald is on the left and Neville is on the right.

Sit back and enjoy!!!

THE SECRET GARDEN PART IV

2012-01-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

The incredible roles of Martha the house maid and her brother, the mystical Dickon...

Oh, if I were only younger and someone else were to direct this show I would beg to be Martha. She has two incredible songs. And Dickon? Well he can, and has, stolen the show, many times.

First of all, Dickon is a mystery: he is ageless, somewhat of a pied piper who talks Mary into believing she can do anything she desires.... She wants a key to the garden that used to belong to Lily... but only the Robin knows where the key is but, she must speak the bird in Yorkshire. Dickon can be 14 years old up to 25... as I said, ageless.

Here is Martha singing If I Had A Fine White Horse

Now Martha is a house maid with all the spunk and liveliness of one not beaten down by her station in life. She has an unending source of joy to share. She knows that Mary is saddened by having lost both her parents to the Cholera in India but also having to come and live in this dreary manor at Misselthwaite, in the Yorkshires, England.
One just knows that both of Martha and Dickon's parents were full of life, optimism and love. And that both of their children absorbed their parents joy of living and have made is their aim to share and spread this elation of living to the fullest to all they encounter.

Especially to Mary and Collin.

Visit Part I Here
Visit Part II Here
Visit Part III Here
Visit the Audition information Here

The Secret Garden Part III

2012-01-18T15:10:00.000-08:00

Today I want to talk about the wonderful love story of Lily and Archibald Craven.

Archibald Craven was riding among the moors of Yorkshire when he happened upon the beautiful Lily working in her garden. He began to woo her and they both fell deeply in love. Eventually they married ... against the wishes of her sister Rose, and his brother Neville. You see Archibald was a hunchback... today it is called scoliosis. Rose was terrified that any children of their union would be crippled.

That wouldn't be the only problem

Dear, sweet Lily would die during childbirth. Archibald was so bereft that he couldn't even look at his child Collin. So his brother, Neville continued to live at the manor taking care of the boy. Neville was so concerned about Collin's health that he kept him in bed and didn't allow his father to ever waken him. Archie would only read to his son after Collin went to sleep.

Lily's spirit wasn't able to leave Misselthwaite Manor for she was held there by her husbands grief and the needs of her lonely Collin. She was hoping to let Archie see that her love for him was unconditional and that he needed to share that adoration with his child. So she stayed in the manor and sang to him as well as to ease Collin's pain.

Unbeknown to Archie and Lily, Neville was madly in love with her also. Listen to the powerful duet between the brothers in the You Tube video below.

Their duet was enough to make me want to direct this show.

The 45th Annual Tony Awards review

Visit Part I Here

Visit Part II Here

Visit Part IV Here

Visit the Audition information Here

THE SECRET GARDEN : PART II

2012-01-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Medlock has just brought poor Mary to Misslethwaite

Mary Lennox arrives in Yorkshire, England around 1911 after a horrific epidemic of cholera spreads through India wiping out most of the people in the compound where Mary and her family lived. Her mother & father (Rose and Albert Lennox) and her ayah & fakir were all killed by that unforgiving disease. It was in her parent's will that Mary go and live with her Uncle Archibald Craven at Misslethwaite Manor in the moors of Yorkshire. Archibald was married to Lily, Rose's sister. While in India, Mary had no children to play with and was spoiled rotten by her ayah and fakir. They over protected her because her father was always busy with his duties as an officer in the British army and her mother was far too busy with her parties and socializing.....

.... After arriving at the manor she was scuttled off to her room where she met Martha, a sweet and caring house maid. At night the child had trouble sleeping for she kept hearing sounds of someone crying. During her wanderings at night she happened onto her cousin Collin's room. There they met and talked and planed on seeing each other daily. But, their plans were thwarted when Dr. Neville Craven, Archibald's brother and Mrs. Medlock , her uncles brother swore her to NEVER see Collin again... " He was too ill."

Mary was saddend to learn that Collin's mother, Lily, died in childbirth and he was not to live very long and has been bedridden since birth. Collin was just as lonely as Mary and they both had a bit of an 'attitude'.... The scene when they meet is worth the price of a ticket.

Well, you know children. It is universally understood that they will always try to get by and do whatever they WANT to do....

Mary and Collin in the Garden

This Wonderful musical illustrates how two lonely and ignored children bond and turn their lives around by taking charge of their own world. The songs that they sing lift up the hearts of all who are lucky enough to sit in the audience.

Go here to watch an amazing review from the 45th Annual Tony Awards.

Go here for audition dates, times and vocal and actor needs for the roles in the production.

Go Here for Part I
Go Here for Part III
Go Here for Part IV

Enjoy.
Lorrene

Here we go again!!! The Secret Garden Part I

2011-12-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that I absolutely LOVE the theater...live, movies, TV. I am passionate about acting and directing.

Just about 20 years ago I promised myself that I would direct the musical of the children's story The Secret Garden. The musical is based upon the book by Frances Hodgsen Burnett. The story was serialized in 1910 in The American Magazine and published in book form in 1911.

This novel became one of the most prized and read of all children's novels. Did she have any idea that it would become a stage musical and a non-musical movie? I wonder... She died in 1924 without ever knowing how immensely popular her work would become. She published Little Lord Fauntleroy in 1885 and added to her celebrity with A Little Princess which later became a musical too.

In 1991 the musical version of The Secret Garden made it's Broadway debut in New York City in April of 1991. Marsha Norman adapted the book into a musical play and put her twist on it by increasing Mary's role and that of Lily and Archibald. Her writing emphasized the them of love and loss of the book. She subsequently won a Tony for her work: Best Book of a Musical. Lucy Simon (Carly's big sister) wrote the music for the show. She said, "I was very interestedd (in this show) because of course I loved The Secret Garden as a kid, and had read it to my child...So I had a sense of where that (Yorkshire) landscape was...and also being a folk singer, I did a lot of Scottish and Irish and English folk songs." She received a Tony nomination for this show: Best Original Score. She also wrote songs for A My Name Is Alice too. Ahem, I was in A MY Name Will Always Be Alice.

So, you can see that I am so thrilled to be directing this show.

That said, I never read the book as a child. My sister, Lelana, said it was her favorite story when she was little... hmmm? I never saw the book... but then, I love a mystery and jumped right into the Nancy Drew hardbacks.

So, as I write I am finishing up with rounding off my staff. I just need a Properties Director and an Assistant to the Directors.

Oh, and I went to Palo Alto last Wednesday to see an equity production of the show at TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley... Excellent, wonderful, entrancing... and yes, underscored my desire to direct this wonderful and loving show.

More later.

Go here for Audition information
Go here for part II
Go here for part III
Go here for part IV
Go Here for part V

The Joy of Teaching

2011-09-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

I recently got home from teaching my LEGENDS ring channel setting technique in beautiful San Diego. The Alchemy group down there had me fly down on Friday, teach Saturday and on Sunday the lovely Jonna Faulkner took me to the Coronado Island for an art fair. Karen Rood and Stan and Ann Rosier had a booth and did really well in sales.

I shopped too. Fun.

Then Jonna took me to Balboa Park and we went through several museums. At one point she took me to a grassy area and there, before my eyes was a Henry Moore sculpture. I was in art heaven.

Entrance to Balboa Park

The Mingie Museum: Jonna & I flipped over the patterns in the raised glaze.

On Saturday we had eight dedicated metal clayers who wanted to learn a more advanced technique in stone setting. We had an intensive but productive day.

One of my fellow Master Instructors, Maria Martinez, generously offered her services to by my Teachers Assistants for the day. She took the following photos and was an incredible help with everyone.... especially me.

You rock Maria!

Every time I teach a technique my process changes, evolves and improves. Thank goodness! One of my RULES is that my students must teach me something new. I have deepened my metal clay knowledge that way.

How lucky am I?

Getting ready to demo Helping out in the back Ready for finishing

An earlier finished ring.

Quilters: The Collateral Is Done!!!!

2011-01-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received the image of the women actors from the photographer and had to tweak it a bit. It wasn't truly proportional and I had to clone the background and add about an inch at the top. I offered to take the pic..... It is okay though .... I have some issues with it but I won't point them out.

The thing IS.....................................It is finished and off to the printers.

Emailed it this morning. Rah!

and the postcard....

This has been an incredible experience and I loved (most) every minute of it. Now, all I have to do is post the Constant Contact email. It has been finished for a while and is ready to be sent out.

Whew!

... The Almost Final Quilters Collateral

2010-12-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

Whoot Whoot!

The design has been finalized by the director, Chrissie Addison. The only thing left for me to do is to go to a rehearsal and take a new photos of the actors. The last blog version included a picture of the cast that was not indicative of the production's script ... it is truly a lively musical.

Below is the poster ....quasi-finally-finished. I have also completed the Constant Contact email too... that one is also waiting for the new picture.

I've also did the postcard design (below) to be mailed and handed out by the actors and staff. After the cast shot inclusion.

Front. Back

As of this date I have created the show logo, the quarter page fliers for audition notices, a small flier to hand out to the public during parades and such, the background 'ancient paper', the business cards, the Constant Contact email to be sent out and the poster.

Whew! A labor of love, let me tell you.

Something tells me there WILL be more. Chuckle.

So go to www.it-tickets.org The tickets are on sale now and you can choose the seat you want.

...more challenges with the QUILTER'S collateral

2010-12-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

Well, we are now getting down to the wire. Some of you have followed my travails in creating the logo for Quilters, the musical based upon the true stories of pioneer women.

This was designed last spring.

Well, the show has now been cast with delightfully talented women and I cannot WAIT to see the show. But, in the mean time, I've gotten back on my graphics horse and have to have the finished poster done by Friday.... Yikes!

But, yours truly has been pushing herself hard.

One cool thing that the director, Chrissie Addison, wanted was the background of the poster to look like old OLD aged paper. Now how in the heck-aroo will I do that? So me puts on me think'n cap and came up with a novel approach. Take a brown paper grocery shopping bag, crinkle it up a lot and then scan it and tweak it in Photo Shop.

Yesterday I sent her the poster 1 and she sent me back changes. The background was a wave of sepia colors. Today I did the crunched paper bag thing and it took three scans to get what I wanted. At one point I had to iron the center of the paper because it was TOO wrinkled. lol. Today I made the her changes and created two posters. One that I liked and one that she had added a tweak or two.

So here they are. What do YOU think? I think I like them both equally well.
So which ever one she chooses will be fine with me.

Oh, and an added note. We both are not fond of the grim looks on the actors faces. I also didn't like that blob of white in the upper corner. Takes the focus away from the girls. The daughter on the right was way to far to the right and I had to crop her out and move her to the left.
Chrissie's been given the new parameters for the 'happy' photo. Then I can create another logo and the poster will be done. Yea!

The MoJo is BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Oh, my darling Phil...It has taken me over 22 months to get my passion back for my art since you passed out of my life. Oh, I have been a maker of jewelry, that is true. Yet, the excitement, joy, creativity bursts, passion and sheer devotion to my work has been hit or miss. I hadn't had the fervor of needing to be in the studio at all times.

Well, during the El Dorado County Artist's Studio Tour this past September It came back with a thunderous boom. I had a sketch of a ring... even had the some of the parts made and the gemstones living in a glass dish.... for weeks. During the tour I had two other artists that worked in glass join me at my home as guests.

I knew I needed fresh work and did make some wire dangle earrings with beads. But during the tour I showed them and some clients this 'work in progress' and while I was talking I had flashes of insights of techniques I could use to finish the project.

So, after the Tour I sat down opened up some Art Clay Silver and processed the ring three times until it all came together just the way I wanted. Better than I hoped, actually.

I hope the neighbors didn't mind the "whoops", "woots", "yeas" and "wowzers" that came out of my mouth.

The LEGEND SERIES WAS BORN.

The next day I made glass samples and realized that I needed a ceramic form. My good friend Chris Navratil came over and GAVE me some ceramic clay and I then went to town and made a new slump form, fired it and put many layers of kiln was on it. I ground the glass, fire polished and slumped pieces over my new form. I then made new rings from Art Clay and set the glass 'stones' into the rings and fired, polished and took photos.

Happy camper here.

Loooooooog break!

2010-11-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that I haven't written a blog entry since July. My bad.

Living in the incredible Sierrra foothills has been such a blessing. I love the weather, the beautiful sunrises and the people... amazing. The animals are delightful too.

I went out the front door today to get some firewood for my new insert and I frightened off this lovely (and studly) deer. Everytime I surprise him he takes off for a few yards and turns and looks at me. I am awed. Then I get silly and baby-talk him. I like having him around... it is comforting. Crimey... will I ever grow up? I...think...not....!

This afternoon I was heading for the front door again and hesitated..."Is he still here?" I thought. So I peeked out the front window and saw that lovely animal sleeping not five feet away from me. It was getting on to dusk and I shot it through the window. So the pic is pretty bad.

It is such an honor having this beautiful animal trust my home area.
Not to mention he likes my trees that are tasty and hide him from the road.

Here is another shot I took last week.

sigh.....

At night he sleeps across the area and faces the window. He can see me through the picture window ...
and stays there as long as he can stand it.
I am going to put some water out for him tomorrow... if he ever takes off.

And while I am on to photos.... here is a sunrise I caught a few Sundays ago. I remember being in the office using the computer in the mornings and Phil would sit on the side of the bed and call to me, "Hey, Lorrene... look at the sunrise"..... Well after what I saw off my front porch that last Suday morning, I looked to the sky and said, " Hey Phil.... got it honey?"
I like this shot so much I made it into one of my art cards for sale in the Gallery.

From my front porch..... amazing.

I will post some jewelry shots and a tutorial when I get back from Chicago.

A small break in the creative life...

2010-07-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend I get to run away to South Lake Tahoe, stay in the Horizon and go to see Sugarland in concert. I will be on holiday with two other couples. This should be good. I have my son working around the house all weekend ... he is slurrying my driveway... so I cannot be around to walk on it anyway. So, I get to see someone else be creative. I've been listening to their music all week and am jazzed about seeing them in person... albeit probably very far away and they will be very, very, tiny.

Here they are....CLICK.... you won't regret it. ..... "All I wanna do...."

That said, I got to go to our local theater, last night, and watch 'Anne Frank'. It was wonderful. Three of my actor buddies from last December's .Beauty and the Beast' were in the show. Now, just how much fun was THAT? They did get me teary eyed... powerful theater experience.

