Las Vegas Art and Soul

The saying "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" usually applies to untoward behavior best forgotten, but we certainly hope what Sherri experienced for the first time during Art and Soul March 1, 2, and 3rd doesn't stay in Vegas. It was this thing called "relaxation." As Sherri and Rachel Wright left for the show, Sherri's daughters reminded Rachel to assert her right for lunch breaks and sleep (Sherri's been known to forget about these things entirely). Rachel did one better--she introduced Sherri to spa treatments, and much to everyone's surprise, Sherri got hooked. Pampering is now admissible as preparation or recovery from an event. Seaweed wrap, anyone?

The energy level at Art and Soul, however, was high from the start. No matter where Art and Soul is held, the students are enthusiastic and excited about learning new things. Sherri’s first class on making metal clay Pandora-style beads was comprised of a small group of women who giggled and recounted Vegas adventures, but also got a lot of work done. They made stunning silver beads in this class, about which a student said, “You get a lot of bang for your buck.” Sherri’s enthusiasm for this particular class is no doubt part of this energy, because as she says, “I would make these beads all day long if I could.”

Then came two more busy days of classes, etching and silver clay with Faux Bone. Sherri, Rachel, and the students worked hard, and it was satisfying to receive positive feedback from students who said they learned valuable new skills. The artistry level was especially high in the Faux Bone class. Take a look at these finished pieces from the class. Every finished piece was gallery worthy. These are even more amazing up close.

If you want to learn this technique, Sherri will be offering this class at Art and Soul in Hampton, Virginia at the end of April, and then in Philadelphia at the Interweave Beadfest on August 19.

Electroforming in Orange County

The best thing about electroforming classes is the variety of objects the students bring in to process. Just take a look at this collection of finished projects from Sherri’s February class at Brea Bead Works in Brea, California. Students electroformed seashells, glass, polymer clay, leaves, acorns and even lace fabric. With results like this, it’s no wonder Electroforming is becoming Sherri’s most popular class.

In addition to the all-day electroforming class, the next day Sherri taught her popular class on doing image transfers on metal clay. She was grateful for the assistance of Cassy Muronaka, and daughter Michelle, who helped tremendously even with baby Adeline in tow.

Cassy is a jewelry artist herself, and has made some amazing things using Sherri’s E3 Electroforming kit. Check out her blog on her first experiments here (note that the E3 Electroforming kit is now sold separately from the E3 Etch kit). Cassy has also done some exciting work electroforming on polymer clay, which she graciously shares in a multi-part blog. Follow her process and experiments, and see her amazing finished pieces starting here.

Sherri will teach at Brea Bead Works again on May 14^th and 15^th, so if this looks like fun, please come join us. Brea Bead Works features a variety of classes with local and visiting instructors. They offer a preview event prior to each quarter so customers can view class samples and meet instructors, and then be prepared to register for classes, which sometimes sell out quickly. Check out their impressive list of workshops at breabeadworks.com.

Winter Wedding

Sherri took a hiatus from teaching in January to help plan and celebrate her daughter Rachel’s wedding. Rachel and her husband, Luke, both make their living on their formidable creativity. Needless to say, the combined talents made the event a visual feast.

Rachel designed and sewed her own dress, Sherri oversaw the food and flower arrangements and I made a Victorian-meets-modern carrot cake to the bride and groom’s specifications. The reception was held in an art museum decorated with casual wintery pink rose bouquets put together by a group of friends and relatives.

Sherri and Luke’s mother, Mel (who is also my sister-in-law—don’t even try to figure that one out),

wore beaded champagne gowns that blended nicely with the bridesmaids’ varied pink tones. The food was in keeping with the cold January day—hot pureed squash and tomato soups, but the highlight was Sherri’s innovative hot chocolate bar, where guests could add red hots, pink marshmallows, white chocolate and an assortment of other treats to their steaming cups.

The food was catered by http://www.marvellouscatering.com/ . If you live in Utah County, Sherri and I would both highly recommend them for an event.

To end the evening, everyone jumped in for the Tunak Tunak Tun dance, a tradition for Luke.

Most of us would probably want to spend a week or two in bed after planning and executing such a large event, but with January past, Sherri was ready to take on her upcoming busy travel and teaching schedule. Check her schedule of classes here to see if one is coming near you.

