My first workshop

I'd been planning to reach out to some small art schools to teach but I never got around to it last year, y'know with doing shows and making jewelry some plans and goals get dropped off!  Well I couldn't say no to my friend Danielle James (and fellow ECU alumni) when she asked if I'd be interested in teaching a casting workshop at the Eureka Springs School of Art where Danielle is a metals instructor and coordinator for the programs.

It's going to be new and exciting and I love those kinds of challenges.  I'll be teaching students how to recreate nature/objects into jewelry and finished pieces.  Plus I get to visit this infamous town, Eureka Springs.  Danielle waxed on and on about it before she left Greenville, after graduating with her MFA and I knew I had to visit!

You can view the class description here and sign up.  My session is 9 and begins July 4th through July 8th.  It's perfect timing - fireworks and casting? Hell yes! I know that not only will my students learn a new process but I'll learn how to teach a good 4 day workshop.  I'm just super pumped and excited about this class.

my cheesey profile photo and description

 as always, thank you for reading and stay warm and lovely!
xo-Lisette

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Another great workshop

Powdercoating is getting super popular this summer!

This workshop will be held towards the end of the month at Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh, NC. 

Hope you can participate - and please share if you're a fellow jeweler.

Stay lovely! xoxo
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Pocosin Arts Workshops

 Living in North Carolina, I've come to realize is a hub for makers and crafters.  In addition, there are quite a few schools and places to learn trades and take workshops.

As you know from my posts from several years ago, Penland is one of them (up in the Western mountains of NC) as well as Pocosin Arts, on the other side of the state.

I'm a bit embarrassed that I've never attended a workshop at Pocosin nor have I written a post about how wonderful this Art center is! Pocosin Arts has a great metalsmithing studio along with residencies and workshops (many of my friends have been instructors there).

Thus I want you to know about the upcoming workshops at Pocosin Arts, one of them being taught by my good friend Laritza Garcia (aka my Mexican adventure traveling buddy). 

Laritza's work uses the method of powdercoating to add color and durability to her pieces.  They're super fun and vibrant, just like Laritza! 

Check out this workshop and apply for the scholarship, you just might get one!

As always, thanks for reading!

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Cement + Jewelry = very cool

Jim Cotter is quite a rebel in the art jewelry field; he does alot of experimentation and loves working with uncommon materials, such as cement.  

I received word that my good friend Tara Locklear is assisting Jim this summer, and of course had to share it with you.  From what I've heard, Haystack Mountain School of Craft is a beautiful retreat to work in.  Check it out and sign up for this awesome class!

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Sweet as candy

Workshop Amalia Vermell from Eduard Granell Filmmaker on Vimeo.
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Featured Artist/Jeweler: Amir Friedman

When you're at Penland you meet so many talented artists and people and it's so stimulating and invigorating to the artistic soul.  In my class was one such artist and jeweler, Amir Friedman, he was one of the scholarship students from Israel.  Amir was also in Jana Brevick's Melt class and we got along so great.  I learned alot from him.  

Amir is one of those artists that never rests!  And you can see it in the work he makes, meticulous and very detailed.  Amir brought along his display case of his rings; I was so enamored with them, specifically the one below that I'm wearing...we are currently working on a deal for me to get it.  I couldn't stop trying it on.    

Amir loves to cast and play with tools, and he's innovative in how he casts.  He actually casted a ring embedded black crystal quartz!  Visit his website to see it and more of his pieces.  

Oh and psst...we may be teaching a class together at Penland next year...I'll be his studio assistant if all works out.  

Detail view of Amir's ring.  He specifically left the imprint of the CAD design. 

Amir's beautiful ring collection.  I want a case like that!

Craftophilia Show book. 

Continuation of the cover design, very clever.

My ring! I don't have it yet but he plans on sending me one.

Here it is again, I'm a bit obsessed with it...

Close up of a ring in resin.

His rings in resin orbs.  LOVE this concept.  Kinda reminds me of the orbs David Bowie twirls in Labryinth.

And watch this very cool video of Amir's 'Can it' machine: 


Thanks for visiting and reading!

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Penland: Melt workshop with Jana Brevick

 It has been one week since I've been at Penland and for some reason it feels like a month.  Time seems to be warped when you're here, which can be good but also, I am getting a bit homesick.  However, I've put that out of my mind because time here is precious and wonderful.

The first several days were sweltering hot, but now it has been raining and cooled off, which many of us were grateful for since there is no central AC at Penland.

The Melt workshop has been very educational, we've been testing and making samples of our fine silver and copper alloys, which has been very fun.  However we've been restless too, it's hard not to want to immediately make something with our alloyed samples, I think that's what will happen next week.  My plan is to make an Alloyed mixture necklace, ring and cuff. 

Below are several photos from my first week here.  I have many more, so stay tuned!

The view from the Craft House, where most of the workstudy women stay.

The relaxing rocking chairs on the porch of the Craft house.

The Lower Metals studio, where our class is being taught.

Jana getting all set up at her bench.  I love her large glasses!

The view from my bench.

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Penland workshop with Jana Brevick

I'm off to Penland for a two week workshop next week with Jana Brevick.  I'm really looking forward to all the great things we will make - alloying metal!

Penland is, as corny as this sounds, a magical place.  Last year I met so many amazing artists and individuals, I know this time it'll be just as awesome.

Stay tuned, I'll be posting while I'm there...

View from my bench at Penland last year.

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