Box Pearl Ring

Drying box with post for pearl

Pouring in vermiculite to support the post

Rings ready for firing

My finished ring

I do love making rings and I happened to have had an empty finger to cover.  So it was very convenient that Sunday's class with Gordon was on making a box ring with a pearl.

Lora Hart once said that when she takes a class she doesn't try to be creative.  She's there to learn the technique and creativity can be her focus when she's back in her own studio.

Keeping that in mind, I kept my ring simple and just followed Gordon's lead.  (Not that I didn't draw up a design that involved carving, stippling and adding coils..........but thought twice about it.  I'm so glad I did keep it simple.)

The techniques I learned can now be expanded into so many other areas and that is why I take classes in the first place.  

Classy Turtles

One of Gordon's turtles

Gordon's second class at the Cleveland Metal Clay Retreat made fine silver turtle pendants.  Again, I wasn't able to take the class but at least I was able to ooh and aw over the finished pieces of those who did.  There was a story behind the reason for making the turtles but I did not hear what it was.

Patina Turtle belongs to Mary Lou McMullen (on the left)

Silver Turtle is Brenda Kessler's

Both turtles are just gorgeous!

(Another class I wish I'd taken!)

Just amazing

Gordon and Jan Durkin from the Western Pennsylvania Metal Clay Guild

As was mentioned in an earlier post, I headed to the Cleveland Area this past weekend to take a class with Gordon Uyehara.  He was offering three classes while he was there, but unfortunately I was only able to take one of them.  His work is simply amazing.  There is no other way to describe it.

The Cleveland guild combined with the Guild from Columbus, OH and the Western Pennsylvania Metal Clay Guild to promote the Retreat.  Cleveland organized and hosted the four day retreat at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  (What a pretty town.  I might just have to go back.)  Many thanks to Katie Hanrahan and anyone else who helped her for such an enjoyable gathering.

Gordon's first class was a bracelet making class.  Even though I wasn't able to take the class I was able to see the results of the class and they were all awesome.

The examples above were made by Gordon.  (He was very generous in letting me take pictures of his work for my blog..... such a nice guy!)

Check out his work at www.honudream.com