Silhouette Charm Bracelet

This project was featured in Handcrafted Jewelry Magazine. It features brass charms you can use to apply your own images . I chose B&W but you could use color. This would make a perfect gift for the holidays, we have the supplies on our site for the blanks and the image transfer medium. check out Vintaj for the chain and other jewelry findings.

Electroforming Adventures

Dan and I have been running as fast as we can to keep up with the tasks associated with supporting our metal etching and electroforming products. We have been updating techniques and supplies as we find new and improved ways of doing things. For the past year we have taught people how to etch and electroform in classes around the country so they will understand the finer points of how these processes work and how to implement the techniques for jewelry design. In our etching classes, we used to say “oh and by the way, you can electroform using similar technology”. Well, as soon as people heard the word electroforming it’s like you just asked them to take a physics test or something. When a few open minded event organizers posted electroforming classes, adventurous students who were not easily intimidated signed up. No one was more enlightened than me about the awesome results. People copper coated everything imaginable from old jewelry pieces to sea shells. Some of the more unusual pieces included leather, a small animal jawbone and a gecko lizard! I call it the Rumpelstiltskin effect because once a common thing is turned into shiny metal it becomes something precious. And then to top it off you can plate copper with whatever metal you choose. With gold and silver being at ridiculous prices, plating is definitely an appealing choice for jewelry making. I’m pretty excited about the buzz and enthusiasm our electroforming classes are generating. We’ve even been mentioned on Polymer Clay Daily!
http://polymerclaydaily.com/2010/11/05/electroforming-and-polymer/

Thank you Cynthia

I have been receiving quite a few email inquiries about electroforming for polymer clay. You can electroform copper over almost anything as long as it won’t dissolve or change the ph of the copper electroforming solution, so polymer clay is an excellent core material. Or if you prefer to simply embellish or surround with a copper bezel allowing the polymer to show through that is another application. Polymer does not require sealing like organic materials and it can be formed or molded into any shape you wish. It is fairly inexpensive and easy to obtain. I am very excited about the artists who are using our E3 Etch/Eform controller with polymer clay. Check out work by Cassy Muronaka http://cassymuronaka.wordpress.com/

Cassy Muronaka has a multi-part series posted all about her adventures with electroforming. She shares her “happy accidents” that we can all learn from. I am grateful for her tireless experimentation because it has led to many new ideas

and Janice Abarbanel http://janiceabarbanel.blogspot.com/

Janice Abarbanel’s blog is a visual and informational treat. If you scroll down the past few posts she shares various designs and also etched silver pieces. She is amazing!

I love the work they have been producing and the information they freely share is worth pouring over.

Halloween Crafts

Fall is my favorite season and the best time to get out the craft supplies. Here's a Halloween project from my book "Jewelry Inspirations". These simple creatures are made using air dry clay and then painted with acrylics. Make them into pins, magnets or bulletin board tacks.

This week we are gearing up to teach classes at Bead Fest in Texas Oct 1st. Dan and I are teaching etching, electroforming and enameling on silver. I'm looking forward to the show, the classes are nearly full which is great. I'm so excited to show everyone the new things we are working on-so many I can't keep them straight-stay tuned.

Summer Classes and Art Saves

This week I will be the featured artist on Art Saves by Jenny Doh. You can read a bit about why I love to create and visit a few of my favorite links. She has a great blog with lots of inspiring stories.

This summer has been flying by with lots of travel, classes and just hard work in general. We attended the Bead and Button Show in WI, here we are at the booth (Rachel Haab, Rachel Wright, myself and Michelle Haab-with baby Adeline on the way). We worked so hard, we often missed 2 out of 3 meals and lived on 4-6 hours of sleep all week but had fun meeting people and working together.

One of the classes I taught at the show combined metal clay, fine silver and images transferred to faux bone. It was A LOT to master in one class but I think the end results were stunning. This is a piece made by Erin Prais-Hintz. She transferred images to both sides and then set the piece in the metal clay so that the back is as pretty as the front.

Another hot technique we are teaching this summer is electroforming. I think I have more fun than the students. They bring interesting objects to form into copper to class. This piece was made at Art and Soul in VA by Judy Harris. She finished it with pearls and wore the finished piece as a pin. It is lovely and she also made matching earrings. I am hoping to teach this class again soon. We are really happy with the new electroform controller and the use of graphite paint for this technique. Electroforming and plating is surprisingly easy.

This week I am headed to the PMC conference in Purdue, and then off to Phoenix for Art Unraveled the following week to teach classes using copper clay, resin clay and fine silver clay.