Learning something new

This past Saturday I went to a day long workshop, where I learned how to make rings from silver clay (just the basics, of course). How exciting! I've made bracelets, earrings, and pendants before, but have never seen a ring made ever, so for me this was like science fiction. I took several photos of the process (not too many), and thought you might like to see them.

I admit that I was totally distracted while driving home. I kept looking at my rings, not believing that I made them from a small lump of sliver clay.

So, here they are after being fired, tumbled, blackened and polished. Notice how the color of glass changed! They turned into completely different colors! I know that they are not delicate, but I figured that my soul is delicate enough, so other things about me don't have to be.

Pretty or not, I feel like a kid in kindergarten, so proud of what I made! I think I just might wear them every day and stop people on the street to tell them "look what I made!".

Or maybe not :-)

Have a happy week!

Playing with clay

Looking at my digital pages reminded me that I've never shared my brief explorations of precious metal clay. I don't make jewelry, but when my friend Rae (who creates amazing jewelry - take a look at her website www.JesterSwink.com) asked me if I would take a workshop - I couldn't wait. This is my iPad journal page - I love that I can write on it with a stylus and the result looks like my handwriting (somewhat). 

We worked with silver and copper clay in different forms. The instructor guided us through many techniques... It is pretty amazing, the creative possibilities seem endless. Here are some of the things I made - some better than others. I didn't worry about the outcome, as this is completely new to me.

This is my hollow, domed copper bead. I can't decide what to do with it...

I wear these earrings all the time. Can't believe that my hands made them (and there are fingerprints in the silver that show it!!!)

I'm so grateful that I had a chance to try something new and can't wait for another workshop in a couple of months where I'll play with PMC one more time :-)

Visiting Sharon and her muse Norah...

I'm back from Texas... I blinked and the week was over.

For the last couple of hours I've been looking at my collection of photos and thinking how to put it all in a post and try to describe the time we spent together. And since I can't figure it out, I guess it will have to be spread out in several posts and I'll just start with the beginning.

My trip started very early in the morning. That is good because it took me three planes to get to Ms. Sharon...  and - I got to see the sunrise from high above, which is always cool. It was really great!

We walked and talked, she cooked, I ate; we watched birds and bunnies, talked some more, and more, painted, soaked in the amazing views of her property... days were too short. 

We also made jewelry! I was very lucky to have a private workshop with a very talented lady:

She patiently led me through the complex and very fun process of working with metal and resin. There were moments that camera couldn't capture but that I know we'll remember forever (I don't think that Sharon will ever trust me with a Dremel tool again, although she will with the torch because I'm the master of fire! /in my dreams/).

 I used my digital collage sheet for my pendant (it was just the size I needed), while Sharon made a print of a detail of one of her new amazing paintings for hers. Now all I need to do is attach the pendant to a ribbon, leather cord or a chain and I will have a one of a kind necklace. Except that I don't want to, because I need to hold it in my hand for a while and stare at it... Sharon's pendant is on the left, mine on the right.

We both wished that we had more time to paint together because it was really a fun to do, but there are things to show... so, the story will continue.

Have an amazing weekend!

xo