A follow up.

I'm finally following up on a post I did on March 2.  Finally finished the "beer cap" piece that I posted about.  Actually it's been done for a while now, but I've been in some kind of "funk" or "artistic drought" if you want to call it that.  (Although this funk has carried over into other aspects of my life.  Can't wait until it's over.)  Sorry but I've dropped off the social map for a while too!

So, here is my latest Beer cap piece. If I do it again, I'll place a CZ at the top.  (I kept wanting to turn this one and drill a new hole.)   

I did get some good news yesterday that I am hoping sparks my mood.  I finally am going to do Franklin's Applefest this year.  I've tried other years and did not get in.  I found out that bulk mailings are sent out every year when I'm in Florida.  And since bulk mailings are not forwarded, I wasn't getting the application forms.  

This year we gave them my cousin's address.  She contacted me the day she got the form and over the phone we filled out the application.  Then I emailed pictures of some of the pieces in progress and pictures of the finished pieces.  The Chamber told us to return the forms early as it was on a first come, first serve basis.  We were the very first form returned.  (Can't get any earlier than that!)  

So now I need to get my tent out to practice setting it up and get to work on some pieces for the show.  My beer cap earrings are one of my favorites so I think I'll focus on making a bunch of those with variations.  Hopefully that will get the creative juices flowing again.  (Lord knows I need something.)

This year my roommate and I worked on making fine silver crosses out of the metal clay.

I made crosses once before, but never really spent the time focusing on a variety of crosses.  My goal was to make some crosses that would appeal to guys.  There are five of them finished so far, but I plan on making more.  I am really enjoying it.

Cindi was making a cross for herself, so it is more feminine.

Every time I make a cross I tend to use the same texture, a thick mass of tree branches.   For me it seems to fit the religious theme.  (The one in the lower left of course is the only one that doesn't use that texture. )  I was really pleased with the way they all turned out.  (Some of the designs are as planned and some of course took a different course.  As usual, my jewelry decided how it wanted to look........  I've learned to pay attention.)  

The CZ in the upper cross started out as an emerald green color.   Obviously it changed in the kiln.  This is only the second time I've had that happen and both times it was a green stone, although they were both different shades of green.  Now the stone is a deep reddish brown color.  Actually it's quite pretty but not what it was supposed to be.    

Four of them are going to hang on a braided leather necklace.  The cross in the upper right corner will hang on a piece of suede.  It has a hidden bail and needs a thinner cord.  

I'm looking forward to making more and playing with the cross theme some more.  Maybe making some feminine crosses too.  We'll see!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday I taught my first class since March.  A fellow Oil City music teacher, Beth Orris treated her daughters to a metal clay class for their birthdays.

This isn't the first time someone has given one of my classes as a present.  Another teacher friend gave her daughter and son in law a class for Christmas.  One Easter, a mother gave her son and daughter a class instead of candy.  They even used her own stones in their pieces.  And a fellow artist's husband gave her a gift certificate for a class.  Can't remember what the occasion was.   If you ask me, I think it's a great idea......... a tangible gift "and" knowledge.

Anyway, there were five students.  Not only did Beth and her daughters take the class but also Beth's sister in law, Amy Krumich and a good friend, Vicki Scherr.

What a great group.  Lots of fun and laughs (and lots of picking on each other!)   I felt right at home.

What always amazes me is the variety of work that comes out of a project.  Everyone adds their own flair and truly designs their own personal pieces.  

Unfortunately the photos I took of the finished pieces were rushed and most of them did not turn out.  (There were men watching little ones back at the house .......... need I say more?)  So, my best shot is the unfinished pieces as they were prepared to go into the kiln.

Julie and her mom brought leaves and ferns that they incorporated into their fold over bail pendants.  Others tried a variety of shapes and texture variations to make their pieces unique.  

As many times as I make pieces and teach it, it is still like Christmas when the kiln is opened.  Everyone surpassed their expectations.  Besides the pendants, we used the remainder of the clay to make a pair of earrings.  

This was the only decent photo of a finished piece.  These were made by Vicki.  Her earrings kept breaking so she ended up making a delicate necklace for her grand daughter. I wish I could show you the rest of the pieces but the pictures just don't do them justice.

More "Kissin" Cousins

Here's more pieces made from some of my Photo Polymer Plates.  Again, it's interesting how different the pieces made from the same plates can be.