Got some good news from the California State Fair Fine Arts Division... I got an Award of Merit for my entry called Cologne #3. I will miss the awards ceremony... I will be in Burlingame at a 40th Belly Button party for my nephew - the chef. This should be great.

Cologne #3

On Sunday, the 18th, we will be at the Legion of Honor to see the impressionist work on loan from the Musee' D'orsy... we missed that venue when we were in Paris in 2002.
Then in August I will back at my sis's for a family reunion. Then at the end of August I will have a house sitter here while I join three other couples on the Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska.... Yeah!!!

Wish my Mr. Phil was still around to join me. Sigh.

Then on to Chicago for a Masters Retreat with Art Clay World. In the mean time I need to get my presentation, workshop syllabus and PowerPoint presentation for July 2011 Metal Clay World Conference outside Chicago. They want to get the website ready by the end of next week.

Whew! That's all folks for now. I think.

The Making of Quilters Collateral Part VIII

2010-06-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Things are going a bit faster now that Chrissie and Roger have given the final approval of the logo.

Yesterday I made up a quickie business card, Chrissie gave three suggestions and today I have completed it. Those dratted PhotoShop paths. Haven't done them since 2007. But, it all came back and I created a path around the logo, made an EPS file and loaded it on the sepia (see leather) background and the white around the logo disappeared.

Voila!

Here 'tis.

The 2011 Quilters Musical Show Business Card

Next up for me will be the start of the poster, then the postcards and finally the Constant Contact email about the show.

If you want to see the emailer, let me know at ljd@lorrenedavisdesigns.com - I'll make sure you get a copy.

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART VII

2010-06-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

Next.... tuck the threads of the 'Q' away... good idea. Make them black... better. Make them the same thickness... more of a challenge...

So now we need to have some words around the logo .... lets people know a bit of what the show is about. Now THAT is a very good suggestion...

I sent Chrissie three different views and she and Roger sent me back some minor changes. I did this today and sent it off to them. We'll see ....

The Making of Quilters Logo PART VI

2010-06-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Now we are on to a flier that Chrissie (Madam Director of the winter 2011 musical, Quilters) wanted for the El Dorado County Fair last weekend.

The fair was awesome this year, by the way, the weather was Spring-ish, a light breeze and the chicken display was so incredible. If I knew how to upload photos from my camera I would post them now. LOTs of chicken photos. They can be so beautiful....
don't take my word for it. Go to your county fair this year and check them out.... Okay, okay, on to the Quilters flier.

Chrissie wanted to have some pertinent info on the flier: dates of production, where to get tickets/more information, audition dates, call-back dates and the logo (of course). To keep costs down, she wanted everything in grey scale.

Well, one of the most important facets of the flier and future poster was the font style. The show takes place during the 'westward ho' time of our country and all the fonts during that time were .... well .... old time-y.

In other words BUSY....! Yikes, we want people to read the words, go out and audition or go and see the show. So, I made an administrative decision. Eurostile. It took me quite a while to pick out the right shape 'Q' for the logo in the first place. I was following the sketch that Roger Filippelli (madame director's husband and artist extraordinaire) drew. Then I had made the Q taller in InDesign to allow the faces of the future actors in the show to be inserted. Part of me felt that the font was the least important part of the whole package and HAD to be easily read. ... well, duh?

So, yours truly was exceptionally lucky. Chrissie liked it on the first go round, except for one spelling error. And, I felt that I needed to add the Imagination Theater's website. After those two fixes we had a two sided flier.

What'cha think?

Clarity IS lost when converted to a small dpi image.
Oh, well.... here 'tis.

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART V

2010-06-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Chrissie (The Director of the musical) and I got together again recently and worked on this logo thing-y. She had some really great ideas on how she wanted the pattern to be placed inside the Q. We sat at the computer and came up with a very cool look.

Then she took a gander at the old time-y wagon that I had turned into a sepia tone inside the Q. She had me fade out a bit of the building behind the wagon and - voila! Perfection. The colors look like fabric, the log cabin block pattern is recognizable and the colors are what she chose.

So thus far we have a logo for the show. Until the show is cast.... and then I will be inserting photos of the actors inside the hollow area of the Q.

I am very happy with the whole look.

Next on to a greyscale quarter page flier.....

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART IV

2010-06-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

So, we are still working on this logo... I would like to really get this down soon. Chrissie and I are meeting tomorrow for about an hour to put the finishing touches on the logo. After that we'll play with the rest of the image.

In the mean time .........

I got to run away for a few days to South Lake Tahoe.... our Sacramento Regional polymer guild, Clayville-California had a retreat at the incredible Zephyr Point Conference center. I had four glorious days of making new big bead necklaces and the inspiration was all around us. There is a new African Mud Cloth technique I need to make. A great artist by the name of Kim Swearington from Reno gave a demonstration on her development of this art form. I have already new ideas on how to tweak this technique that will fit my needs as an artist. So..... anyhooo, back to Quilters.

The next review by Chrissie and Roger mentioned that the quilt patches should be larger inside the Q... so that is what I've worked upon. The quilt is no longer 'balanced' because I had evenly spaced the blocks to fill the area in my last post. But, quilts aren't truly perfect ... now are they?

Also, I made the 'cloth' texture deeper. When the logo is reduced to, say business card size, the texture just might still be visible. So here it is so far...

And then I had to play.....

Now off to a Gallery meeting and then dinner.

As usual..... 'nuff for now.

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART III

2010-05-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

So, I got a lovely email from Chrissie and Roger with some comments and ideas about the logo and the changes they would like to see.

I liked what they had to say. It would be cool to have the fabric color in the log cabin patch be patterned like cloth.... but I don't have the fabric to scan and it would take me an incredible amount of time to add art to each of the colors. Then, when the logo is reduced for business cards the image would get muddy. They also wanted the 'blocks' larger and some of them reversed. They noted that the quilt inside of the 'Q' looked more like a plaid... they were right.

Therefore I opted to give it more of a 'heavy' texture in Photoshop. That will disappear too.. but it will look very cool in the poster.

I also took it upon myself to give the 'Q' more height....in hindsight I saw that the sketch had a taller letter. I think this will be good and allow room for the sepia-toned covered wagon that will go in the center. Then later after the show is cast we will have the actor's images inserted for the rest of the collateral that will be passed around.

So, here is the first one with the lighter cloth-like 'texture'. The Q still needs some tweaking... later.

We'll see what they have to say.... I am kind of fond of the changes they made.

The color of the thread will be the main text color... Either Teal, dark brown and/or deep red.
The second logo shown below is with the thicker texture. The only problem with these 'textures' is that they get really muddy when reduced.

That said, I can always use the logo withOUT texture. That would be successful when the work calls for a major reduction in size. So, for now, I am building it for the poster....

Okay, another 4 hours gone.

Again, 'nuff for today.

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART II

2010-05-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Part II

So I took a day off yesterday, finished some beading and then went to the movies with a dear artist friend and saw the chick flick "Letters to Juliette"... the scenery was fantastic. Liked the movie - tho the ending was a bit corny. Makes one want to run, not walk, over to Tuscany and see the sights, drink the wine, taste the cheese and look at all the pretty young men. She came over to my cottage and we had wine and dinner and talked girl talk and yapped about the differences between men and women and if we even wanted to have the angst, heartache, exhilaration and joy of dating again.... but, hey, that is another blog.

This morning I got rejuvenated with my exercise program and decided to jump right back into the designing of the logo for my dear friend and director of the show, Chrissie Addison. She and her artist husband, Roger Filippelli, worked out a sketch of what they wanted and, with some input by me, we came up with a general outline for the poster, business cards and all around collateral for the musical QUILTERS.

I know, I know the show isn't starting until the Winter of 2011, but publicity has already been flowing into the media. We need fliers for audition notices, business cards for the staff and actors, hand-outs for the actors to share with the production dates and most importantly the posters to hang in businesses prior to and during the show.

So you can see by the sketch we have a great idea forming. Then they said for me to go forth and create. How cool is that?

....But have the logo done by the first of June. Well, that's not happening. I do have a pretty good start on it and should have it done by the 8th. Who knows, if she likes it ... then it is done... the logo that is.

In the PART I blog I wrote about how I searched online and found the Log Cabin quilt pattern and incorporated Chrissie's colors she chose. Today was a loooooong process of finding the right Q font to use, change it, arrange the log cabin blocks, add the needle and thread and then go into Photoshop and fill the Q with the 'Log Cabin quilt'. The following image is of the InDesign work that I did.

The next image is what I have come up with so far. I sure hope she likes it... Lots of time and work. Everyone thinks that graphics are easy with Photoshopping and all. But, it DOES take time.The cmyk info is on the page and on all the paint chips from the store. I need to always have the color formulas down pat. I did the same with the Log Cabin block too. Those hues were blended by me to match the color scheme of Chrissie's. All the main text in the work will be in the burgundy color of the thread.

Okay, 'nuff for today.

The Making of a Quilters Logo PART I

2010-05-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

About a month or so ago, a dear friend asked me to work on her production for 2011. Not as an actor (drat) but as the graphic artist to create the collateral for the show.

Anything to be part of a musical production.

Quilters is a lovely musical about a woman, her girls and how they survived and lived on the prairie during the opening up of America. It has the different quilt patches brought out by each one as they sing and talk of they life they are living. At the end of the show a large quilt is raised and it is comprised of all the 'life' patches of the family.

Our community is very involved. The quilting guilds are donating fabric some of which is really old material... some of the cloth is from the actual era that the show is portraying. Others will be making the quilts for the actors to use. It is an exciting production to be involved with, even though it is only as a graphic artist. Sigh.

Okay. If I can stay on top of this blog series I will be taking you through the process of getting a logo made, the poster started, the business cards created and then fliers or postcards to be handed out by the actors, crew and production staff.... should be interesting.

We met a while ago and they gave me their inspiration for the collateral that I will be creating. I was delighted that they gave me some creative license. I asked for:

Deadlines
Color choices for the logo and poster background
How many items are to be produced by me
What quilt pattern was to be the background for the logo

I had a sweet packed of color swatches from The Home Depot delivered to me and today I started. They chose the log cabin pattern and I googled and binged until I found a free pdf outline of the log cabin design. I placed it into Photoshop and did my best to eye up the colors that the director chose. As you see above.

Now on to InDesign to work on the next step.....

Patina Tips and Tricks

2010-03-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

It is CARNIVAL time again!

This Friday's topic is: Patina Tips & Tricks!

Well, I must start this blog off by being completely honest. Patina's are not my 'thing'. So, if you are looking for some amazing techniques.... look at the other blogs at the end of this missive. You will find some amazing artists' teachings on how they get their incredible colors on their work AND how they play with the color levels to achieve their glorious works unique look.

I must confess, though, to being a silver snob. Pure fine silver is the whitest of all the precious metals. Whitest and brightest. Just set a piece of polished fine silver next to a polished platinum work. KaPOW!!!! Hmmm? Amazing. I think this 'elitist' attitude comes from my classical training as a goldsmith/metalsmith. I love the beauty of the materials... so:

WHY HIDE THE INCREDIBLE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE SILVER? Oops! Sorry! I just HATE it when somebody shouts at me... did you hear the passion tho?

I love the shine, the reflectiveness and the brilliance of this noble metal... Period. But, there are pieces that need, no, call out for patina. And that is when the artist in me runs and grabs the torch or liver of sulfur or silver black and plays with the work with an 'intuitive paint brush'.

That said, let me tell you what I do like about the patina effect and share how I achieve the look I like. First off, I love the way patinas can be altered with a simple polishing cloth. After the patina has been applied, I gently rub off the color on the raised areas of the work. This gives a great depth to the jewelry that cannot be achieved with texture alone.

So, I generally use liver of sulfur (LOS) and keep it warm on my warming dish. A coffee warmer pad works well too. I sometimes add a bit of ammonia to the mix too, oh and some table salt. Close by is some ice water and some sodium bicarbonate (Arm and Hammer) diluted in water.First, though, I make sure that my work is finished enough that I could place it in a gallery as is. In other words, it is textured, polished and all stone setting is completed. Then I dip the work into the LOS and pull it out several times until the color has just reached the level of my choosing. Then I quickly dip the work into the Sodium Bicarbonate and then into the ice water. This stoppes the patina process. After it is dry, I then use the polishing cloth to achieve my final look.

Silver Black is just that. One paints it into the areas of choice. Those areas become pitch black.

Torching is also just that. I use a bushy flame on my copper and titanium work to create waves of color.

All in all, I am truly a maker of Shiny work. My ancestors must have kept crows as pets.

Silly me!

...

Do click on the blogs listed below. These artists have incredible work and wonderful tips to share today..

Tonya Davidson
Tamra Gentry
Vickie Hallmark
Elaine Luther
Lora Hart

The Most Technically Difficult Piece I've Made

2010-02-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

It's Carnival Time Again!

This Friday's topic is: What is the most difficult piece you've ever made, from a technical perspective? describe why it was so challenging.

In the Fall of 2008 I wanted to create a competition work of art that was also a celebratory piece honoring my husband's and my thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Of course I didn't start it with lots of time.... nah, I always have to wait until the last moment. So, instead of shipping the work to Chicago for the North American Design competition (NAD) I took it with me when I flew back for a Masters Symposium with Art Clay World.

And no, I didn't win anything in the competition. But that is okay for I enjoyed the process of designing this work AND figuring out the engineering progression of building it so it would wear beautifully. Besides... it was made for our anniversary.

The theme of the competition was Celebration.... So I wanted to have 'streamers' of confetti-like wire working it's way around the silver. This style is technically a variation of a torque. A torque is a neckpiece that wraps around the neck and is solid except for a hinge in the back or front.

The important thing to remember about designing a new work in jewelry is 'how will I make it from the sketch?' or, as I like to call it, reverse engineering. I like to draw out a work and then make a list to the side charting out what I have to do to build the work and in what order should they be done. This prevents the bad oral verbage when this artist finds out she cannot do a particular process because it was not planned properly.

Okay, that said, I bent some 12 gauge argentium wire to fit my neck and shoulders, Wrapped two layers of argentium 18 wire in a celebratory manner around the 12 gauge. I started and stopped the latter wire at the areas where the clasp and hinges were to be located. I then fired the work for a short time to get the copper (Cu) to the surface of the argentium. Argentium has very little Cu in its alloy in relation to standard sterling silver. Instead of the full amount of Cu the metallurgists added germanium to the mix. When the argentium is heated and the Cu removed the germanium and fine silver are on the surface of the wire and the tarnishing factor of the metal is then reduced greatly. I removed the Cu firescale by boiling the piece in white vinegar. I am not a fan of Sparex (very caustic acid).

