Back In The Studio...Finally!





I finally got back into my studio after too many months off.  Enamelling has been on my 'to do' list for a long time, and I had acquired a box of unlabelled enamels, so today was the day to start testing them out.  It was a day of trials and many errors, but I think I am starting to get the hang of some of the techniques.  It is not as easy as it all looks, the sifting has to be right, heat has to be consistent and even, and it was sometimes a surprise to see how the colours appeared on copper. 

I fished the day with a stiff back, some decent tests, some interesting failures, tons of ideas and a feeling of inspiration.  (Thank you Margot!)

  

Sooke Fine Arts 2013 - I'm in!

I am thrilled to have a piece selected again this year in the juried Sooke Fine Arts Show.  The show opens today, running until August 5th.  I hope you will take the time to see this spectacular show.  I also have smaller pieces in the gift shop, so remember to stop in there too.  And I will be demonstrating knitting with wire and basic chainmaille techniques for a few hours on Sunday July 28th from 11 - 1pm during the show.  Visit their website for full details.  The image below is my selected piece.


"Knit" featured in the 2013 Sooke Fine Arts Show

Visions Studio Tour ...

 

The Visions Studio Tour is just around the corner.  It starts Friday July 5th through to Sunday July 7th, from 10am to 5pm each day.  I am honoured to be showing my work at Heartwood Studio, owned by Ken and Jan Broadland.  Ken makes beautiful turned wood pieces.  We are #8 on the map, 5846 Curry Rd, in Duncan.  Visit the Visions Website for a list of participating artists and locations.  I do hope you will visit us.

 

 

But first - I am off to MISSA (Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts).  I will be taking a silversmithing course and am so excited.  I will be spending Canada Day and the rest of the week in this wonderfully artistic environment.

 

 

Keep checking back for more summer events to come; Sooke (yipee I was selected), the MAG show, and Arts on the Avenue.  Visit my website for event information as well. 

Beads, Beads, Beads.....

Had a pretty productive day yesterday in the studio.  Produced the various beads pictured.  The small donut and square one are for bracelets, the larger donut and half round beads will go on chains.  I have been steadily back in the studio.  Finished my submissions for the Sooke Fine Arts Show - but won't post any pictures until I know if I have been accepted.  I have also been madly preparing for the few events I have planned for this summer.  I will be part of the Visions Studio Tour at the beginning of July.  I will post more information as we get closer to it.  I will also be at the MAG in Metchosin for the month of July, with the Stinking Fish Group (more to come on that one too) and part of Arts on the Avenue in Ladysmith on August 25th, 2013. Check back soon for more info on my events, but also to see more images of my work.  I have been having fun photographing.

Slowly getting back at it....

Slowly, very slowly, I am getting back into the swing of things.  I have had difficulty lately getting motivated to get into my studio / garage - maybe because it's so cold in there!  I have so many ideas floating around in my head and I have to get them out.   So, to get going again I decided to knit.  Above is the length of chain that I spent several days working on.  It is a slow process, but a meditative one.  When knitting with wire it usually takes me about 20 - 30 minutes to knit about an inch in length.  The sterling silver chain above was 19 inches.  Once it was 'drawn' and smoothed out I gained 2 inches on the overall length.  The copper bit on the end will be cut off - this was my starting point.  I do have a plan for this length of chain - but you will have to wait and see what I come up with!

Upcoming Show Feb. 22nd to Mar. 8th .....

I am happy to be a part of this show at PORTALS, the CVAC Centre of Arts, Culture and Heritage.  The participating artists are all hard working CVAC volunteers.   If you have time on Friday the 22nd, do come to the opening reception from 7 - 9 pm.  We would love to see a huge turnout.  A variety of work will be on display until March 8th, 2013.

Finally Some Textured Pieces....

My grand plans for playing with texture were side-tracked this last month with family stuff!  Funny how 'life' seems to get in the way of creativity.  I did manage to finish the silver earrings pictured above.  I am really happy with them.  Another first for me (although a fairly simple accomplishment) was making the ear wires to accompany these earrings.  In the past I have always used pre-fabricated ear wires, however I want to start creating earrings with unique ear wires to add to their particular design.  The earrings above are domed and soldered to a flat back plate.  They have been tarnished and brushed. 

A similar technique was used on the bead pictured below.  This bead is a combination of copper and silver.  It was my 'expirimentation' piece so I am not thrilled with it - the design needs a bit of refining.  I will try a few more and incorporate them into some chains.