I'll show you mine, if you show me yours

Show n' tell at Penland is alot of fun, it's a very informal exhibition where we get to see what everyone has made over the session. I especially enjoy it because everyone is giddy and excited to talk about the process and geek out over handmade objects.

It's also great because you can buy your friends work and get very beautifully handcrafted pieces for a great price! 

Here are some photos I snapped:

Lillia Hernandez's "Baby Muerte" eye glasses. 

A gut purse!

Fabric sculptures

Letter press and Printmaking. 

Amir talking about his process. 

Very beautiful handmade books.  I LOVED them.

My dear friend Carrrrol talking about her many jewelry pieces.

Folded paper, these were so intricate and a wonder to absorb.

I really loved this book.

Gut sculpture.

Wonderfully abstract paintings. (Ignore that orange cord!)

Iron sandwiches!

Textile samples from Natalie Chanin's class.

Portraiture on clay.  These were wonderful.

My friend Mariah's hand and moth.  She was collecting tons of moths!

This is really adorable, a pop up and cut out Penland postcard.

Funny glass pieces by 'Big' John

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ECU Iron Pour

Twice a year the sculpture department at ECU hosts an iron pour. The autumn weather is perfect for a pour, providing a wonderful setting to watch hot iron cast into molds! It's the best to celebrate the cooler weather and make some awesome large scale pieces.

I really enjoy watching the process because it's amazing to witness the properties of liquid metal poured and shaped into new objects. This semester I'm taking a sculpture class and to my surprise, I'm really enjoying it. I thought I'd have hard time with it but I love welding (mig welding specifically) and learning how to creatively think on a bigger scale.

Chris Wooten's giant pumpkin - ready for the iron!

HOT iron - watch out!

My friend Sam Woitovich

doing the iron dance to please the metal gods.

Several sand molds absorbing the iron.

And here is short video I took of the pour (*ignore my bad commentary!)

Enjoy and hope you had a Happy Halloween!!!

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Lugh, God of arts and crafts and Brigid Goddess of Smiths

I was about to write'not to get all preachy but...' and then I thought. Yes, that is exactly how I want to get but of course bring it back to metals and jewelry.

Last night I went to my first Iron Pour at ECU. I had heard of the infamous iron pour since the beginning of the semester, and seen students wear the tshirts and I was anxious in attending and watching the magic happen.

So this past Saturday was the pour and I got ready by making my own 'scratch mold'. I had no clue what it was but I found out and made one. I'll have to take pictures of it (as I still have to clean it up). A scratch mold is when you create an indention, negative relief of what you want to come out as a positive relief. The design process forces you to think in a different perspective. I really enjoy all the new design process' and techniques at school because there are so many ways to make something, I know, it sounds like a new revelation but life nowadays is like that, in that routine makes you forget all the possibilities!

Anywho, it as a totally awesome experience. When the sculpture faculty and students poured the iron it looked like molten fire. All of the students marveled at this which got me thinking about Lugh and Brigid, Celtic gods of the arts and smiths. They are my patron deities. Brigid has been with me for a long time; much of the time I didn't know she was. And to be a part of a community of craft is truly an honor and a celebration of the gods.

I really wanted to pour iron but I was also happy to stand to the side and watch first. Next semester I plan on pouring. And when you pour you need a minimal of 4 people and others watching and spotting you.
Here's just part of the magic! Pin It