Category Archives: Workshops

susan lenart kazmer: circus troupe and beadfest class

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I am enchanted by objects that do double-duty and I have been intrigued by Susan Lenart Kazmer’s free-spirited mixed-media art since 2006, so I was delighted to see that her new series incorporates removable, wearable art jewelry.

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The Opera Singer, sterling silver wire and sheet metal, resin, fiber, feathers, paper

The Circus Troupe will include six figures – The Opera Singer, pictured here, is Kazmer’s first completed figure in the troupe. Made up of a collection of removable jewelry and wearing several rings as her hats, this lady is also adorned with two pairs of earrings, three bangle bracelets, a stack of twelve sterling silver bangles and a charm bracelet skirt. Wow!

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Next week Alison Lee and I will be students in one of Kazmer’s classes at Beadfest Philadelphia. Her book and Metalwork DVD have tickled my muse already – I look forward to learning how to craft my own mixed-media rings.

Will we see you at Beadfest Philadelphia? Let me know!

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Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists

Read more about The Opera Singer’s story and removable components here and if you missed it, you can still listen to Kazmer’s 2008 Craftcast interview here.

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tory hughes in france, in print, in life: practicing creative action

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You get to a certain place in your work, where you have been essentially expressing who you are for a really long time and you realize that even if somebody else tried to express you, they will never be able to, because they are not you.  When we as artists or creators are willing to be really present in the moment, then there is an integrity, an authenticity. Tory Hughes, Ornament Magazine, Volume 32, No. 4

Best known for her groundbreaking imitative work in polymer clay, Tory Hughes’ real gift is the way she approaches art, life and the journey of blending the two.

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Tory Hughes

In the current issue of Ornament magazine, Jill DeDominicis explores The Path From Nothing to Something with Hughes, including what DeDominicis’ describes as Hughes’ philosophy of “creativity as both a highly personalized act and a common drive that unifies humanity across time and place.” Articulate and well-informed, Hughes’ wise-sage wisdom, playful nature and generosity of spirit are evident throughout the four page spread.

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Ornament Magazine

In September Hughes heads to France to lead a small group of  artists in Perception and Play, a creativity retreat for artists working in any medium. With a genuine curiousity about the world that spills over into her art and her thoughtful words, she is the consummate workshop leader. This time she puts away her polymer clay tools and techniques and instead, engages participants in an exploration of how to “connect you more deeply to your own creative, innovative abilities, goals and resources” as only she can.

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Still need convincing? Four years ago I attended a five day workshop with Hughes and today I still draw on the tangible and intangible gifts I received while studying her art, absorbing her vast knowledge about polymer clay and her deep understanding of the artistic process.

I was told that there are only a few seats left in her upcoming retreat. If you are looking to break down self-imposed barriers, navigate uncharted waters or simply relax into a new understanding of your journey, don’t miss this opportunity to revisit your childlike sense of wonder with Hughes.

For more information about the September retreat, Perception and Play, click here (there it is – the start of practicing creative action – clicking on the link is where it begins!).

Read more about her own journey of play and risk here.

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La Cascade, France. Are you ready for the adventure?

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tim mccreight is coming to my house

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Tim McCreight is coming to my house to teach me how hammers and other tools can assist me in my design process.  I had dinner with Tim at the Synergy conference last year and he is as he seems: warm, accessible, down-to-earth, engaging. It was during our dinner with Tim that night that Alison Lee (CraftCast) had an idea for a series of online workshops and she produced her first Master Class a few months after that dinner.

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[private_archives]I’m pretty excited that Tim is coming to my house on Monday night.  Sweet! But wait, there’s no reason to be envious – he can come to your house too – even if you live on the other side of the globe!

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On Monday, May 11th at 8pm (EST), McCreight will teach “Design, a Blow by Blow Approach”, the newest Master Class.  Watch, listen and learn from the comfort of your living room with another cutting edge online workshop from CraftCast.

Tim McCreight, a renowned metalsmith, teacher and author has published two dozen books and videos. In Monday’s online workshop McCreight shares his design expertise, including how a hammer became as important as a pencil in his design process and how his new experience of trusted tools helped him develop a deeper appreciation for chance and spontaneity. I’ll be there. In my living room. With Tim. Won’t you join us?  Click the image above to register.
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dan cormier is peeling polymer!

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Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes are winding down a stellar Southeast USA teaching tour with one more weekend workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina this coming weekend.  There are a few spots left in the 2-day Cutting Edge, Decorative Veneers in Polymer Clay class, and if you hurry you can snag one!  For more information and to register, click here.

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This will be the fourth and final Cutting Edge workshop on this trip – workshops in Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta sold out and were a resounding success.  One student, who has been working with polymer clay for more than 20 years said that she learned more in two Cutting Edge days than she has in two decades!

Join Dan and Tracy  in Raleigh, won’t you?
Where: ArtSpace, Raleigh, North Carolina

When: Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29 10am – 5pm each day

What: The Cutting Edge

Why: Learn how a peeler can become your favorite new tool for this medium, and see why students in eight countries are calling this workshop “fabulous… fun… awesome…inspiring…a revelation… mind-blowing… truly Cutting Edge.”
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dancik’s amulets & talismans on craftcast

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Robert Dancik’s first Craftcast Masterclass last December was so well received (more than 100 people attended the online class) that Alison Lee is bringing Dancik back in March for a triple play!

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[private_archives]This time Dancik will teach, Amulets & Talismans. The class will meet (virtually, of course) for three consecutive Mondays starting March 2nd. Dancik will guide students as they craft their own amulet, exploring design, process and techniques in each of the three 90 minute sessions.  See more of Dancik’s work here.

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Amulet made with reflector from bicycle – maybe your childhood bicycle?

Why do we keep things like old ticket stubs, keys to cars we no longer own, a lock of someone’s hair, an earring with no mate, a used book of matches?  Why?  Because these are not just objects, these are the reservoirs of memories.  They protect us from forgetting.  They afford us comfort.  Robert Dancik

Lee will be utilizing a new interactive software that allows for an easier, more satisfying online-learning experience. Great way to start a new month.

More information and registration here!

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