Bead and Button Classes -Post Show

I haven't had a chance to post about Bead and Button.  After the show I went right back to work and then 9 days later went to the PMC Conference.  It was a very hectic month of June. 

The classes went really well.  Cris and I taught 4 classes.  The first etching class had 19 people in it.  Big class.  And it was held on the show room floor which didn't make for ideal conditions.  We could hear all the booths being set up for the vendors exhibit so we had to overcome the noise.  But it was a great class.  Everyone got a couple of pieces etched and tried both the PNP paper and drawing on the metal using a Sharpie marker as the resist. 

Our second class was also on the show floor and this time it was our class making the noise....it was a riveting class. It was fun to see women who had never rivetted before come out of class with that skill.  I remember the first time I had to rivet. I didn't think I would every be able to do it.  I've found that there are many things in metalsmithing that might seem daunting....come easily with practice and a good teacher.

The students in the Mixed Metal Layered Pendant Class got to learn both etching and riveting while making a pendant....or earrings...or a ring.  They all made great pieces. 

We ended Sunday by teaching another etching class.

It was a fantastic experience and a bit surreal.  Cris and I met at Bead and Button in a class.  Over the past 5-6 years we have scheduled most of our classes together.  And here we were....teaching...at a national conference. 

My partner in "crime" ...and all other things that are fun....

Boston Mills

Lou and I went down to the Boston Mills Artfest today.  It's always hot at Boston Mills and this year was no exception....94 degrees.  It's a local ski resort so there are no trees for shade, but they do have most of the artists in massive tents which provides some break from the heat.  I thought I would miss doing summer shows.  I do miss the camraderie with the other artists but I don't miss the heat. 

Afterwards we always go into Penninsula to the Winking Lizard for lunch.  Did you ever notice that in most of the pictures I have of Lou....he's holding up a beer??

The Artfest is two weekends so there will be another show next weekend with all new artists!!

Master Class with Tim McCreight

The first three days of Bead and Button were spent in Tim McCreight's master class on forging.  The man is AMAZING.  He managed to handle a room of 25 women....with hammers.  But seriously...he is a wonderful teacher.  If you ever have a chance to take a class with him....do it.  He is generous with his time and knowledge and has a great sense of humor.  Three days handling a 12 oz. hammer seemed to fly by. 

We had a very well equipped room at MATC in Milwaukee.

The first day we played with 6 gauge copper and brass wire to get a feel for what the hammer could do.  We made a plane change and practiced fanning out the metal and played with 1/4" copper rod.

Cris hard a work filing.

The man himself.  I learned a lot just by watching him strike with the hammer.  While my hammer bounced all over the place, his strikes were true and powerful.  By the end of three days I was much better.

 

The second day we took a small ingot of brass...about and 1-1/2" by 1/2" and forged a small spoon.  It was a lesson in patience and we honed our skills even further.  About one hour in... I had so mangled the ingot that I thought I would never finish the project.  But by the end of the day I had a spoon.  It may not look like much to you but that spoon is a miracle to me.  It was made entirely by hammering and just a little clipping of excess metal and a lot of hand polishing.

 

One the third day we poured ingots with Tim's help.  Using an acetyline and oxygen torch we melted down our scrap and had the chance to pour it. My ingot wasn't so great but it had a great texture on it and I want to captures in polymer.

We also had the chance to make some jewelry.  I made a bracelet from 6 gauge brass wire.  Cris helped me with the twist.

On Tuesday night there was a graduation dinner for all the master classes.  Cris ate her desert with her spoon :))

Final Count Down to Bead and Button

Tools for the Master Class (cat butt not included)....Check

But I do need to throw in vice grips.  I'm talking the forging class and I don't really need to bring anything...it's all being provided.  So I have a pair of gloves, magnifying lenses, and some scrap silver for pouring an ingot.



Supplies for teaching.....Check

Complete with snacks for the students....you can't make jewelry without chocolate and other various forms of suger.


Jewelry and supplies for Meet the Teachers....Check

A bunch of pieces parts that I will be selling as well as made jewelry.  

All the stuff for a table display at Meet the Teachers.   It's a good thing that I am driving as there is no way I could transport this stuff without a car

And Clothes......UGH.....I have been trying to find a pair of jeans that fit.  I ripped the backside out of my favorite pair (we won't say how) and it has been an ordeal finding a pair that fits.  Lou doesn't seem to know what the problem is....since I claim I invented pants....he tells me to just invent a new pair....smart ass.  Why is it so hard for companies to make jeans that fit women???.  There is a store that I usually get them from and they fit perfect...but they aren't selling jeans right now....they are selling capris since it's summer.  So I have tried on jeans and ordered jeans from just about every viable source.  There are 4 pair in my bedroom right now that I have to send back because they just don't fit right.  If they fit in the legs they don't fit it the waist and vice-versa.  I found a pair of Levi's that fit but I washed them once and the zipper won't stay up.  I can wear these as long as everyone is OK with me walking around with my fly open.  I really need to take them back to the store. 

I also have a very lovely satchel from Frye that I have to send back.  Lou bought it for me for my birthday and they sent it without the sholder strap.  Their customer service has been a bit wanting.  They don't really seem all that interested in helping me.  They told me to fill out a form and send it back to them.....and that I could use either UPS or FedEx....REALLY.  WOW....I get to send a defective product back to FRYE at my expense.  When I sent them an e-mail about this I was told they could print me a label but they have to wait for their mailroom to shut down at the end of the day and it may take 48 hours to get it to me.   WTF???  This has been dragging on since last Saturday.  I finally got the return label today.  I can have them send a replacement but I'm really not that happy with them right now so I don't know if I want to give them my money.  If I had ordered this through a store like Nordstom's....I would already have a replacement.  Every other company just sends return labels with your order....wake up FRYE!!

But I digress.....Tonight I ran to Costco to pick up snacks for the trip and chocolate for the students. And the rest of the night will be packing.  I need to run to the bank on Friday so I have some money for the cash box. 

And I am surprisingly calm through all this chaos...well....except for my rant about Frye....and the jeans

Later.
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More Irises...

The irises just keep blooming.  They must like the soil around here because they are really taking off this year.....which is surprising because we have a lot of clay.

This weekend I am doing a final pack for Bead and Button.  I have 6 containers filled with supplies for the classes.  I'm probably taking more than I need but I'd rather have more than find out I forgot something.  Lucky I'm driving. 

I also have to pack up the jewelry and table displays for Meet the Teachers.  I don't have as much jewelry made as I would like but I am taking pieces-parts to sell....after all.... this is a jewelry makers show.
And clothes....I have to pack up clothes....Tuesday I have an oil change....Wednesday I have a hair cut....it's going to be non-stop for the next few weeks .

Mom's Irises

Went home to see Mom today. Even though I told her we would go out she made a nice dinner for Lou and I.   A few years ago she gave me a number of  iris bulbs.  I planted them around my house. They are just starting to bloom.   

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Bead & Button Show....23 days to go!!!

Wow....It's only 23 days until Bead and Button.  THE show of the year.  This year will hold at least two "firsts".  The first of the "firsts" is a Master's Class.  Cris and I are taking Tim McCreight's Forging Class.  We are going to learn about metal structure, about different types of hammers and what they do, we will pour an ingot, and use chisels.  The class is 3 days and at the end we have a dinner with all the master classes, instructors, and some of the Bead and Button, Bead Style, and Art Jewelry editorial staff.  Cool!!

The second "first" is that Cris and I are teaching...which you probably know already.  We have 3 classes.  We are going to have a lot of fun!!! 

Metal Etching



Mixed Metal Pendant



Riveting

Hope to see you there!!!