Hello Friends!

Well, it’s official.  I’m going to teach an in-person jewelry making workshop Saturday, February 29th in my home studio.

Here's a little bit more information about my very first in person workshop.

Bronze Bliss:  A Jewelry Making Workshop

In this class, you will learn how to cut form, hammer and solder bronze sheet metal and jewelry wire.  Taking these raw materials and turning them into one of a kind fashion statement pieces of jewelry will be your assignment. 

I’ll bring everything you need other than a willingness to learn something new.  You will also need to bring your glasses, if you use them for close up vision.  We’ll be zooming in on some pretty small details as we work.

You can expect to leave with more than one piece of jewelry depending on how fast you work.  You will also leave with a list of supplies needed should you want to continue moving forward on your metal-smithing journey.

I love teaching kids, but because we will be working with hot flames and torches students should be at least 14 years of age please.

Class will be held from 9AM-5PM Saturday, February 29th in my Jacksonville, Florida home studio.  Lunch will be provided.

We are located a little less than 5 miles from the edge of the content where the Atlantic Ocean laps up upon the sands of Neptune Beach, Florida.  If you live nearby, you are familiar with all there is to do in this beautiful coastal town.  If you don’t, you will find it charming, I’m sure.  I am a Jacksonville, Florida native and though I have thought about moving away before I just can’t seem to be able to leave behind all the natural beauty to be found here.

Early bird registration is now open.  Tickets are sold in my on-line shop.  Regularly priced tickets are $125 per person but for a limited time, they are on sale for $100 each.

Click here to buy tickets

Space is limited.

Full Schedule

I used to say “I’m so busy” all the time.  Well, it’s still true but I try not to say it anymore.  I prefer to say I have a “full schedule”.  Doesn’t that sound better?  I feel like the phrase “I’m so busy” sends a message.  I don’t have time for this, that, the other thing or (even worse) you.  The word “busy” to me implies a frantic state, somewhat like a running around or even a somewhat “frazzled” state of mind. But when I use the phrase “full schedule” it feels grounded.  It feels like I’m saying my feet are on the ground and I have a calm approach to the things that are going on in my life.  It feels like I’m saying I elect to have a lot on my plate.  It’s my choice because I’m one of those types of people who enjoys and prefers having a lot going on all at the same time.  It makes me feel productive and it makes me feel like the fullness has a lot more to do with my purpose and intention than anything else.  Can you relate?

Bold Bronze and Beautiful

My Happy Place

Me in my happy place, making something.

Little Works of Art

I love drawing and painting as much as I love forging metal jewelry.  I really love creating tiny works of art.  Something like this, which is about 4x6, is something I can make pretty quickly so it satisfies my need to get my creative fix.  The substrate I create is a little hard to explain.   I'm planning on fully explaining in my first creative on-line course, if i can ever get that sucker of the ground.

Working with Silver Plate Platters and Bowls

So let’s talk about the silver plate materials I use when making my jewelry.  As some of you may already know, I’m a huge fan of thrift stores.  I love the idea of taking an object, cast away by another, and turning it into something precious.  Most thrift stores have an abundant supply of silver plate platters and bowls from which to select.  I’m always on the lookout for ones that tarnished.  A bright and shiny piece will rarely, if ever, catch my eye. 

The way the piece feels in my hand has a lot to do with whether or not I buy it.  The lighter it feels (for it’s size) the better.  Cutting these is not easy.  But I have found that the lighter the weight of the piece, the easier it is to manipulate with a blade or metal sheers. 

I used to spend a lot of time etching metal to use in my jewelry.  The process is messy, time consuming and, honestly, a little bit scary to me.  The chemicals required to etch a great piece are pretty nasty.  One day I was looking at a stack of silver plate platters (when shopping at a thrift store of course) and noticed that the embossed design on some were a lot like my etched designs.  Voila.  There it was.  My eyes saw the potential for amazing jewelry right there in this dusty and dull selection of silver plate platters and bowls.

I don’t limit myself to only embossed silver plate objects.  Every now and then I find the perfectly plain platter or bowl.  Great jewelry comes from these objects too.

New Jewelry

I've really been enjoying the process so much lately.  And have been busy preparing for an upcoming spring show, keeping the Atlantic Beach Arts Market full and getting ready to add new work to my on-line shop.  Busy, busy, busy.