After cutting the work into two half circles I created a hinge for the back of the neck using fine silver tubing and added quartz crystal beads to the hinge ends instead of riveting. It is much more feminine that way. Then I created a hook on one end of the front wire. This became a gravity clasp. I spent the most time on this portion because I didn't want to have it open on me when I wore it. Then I created the shield in metal clay from Art Clay World that was to hold both mine and my husbands birthstones. The back of this shield element is as decorative as the front. And the 'hook' from the other wire fit onto a specially constructed area in the back of the shield.

I added three diamonds to the work as well as the small peridots. Any three things in my life be they flowers, stones, fingers or dots signify I LOVE YOU. All stones were fired in place ... except the amethyst, it was set post firing. To make the work more exciting I covered several areas of the 'confetti' with Art Clay Silver Overlay Paste and then added droplets of paste clay. This way the wire is not just wrapped around the 12 gauge but also has a small and very subtle 'texture'. One who works with metal clay can understand that this work went through many, many firings. The last element I added was a quartz briolette to dangle off the end of the shield. This signified our quest to find our higher spiritual self that we began in the 1980's.

I finished it at the end of October, went to Chicago, then we madly packed for our European trip, we left on November 20th and he passed out of my life on December 5th.

I have never worn it.

I don't think I can.

But, it sits in my studio as a reminder of our wonderful life together and his incredible support of anything I did with the metal clay, polymer clay. live theater or any jewelry I created.

...

Do visit the following artist's blogs and see what they have to say on this subject.

Andes Cruz
Lora Hart
Tonya Davidson
Tamra Gentry
Vickie Hallmark
Elaine Luther
Angela badude-Crispin

Treasured Jewelry Item That Is Not My Design.

2010-01-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

It is Carnival Time Again!

This January, the topic is: ”What is your most treasured piece of jewelry that you personally own, that is not your own personally created work?”

We are a group of jewelry artists working in various mediums who have chosen different topics to write on as a group.This event takes place about the same time each month. Why not visit the other artists listed below the following blog.

After I became a goldsmith (1988) and we had a gallery of jewelry and fine art, I arranged to have classes every now and then in the studio portion of our gallery. In 1996 I took a class at the Revere Academy in Metal Clay and then had a polymer clay artist give a workshop in our gallery. I became instantly addicted to BOTH clays. I became obsessed with both mediums and buried myself in the education and creation of new work. Then after a bit I gave workshops in both clays in our gallery.

Being in the art jewelry business, one of my favorite magazines (and still is) is Ornament. It is comprised of many beautiful articles on what artists are doing to ornament our bodies with various forms of jewelry and textile art. I have kept my treasured Ornament that featured the incredible work of Kathleen Dustin. I am smitten with here original, artful and feminine creations.

Our local (Sacramento Region) polymer guild has had her make the trek from the East Coast to Sacramento for two wonderful workshops. Can you guess that I attended both?

Well, I HAD to buy a pin/brooch from her. This is my favorite work. It is colorful, sensual, tactile, translucent and a balanced work of art. She is also a very grounded and 'real' person. One wants to be her friend because she is what she is. She has no 'star' persona in her aura. No elitist attitude. Just Kathleen. Yet, she is truly a star in the polymer clay community... by artists as well as collectors.

What a talent.

Do visit the following blogs and see what they have to say on this subject.

Andes Cruz
Lora Hart
Tonya Davidson
Tamra Culp
Vickie Hallmark
Elaine Luther

Annoying mis-use of jewelry terms!

2009-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

It is Carnival Time Again!!!

Today's post is on the subject: Which mis-use of a jewelry term most annoys you?

In metal clay it is the term 'Leather Hard'... Hmm? When I think of leather hard I think of supple suede or a fine calfskin jacket or maybe a pigskin purse. I don't think of it as dry. Up until I later learned that it meant bone dry I had always felt that the clay needed some moisture in it to work at the 'leather hard' stage. I am a classically trained goldsmith and the leather hard meant nothing to me. Also, I worked with ceramic clays years ago and felt that greenware was a better term: Dry but not fired. We don't fire leather.

In jewelry sales the term 'Semi Precious' can drive me up a wall. When I was taking gemstone workshops at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, in San Francisco, the instructor/appraiser made one simple statement that said it all. She said, "If a fine Paraiba tourmaline costs two to three times as a comparably sized diamond, how can one call it semi-precious?" It really is relative to the value of the stone not the beauty. I have seen amazing peridots that were finer looking than, say, a sapphire. Please, do NOT use the term semi-precious in my presence.

Really. Don't.

In polymer clay it is the term 'Faux'. A lot of the artists say, faux ivory, faux turquoises. It gives the buyer the impression that the jewelry has a 'lesser value' because 'it isn't real'. How about polymer coral or polymer lapis lazuli. It says the artist was able to create the look of of fine jade ... and what an amazing talent that is.

See what these other talented jewelry artists have to say on this subject.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baduel-Crispin
Andes Cruz
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther
Marco Fleseri

Snowed in by Freak Storm

2009-12-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

The above photos were take a bit ago. Yesterday I couldn't see any green. All the trees were weighed down with snow. Most of the power problem arose from the snow breaking tree limbs or the limbs weighing down on the power lines.

So.......

I have been out of communications for the last day and this am.... except for calling PG&E to find out when I'd get power. It went off at 5am yesterday and just came on at 9am. I tried not to make too many cell phone calls... the only way to charge it is to sit in the car for over an hour with the engine running. So, no calls except to PG&E... over, and over and over...

To say I was freezing and on the pity-pot is an understatement. My sweet son called me to see if I needed him... Oh yes... All I wanted to do is get more candles and something warm into my tummy. He shoveled snow off of the lower driveway and took me to Walmart... the only place open. The upper end of the driveway is closed due to tree branches weighed down with snow. Main Street was dark as well as most of the county. He brought me a camp stove so I could heat some tea up or food but neglected to teach me how to use it...or, I forgot to ask. I wore just about every warm item of clothing and two, yes two, hats to bed. I was pretty toasty warm during the night... also, I downed two Tylenol PM's to make sure I slept soundly. The cold can keep a person awake.

Whoops. Power went out again at about 9:30... It just came back on at 2pm. Shari Anger called me on my cell and offered me a room at her Inn tonight if it goes out again. I just happened to check in with PG&E at about 12:30 and a canned message said there were no outages in our area. So I waited for a person, and wouldn't you know it, there were only three homes IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY without power. Ah, gotta love that Murphy.

So, I have been bundled up, burning tons of candles to raise the indoor temperature from 48 degrees to 52 degrees.... hey, a little heat goes a long way. I still cannot drive down the road because of the visual and black ice.

Now I just have to wait for the water to heat up for a blessed shower.

So, I am okay.... this is to let you know that the drama is over.... I hope.

Most Precious Jewelry

2009-10-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

It is Carnival Time Again!

This months topic is:
Out of all the pieces I've created, which one means the most to me and why? (i.e., technical achievement, most beautiful, personal/emotional significance, etc.)

Well this one is, hands down, easy. First of all, I have the BEST sister in the entire universe. Lelana is, and always has been, the wind beneath my wings. Always supporting me in every creative endeavor, emotional highs and lows, taking care of our dear mother and just plain loving me. What more can one ask in a sibling? She has always treated me as a dear friend .... even had me go to Hawaii with her and her best friend, Patty, just after I graduated from high school. She had a year of teaching under her belt and took a very naive 17 year old on a major vacation... moi. That is my sweet sis.

That said. A while back she was diagnosed with breast cancer..... it shocked us all. Nowhere is that nasty, horrible disease in our family lines. We were blown away! She had surgery and radiation and the docs said they got it all and that it was a slow grower. She must have had it for years. What a blessed relief that she is cured. I don't know what I'd do without her in my life.

So, the first thing I did was to create 'SISTERS' pendants. It was an emotional and loving process that consumed me for days. I had just learned how to fuse glass several months before and decided to use the very same glass in each of our pendants. I took the glass and cut it and layered the pieces and then fused them . Then I ground the glass into shapes I liked and then fire polished them both. The next step was to make pure fine silver pendants for the glass.

And so.....

Wouldn't you know that they are the same but different.... just like us. GRIN

Do visit these very talented artist's blogs to fine what they wrote on this topic.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baduel-Crispin

Vickie Hallmark

Andes Cruz
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther
Marco Fleseri

Tod Pardon

Jewel Carnival again!

2009-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

We are a group of jewelry artists working in various mediums who have chosen different topics to write on as a group.This event takes place about the same time each month. Why not visit the other artists listed below the following blog.

So just what is it that inspires me to be designing and working with jewelry? What excites me about it to create a new item?

Well, I do like working with small sculptures. Really small sculptures.....

What is that saying that seems to always work in many circumstances?
It Is What It Is....

How can I actually say what motivates me? Is it the ache to be creative? Is it the joy of working in a craft that I love? How about the passion of being a maker of art?

How about all of the above...? How about just MakingDoingGetting the Hands Moving?

When I am inspired by a new technique, sketch, vision, person, color, shape or form.. or whatever it is that tickles that spot in my essence that says, "Go Forth And Make!!!"

Well, yup! That too.

In spite of the verbage above, I have to admit that all I have to do is sit down around my art materials and the designs pop out on the drawing pad. Since I work mainly in my two clay mediums of choice: Polymer and metal clay, the working design will 'tell' me which material to use.

Then I make ...
.

Do visit these other, incredibly talented artists and read what they have to say on this subject.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baduel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther
Marco Fleseri

Tops In Blue - Extraordinary Performance

2009-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Tops in Entertainment on Labor Day!

My friend Chris and I went to the California State Fair last night to look at the fine art exhibit and to watch a concert by the Air Forces' amazing entertainers, Tops in Blue. They are active service members who auditioned and got accepted into what the Force calls their Expeditionary Entertainers. They put on shows for service members and their families, Coalition partners and audiences around the globe.

This has been going on for 56 years and it is the first time I have ever heard of them or seen them. Amazing.

This high impact, high energy event kept me smiling and my toes tapping. The discipline and training of their rehearsals show in every hand movement, dance numbers and vocalization. I was astounded at the talent and precision of very person on and off the stage. They also liked to come into the audience to flirt with and engage everyone watching the show. And the spectators loved every minute of it.

Yes I did.

Normally I am put off a bit by too much choreography: too much hands, arms and feet. But, these entertainers were consistent throughout the show. Their vigor and enthusiasm was engaging and so it worked in this venue. This group never let up for a moment. Always in sync.... Always. If you'd like to hear a bit more about them click here. There is also a great documentary to watch here.

There are a lot of YouTube, Tops In Blue, videos available on line. Most of them are pretty fuzzy and have poor sound quality. But, I spent a bit of time on this today to share with you. I lucked out and found a bit from the 2009 tour. Click here for clear video and good sound. We got to see this number last night.

Enjoy!

Now, back to making jewelry for the Art Tour.

Jewel Carnival again! Inspiration: design to completion

2009-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the August edition
of Jewelry Blog Carnival.

August: Inspiration from the design
to the finished work.

"Where do I begin?

Hmmm? Isn't that what a lot of us makers think just before we start? Or, are a lot of you so visual that you can just jump right in and flow from A to Z in your work without a left-brained moment? Does it just flow through you as a river:bending and unresisting yet becoming a force that moves rather than is moved? Or are you sketching and erasing and putting tracing paper down over old designs and using the base design to create new, with more and more tracing paper and more designs. And, of course never throwing any of the rough copies away? Then listing the pieces and parts, ordering what you don't have, finding what you do have and having it all in front of you as a, say, one-of-a-kind production set up.

Do you do that?

Oh, and what is it that inspires you or me in the first place? A sunset, a first dawn flash of light on a mountain just before sunrise, the core of a freshly sawn tree stump, the movement of water during a storm or the incredible light in your mates eyes? The world is our inspiration for our art. It can be beautiful or beastly. From Monet's sweet impressionistic landscapes to Goya's tormented black and whites of war torn bodies. Or maybe a fellow artist taught you a technique that brought out a new passion in your soul to create.... even if only for this moment in time or for many moments if this new fervor becomes your permanent 'voice in art'.

This artist uses ALL of the above. Simply put I am inspired by a vision: be it internal or external. I then sketch it out and begin the process of being a maker of art. I forgive myself if it doesn't turn out exactly as the drawing because art is a moment in time. The time of SKETCHING is gone forever but the PROCESS of being artful is ever changing. When I sing in a musical on stage... my moment changes. The basic story of the song is the same (sketch) but the emotional impact of an evening performance is ethereal to my space and time (process). The art of production in my work below is ever changing..... each earring in a set doesn't match exactly. This is what I am doing now... what could it be tomorrow? I'll just have to wait and see.

Art like love is always in motion and ever changing... and isn't that grand?

August 2009: Batik earring series: Polymer, sterling, niobium, alcohol inks
Gold Country Artists Gallery, Placerville, CA.

Please visit these incredible artist listed below. Click on their names and go see what inspires them from beginning to end.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther

July Carnival - DEADLINES: how do I feel about them?

2009-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Jewlery Carnival Blog for July

Deadlines:are they a necessary evil or something I left behind in school?

Well this could be a rant, or a rave. Years ago my mother told me never to hate. Good words to live by.... so, okay I STRONGLY dislike deadlines.... But, again, there is the ying yang catch-aroo here. I have to have deadlines or I'd never get anything done. I'd make jewelry, play solitaire on the computer, chat with my friends on-line or on the phone. Oh, and I like to watch the free movies on Comcast or watch the wild finches feast at my feeder... well, you see the picture here, now don't you?

Sometimes even deadlines cannot get me going. I really need to be motivated. Like with jewelry repair... I absolutely do not do repairs anymore... oh, except I DO barter with my hairdresser. Even then, it is so very hard for me to get started. We had to do it all the time when we had our jewelry/gallery business. After eleven years I was/am totally burned out. I'm sorry mom, I hate jewelry repair. Problem is, I am pretty good at it. Sheesh!

Honestly, I LOVE deadlines. My life flows at an even, calm and purposeful pace with them. You see the ying yang thing-y, now don't you. When I have deadlines for ANYTHING, I actually accomplish the deeds I have set out to do.

