Dia De Los Muertos Festival at Mesa Art Center

Sorry for the last minute notice but there is a very exciting event going on at Mesa Art Center this weekend that you won't want to miss! I will be doing torch fired enamel demonstrations at the Dia De Los Muertos Festival. I got a bunch of copper skulls waterjet cut so that people can decorate their very own copper enamel sugar skulls! It should be really fun. See details below!

These are how the skulls came after the waterjet company cut them.
It was a very late night tonight sanding and filing them to prep them for enameling.A VERY late night.Anyway, come make your own enameled sugar skull! Details below...
When:Saturday, October 30 - Sunday, October 31, 2010 (I will only be there Saturday but the event is both days)
Where: Mesa Arts Center
Start time:Sat 10:00am / Sun 12:00pm
End time:5:00pm both days
Ticket Price:Free Festival

Join Mesa Arts Center for its fourth annual Dia de los Muertos Festival! Mesa Arts Center ignites in a celebration of departed loved ones in the traditional manner observed for centuries in towns across Mexico. The Mercado features vibrant colors, an assortment of traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry, Mexican arts & crafts and more from local artisans and vendors. Live entertainment, food, family and fun will be abundant! You won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind cultural tradition!

Press and Pictures: You Look Fabulous

The "You Look Fabulous" show opening reception was a great success! Check out the video above and some shots of the opening night below (taken by photographer Josh White who did an amazing job!) And special thanks go out to my wonderful friends for modeling my necklaces for me!

If you haven't checked the show out yet there is still time, it comes down October 31st.
You Look Fabulous
Night Gallery
Tempe Marketplace at McClintock and Rio Salado
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 6–9 p.m.
Closed: Monday

Filigree Class

This Thursday was the last week of the filigree class I was teaching at Phoenix Center for the Arts. I had a wonderful group of students this time around...we had so much fun in class! Here are just a few of the pieces they created...(the piece above is by Mona Nigohossian)
See the rest of the pieces here.
Roxie DeverRoxie DeverLinda NelsonLinda NelsonCheryl Brogdon

New Publication: Jewelry from found Objects

Just wanted to let you all know that this book, Jewelry from Found Objects, contains a couple pieces of my work and is now available for preorder on Amazon.com. Check it out!

Going Presidential

The Society of North American Goldsmiths is having a fundraiser!! The fundraiser is an auction of work donated by a prominent group of artists, all former and current presidents of SNAG. Check it out here. Bidding ends tomorrow at midnight!

10x10 Benefit Show and Sale at Mesa Art Center this Sunday!

It's that time of year again! It's time for the Mesa Art Center 10x10 Benefit Show and Sale! I just barely finished my piece...whew! See details below.

When: Tuesday, October 5 - Sunday, October 10, 2010

Where: Mesa Contemporary Arts

Mesa Contemporary Arts' (MCA) is pleased to announce its Second Annual 10 x 10 Benefit Show & Sale, which will feature the work of over 100 artists from Arizona and beyond. Participating artists are asked to create an original work (2-D or 3-D) of art in keeping with the 10 x 10" theme. The competed pieces will be on display at MCA from Oct 5-10 and sold at the reception on Oct 10. Each piece will be available for $100. First come, first pick! Doors open at 2pm sharp! All proceeds benefit MCA exhibitions and educational programs.

Reception & Sale: 10-10-10 (Oct 10, 2010), 2-4:30pm

- $10 per person at the door

- MCA Members (and one guest) get in free and 10% off their entire purchase*

- Catering by Creative Hands of Mesa

- Cash Bar

Here are some progress shots of my piece. I decided to keep in the same theme that I used for my piece last year and have the 10x10 be a sort of display for a wearable piece of jewelry. I originally painted the canvas gray, but then it seemed too boring so I drew this pattern on and started painting again. It took me like 6 hours to paint the pattern on. I am SO not a painter!

Then I made these copper hands that double as hooks to hold a necklace.

They protrude just a little bit from the canvas to add some depth.

The necklace is three strands of individually knotted freshwater pearls and garnet teardrop shaped beads, tied on red silk.

I hope someone likes it enough to buy it!

Etsymetal Charm Swap 6

I just finished some charms for the latest etsy metal charm swap! They are copper, silver, silk, pearls, and turquoise. Everyone that signed up for the swap makes 22 charms, and then we all get one of each. Its so much fun! I loved participating in the swap last time, so I had to get in on it again!

Here are some of the other etsy metal members charms...I cant wait to get them!

By Tuizui

By Rubygirl

By ReaganHayhurst

By NinaGibsonDesigns

By KathrynRiechert

By InbarBaraket

By FluxPlay

By HartleyStudio

By CreativeDexterity