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Celie, a jewelry artist, writer, and much sought after teacher, met Jennifer when Kahn was in college working at a gallery that sold Fago’s jewelry.  After attending classes taught by her, Kahn became a live-in apprentice and teaching assistant to the artist, and she continues in those roles today while making and selling her own line of jewelry.

Here’s a snippet of what the duo says about apprenticeships:

“Mentors have the potential to not only pass on their skills but to give those who could never have the time or the money or the know-how, the ability to invest in their passion. They can ensure that crafts stay alive and vibrant for future generations.

There are all levels of potential apprenticeships out there.  Some as extensive as the traditional 7 years and some simply lasting for a given event. For example, a potter looking for help selling their work at a craft show in exchange for teaching about how to sell at craft shows. It could be a live-in situation; an apprentice could work for their mentor for a number of days a week in exchange for room and board. Or it could be more casual, meeting once a week for a few hours. Simply go to the directory to peruse or create a listing. You decide what you are looking for or what you want to put out there.”

Celie Fago and Jennifer Kahn

The website is brand new, so there aren’t many people registered yet, but my guess is that will change soon as word gets out about this great service. Keep your eye on Apprenticementor – they have a Facebook page to make it easy for you to do that. I’m on my way over there to register right now – it’s free. Coming?

Many thanks to Angela Crispin for letting us know!

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Urning Rubber, mixed media urn

Guadalupe of the Heeling Sole, mixed media, 12″x 16″x4″

deMeng dementing doll parts

Using mostly cold joins, deMeng deconstructs and reassembles various elements, adding flourishes of drama and painted details, allowing the story to unfold until close inspection makes you feel as though you are inside the dark humor of a macabre comedy.

A Strange Case, mixed media assemblage

Daughters of Lilith {click image to see large}

He does copius amounts of research when he is working on a piece and he shares some of his insights and process on specific assemblages, like ‘Daughters of Lilith’, pictured above. Read the story behind ‘Daughters of Lilith’ here. deMeng also describes many of the components of this piece and how he came to use them.  Fascinating.

Hell Mask, mixed media

Heeling, mixed media

“These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and revolutions of existence: from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction. These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing.” Michael deMeng

Michael’s new book Dusty Diablos: Folklore, Iconography, Assemblage, Ole! will be available next month and his 2007 Secrets of Rusty Things: Transforming Found Objects into Art is still wildly popular. Next up for deMeng is a live 2-part Craftcast Masterclass beginning this Wednesday, February 17th, where he will demystify the process of creating an assemblage piece and teach you “how to stick it all together.”  You can also follow deMeng’s blog and become a fan on his  Facebook Fan Page.

Hipolite Rafael Chacon on deMeng:

“He characterizes his creative process as an arduous and hellish journey of self-reflection, but making art is also salutary, a cathartic release of internal demons. As in the ex-votos of Latin American altars, need and desire are balanced with belief and hope and deMeng’s works of art mediate between the ancestral past, the life of the living and an unknown future. In his shrines, color, pattern, texture, and repetition of form symbolize the cyclical nature of life and death. His process, evident in the work itself, embraces trial and error and reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of endless regeneration.“

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Pendants, Ronna Sarvas Weltman 

The workshop will include plenty of technique, as Ronna teaches about resins in addition to polymer clay, wire, shaping and texturing fine silver, copper, bronze and brass, but there will also be a strong focus on connecting students to their own artistic voice and helping them ‘hit the sweet spot’ in their work. Students who have taken classes with Ronna say that her classes are empowering – couple that with a spectacular setting and you’ve got a winning combination for nurturing your creative self.  Here’s what Ronna says about the week:

“This week-long workshop will help you find your unique artistic voice through polymer clay and wire. We will experiment, play, laugh, create and transform as we explore and expand ideas about art as adornment. Rounding out the experience will be twice-daily optional (but free) guided exercise by Janis Levine, open studio at night, forays into Puerto Vallarta, and gourmet spa food for breakfast and lunch.” Read the entire workshop description here.

Ronna Sarvas Weltman, Pink Ring, polymer clay, wire

The venue is Hacienda Mosaico, a bed and breakfast in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico that specializes in art retreats. In addition to Weltman’s workshop, the 2010 schedule includes workshops with Michael deMeng, Robert Dancik, Hadar Jacobson and Opie and Linda O’Brien.

Hacienda Mosaico

“You will find cobbled streets, where tortillerias and markets catering to the locals rather than the tourists…..craft shops, cantinas, night life and adventure. Hacienda Mosaico is ideal for small retreats and intimate parties as well as a quiet respite from the busy world….a tranquil vacation destination in a tropical environment for adults.” From Hacienda Mosaico’s website

Hacienda Mosaico Workshop

I am excited about attending Ronna’s worshop – and I will approach it in the way that I now move through all of my days – with Beginner’s Mind. Beginner’s Mind is the Buddhist concept of approaching the study of any topic with openness, eagerness and a lack of preconception – even if you are at an advanced level of study. Last week I was listening to Tara Brach’s podcast (she helps me quiet the chatter of my ‘monkey mind’) when Brach related what is widely considered the most famous line in the book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.”

I find peace, release and comfort in exploring the world with a beginner’s mind. Won’t you join me – in Mexico, in Beginner’s Mind, in exploration?

Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

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Also in this issue, Seth Savarick taps into the trend we are currently seeing regarding large-scale jewelry in the article “Go Big with Lightweight Polymer Clay.” This is a terrific 6 page how-to for making a BIG, BOLD BANGLE. Savarick will talk about this further at the Synergy2 conference in his seminar, Think BIG / Work Big: Polymer Clay Jewelry On A Grand Scale and in this hands-on workshop.

More polymer clay news this week – on Wednesday, December 2nd, Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily will share her technique for making faux polymer clay beach pebbles in a LIVE, online class hosted by Alison Lee. More from Tinapple about the class here and read what Lee has to say about the polymer pebbles here. If you haven’t tried polymer clay yet, this is a terrific introduction to the medium taught by the author of the premiere blog about polymer clay art. I’ll be attending the Craftcast Masterclass on Wednesday -  hope to see you there.

Can’t get enough? Art Jewelry is showing a ‘bonus’ slideshow of Kathleen Dustin’s work on their website in addition to a free ‘wallpaper’ image of a Jeff Dever piece.
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I’ve watched the DVD, but I haven’t had a chance to experiment with the material yet. First I will attend Robert’s virtual masterclass, Faux Bone: An Exploration, hosted by Craftcast’s Alison Lee on Monday night, September 14th.

Faux Bone: An Exploration, with Robert Dancik

Why attend an online workshop when I already have the DVD?  The answer is easy. DVDs, online workshops and face-to-face classes all support and strengthen our ability to learn. Powerful tools separately, yes, but even more so when used together.

The way we learn is changing – I’m happy to participate in a live, online class and use both the DVD and the recording of the live class as important reference tools at a later date.  I get different things from each experience and I like having many learning vehicles available.

In Monday’s class, expect Dancik to show us, with his usual humor and come-play-with-me style, that it is all within our reach.

Giveaway!

Lee is sweetening the deal by hosting a giveaway for everyone who registers.  Three lucky class participants will win either a copy of Dancik’s new book (which I will cover in another post), a copy of the DVD or a Faux Bone Kit.  More details about the giveaway here.

See you Monday night?