UFOs spotted!

Yup, lots of UFOs have been spotted and they will be here tonight! Join us from 4ish until whenever we call it a day for our Un-Finished Object Night at echo artworks! We'll supply the food, tables, chairs, tools and design assistance all you need to bring are those pesky projects that just aren't getting done. Come early (we ran out of chairs last time!) and settle in for a night of fun and more important, finished projects!!! Beth will also show and tell the new Copper Metal Clay and preview some new workshops for summer and fall. See you tonight!

Feeling Competitive?

I just received the call for entries for the next Saul Bell Design Awards. The contest is put on by Rio Grande and always has some fantastic designs to aspire to…the best part? The competition winner receives a $10,000 gift certificate to Rio Grande!!!!! Think of all the tools, or silver, or GOLD! It is really hard to wrap my brain around winning a prize like this.

 

The categories are:

Gold/platinum

Beads

Metal clay

Hollowware

Enamel

Silver/argentium silver

 

There are also awards for first and second in each category. We have applications here at the shop or you can get more info at www.saulbellaward.com.

 

Good Luck!

School's Out for summer...

School is coming to a close for many children & adults alike. Graduations are plentiful and many of us are wondering if it is too late for summer plans...I think not!

We have just updated our workshop schedule online and are looking for a few good men (& women) to teach workshops. Do you have a skill or talent that is unrealized? Have something to share, but nowhere to teach? Come teach here!!!!

Your workshop does not need to be bead related (although we'd love that too). Anything that you think others might be interested in learning about is fair game. Digital photography-absolutely (I still don't know how to use my camera to its full potential). Encaustic painting-yes, please! Polymer clay, fabric & fiber, writing, drawing, silk painting, knitting-the sky is the limit! We will have workshop proposals here at the shop outlining what tools & supplies are needed, space considerations, class size and payment info. Talk to Beth anytime with questions about your proposal.

We'll also be rolling out some new drop in workshops for summer on the business of design, pricing your work and beyond basic jewelry design. Look for the first meeting of a new metal clay chapter too.

Thanks for all creativity you share with us and let us share with you!

saying goodbye to a friend...

We had to say goodbye to Nikki, my parents 14 year old husky, today.

Nikki was a rescue. She had some interesting eating habits, and was a bit stand off-ish with other dogs, but she was a love and truly the most elegant, gorgeous dog I have ever seen. I will admit, I am partial to husky type dogs (both of my fur children have been huskies related). I always profess that I will never get another animal any time this happens. My resolution usually lasts until the next hard luck case reaches my ears (I learned this from my mother), but I don't know how I forget the pain of losing a friend.

Our thoughts are with Penny & Ron and the rest of their fur children who will feel the loss as well.

She will be missed.

Happy Birthday Chris!!!!

Happy Birthday Stinky!!!

New copper metal clay

Finally!!! I have been waiting for this for almost a year. What have I been waiting for? The new copper metal clay!!!

New COPPR CLAY has just been released and our first order is on the way. We expect the new clay next week, but I have some firing information and workbooks already if you want to get a jump start.

We'll be testing the new clay as soon as it arrives. Hopefully it will work as well as the bronze clay in our rigorous tests, and will perform better in hollow forms. Firing needs to be done in a kiln with charcoal just like the bronze clay, but does not require the persnickety ramping up and holding times like the bronze.

Our first workshop with the new clay will be on June 27th.

Sidenote: Is anyone out there interested in starting a metal clay guild here in Kitsap? I have all the info from the PMC Guild about starting a chapter, but one member is just a little sad. Let me know!

lazy days

Summer is officially here. Lazy days, cool nights and lots of iced tea.

Well, I have been lazy long enough! I am woerfully behind in making samples and the book...I think I've only written about 2 pages and taken 3 pictures so far...can we say procrastination?!?

So here it is, the clean, clear workspace. The only problem is that I work very poorly in a vacuum. I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Come, work at the table with me...bring friends! I'll bring the iced tea.