Have Kiln..... will travel!

Today I made the trek to the beautiful Tionesta Area.  It's the second time I've taught a class for the Tionesta Area Arts Council.  Class today was held in the visitor center which was just perfect.  The lighting was great and everything was close at hand.  And as usual the people were great.  (I just love teaching and meeting people.  As usual, we had a good time and lots of laughs.)

The focus of the class was making silver lentil beads but of course we made other things too.  (It's amazing how far a nine gram pack of PMC3 can go.)  The above photo is of Denise and Julia showing off their completed beads.  (Sorry I never remember last names....... I'm lucky to remember first names!)

This photo shows one side of Becky's bead (that's the beauty of lentil beads....... they are two sided.)

Becky used some extra clay to make this head from a mold she brought with her.  (It's not yet fired here.)  She is taking it home to add hair and a crown (and do a nose repair.  It got a little flattened.)

Once again the other pictures I took were not good enough to share.  I wish they were, there were so many nice pieces made today.  

I love teaching metal clay, no matter where I go.  But there is a big difference when I'm on the road and when I'm at the studio.  I like to give my students a chance to create using their vision for a piece and try to pack as many different tools as I can.  But invariably someone comes up with a great idea and I have the perfect tool "back at the studio."  Today was no different.  We could have used carving tools, more chains and cords, and more templates among other things.  We make do and figure things out, but having the right tools sure makes it easier.  

What I need is a studio "on wheels!"  Then it can all go with me where ever I go.  

Some things are more important than others

It seems like I haven't done any classes for such a long time and then all the sudden I have a lot of classes.

I was tired after my class on Wednesday so I just left the mess and went back in yesterday to clean up and prepare for my next class in Tionesta on Saturday.

My class on Saturday is on making lentil beads.  That class requires me to take some tools and equipment that I don't usually use.  So, as I was packing I was trying to remember to take this and that.  Usually a warming tray or candle warmer is enough to dry pieces but since lentil beads don't lay flat I have to take a hair dryer and a box to support the hair dryer.  Check!

The clay has to be dried over a curved form, either light bulbs, a paint palette or commercial rounded drying form.   Packed?   Check!

Since all the tool kits were out, those were easy enough.  Check!  Sandpaper, olive oil, texture plates, molds, distilled water, alcohol, CZ's, rubber blocks, work mats, vermiculite, bowl to hold vermiculite, necklaces, jump rings, beading wire, etc. etc. etc.  Check!

All packed.  Just a matter of hauling it all down to the car.  (Pray the elevator is working!)

Ready to go home..... wait a minute.  I think I forgot something.......... oh no.  I forgot the clay.  Anything else I could probably make due.  But the clay?   No clay...... no class.  Some things are definitely more important than others.

Fun in the Forest Area

My motto has always been "Have kiln, will travel."  And last Saturday that's exactly what I did; pack everything up and head to Tionesta to teach an Intro Class.  It only took me two trips to load my car (thank goodness the elevator is working at the Transit Building!)  I thought I did pretty well at packing everything.  I really didn't think there was anything I missed until I couldn't see the details as closely as I needed to.  Of all the things for me to forget, I forgot my visor.

Made new friends, hooked a few on metal clay and saw lots of creative pieces being made.   I wanted to share photos of every one's work (there were so many nice pieces) but for various reasons only a few of the pictures will work.   

Nancy's "Two peas in a pod", Snake, and curved piece

Carol's face pendant

Unfortunately I can't remember the name of this artist.  

(or the last names of the artist's who created the other two pieces.)

After 35 years of remembering hundreds of names, my brain refuses to remember anymore names.  

(Faces yes, names..... no!)

Tionesta has some upcoming festivals if you are in the Forest County Area in Pennsylvania. 

June 16...... Festival in the Forest

August 11-19..... Tionesta Indian Festival

Check them out and meet some very nice people!