Like with the two events this month in the Chicago area. The International Polymer Clay Association's (IPCA) Retreat with the Metal Clay World Conference (MCWC) happening at the same hotel on the heels of the first. I have volunteered to help and demonstrate at the IPCA and at the MCWC I will be teaching a pre-conference workshop and then will present a seminar on three days during the conference.

Without deadlines to prepare for these happenings, I would be lost and VERY embarrassed.

Yup, ying - yang, love - hate: deadlines have it all.

Check out these other marvelous artist's blogs on the very same subject:

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther

Jewel Carnival again! My Most Influential Historical Metalsmith.

2009-06-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, my Gosh.... Ever since I was at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Fransisco I have been in love with the art and beauty of Henry Dunay's jewelry designs.

And he is STILL creating.

Not only is his work MAJOR EYE CANDY, it is crafted by his skilled goldsmiths... working to create his designs. While I was learning the basics of becoming a goldsmith, I learned to appreciate the intricacies of the designs.

My work has always had a bent towards the abstract and 'edgy' as a friend says. But that doesn't mean I cannot enjoy and be impressed by the fluidity, grace and feminine essence of his work.

Now, one must wonder, " How are you influenced by his work, it is not at all like yours?"

Easy answer: Finish. Completion. Balance without being static. Love of gemstones, texture on metal and always keeping the wearer in mind.

Henry Dunay, you rock!

Don't forget to visit these other fine artists and see what THEY have to say on the subject.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tod Pardon
Tamra Gentry
Elaine Luther

Jewel Carnival Blog time... Again!

2009-05-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

Who was my most influential metal artist or teacher?

Many MANY teachers and artists' have jump-started my art life. Many... far too many.

But far and away it is Carolyn Morris Bach.

I have loved her work since I saw my first Piece of
Art Jewelry in the late 1980's. What impressed me the most was the clean simplicity of her work, the balanced artistry and the whimsy she delectably adds to each piece.

She IS my hero of art jewelry.

Sadly, I have never purchased her work, nor I have ever met her or taken a workshop from her. I just have to clean the drool off of magazines with her work featured or in ads. Ornament is great place to see her artfulness.

Bach's work never ceases to amaze me, delight me and inspire the muse in me to create new work. To be a maker without a thought if it would be 'saleable' or not. Without talking to her or studying her words on her work, I have learned the most valuable lesson in my art life: To make what comes from my spirit without fear of criticism. To be able to show my soul in my work for the pure joy of the process. This is what I have cultured from studying her art. And it IS fine.

Take a walk through her web pages... but start here with a review of her work by the Patina Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. You will be so delighted... Don't be surprised if you to try and purchase one of her works of art.

Then browse through these other blogs on the same subject of teacher/artist. You will love this Carnival Friday and so have I.

Tonya Davidson
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tod Pardon
Tamra Gentry
Marco Fleseri

Jewel Carnival Blog for April

2009-04-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

It is Jewel Carnival Time again!
What is my Favorite Technique?

Now, this is a very difficult topic to write about. I have SO MANY techniques that I absolutely love. Really. So instead of blogging on my FAVORITE technique, I will make it the plural.

TECHNIQUES.

Keum Boo.

Impressing stamps.

Carving out negative space

setting stones

Making bails.

Okay and my fondness is not necessarily in the above order. I love Keum Boo because it adds not only a contrasting color of 24 karat gold to the design, but it brings a warmth to the work. Keum boo, simply put, is adding 24 or 23 karat gold FOIL, not leaf, to very hot fine silver. At that point a burnishing tool is rubbed over the gold to marry the metals. When the piece has cooled down the whole work can be burnished again or put into a tumbler with steel shot and a bit of soapy water to burnish the entire jewelry. If the Keum Boo process has been done properly, then the gold will not come off. Tumbling, by the way, is a very good test to make sure the bond is perfect.

I don't just impress commercially purchased stamps into the wet metal clay, I prefer to make my own stamps. I use a Photo Polymer plate to make my own stamps, or I carve into polymer clay, erasers, stamp blanks or I impress Castaldo(tm) molding compound with unusual textures.... such as leaves, rocks or even my grasses. The stamping process gives all of my work a one-of-a-kind essence.

Another technique that is a fav of mine is carving out negative space. The piece above was pierced in the greenware state. The stamp is called Bamboo and I got it from Donna Kato's site. Prairie Craft. I will gaze at the design and then mark the areas to be removed with a Sharpie pen(tm). Then a small drill bit is placed in a pin vise and carefully drilled out. Next I insert a jewelers saw blade through the hole and cut out that marked area. After that I love to file, carve and sand to my heart's content to make the area look perfect.

Setting stones is just a flat-out given. I even wrote a book on a lot of different ways to set stones. Click on my website and you can even see a page. Well, okay, click here to see a sample page.

Making bails is a joy to me because it is so easy. My preference is for a curved hollow addition to the top of my pendants. This is what the neck chain will pass through to hold the pendant. I first started out by pasting many layers of slip over small curved branches and after the kiln process was done, the wood burned out and an unusually textured bail was created. I wrote a tutorial for this technique in the April 2004 issue of Lapidary Journal. But now I use the Makin's Extruder with the Hollow Core Adaptors to push out a looooong hollow tubing. Then I cut them into differing lengths,. Then when dry I sand and burnish them and store them in to an Altoids(tm) tin that is lined. This way I have a bail ready at the moment of inspiration. I have a tutorial in my gem setting book on this process. These adaptors can be purchased on line with a lot of sellers. Just google for merchants.

So, I cannot say I have just one technique that is my fav. I have tons too for polymer clay

This Summer I will be giving a one hour seminar on each of the three days of the Metal Clay World Conference in Chicago. The topic will be Bench Tricks for Metal Clayers. This is going to be a great event with a lot of wonderful presentations, pre-conference workshops and meeting and greeting many artist friends. I will be there the days before for the International Polymer Clay Association's Retreat too.

Whew!

Go visit our other Jewel Carnival Bloggers below to find their favorite techniques.
Tonya Davidson
Elaine Luther
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart
Tamra Gentry
Marco Fleseri

So you want to be in community theater....?

2009-04-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Click on images to enlarge

So, after a lot of my friends 'urged' me to get back into theater.... for therapy.... I auditioned last weekend.

Our local community group, Imagingation Theater!,had auditions for the musical Beauty and the Beast. And to get my self prepared - I hadn't tried out for a show in ??? years, I called on my dear friend and acting/vocal coach, Chrissie Addison. She had directed me in Fiddler... what, almost 30 years ago? All my recent shows with my drama mama's had been pretty much pre-cast, so this was going to be a 'new' adventure. We set up three one hour coaching sessions and she worked me gently but firmly.... " T's & D's at the end of words.... don't wrinkle your brows (when singing the higher notes)....find the purpose of each scene... why are you there?"... Oh I could go on. She gave me a gazillion discs to take home to listen to and practice to.... a lot. Well, I didn't do it a lot because of the redecorating I have been doing to my home. I am having new front and back doors installed as I write. So, I just practiced my audition song and Mrs. Pott's solo ... over and over. Over and over. And I remembered the final consonants, thank you very much.

By she way she is fabulous. I recommend her to all for general vocal and acting classes. She is doing it full time now. Also, she is one of the best directors I've had. She directed us drama mama's in "... A My Name is Always Alice".... go see that one if you get a chance. It is an incredible ensemble show about women...

So, Saturday morning I showed up at 8:45 in the morning for auditions... let me tell you it was a
cattle call. I was number 58 and I think there were over 70 people auditioning. It was freezing in the theater but I immensely enjoyed watching all the nervous Nellie's and Normans up on stage risking it all for the love of trodding the boards. There was a four year old... he was so cute I almost cried. Yours truly didn't get to sing until after 1 pm!!!! And then he didn't let me finish my song...Yikes! The director had me read the part of the Wardrobe a lot and it IS a funny role... We danced and read parts all afternoon and I didn't get home until after 4pm..... Sheesh! What a long day. I was so tired that I ate junk food and fell asleep in front of the TV... several times. I was so zonked that I was thinking about not doing this ... this silly thing called theater. Then, about 8 pm, I went online and read the call call backs... cool! My name was there. "Show up to call-backs at one pm on Sunday." I called Chrissie and we talked for a long time and she pretty much wanted me to sleep on it.

I did. Then my N.Y. friend, Debby Kirkwood wrote me the clincher.... basically she said that it shouldn't really matter what part I got. Just so I was busy during the Holidays next Winter. My dearest friend/therapist, Ellen Mechling agreed. She was more excited about the call backs than I was... Wow!

That was the clincher. I went to Call-Backs with an incredible attitude. That - what would be ... should be. And had so much fun reading the parts. The director, Peter Wolf, (no kidding!) was very inspiring and creative. Made me want to be in the show even more. So we worked our little tushes off for about three hours. Then they had us wait around to about 5pm for the cast list to be posted. Peter wanted to talk to the cast right away... so we stayed and hung out for about an hour.

You can call me Mrs. Potts! Huzzah! She has the lovely song, 'Beauty and the Beast' that is sung as the two young leads dance for the first time. Very romantic.... sigh. This was a very nice thing to take place yesterday. It was the four month anniversary of my sweet Phil's passing. I met another auditioner who lost her husband in December too.... we had some talk time. Click Here is the final cast list.

We have our read through on April 20th and rehearsals start in earnest in July. We were told that we had to be off book at the start of practice. This is going to be a new thing for me. I normally learn my lines best along with the blocking. My movement is the motivation for the lines and the lines are motivation for my movement. But, some actors do push the limit by not getting their lines down, so I can understand why he has this in the schedule.

o, with the Metal Clay World Conference coming up in July in Chicago and rehearsals right after... I am going to be pretty darn busy. Jackie Truty, the head woman, chief, top honcho, president,major inspirer-er at Art Clay World wants us to sing a duet together.... it WOULD be fun to do that at the conference. Hint - hint Jackie. She has done a ton of theater too. We'll see. Double dare you Jackie... lol!

I am going to use this blog to be a little journal of my theater journey. I will try and grab some images during rehearsal and post them. If you would like to get the updates... just sign on to receive the blogs as I write them.

Oh, don't forget to feed the fish and to tell me to 'break a leg'.

What was your biggest mistake or worst workbench disaster?

2009-03-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

It is Jewel blog time again...

Hmmmm? “What was my biggest mistake or worst workbench disaster?”

Oh, that is easy. Way back in the early ‘90s we were struggling to make ends meet. The recession was in full force and I was doing custom and repair work, running the gallery, posting sales and inventory and trying to keep up with the paperwork. My sweet Phil was delivering the Sacramento Bee newspaper in the wee hours of the morning to help keep us in the black. At one point I broke my ankle… went back to work the same day. There was no one to work the gallery but moi.

We were a young business at only 3 to 4 years old and had a very small space to work. It is very hard to start a jewelry store/gallery. The jewelry is what brings in the rent money and most people are VERY loyal to the store they have been supporting for years. So, they need to be unhappy enough to search out a new place or have moved into the area and need a new brick and mortar to repair their jewelry or to purchase new.

We had a great client who brought in a ring to be sized. Oh my gosh it was beautiful. It was a 14k gold and hand fabricated. It was very ornate band with a bed of pansies carved and soldered into place. I have never seen one before or since. It was fabulous. I was thinking at the time that it was made in Germany or somewhere else in Europe. It was beyond beautiful and had a craftsmanship to die for.

I had a very cool system for bringing in repair work…. But that time it didn’t work. I was starting to get more business than I could handle and so the paperwork suffered too. I was to enter stuff on the computer and then file the work in chronological order for repair, custom or catalog sales. I sometimes slept overnight on the floor because I was working so late and we didn’t live in the community where the gallery was located.

You guessed it. I lost the ring. I spent more hours than I can imagine looking for it. Even when we moved into a larger space in ’94 I kept my eyes out for that amazing ring. So, I figured that, during one of my, “Let me get this paperwork cleaned up” stages that it inadvertently got into the garbage. My client was so understanding. I had put a huge value on the ring and she took the cost of the jewelry out in trade: more repair and many pieces of jewelry. I was so fortunate she didn’t want the cash.

My biggest lesson was to 1) have my garbage cans with covers 2) never have the latter near my office nor bench work area. Needless to say, it never happened again. But, wow, was I ever humiliated and embarrassed. Just thinking about telling her was pure agony.

Oh, yes, that was my biggest mistake EVER.

Do visit these other wonderful artists and read what their bench disaster was... they are very interesting.

Tonya Davidson
Elaine Luther
Kirsten Skiles
Angela Baudel-Crispin
Lora Hart

Marco Fleseri

Tamra Gentry

Chris Parry

Creativity, is it finite?

2009-03-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

In my world it is. During the time when we had our gallery I was making jewelry and running the business. My sweet Phil was a major player in the business once we had started bringing in enough money to keep us alive. He was marvelous…. And he was too cute as a salesman. All the women and men just adored him. Sigh.

During this time I pretty much was the administrator of the gallery and the chief goldsmith and salesperson. We had an incredible staff and the store was a fun place to work and visit and play. We were in a new community and our gallery was kind of THE place in town. We had clients bring in their families during the holidays… as if we were Disneyland.

Click on the image to see my new head shot page for auditions.

My community theater adventures were limited to three in those eleven years of entrepreneur-ship. I did notice, however, that when I was in rehearsals, my creativity in jewelry went downhill fast. I really had to work on staying grounded when working with a client on custom orders. It was hard.

So, in my case I know it is finite.

That said, I haven’t made a new piece of jewelry since before Phil and I left for Europe last November. I have felt the creative juices flowing during my classes I have taught, but have made none. Right now I am painting the insides of our…my home and redecorating. Also, many of my friends have been urging, no insisting that I get involved with theater again. So, I have signed up for three audition/singing workshops with my good friend Chrissie Addison to prepare for an early April tryout. The show is “Beauty and the Beast” and I would like the part of Mrs. Potts – the teapot. Rehearsals do not start until summer and the show would take place during the holidays.

That will be a hard time for me without my darling Phil. So, I am hoping that I do get cast so Thanksgiving and Christmas won’t be so hard.

That said, I am keeping the option open that I might not audition, but if I do, I will be prepared.

So, yours truly is keeping my options open on the future. And will see if my jewelry/theater creativity can survive while not working 9 to 5. Here is hoping that it is not finite now.

Jewel Carnival again! Rituals!!

2009-02-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

Some of rituals I do before starting work on any project is cleaning, organizing the tools of workspace and pulling together the parts of new design I have in mind. It goes without saying that I start with a sketch. That is the way I work. Now, that is not to say that during the creative process the design won't change.... no, no, I would never avow to that......

