Two friends of mine just opened up their etsy shops! The first one is:
My friend Jason Woolery just started an Etsy shop for his pottery. I met Jason at Arrowmont this summer. One of my favorite parts about going to Arrowmont was the friends I made. I feel like in one week I made friends that I will have for many years to come. Jason is a very talented ceramicist who will be applying to graduate schools this year to start next fall. I've been trying to talk him into applying at ASU but I am not sure if he is buying my sales pitch. As much as I love ASU, I'm not sure I would want to live in Phoenix after living in beautiful Tennessee! Anyway, his work is great and I am sure he will do well wherever he decides to go.I bought this bottle above from him the other and can't wait to get it. Isn't it gorgeous?! He has some other really beautiful things (like the jar below) in his shop too, go check it out!
The other shop you have to check out is:
Tedd is one of the metals professors at ASU. He teaches blacksmithing and patterned metals (mokume gane and Damascus steel) and a few other classes. He is one of those people that you can spend 5 minutes with in a metals studio and wonder if you will ever in your lifetime know as much as he does about metalsmithing. I probably won't. Anyway, his work is awesome! He makes fishing lures (and lots of other stuff). Here are some of the lures he has for sale so far (but keep checking back because he is adding more everyday!) Also, check his blog to see his other work.
Floralure Orange and White 
Twitch and Pause IV 
Recyclure E Cheesy 
Recyclure Good as AuGo check out his shop to see more of his work!
Well, if you read my previous post, I'm sure you all can see how much fun the pin swap is, but there are so many other things to tell as well!!
The 3 day art symposium takes place in old downtown Yuma. Mostly we hang out a lot at Lutes Casino (not a real casino) and the old theater...
This was some of our crew this year...
From left: Jonathan, Ellie, me, Jim, Flavia, and Jacie.
Almost all of us shared a hotel suite, and just in case you were wondering, 7 people in one suite is too many!
But, we had a GREAT time!
We were espcially glad that Ellie, a woods grad student, came along to join in the fun!
One of my favorite parts of the symposium is the pin auction. Each year an auction is held to raise money to keep the symposium going. I always try to buy something, but this year I got to donate a piece as well. I scored this amazin ring by awesome metalsmith 
I was a little sad to see it go, but was happy that it went to such a good new home. This sweet girl from Cabrillo College will take good care of it I'm sure!
Another highlight of the symposium is the saw file solder sprints. Here we are getting pumped.
The saw, file, solder sprint is a relay race for metalsmiths. The object is to make a simple band ring. ASU has won several times. Each team competes for artist made trophies. Our studio has a whole shelf of trophies, but there is always room for more!
Then I went and had to file and form the ring.
Victoria went last and had to solder. We didn't win this year, but are already getting ready to reclaim our title next year.
It was a ton of fun and I am already looking forward to next year! My next post will be about all the presenters and artists that I saw/met at the symposium, so check back! 
So, I know it is taking me forever to post about the Yuma Syposium that I attended last weekend, but there are just so many photos, and there is so much to tell! I am going to first post just about the pin swap, and then I will post about the rest of the symposium. 
These are some of my favorite pins that I traded for...
This one above has to be my absolute favorite. Traded by Doug Macdonald, who has at times been a foe, but I think has now passed to friend:) (Joking by the way) 
This is a kiln cast glass moon by friend and fellow grad student Victoria Altepeter. I think it looks like a goldfish in a fish bowl.
This one above is by Betsy Douglas. She made 130 pins to trade this year and was at the first ever Yuma Symposium (29 years ago!). Thats old school! One of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet in the world by the way, and also an ASU alum!
This one above was made by ASU alum John Hayes.
I love my new baby anvil!!!
Someone was also passing out old costume jewlery at the swap. I can't believe I got this little beauty. It goes perfectly with my current work. You will see this again for sure!
And last but not least, this pin made by my professor Becky McDonah because there is always something else to do. Like how I am blogging when I need to finish a scholarship application, AND photograph student work, AND grade, AND go to the studio, AND prepare for teaching this week AND....
