8 Days Left...

(Image above from here)

That is, 8 days before I leave for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I will be assisting my professor Becky McDonah with her Hydraulic Press Workshop. I can't wait!

But first, a weekend with the fam in San Diego.

I will be posting lots while at Arrowmont (although I am assuming they have wireless, but this may not be the case). If not, I will have tons to post upon my return after June 14th.

But wait, here is some eye candy for you:) Check out the metals studio at arrowmont. Woohoo!

(I stole this image from here)

Juried MFA Summer Exhibition

I wanted to post some images from the summer MFA juried show that is up at ASU right now. It is up until September, so if you can stop by you should. There is some great work in this show!

These pillow-like cakes are the work of Mindy Sue Meyers.

As are these felty fruits...

The sulpture seen on the right in this photo below is the work of Mike Thomas and actually won first place in the show.

It has a motion detector and when you approach the string starts to wind and wrap itself in the jar.
This is the work of my studio-mate Victoria Altepeter.
A detail...
This is her work as well, a set of seven amazing belt buckles!

I absolutely LOVE this painting by Claudio Dicochea.
And this small paper sculpture by fibers grad Sally Gilmore.
These floor tiles are made of white out tape and are the work of Nick Deford.These brightly painted, veneered, wallpapered, and hollow constructed wood sculptures are the work of Ellie Richards. I loved this mixed media painting by Sungyee Kim. And this piece called "Suckle" by Lisa Von Koch. Its a pile of wax covered water bottles, lit from underneath.
This teapot is the work of Jana Evans.I espcially enjoyed this diptych commenting on object vs. image by Ryan Miller.

Go check out the show! Its AWESOME!

Blacksmithing

Last weekend I attended a blacksmithing demo given by Tedd McDonah. It was my first experience with backsmithing and I had a great time. I even made this little hook! Thanks Tedd!

New In the Shop

This necklace is now available in my shop. It is acid etched silver (fingerprint design), domed, repoussed, and features a white pearl in the center. The pendant hangs on a cable chain. My favorite part is the back. I cut out a circle in back so you can see the domed part coming back in, and the pin that holds the pearl.

Check it out HERE.

Shop Update

I have been a busy bee this week making lots of new jewelry for my shop. I just found out that I get to go to Tennessee to attend a workshop at Arrowmont school of Arts and Crafts. I will be assisting my professor Becky McDonah with her Hydraulic Press Workshop.

I am super excited but need to sell some jewelry and buy a plane ticket! The workshop is June 8th-14. Let the countdown begin!

Check for shop updates all this week and next week too!

Etching Class

This summer I will be teaching a 5 week etching class at Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Description: Etching is the technique of using acids to create imagery on a metal surface. An acid resistant ground is applied to the metal after which in can be removed to certain portions of the metal underneath. Various uses of ground application to achieve different results will be covered, including traditional asphaltum, nail polish, Sharpie marker, paint pen, and PNP paper for photo and design transfer. Open to all levels.

Click HERE for more details...

Framed Portraits

I made these frames for my portrait silhouette brooches so that they can be hung on the wall. The frames are painted wood with fine silver rivets, and the brooches are sterling silver, brass, and fine silver. I can see a whole new series of wall pieces like this...

Production

This summer one of my goals is to get some production work done and get into a gallery. Here is a necklace I made for my friend Lauren McAdams who just finished up her MFA at ASU and is going to teach at Steven F Austin University in Texas. Just a little something to get me started. It is sterling silver, copper and embroidery thread.

Mementos

I am finishing up school and mostly grading this week, but wanted to share that this piece won a Jurors Award at the Summer MFA Show (see post below). What a surprise!

Summer Juried MFA Exhibition

Good News!

I am super excited that I was accepted to the Annual Juried MFA Summer Exhibition!

The show dates are May 5-Sept.5, and the Opening Reception is Monday, May 5, 7-9 p.m.

I'd love to see you there if you are interested! The show was juried by Dennita Sewell. From the show announcement, "The flame keeper of fashions past, Dennita Sewell moved from New York City to Phoenix to become a Curator of Fashion Design at the Phoenix Art Museum in January of 2000 bringing six years experience as collections manager at Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and an MFA in Design from the Yale school of Drama to the valley..." This is something I have aspired to for several years now and am just really happy that I made it.

On another note, school is now OVER. Not sure how to describe my feelings of joy, excitement, enthusiasm, etc. I cannot WAIT to get into the studio with NO distractions and just make, make, make! I plan on spending a full week or two in production jewelry mode. I need to fill my poor neglected shop and maybe apply to some galleries. I also need to make some money to possibly go to Arrowmont (to be an assistant to my professor Becky McDonah) this summer. I just feel free to make, make, make!