The cleaning is to rid the area of any metal filings, polymer bits and other material scrap that could ruin the integrity of the piece. It also cleans my mind and relaxes me. It is like wrapping a Christmas present... just getting it all ready to open my consciousness to creativity. No junk to distract the PROCESS. And I am distracted easily.

When I am organizing the tools for the new jewelry, I am assuring myself that all is at hand. Nothing can frustrate me more than watching the metal clay dry while I look for a tool..... now where did I put it. Also works with the polymer clay.... looking for a tool will distract me...

Pulling together the parts of the work will allow me to see if I need to order anything. Say, the stones, more clay.... anything. Wow, that is a distraction... walk to the office to get the order form, see the mess on the desk, start to clean up the desktop so I can write, pick up the phone to order and a dear friend is already on it.... two hours now gone.....! Did I say I was easily distracted?

With all in the ready, I put on my I pod with classical or new age music. I love to sing and if I know the words... well, you know the rest. So with out ANOTHER distraction, I can lose myself in the creative process and let the time and the art carry me away.

And that is the Best of All Possible Worlds.

Lorrene,

Go and visit our other wonderful bloggers:

Tonya Davidson

Elaine Luther

Kirsten Skiles

Angela Baudel-Crispin

Lora Hart
Marco Fleseri
Tamra Gentry

I am almost back!

2009-02-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday the 13th everyone. This will be my first Valentine's Day tomorrow with out my Phil... so I mailed cards to my kids instead. Yours truly is getting back to her old self. The sadness won't all go away, not just yet - if ever... it just gets easier.

On monday I went to my Sacramento Area polymer clay guild... Clayville-California, and watched a demo by Victoria James. That started getting the creative juices going. I have an idea for some salt and pepper shakers. I will post as soon as the are made.

My friend Sonja Patel came by yesterday to put the photos we had on display at Phil's service in a scrapbook. She got about half done. I was picking up and arranging my studio at the same time. I have a Level I Art Clay Certification February 27, 28 and March 1. Then the next Saturday the 7th I have an introductory workshop set up.

Both workshops are nearly full. I just know that teaching will get me excited about creating again.

I have done nothing since November.... no ideas, not a single piece of work. It is very okay... it is more important to get the paperwork in order and things done around the house that Phil used to do. Derek (my son) has been a rock and has helped me immensely. So, I will post some very old work. I taught the above project at the 2006 Bead and Button show in Milwaukee, WI. It is a hollow box with a positive and negative stamp I made from a photo polymer sheet.

Next week our Jewel Carnival will be posting again and I will join them. Haven't done so since November.

Oh, and don't forget to feed my fish.... click on the water and the fish will come and feed. Hover your mouse over the water and they will gather around and 'beg' for food.

Glad to be posting again.

Lorrene

Robert Scott (Gram) Jackson

2009-01-15T08:43:00.001-08:00

This has been a very sad time for the Davis-Jackson family. As most of you know, my darling Philip passed from our lives on December 5, 2008. Now, my Dana-girl daughter's husband has finally lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed from our lives around one in the morning on Monday the 12TH.

This man was full of life and loved our daughter with a passion that few experience. He was brilliant and loved his life. The previous summer (2007) he finished with a major remodeling project on his home. He prepared everything to protect the love of his life.... my Dana.

He will be missed.... greatly. My son, Derek, said that Gram was like another dad to him. We are all grieving and taking just one step, just one day at a time.

Now Dana and I will share with each other the challenge of living without our soul-mates. This will be difficult but therapeutic. I just wanted to post to all that he was a wonderful man and it is a crying shame he is no longer with us in the flesh.

We know that Phil and Gram are with us in spirit and that comforts us.

One More Time for Philip Edward Davis

2008-12-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here he is with his out of breath, side holding laugh.

Below are the words I said at his memorial service on Saturday the 20th. Sandy Peirce held her hand at my back to give me strength.

Phil, my love, my rock, by stabilizer…my honey.

You were the light of my life
I will look no further.

You were a son to be proud of, watching over your dear
Mother and pappy with a true son’s love.
Caring, shopping, loving… just being there for them.
You even helped build our home. Your parents home. You told me you were using a pick axe on the quartz rock in the back while a teenager. You got to a point where you told Pappy you could go no further. He said, “Well, we’re done then.”
So the back concrete patio has always been stepped. Then, later, you got to watch your son, Derek, build a deck to finish that area off. The circle was completed.

You were a father-in-law so grateful that your daughter, Dana, was protected, loved and deeply cared for in a strong relationship.
You were a son-in-law to my parents that made them proud.
They knew that you loved me deeply…. And that was all that mattered.
You were a ‘tough love’ grandfather to your Ben.

You could apologize. Much better than me. What a man.
What a strong man.

You were always studying your spirituality… growing learning and
Sharing. Politics, the world situations and 2012 were always at the forefront. And you would talk to a post if you thought it would help.

The kids,
They will always be the kids. Thank you for my children.
They were the light of your life… our lives. You loved them
With a fathers heart that would get mad at them
When they erred or you burst with joy on their successes.
Your love for them was pure and innocent.
If your grandson, Ben, tries to attain your goodness,
Even if it is only halfway, he will be a raging success.

Your innocence, your childlike love
Of everyone and everything.
You pointed out the rainbows to me,
The aspen in the fall, the snow capped Sierras.
The robins on the toyon, the bossy blue jays,
Even the barking squirrels. You would pull me away from the computer to watch the morning sunrise.
You shared your spirituality with me and all who cared.

Oh, you will be missed.

Friendship.
You made friends so fast and easily that it made my head spin.
Anyone who was lucky enough to be your friend knew it. They really knew it. Your face would light up with a smile
So bright when you would set eyes upon them.… they felt your warmth
Surround them with pure love. They could hear it on the phone.
They loved you so much they would tease you and
Pick on you…. And you would love it and giggle or give it right back.
You would laugh so hard you would hold your sides and run out of
Breath. I loved tickling you to that point.

I will miss your old hands, your telling me you were
The ugliest man in all of El Dorado County. I will miss
Us holding hands in movies, walking down the streets of
Placerville, Killarney, Ireland…and the cobbled alleys of Barcelona. How you protected me at every moment in our lives.
How we would fight and make up.
No matter how loud we shouted…. It was because we cared.

You hated it when I told you you were cute.
You were an awesome sculptor who made what you wanted,
And stopped when you didn’t want to do it anymore. I treasure our
Stonework you made.

I will miss your unadulterated joy on the high rough waters
of a Mediterranean storm. The painful walk through the Vatican you took;
You with your bronchitis and horribly bad back … in the rain. And then our giggling like
Kids because we used the Basilica bathrooms.

Maybe your leaving us will remind people to be nicer to
Each other more often. You never know when a loss will occur.
I feel sorry for those who knew you not. Who only
Looked for surface beauty in friends, for you had a depth that,
Even I, could not fathom.
They missed the essence of your being,
And I will miss it forever.

Regretfully, I must let you go.
We must let you go.

My Darling honey

2008-12-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

I won't be blogging for a while. My dear sweetheart, Phil, passed away on our European trip last Friday the 5th of December.

This image was taken in a restaurant in Barcelona, Spain.

See the joy in his face..... he was the light and love of my life.

This image was taken in 2002 in Montmarte, near the Sacre Coeur, on a butte in Paris. We had a pizza and wine in a outdoor cafe. This is the area where Pissarro, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Modigliani and Picasso created some of their incredible work.

Click on it, I made the background artfull but pale so he would stand out.

He was looking at me with such love.... I didn't see it until I worked on this image. I will miss him forever.

Lorrene

Jewel Carnival! What I am grateful for in Jewelry

2008-11-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

I know that most people praise their parents for the inspiration in their lives... but, for me, it is really true. This image is one of my first attempts at using the Painter program. I used an old black & white photo of them my great-uncle took. They were visiting him on his ship....he was a merchant marine. For some reason they were standing on some sort of hatch top. This was taken in June of 1936.... 6 months before they wed. They were so much in love. Go find old photos of your parents.... it is such a warm fuzzy thing. I had such a great time altering and drawing them in my own version of their world.

Okay, my mother started my jewelry quest off when I was very young by not having a fit when I drew on the walls and protecting my 'artwork' from the teacher when I was seven and encouraging me to play with ceramic clays. But, her biggest influence was her love of beautiful fine jewelry. She had gobs... and loose beads. I think she really wanted to create her own. She was the first person to teach me how to knot between pearls with a 'T' pin. Her jewelry was beautiful. She also had no problem changing something. She had her favorite jeweler re-create jewelry she purchased at antique stores and thrift shops into incredibly beautiful and valuable bling. Later on we, my sister Lelana, mom and I, would go to the Jewelry Mart in San Francisco and shop for pretties. I was majorly into beading at that time and we'd spend ALL DAY there. I remember one time we came outside just before sundown and the sky was beautiful with colors and clouds. We were so rummy, I remember saying, "Just look at the rose quartz and blue lace agate sky and the opal clouds...!" We chuckled over that one and then shook our heads because we stayed at the Mart tooooooooooo looooooooong. Heh, heh.

My father was incredibly supportive too. We were very close and got closer when I spent about two years working for him in his machine shop. He gave me so much confidence.... it was amazing. I was his secretary, shipping clerk and gal Friday. He also had no trouble having me run small & medium sized lathes and one huge Bridgeport vertical lathe. Amazing. Then he had me arc welding his hinges for his tire recapping parts and testing his air valves for his balancers for the huge truck tires. Did I say that he graduated from Berkeley High at 15? He couldn't afford college so he went to the library and studied mechanical engineering and passed all the tests. He was brilliant. And shy. And quiet within himself - unless he had a few 'Old Fashions' in him. He had me working with all the ferrous metals in his shop. He invented the bubble balancer for the tire industry and always told my sis and I that we were related to Frank L. Baum of Wizard of Oz fame. He made me feel I could do anything.

But, it was 17 years later before I could call myself an artist. Some times we makers have a bit of trouble calling ourselves that because of our inherent lack of confidence. After all, we are baring our souls to the world. Instead of saying that this is my art, we are feeling that this is who I am. It took me another 10 years or so to realize it wasn't me it was various expressions of the bliss of creating.

Making jewelry has given me a functional expression of my tendency towards three dimensional art and has let me create one-of-a-kind pieces, wedding rings and divorce rings. I have made wiccan jewelry, special order cold connected work with aluminum, copper and sterling, and my favorite is a wedding ring turned into earrings. He burnt the ring when working around the car battery and wanted to make half hooped and carved earring posts for his wife for their anniversary. It was fun. He came back in later and told me his wife had purchased a new band for him. They exchanged wedding rings at their anniversary lunch. Times like that made owning a gallery/jewelry store worth it.

Yes, I am very grateful for all jewelry making has brought to my life. Especially all of the wonderful friends that have touched me. Thank you to you.... you KNOW who you are.

Whew... that is enough.

Thanks mom and dad, I will always be indebted to your love and support and encouragement.

Do visit these other wonderful 'Jewelry Carnival' bloggers today:

Just in Time for Europe!!! Gram's doing better...for now.

2008-11-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

Murphy has struck again.

Just in time for Europe... this artist here decided to break a bone in her foot.

Thanks for feeling sorry for me... DRAT!!!! I bought new shoes too. So, I think I will go off to my studio and make some fun jewelry to take with me. I am thinking of matching my new outfit I bought for the journey. If I do (what else can I do?) I will post images later.

The really good news is that my Son-in-law told me today that he isn't going anywhere and to go ahead and take our trip. I have been waiting forever to order my clothes. We weren't sure if he would still be with us. They are calling his cancer, pancreatic, but they still aren't sure. He is having most of his troubles with his blood. We went and saw him today in the hospital just after I got my 'boot' on the leg. He really looks good.

Here he is skydiving... he and Dana did this with his brothers after seeing the movie, "Bucket List".

He is super-duper and grand.

What’s a skill you’d like to learn and why? Or what’s your favorite new technique?

2008-11-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Carnival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I choose: what’s your favorite technique and why?

Shoot! My second new favorite technique is the one I just learned/figured out how to do. Later in the blog.

My first fav is especially with stone setting. Wouldn't you know that as soon as my book went to press in 2007 I would develop an entirely new process for post-fire setting stones. Large ones. Stones that could be fired in place but ones I choose not to set pre-firing. The whole idea behind this process is to have the inside of the setting have somewhat of a mirror finish. This is pretty darn important when setting stones in rings and pendants. It is VERY important when the gemstone isn't cut to reflect all the light (and color) back to the viewer. Then all the dirt that is caught in the rough surface on the inside of the setting will be reflected back to the viewer.

Also because I like my work finished perfectly from the back as well as the front.

So The above is my all time favorite technique.... now to my most recent exploration. I entered the NAD completion (see image in previous post) and decided to add strength to the torque neckpiece. I have been using a lot of argentium sterling lately because the germanium adds strength, has fire scale elimination properties and, most important to me, has a really high tarnish resistance. To quote WikipediA, "Argentium Silver is the result of research by Peter Johns at the School of Art & Design, Middlesex University." And it is rapidly replacing the copper alloy sterling silver that we metalsmiths have been using for eons. Note that there is still some copper in argentium sterling.

When heating common sterling via soldering or firing in a kiln, the oxygen at high heat forms a black surface coating of cupric oxide or fire scale. This needs to be removed with a very strong acid, such as sodium bisulfate. To remove this black surface one might need to soak the silver in the latter, warmed acid, for a very long time. Handling this acid or breathing the warm fumes are a very bad health hazard.

With argentium silver I have found a very light coating of fire scale on my work. And that is when it is subjected to a very high temperature for an extended time... say kiln firing. If I put the work into a pan of warm/hot white vinegar the black goes away almost at once. I found that I only had to do this twice. After my third firing the germanium coated the surface, there was no fire scale and that, marvelous, coating became the element to make the metal tarnish resistant.

My, I am going on. Well, sterling silver needs to be silver depleted by heating and soaking in acid MANY times. This makes the surface of the sterling fine silver and that allows the metal clay to adhere properly. One can use the vinegar instead of the sodium bisulfate in this process too. It takes longer because the cupric oxide is thicker and deeper in the metal.

Not with argentium AND a metal clay product from Art Clay World, USA. This product is called Art Clay Silver Overlay Paste (tm) and I don't know what is in it but it works wonderfully with the argentium. To make the torque, I first shaped the 14 gauge argentium wire, soldered the hinge ends and the clasp ends. I then washed the metal with alcohol on cotton pad and let dry. I then applied two coats of the Art Clay Overlay Paste and three heavy coats of regular Art Clay Paste. Of course I let the pastes dry between coats. Fired both halves of the torque and burnished the work in a tumbler after firing.

No peeling. No sign of the paste being weakened. Now this is my new very favorite technique because it is enabling me to try some more wild and crazy designs.

Do visit these other Jewel Carnival blogs find out what they like best or what they want to learn:

Elaine Luther

Tonya Davidson

Marco Fleseri

Putting the Ego in line

2008-10-22T08:44:00.001-07:00

A very good way to get the ego in line is to enter a competition and not win ANYTHING! Okay, I am through with my infantile blabber.

Heh,heh. Yup, it is a bit damaging to the ego, but that is okay. I learned several lessons here. Don't necessarily follow the theme: the winners usually are following their bliss, and that is why they win. Also, if I ever make a torque type neckpiece again , I will not make it to fit me. One of my shoulders is higher than the other and a judge might think it unwearable. Another unwearable thingy.... don't send it with your homemade display.. (see above). Those things are not (repeat: are not) even close the human body shape.

The above work was made to the theme "Celebration"... I made it with my husband's and my birthstones and a quartz briolette for our new age spirituality. There are three diamonds that signify 'I Love You' and it is celebration of our 34th anniversary this last Monday. I tried to get a feeling of confetti flying and the excitement of our union. I think it worked. It is hinged in the back and there is a hidden gravity hook underneath the stone shield. I like to make things pretty from the back too. So I did some laborious finish work behind the shield. The metal flows in to the back of the stones.

I must admit, I had a lot of fun building this piece and thought I had a bit of a chance with this contest. It has been a few days since the 'news' was broadcast and I am so very okay with it all by now. There were great lessons to be learned and I share them below.

One thing I will do in the future is be proactive. I will find out about the jurors: Are they avant garde? Do they like contemporary jewelry? Do they have a penchant for small 'jewelry store' style baubles? What do they like? Then I will make something with their preferences while following my maker's dreams.

Time for 'economical' new work and contests

2008-10-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am so lax in entering contests.... if ever. And when I do, it is oh, so last minute. Today I hope to finish the NAD, North American Design contest in Silver Clay. I have been a Master Instructor there for several years and you'd think I would enter... I will post when it is done.

Because of the, really, strong economic downturn, I made some new earring jackets out of pure silver and pure gold. They are small and lightweight and are only $54.00 per pair. And THAT is including the sterling ball posts. I needed something to hold the jackets onto the cards. If you do not know what jackets are I will try to explain. They are to enhance one's jewelry wardrobe by making all of our stud ear posts have a bit more 'bling'. In other words, say, the pearl stud post is put through the hole of the jacket, then through the hole of the earlobe and the clutch in the back holds it all together.

I had to explain it a bit at the El Dorado County Artist's Studio Tour last weekend. So, I have made a sign to go in my galleries.

It shows the jacket alone and with several gemstone studs.

(Click on image for a much larger picture)

Jewel Carnival again! The path to my art!

2008-09-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I do apologize for being late with my blog. We are hosting, at our home, a part of the El Dorado County's Annual Artist's Studio Tour. As I mentioned in a previous blog, there is a painter a potter and me. It started yesterday from 10 am to 5 pm and then I was featured at a Placerville gallery from 5pm to 9pm.

Whew!

Does everyone start their path by drawing on rubber sheets as a toddler .... or on the walls with crayons? Well, if so, I am very typical. My dad must have leaned over my crib to give me a kiss and his ball point pen, prophetically, fell out of his pocket into my world. This may sound silly, but do some drawing on a piece of rubber... It is glorious. The ink just flows so smoothly, the images hint of a future Picasso.... only kidding. THAT was my start.

My mother played with ceramics when I was a bitty bit. And she let me play with some too. She let me glaze the work between the firing process... This image is of the only artwork I have from my childhood. I kinda threw everything else away. I like it because there was no religion in our family... parents were from extreme opposites. They opted for my sis and I to choose for ourselves. Where the praying priest came from I do not know. I do know that I did this when I could barely write... maybe second grade. I signed it:

Lorre
ne

I do like his smile and tiny feet... I guess I didn't know what to do with the toes... heh, heh.

Mom urged my visual and theatrical art all through school. I drew a woman, with a cigarette in her hand in second or third grade... she was quite glamorous.... teacher made me scratch the cigarette out. My medium at that time was crayons. My mother chewed out the teacher for changing my interpretation of what I saw in the world.

You Go Mom!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks...

From then on it was high school art then college. I was a drama major and an art minor. Didn't finish because I didn't want to struggle nor did I want to teach. Well what am I doing Now? Teaching. Too funny. But, hey! I do get to be the star of the classroom now, don't I?
No comment.

Mom.... my sweet one. She loved fabulous jewelry and she instilled a love of it for me. I worked in my dads machine shop in my early 20's: lathe work, arc welding and that gave me an appreciation of working with the ferrous metals.... Then of course was the jewelry class in college.

After marriage my husband and I got very involved with the metaphysical movement in the '80s and I started wrapping crystals and then soldering sterling and silver with a creme brulee torch. That led to my going back to school, Revere Academy, in 1988 and that let to us using my goldsmithing talents by our opening a gallery of jewelry and fine art, and that led to classes in polymer and metal clay in our gallery studio.

Whew! Again!

Since 2000, I have been wholly involved with my two media: Polymer and metal clay. During the eleven years we had the gallery I totally burned out of metalsmithing. When you have everyone telling you what stones to set, what metal to use and hurry, hurry I need it yesterday... well the passion for goldsmithing left. But the creativity and designing was still there.

Now I love making fused glass too. The colors I can add with the glass and enamelling and the entire world of being a maker of what I want to do.... whether it sells or not... I do not care.

And during this period of creativity I have performed in many dramas, comedies, musicals and have directed one mystery, one comedy, one dramedy and one musical.

As the cast sings in "Candide", I have the best of all possible, possible worlds...".

Images: Metal clay and fused glass...... polymer cane I designed and diamond.

Do visit these wonderful artist's below and see what they have written about during their "path to their art".

Lora Hart
Elaine Luther
Angela Baduel-Crispin
Marco Fleseri
Tonya Davidson

I will have to read later. The Studio tour starts again in 30 minutes and I am not set up.

Artist's Studio Tour - This weekend and Next

2008-09-15T09:56:00.001-07:00

Saturday and Sunday
September 20, 21, 27 & 28.
It is hard getting new posts to the blog when you are trying to finish up work for the upcoming El Dorado County Artist's Studio tour. Not only do I have to make stuff, I get to clean the house and garden area because we are hosting one of the venues at our home.

A PAINTER
We are featuring a painter (also a lamp work bead maker): Patty Jacobs. Her paintings are ethereal and the animals she creates on watercolor paper have great personalities. Here is
GOT PEANUTS?

Patty Jacobs, a native of Northern California, is primarily a self-taught artist, drawing and painting since childhood. Her work focuses on her love of animals and she donates a percentage from the sale of these paintings to animal charities. Patty has shown her work around California and has been commissioned for numerous pet portraits. Her paintings can be found at Taylor's Art and Soul in Sacramento and also at Gold Country Artist's Gallery, where they have been purchased by visitors from various places in the U.S., Scotland, England, Ireland, and Australia.
You just have to see her work. This is just a sample. During the Holidays, she makes Christmas card of these guys and puts a Santa hat on them... Great Sellers.

A POTTER

Chris Navratil has only been potting for just a few years and is a phenom with her work. Her work is innovative, functional and full of great color sense.

I commissioned her for a set of dishes. See left. My mistake was purchasing a pasta bowl in these colors and became obsessed with having a complete set.

Am I a happy camper? You bet. Come to see her in action. She has been bringing her wheel with her these past few years and everyone loves seeing her throw her pots. Come early for she has a great following that come only to see her work.

AND ME

Just finished these yesterday and am really excited about them. They are cuff bracelets made with polymer clay over a brass armature. I then added acrylic paint as detail and then covered the latter with translucent liquid polymer clay for durability.

I have some new metal clay work set up for the show too.

Saturday the 20th starts the two weekend show and it is also the third Saturday art stroll on Main St., in Placerville. So, at the end of day on Saturday I have to run to our gallery and be gracious until 9pm... it is going to be a looooooonnnnnnggggg day.

September Shows

2008-09-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

There hasn't been any post recently because I have been frantically creating new metal clay and polymer clay items for two shows.

Right now I am being featured at the Gold Country Artist's Gallery in Placerville, CA. So, I needed work for that. Also, this month, we have the Annual El Dorado County Artist's Studio Tour. Now this is interesting, the tour opens on Saturday the 20th for two weekends. That same night I have to run down to the gallery and attend an artist's reception. Thankfully I am sharing the spotlight with a wonderful mixed media artist, Karen Hunziker. Here is one of her works.

I have been playing, a lot, with my polymer clay using the Able Cane Slicer. I just love the tool. It can be had at polymerclayexpress.com. One can make large canes and cut really large slices... at just about any thickness. I like really thin slices because it makes my canes go farther. Here are a few new works that I just built.

I used Susan Hyde's Faux Fabric technique on these. I call them 'Peruvian cloth'...

In addition to my Artist's Sketchbooks, there is also a covered business card holder and two cross type pens. Later today I am going to cover some wide brass bracelets. I love this technique.

Also shown are some beads made with this cane and the ACS. This tool is a must for any polymer clay artist. If you would like to see how it is used in an online tutorial, click here.

But Wait! Before you go.... I have a few samples here of my metal clay work for the shows.

The first is Trapeze Amphora. I have added an 8mm garnet and used fusible argentium sterling silver to hang it on a sterling snake chain. The next is the second in my series of 'What Attitude?' women. Another amphora. I love that the 'chip on her shoulder' is a gem grade pyrope garnet. I have been having a lot of fun with these ladies. Notice the 'neck' tilt? Is she not having a major 'tude'?

There is a lot more coming from yours truly and I cannot wait to get back into the studio.

Jewel Carnival Blog for August: Studio Tour

2008-08-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

It is that time of the month... we are doing a Jewelry Blog Carnival Studio Tour and thought it would be fun for other artists to see our work spaces. So not a lot of words this time. Just images. Being that I just got back from a retreat, and had to put all my clay and tools away, these shots were taken last night at O - dark thirty.

The left is the classroom / fused glass / sales / storage area. I can take 6 students, but I prefer 3 to 4. When I do not have classes it is loaded with my fused glass cutting area, the grinder and glass band saw.

This image is of my private work queendom. My artistic realm. Straight ahead is the metal/goldsmithing area and to the right is my polymer/metal clay work station. It is pretty darn organized. After I got it set up I didn't think that I could find anything. But, to my surprise - it made sense and I can find stuff.

Below is a better view of my main work area. I have my Ipod up top on my right and a mini TV on my left. It is pretty darn cool - I can put in a jewelry VHS tape whenever I want to watch or research a technique I haven't done in ages.

In this image I have been working with my polymer goodies. Inspiration came from our local Clayville-California's Annual PolyPalooza retreat at Zephyr Point on Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

The goldsmithing area is always a mess. I am constantly running over to file, solder, saw or set a stone. Of course I am always in a hurry and don't clean up... except for sorting my metal filings. Here I am waving at the camera. I try to use feng shui in the studio set up. Therefore the mirror. It is bad chi to have your back to the room and not be able to see people approaching you.

It has taken many years and many tries to get the studio/classroom just right ... it is, now for me, my heaven. I have only had ten studios/work areas ... s'bout time I got it right ... don'tcha think?

Take a moment to visit these other Jewel Carnival Bloggers today and check out their studio tours too. Some might be posting later....

Elaine Luther
Marco Fleseri
Angela Crispin (scroll for the English version)
Tamra Gentry
Lora Hart

Kirsten Skiles

Almost there... and Super News!

2008-08-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

I am not one to turn down a commission... even when I am packing to go to the Polymer Retreat .... tomorrow!

Here is an image of a small (for me- I went to the big school of art) pendant that has a dancing illusion and that is gently arched down the center. It is embellished with a 1.5mm diamond, a trillion peridot and a fresh water pearl. I call her Peridot Dancing. Click on image for a larger view.

The super news is that after I get to the Hilton Hotel Indian Resort (Chicago) next summer I get to play with polymer buddies at the NPCG's (National Polymer Clay Guild) 2009 Retreat. I offered to do a demonstration of one of my new canes/techniques... we'll see.
But, the best news is that as soon as that retreat is over the MCWC (Metal Clay World Conference) starts... at the same location!!! How great is that?. I get to give a pre-conference workshop on setting stones in metal clay. I will be teaching some of the techniques that are in my book. And then, for the next two or three days, I will be giving a seminar on Bench Tricks for the Metal Clayer. And do I have lots of those.

Now I need to breathe....

No, finish packing.

The Challenges of September.... yikes!

2008-08-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well, it is that time again. Next month I get to be a featured artist at a great gallery in Placerville. Last month it celebrated it's 16th anniversary. That is pretty darn good. Galleries, in general, tend not to last very long.

So I have been madly making new jewelry. Tripley so, since not only do I need new work for this show, I need to get samples to a Portland, Oregon gallery and prepare for our 22nd annual Artist Studio Tour. The latter is the third and fourth weekend in September and Phil and I are hosting, in our back patio 'gallery', two other artists as well. A painter, a potter and me.

Whew!

In three days I get to go to a fabulous polymer clay retreat at Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Clayville-California's PolyPalooza. I am so stoked I can hardly stand it. I will, hopefully, get a lot of elements made for the September shows. I am giving three demos: how to create shaped tissue blades, unusual lace canes and the Able Cane Slicer(tm). I was honored to be asked, along with Carol Blackburn and Kathleen Dustin, to beta test this new polymer tool.... I am soooo addicted to it. I will post some samples later.

But, for now, I need to make the hand-outs, samples, pack the pc and the clothes.

Clothes?

Better start the washing machine.

Vacation time to dance about...

2008-07-23T07:43:00.001-07:00

So, okay, I get Cynthia Tinapple's blog every day. Today she had the greatist utube vidio ..... Really great.

I am posting the link here because it just made my day and I want to tap back into it whenever possible. What is really cool is that I've been to some of these places and it brings back wonderful memories. Such as another place in Ireland, Ross Castle at Lake Kilarney..... below.

We are heading off to Southern Europe this coming November and I hope to post some images when we get back.

Hard Metal History

2008-07-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I love to go back and look at my metalsmithing work. Usually it is only in images... most of the work sold. Okay, okay... I kept my favorites. Now that I am not in the corporate/business world, I don't need as much jewelry as before. I can go days in my studio without wearing a bit of baubles ~ or bling.

After eleven + strenuous years as a goldsmith in our gallery I reached a burn out stage. Now all I create with is metal clay, polymer clay, fused glass and graphics.

A Metal clay friend suggested that I join technorati and make connections with my blog. So I need to add some stuff for the connection.
Technorati Profile

So now that this has been done....

The above suite is a multi level work. The base is sterling silver with an oval tubing that supports the 18 karat gold bent metal bezel. The Stones are drusey chrysocholla and I inset diamond set with 14 karat gold bezels. This was a challenge and I enjoyed every minute of it. The pendant has a pin back on it too so I can wear it on a suit lapel or on my neck with a lot of skin.

Must be off to get some organization done in the studio. I am going to donate a lot of stone beads to the M.O.R.E. workshop. I do not do as much beading anymore and I'd like them to go and help the developmentally challenged adults find some more joy in creating.

Jewel Carnival Blog - My favorite Hand Tool

2008-07-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

While thinking about today's blog and what tool is my favorite, I thought about the new one that I just made. I was bouncing back and forth between the chasing hammer, the hammer hand piece for my Fordom, small escapement files, plastic sheet roller or the ever wonderful slats by Pam East. Several months ago someone on our metal clay gallery asked about a finger brush. My mind went wild with the possibilities.

So, about a month ago I started buying pieces and parts, making early prototypes and starting all over anew. I spent just about a day thinking about the engineering, the wear ability, the functionality and the look of this item. Two days ago it all came together. I pulled out the brushes I was to decimate, the polymer and the holders and started the process.

That said, I did make prototypes and sold them to my students in June. They were very functional, but not artistic. The reason I hadn't put it out there that I was making them was because I wanted to make sure they held up, looked kinda cool and needed to start the patent process.

Patent process.... hey it was my wonderful husband's idea. He wants to mass produce them. I am not sure about that. I am selling them now for $7.50 plus Shipping and handling. Only have a few made... not sure I want to spend my free time building these things. But.... there is always a need for a new widget.

(click on images for a better view)

You can see that I just got sick and tired of filing the metal clay, putting the file down, picking up my dry brush - then brushing the valuable metal clay sandings off of the work, setting down the dry brush (always facing the wrong way too) and then picking up my file and starting all over again.

I made them one size fits all. After you read the following blogs from our JewelCarnival Bloggers, click here for more information on the FingerBrushes. Patent Pending.

LoraHart
ElaineLuther
Kirsten Skiles
Angela Crispin ---- scroll down for the english version
Tamra Gentry
Chris Parry
Lorrene Davis
Marco Fleseri

New Cane: Victorian Autumn New tool: to be made

2008-07-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

So, while I was getting ready for sending some photos and work to this Portland,OR gallery, I got the itch to create a new cane. I love the fall colors of turquoise, adobe and pale sand and decided to use those hues in clay. Instead of just sending images of what I have to the gallery (wouldn't that have been easier?) I was aching to make something new. Do any of you get achy inside when you haven't created lately? Well, I was near to tears, it had been so long. So - okay.....

My husband, Phil, has been after me, no - nagging, to make my large bead neckpieces. Every one I have made to sell has sold. And, well, you know the guys ($$$$). He even offered to make the base round beads for me. Yikes! Can I turn THAT down? No. So, while he was using those great plastic bead making tools I sat down and drew out the cane.

Now, it is one thing to draw the cane and another to make it. Hah. We all know that so well. He must have looked over at me a hundred times and all he saw was moi staring at a sketch. The trooper he is ~ he said not a word. This time I wanted to 'engineer' it. Same size beads (large & small), same size cane slices and, of course, the same size base bead. They came out very close.

I decided that I needed a new tool. I will make one sometime this week. The process I used on this cane worked... fairly well. But, the technique I developed needs a permanent tool to grab at a moments notice.

Oh, and I developed a new tool for metal clay too. That will be on the JewelCarnivalBlog here tomorrow. Up to ten jewelry/metalsmiths blog once a month on a universal theme. Tomorrow's is "my favorite hand tool". We have other blogs here for May and June if you want to scroll down. You can click on a link to see what they have written about on the same topic du jour.

So, back to the neckpiece. I'm gonna have to sell it for a bazillion bucks. Not only did the cane take a bit o'time, but the small polymer beads that give the elements a quilted look took time-ola. Then the small tools I found in my metalsmithing grab bag were perfect for adding very small textures. Oh, my.... this might be the only one I make. Each 'leaf' was hand stamped with a very small ... I mean VERY small phillips screwdriver bit.

But, hey... I am pleased with the results. I have two images. The second is a close up for the texture and to show the clasp and earring. I like to make my large beaded neckpieces without a noticeable clasp. .... that is just me. The beads are somewhat close to a 50 cent piece in diameter.
(Click on right image to enlarge)

Home improvement vs creativity

2008-07-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yikes!

I am having a tug of war situation. My son is finishing off our back patio and I have work to finish to send off to a Portland, OR gallery for jurying.....

So, yours truly has been out moving my planting station and spending HOURS and HOURS in Home Depot. No one can fathom how jazzed I am at both prospects. This is incredible... I have been bugging my DH for four years now. What I had to do was save my art/teaching money and a small inheritance to pay for the project myself. Do I mind? Nah! It is getting done.

I have been in a polymer phase the past few days, not only because I love it but, I want to send some of it to the Gallery in Portland. I was wearing this polymer DecoBox and one of the staff was impressed enough to get me an application. This is timely too... they only jury in new work four times a year and July is one of them.

So, with everything going on my blogging has suffered....my buddy in N.Y., DebbY has been hinting... love her.

This Friday is our Jewel Carnival time again. I will be writing on my favorite hand tool. Actually it is my newest favorite hand tool.... I developed it myself. So, if anyone is out there, come back on Friday the 11th to see it and read about it.

All things Computer.

2008-06-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I should be in the studio today....yes.

But, I am in a computer mode. Just this morining I subscribed to the blog Polymer Clay Daily and hope to recieve any new postings automatically. I don't always remember to go to the site and read what has been published. Now.... I don't have to. It will come to me.

So, I did some research and found that feedburner will do the same for my blog. If you would like to check in on my journal, and read my sporadic ramblings, then click on the subscribe button to the left.

Today's photo (click to enlarge) is in my newest glass series. It is opalescent frits, silver and black glass fused together. Then I will use my metal clay to create an artful pendant. This is a work in process.

I guess I should get to work.....

Wednesday Procrastination.

2008-06-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

The glass is fired, ground and fire polished. What is keeping me back?

Just getting in and starting, I guess. That is what I'll do when the blog is done. This procrastination is not for lack of ideas.... I think that I've kept up such a super fast stream of life since 'retirement'. My body and soul wants me to slow down. I have been reading a lot and I love it. Now, I am getting closer to the quarterly deadline of submitting work to a Portland, OR gallery I want to get into.

What is that Nike saying, "Just do it!"?

My problem is probably stemming from a 'deadline'.... We had that every day with our gallery and I am balking at the very thought of it.

Enough of this self-pandering... I am off to the studio. I will post later.

Here is an image I took of a Tehachapie morning outside the cabin
at a Klew Polymer Clay retreat.

Hmm... feels good.

It's THAT time again.... Jewel Carnival Blog

2008-06-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

Okay... it is Friday the 20th and the topic for this group blog is, " What is My Favorite Jewelry Book?".. Yikes, there are so many.

When I was at the Revere Academy, I bought every repair book, stone setting book, fabrication book I could get my hands on. When I finally put out the $100.00 (now it is way more) for Oppi Untrachts book, Jewelry Concepts and Technology, I knew that I had found the ultimate book.

Click image for amazon books and get this item at a reduced price.
A lovely review by Rich Waugh on this book starts out with:

"...Oppi Untracht was a Fulbright Scholar in both India and Nepal from 1957 to 1959 and 1963 to 1965 respectively, and during those stays he visited many metalsmiths, studied their art and took copious photographs of their work. Much of what he learned in India and Nepal is included in this book, including filigree, enameling (his forté), niello, bidri, kuftgari and others. The majority of the illustrations for this volume appear to originate with Untracht’s eastern sojourns, and the scenes of craftsmen producing magnificent works using the most primitive of techniques and tools are truly fascinating..."

I love this book because of the techniques he shares from all over the world.... yes, this is true. But the main passion that comes through to me is the Art Forms, the unique samples of break through artist's work that is astounding. We as jewelry artists, in the 21st century, believe that we are stretching the boundaries of the medium, that we are creating such new and exciting work that the world has never seen.

Bah! We are all using techniques that have been around for 3000 plus years. The materials may change, the tricks may change but the process is all following those before us. If you think I am mad, get a copy and look at the outrageous works using: resin, copper, plastic and more.

There are 807 readable pages in this huge tome of incredible information. Go to a library, a metalsmith's book stash and just browse... have a cup of tea and some time and you'll know what I mean.
Visit these other bloggers to find out what their favorite metalsmithing book is/are:

Angela Crispin (scroll for the English version)
Tamara Gentry
Lora Hart
Elaine Luther

When other things get in the way...

2008-06-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Yup.... stuff happens.

I haven't touched my art for Three Weeks!!!!! Yikes! But, sometimes other things have to be done. Like clean the house, go away for a week, build a closet.

Build a closet? Well, Phil built it. He did a great job. But, now I have been going through clothes trying to decide which to throw away, what to give to Hospice, what to put in a bin for when I lose enough weight to WEAR THEM AGAIN, and which to hang up in my pretty new closet. I got to help paint it and put up thin cedar sheets. But my honey did a fabulous job.

Our son is coming home to stay for a month or year and we have needed space for me for ages and he needs space for his stuff too. I have been tutoring him on computerese... he has never had a computer. Amazing.

Today I am finishing up the clothes thing-y and then going out to the studio to finish up the glass/metal clay charms I am making for the Metal Clay Charity. See my blog of March 18.
In the mean time I am totally enjoying him being here... Oh, and his son, Ben, came down from Oregon too. So we have four peeps in our small home.... a real challenge. But, it is working.

Our son-in-law, Gram, seems to be holding his own and barreling head on into his cancer... if you have a chance check out his CaringBridge site.

Well, time to get to work and finish up the clothes.....

It has been a while....

2008-06-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

So, when life slaps you in the face you don't necessarily want to blog. Besides with a family event that just took place, I have been blogging in another way.

Friday May 23 we got the news that my dear son-in-law, Gram, has pancreatic cancer. So the last week was filled with getting information to him, setting up a CaringBridge website for him and joining them last Thursday at a chemotherapy class.

Needless to say, I wasn't in an artistic writing mood.

The good news is that he is a fighter and is in relatively good health. All his blood work came back in the normal range and his family doc said that he didn't look like a man with stage 4 cancer. Also, the chemo class gave us great hope. He is a fantastic guy who has loved, cared for and spoiled my daughter .... big time.

Yesterday I took a bit of time to start my charms for the Charms for Charity event coming up. (See my March 15Th blog.) I am making them of pure silver and fused glass. Hope that the group likes them. So, the artfulness is slowly coming back and it feels good.

Kind of like therapy.

Jewel Carnival.... What do you do to jump start your creativity?

2008-05-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

What do you do to jump start or stretch your creativity? Our Jewel Carnival group has nailed it with this one. One of the most difficult tasks to engage in is getting design ideas. I think I will pretend this blog is one of my workshops and share how I help them. How to keep original and in fashion at the same time. How to find their own voice and how to begin to shout out their art soul. This is for you.

When I teach a metal clay or a polymer clay workshop, I tell you the student, to do the basics: make tons of sketches. Don't erase! Use tracing paper over a design you 'kind' of like to make changes and to improve it. Also, buy a fashion magazine once or twice a year. If the in-thing is big jewelry, for example, don't put a lot of time into small bling. Of course, this is if you want to sell your work to enable you to buy more materials. Well, duh? Anyway.... if you have a following, then stay true to your creativity but do stretch and try new styles and materials.

Okay, that said. What if you don't know where to start and don't want to come even faintly close to copying another artists style. You will always be at an advantage if you take workshops and become a workshop-aholic. Your artistic scope will be incredible and the ideas will not stop flowing through you. BUT if you are new at this, and have no idea where to start, why not try my Michael's technique.

Go into any craft store such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Joanne's or even a hardware store. Grab a cart and give yourself a minimum of two hours to 'wander'. Go up and down every aisle and look at EVERYTHING! Say to yourself, "Now, what can I do with this? With That? Oh... that is cool what if I......". This will take you out of yourself and start the process of unlimited creativity. For example. I found a great textured paper in the scrapbooking section. Took it to the studio, covered both sides with Kato Liquid Polyclay and baked it. Now I have this terrific texture to use with both the mc and pc (metal clay - polymer clay). Clay cutters can be found in the baking section... which leads you to the online cook stores or paper goods..... on and on.

This can be any store: brick and mortar or online. I have found many new tricks, techniques and design ideas in online stores.

The reason for the two hour time? This process cannot be rushed. Creativity cannot be rushed. How else can you find the bliss of being a maker of art without time. Easy time. Cool time. Time alone to flow without the pressure of every day stuff. Believe me this is good. This process is meditative and by doing it you will find the world will go away and you will have become energized by the process.

Oh, and keep your camera with you, you never know when you will be inspired by a landscape, face or a shadow.

And don't spend too, Too, TOO much time looking at other's work. You can be unduly influenced or your self-esteem may suffer. Do look at other's eye-candy and tell them you adore their work. Then go out and make your own.

Hey, look at nature, clouds, trees, color wheels.... see the texture in hair, picture frames, fake leaves, rugs, your pets coating or tree bark.... look at the lines and joins of bridges, buildings and school yard gyms. Watch the movement of fractles, jazz dancers and the human body. Play with off-the-wall ideas you see in everyday stuff. Play, play, play.

Whew... off the soapbox..... for now.

Now....
If you'd like to read more on this subject. Go to the following Jewel Carnival blogs (great artist's) and scroll down to the May 16 entries.... and read and absorb. I missed the 16th deadline because I was out of town.

Kirsten Skiles
Marco Fleseri
Angela Crispin (scroll for the English version)
Sherri Haab
Tamara Gentry
Lora Hart
Chris Parry
Lora Hart

It's About Time.....

2008-05-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sheesh! All I have to do is go on a vacation and I forget how to get into my blog to write. I haven't been remiss.... just kinda 'blond'.

Anywaysssss.... We went to Portland, Oregon on the Starlight Amtrak train and had such a good time. I got indoctrinated into the McMenamins Hotels and Inns. What a very cool thing they are doing. Refurbishing old dilapidated buildings, hiring full time artists to paint images on the walls that relate to the buildings history and having very fun events.

We went to the 9Th Annual UFO Festival. My hubby is into that. Well, when we were leaving the hotel, Phil tried to get reservations for next year. No dice - sold out. There was a very interesting speaker on Friday night and another on Saturday morning. Then on Saturday afternoon they had the annual Alien Parade. Oh, if I get some pictures I will post. This was the most fun. Then on Saturday night there was the Alien Costume ball. Visualize.... Talk about artful people. The McMenamins hotel we stayed at is the Hotel Oregon in the quaint village of McMinnville. I want to move there. Now. We also checked out the Edgefield Manor (an old poorhouse) and the Grand Lodge, an old Masonic lodge.

We went to a great gallery in Portland and I am going to see if I can get in. It is the Real Mother Goose Gallery. Very nice. Only one metal clay artist and no polymer clay jewelry. So, hope I have a chance.

It has been paperwork galore since we got home.

Well it is getting onto dinner time and when I am hungry -I cook.
Heh, heh.

Good news, Great news, Wonderful News!

2008-04-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I came to the Bay Area on Sunday was to have a few days visiting with my sweet sister. I hadn't come down her way for two years... She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and while I was helping her with her new blog yesterday, her surgeon called with the news that they had got it all.

GOT IT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, didn't know I was holding my breath this long. By the way, she really likes the 'Sisters' pendant I gave her. See images below.

Okay, this is my third trip to visit her. Don't 'cha think she needs to come up my way for a few days?

Grin.

SISTERS

2008-04-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to have an incredible, loving and 'Wind Beneath My Wings' Sister. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area for a several day visit. She is the best ever. We get together for a few days every couple of years ~ so this time I wanted to make "Two-of-a-kind" pendants. The thing I learned from this project was that, even though I made them at the same time, using the same glass, the work turned out slightly different.... just like us. The fused glass is a wonderful medium with which to work. I turned two pieces of Dichroic glass differently on the work and got a surprise.... Same but different. I ground the pieces a bit uniquely too. Not too far off... but the same. The pure silver metal clay was a great exercise.

I use Art Clay Silver, I am a Master Instructor, and learned that if you photocopy your 'stones' by increasing the size by 115%, take the images and make the metal clay 'settings' the photocopy size, you will have a perfect setting after firing. I fired these pieces up to my kiln's fire polishing temperature. This way the metal would not shrink further and damage the fused glass.

Then I tossed them into the vibrating tumbler and gave them a bit of a burnishing with the stainless steel shot.

Then I set the stones into the MC... actually they 'snapped' into place. The math worked!!! The fused glass was a perfect fit. Next I fire polished.
This process got the glass 'warm' enough to marry into the metal clay. Therefore there was no 'chemical bonding' or the use of a 'jewelers setting agent' to hold the glass into place.

Another plus was that I had extruded several bails for future use and they were at the ready when I needed them for this project. I used the Makin's Clay extruder with their hollow core adaptors. I use this a lot for my bails and the sterling snake chains just glide through.... I am liking to leave the backs open on my glass work - just because I like to sign the glass in addition to the silver.
Click on images to enlarge.
Before I left the foothills of the Sierras to come and visit, I made an experiment with different sizes of a Red Opal frit. I liked how the glass turned out and then tried another way of setting the metal clay on it. It has been fired and I will burnish it when I get home an do another blog post at that time.

I love teaching too. Had a certification workshop last weekend and have two more classes this coming weekend.

Art IS bliss....

State Fair Entries

2008-04-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Whew! Finally have a moment to post. Been a teacher and a maker this month. What fun is that? Major good times.

Last year I entered the California State Fair with my metal clay and gemstones (won an award) and this year I thought I'd enter with some fused glass on one and 24k on the other. My polymer entry of 2007 wasn't accepted. Drat. So, I am sticking with the precious metal this year.

This first piece was inspired by the peridot trillion stone. Wanted to stay with the triangular shape and build upon that theme with the metal clay. The pendant needed some emphasis on negative space... so I carved it out and it worked! Then the 24k gold was added to create contrasting color. The bail was set upside down... for spite. Just to be different. But, that's just the way I am.... so there! It hangs pretty cool ... surprise ~ surprise.

The next image is of my glass fusing work. I sketched an image of what I wanted to do with the glass before I took the class in March. This pendant is of my first 'controlled ' work. The glass was built upon the drawing as well as the pure silver metal clay and the Tahitian pearl is just there for glamor. We'll see if they get accepted... or not.

It is such a joy to be able to work in the bliss. To be able to create without any time constraints. When I had the day job, everything had to be done in a hurry... so the enjoyment of the process wasn't fully there. Now it is. I am torn by my three masters: metal clay, polymer clay and fused glass.

Oh, oh... I hear my house calling too, "Clean me, clean me".

Hmmm?

Class Section in Studio is DONE!

2008-04-10T08:48:00.001-07:00

After much hair-pulling the class portion of my studio is done. The general organization is almost done.

Whew!

Click on picture for a larger image.

The coolest thing is ... I now know where just about everything is. Amazing!!!!?!!!.

On top of the steel shelving is my supply area for paper towels, class supplies, extra materials and my photo studio in the Cloud Dome box.

The left area is where I have metal clay and polymer clay stuff for sale. I only sell during classes. Do not want to become a retail outlet... Been there - done that. The draped area is where I store all my polymer, metal clay and glass fusing things. This is for classes and my personal work. Having it covered during workshops is good for students: less clutter to mess up their concentration. I went to K-Mart(tm) and in their curtain area they had Magnetic curtain rods. Oh, this was sent from the Studio Gods. I threw the rods away, bought some doweling from Home Depot, painted them black and now have custom curtains for under $30.00. The have a tendency to move a bit. So, when I find the permanent place for them, I will put some 2-part epoxy on one base of each set and be done. Hey! If I were a student there and there were no curtains, I would be looking and saying to myself, " Oooh, whats that for? Hey, I want one of those too!.... ". The area to the right is for my hubby's storage, but I used the doors for my white board, awards, posters and certificates.

But, my most favorite area is the center. I put both 6 foot tables together and ran a power strip down the middle. Now I have somewhat permanent lighting and power for heat guns and hot plates. Or pasta machines with motors... When I do not have classes I use this ,very spacey and well lit, area for my glass cutting and fuseing designing.

You are reading a blog from one waaaaaay happy camper.

Not finished with my personal studio space and goldsmithing area. But... will post when I get a chance. This is my teaching month and my time is quite limited.

Now, on to finish the taxes for Mr. Sam. He is not my uncle... my uncles would not have wanted any of my money... they had enough of their own.

Sigh.

Glass, Glorious Glass

2008-04-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Now that the ugly chest cold is gone, I got to run some tests on fusing glass. I noticed from the workshop I attended at Arrow Springs Glass, the material, dichro and regular, can and WILL change colors after the fusing is complete. So, Monday I made test pieces. I took small squares of black and clear and put small pieces of dichro on the top. One set per dichro color and on each set I put the dichro side up and the dichro side down. Fused them and am now going to keep the sample with the actual glass. This way I can design with color as well as shape and materials.

The first image is the glass ready to fuse on the pink kiln-wash board.

The second is the above fired and

The third is the fused test pieces near the dicro glass.
Click on images to enlarge.

The studio is almost done. I will post an image as soon as I can...... so, I guess I should go back and finish it.

Got a great class coming up this weekend in Sacramento at U Bead It in Sacramento. Love teaching metal clay. Love it.

Challenging the right brain to organize

2008-03-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, it is Tuesday the 25th and I can actually see the table top. It has been a challenge to organize and sort and find a place for every little thing I have accumulated for xxxx years.

But it is getting there. The chest/head cold is finally on it's way to someone else and my energy level has gone up. Thank goodness.

I am actually having a good time doing this. Now when I pick up something from the pile on the tables, there is actually a REAL place for it. Imagine that!!! I have been spending money on shelving, an 8' table, plastic containers and labels and more. But, it is looking good.

Saturday I had a chance to take a glass fusing workshop from Donna Milliron. She is an exceptional national instructor. Hasn't been teaching a lot lately and I lucked out. Got to meet Bill Thomas of Bead Babe.com. Donna's husband, Craig, gave us a lamp working demo and my husband, Phil, tried his hand at it. Wowza! He can really do it! I shouldn't be surprised... he is, after all , a sculptor. So, now I have another addiction.

Heh, heh... this is going to be fun.

The thing I have always loved about polymer clay is color.... color, color and color. What I love about the metal clay is the ease of manipulating the material and the resulting pure silver and gold work. But, now, with my enameling and fusing classes behind me, color with the precious metal will be a total reality. I plan on using the fused glass with my polymer too.

Workshops:
Yours truly is getting ready to teach a brooch workshop. One in Sacramento, at U Bead It, and one in Placerville the weekend of April 5th and 6th. Click here for locations, times and costs. This one is my favorite. Check the photos on my March 9th blog. On April 12th and 13th I will be teaching Intermediate Metal clay, again at U Bead It in Sacramento and in Placerville. Coming up April 19th, there is a polymer clay deco box (See March 9th blog again) in Placerville and on the 20th I will be instructing intermediate polymer clay. Then at the end of the month, 25, 26 & 27 I will be teaching a Level I Certification workshop in Metal Clay through Art Clay Silver.

Charms for Charity

2008-03-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for an incredible view!

Good morning!!! The chest/head cold got me up at O-dark:30 this am.... I really need to post this to you all as our metal clay people want to help. Please read the following press release from my friend and very talented artist Holly Gage.

Last summer, the Metal Clay community lost one of its own when Robin Whittemore, a talented jewelry artist and active member in the Metal Clay community, lost her courageous battle with cancer. Robin struggled with breast cancer and after six years of chemotherapy, radiation and medication, she was then told she’d required a bone marrow transplant.
Robin inspired the group with her uplifting spirit and love of life. Sadly, she died during the summer of 2007, leaving a legacy of courage and charity among her friends and colleagues.
Now Metal Clay artists from around the country have decided to honor Robin and their own loved ones who have succumbed to this disease by raising funds to benefit the American Cancer Society and The Marrow Foundation.
Metal Clay is a new way of working with silver, gold and platinum. It is a moldable metal that transforms from a clay-like state into pure sculpted precious metal jewelry with the heat of a torch or kiln.
Dozens of Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and Art Clay artists have created handcrafted charms for bracelets and necklaces, which will be raffled to raise money for cancer treatment and prevention. Members of the Metal Clay community have donated every aspect of this project, from making charms and bracelets to designing and selling raffle tickets and donating Web site space and credit card fees.
This is your chance to own a unique work of art created by the nation's premier Metal Clay artists. Raffle tickets are only $5 each or five for $20 and all proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and The Marrow Foundation.
These pieces of fine jewelry will be raffled on July 20 during the PMC Conference 2008 at Purdue University, but you do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased at the conference or in advance at www.wholelottawhimsy.com or at www.medacreations.com. Tickets and directions for payment submissions can also be printed out from www.pmcguild.com or www.artclayworld.com.
Each ticket purchased brings with it the chance for a special piece of fine jewelry but it also brings us one step closer to a cure. Visit http://www.pmcguild.com/, http://www.artclayworld.com/, http://www.wholelottawhimsy.com/ or http://www.medacreations.com/ to do your part.

Tickets and info are downloadable at my website too if you want to print and send by snail mail: http://www.lorrenedavisdesigns.com/tickets_&_info.htm

For more information, contact Holly Gage of Gage Designs, metal clay member and project coordinator, at hgage1@ptd.net .

The creative process

2008-03-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am feeling a bit better. Yesterday we worked a few hours on the studio and it pooped me out... it is soooo exciting. With a little labor and a few dollars the studio will be much more roomy for my students and I will have a larger work area. It is totally different. Yippy skippy!

When I set up my classes this year, I decided to have them every other month. So, thankfully, with this cold, I am not pushed to teach this month. In April I will be teaching the below polymer clay DecoBox workshop and the metal clay amphora to the right will be in my intermediate metal clay workshops. The classes dates can be found here.

Lately I have been thinking of the creative process and how to get new ideas. In my classes I stress the option of wandering around different businesses: Craft stores, hardware stores, gourmet cooking outlets and such. Just wander around and say to yourself, "Now, what can I do with this? With that?". This opens up the intuitive part of your brain and gets you into the 'zone'. That is the bliss of creativity. That is why we are artists.

Get inspiration from other artists, take workshops and then find out what you can do with the above 'zone' ideas and new techniques. You WILL surprise yourself.

Off to get stuff for the studio.

Here are a few pieces of my work

2008-03-09T13:08:00.001-07:00

The left is one of my DecoBoxes. It made of Polymer Clay, stone and a sterling chain.

The right is a brooch of fine silver, 24 karat gold and garnet.

Chest cold and ramblings.....

2008-03-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

So, okay...yours truly has broken down and created a blog. I was giving a polymer clay demo at our local co-op gallery, Gold Country Artist's Gallery, and some friends from one of my previous employers told me I had to do this.

So, here it is Sunday March 9th and I am alternately blowing my nose and typing. What a bummer. My sweet husband, Phil, has been helping me re-organize my studio and now I cannot do anything but ramble. The cold is a major problem with my hectic schedule.

A super lady, Mary, from Kalmbach books called and inquired about
re-publishing my book. I told her I had another in process. The working title is Metal Clay - Polymer Clay. She said that combination of materials is very hot right now and proceeded to send me the proposal guidelines. So, keep your fingers crossed that my proposal gets accepted. This self-publishing process was fun, creative, self-empowering.... but a lot of very hard work.

Zounds! If I want to have the book ready for the MCWC (Metal Clay World Conference) in July of '09 I have to get my sample step by steps out to her this week!!!

Uh... chest cold, up-ended studio..... let me see.... YIKES!!!

Think I'll go back to bed.

The above polymer and metal clay purse was made after a Kathleen Dustin workshop.