Stoneware: Cement casting workshop with Tara Locklear

I wish that I could attend this fun workshop at the Baltimore Jewelry Center with my talented friend Tara Locklear.  We were in school at ECU when she began working and experimenting with cement and making truly unique and one of a kind pieces.  

And now she's teaching workshops, I'm so proud of her.  So if you live in the Baltimore area I highly recommend taking her class.  

Pin It

Featured Artist: Tara Locklear

Tara herself, in Italy last summer.

If you follow my blog or have read older posts, you'll recognize the name Tara Locklear.

Tara is also an undergraduate student in the metals program at ECU and a friend of mine. We work well together in the undergrad studio; from running the metals guild (Tara is the treasurer), maintaining the studio to coming up with ways to boost income for the guild and students.

Not only is she an awesome guild treasurer but a very talented metalsmith. It's been inspiring watching her work evolve and progress. Her work challenges me to rethink the material and have fun with it. You can see both an elegant lady but also a punk-rock chick wearing her pieces.

Tara loves experimenting with new materials and putting a modern spin on them - especially the look of gemstones, whether it's cast in silver or concrete.

Unbridled Royalty, 2010
(Tara has won several awards for this amazing necklace)

The Lighter Side of Status, 2011

Close up of center pendant.

Pile of Rocks ring, 2011

Cocktail Overload bracelet, 2010

Too Many Coctails ring, 2010

Rings on Deck, I & II (the ring on the left is mine and on the right is Kat Cole's) - from a trade)

Cast in Stone, 20111

From the pieces Tara's turned out within the past 2 years - I can foresee Tara going to some high places.

Stay tuned for details on our combined trunk show along with Sarah West this summer...it'll be kick-ass!

Thank you for reading and Happy Eostre!

Pin It

Visiting artist: Jesse Bert

Jesse Bert and his studio

Our Lady, brooch

Hair Comb

Hablando

This weekend the ECU metals guild hosted alumni Jesse Bert. Jesse was formally invited to be a visiting artist by Bob Ebendorf, Belk Distinguished Professor at ECU.

Jesse graduated from the ECU masters program in 2006 and since then has been living and working as a professional jewerly artist and instructor in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

You can see the Mexican influence in his work, such as in the Our Lady brooch above. Jesse uses found objects, like ivory piano keys, wood, paper, amber, steel and all other sorts of fascinating materials. Jesse's beautiful and detailed chasing and rivets (along with the found objects) really make his work distinctive and unique.

I'm really drawn to Jesse's work because he incorporates his found objects in such an unusual manner. For the Hablando pendant, Jesse uses the latice piecercing already in the ivory as a beautiful backdrop for the swirl pattern of the wood in the shape of a talking symbol he drew from Aztec ideograms. Or his Sole pendant, Jesse used a piece of dryed up rubber sole that mimics some of the stamping/chasing he does on the center silver piece.

Jesse works out of his home studio but also travels across Mexico and the U.S. teaching mini-workshops and one on one sessions. It was wonderful to have him visit and learn of his journey as a metalsmith and how he is able to make an income; for many of us students he is an example of how we can make that same journey and be successful.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed viewing Jesse's work.

Pin It

all in one day...or more

I have three projects somewhat due this week...right before Thanksgiving break. I'm almost done with my wooden jewelry box; it was due last week. Oh and I need my wax rings ready for investing tonight and one more project due on Tuesday....I don't have enough time or hands! ack. Pin It

woodworking advice

Working with a new medium is similar to making a new friend. May sound like an odd analogy but hear me out. You have to get to know a person to know and understand their quirks, personality and reactions to work well with them.

Such as wood; I am still a bit intimidated by the power of the tools and also taking a risk with a cut, a design and execution. But I am getting comfortable handling the machines and ALWAYS having respect for them. At first I had the same sentiments with metalsmithing but now, metal and I are besties. I still have my good and bad days but we always get along.

With that said, I'm doing some research on wood and came across Kent Perdue, via Crafthaus. His work is fascinating; his technical skills are impressive. He's also good with instructional videos.

Which is perfect in my attempt to get to know my new friend, wood. I've been doing okay so far with my jewelry box in my wood survey class but watching videos really help to imbed in my mind the techniques.

Pin It

what do you see?

These two panels of wood will be the doors for my jewelry box that I'm making in Wood Survey.

Or at least trying to make. I've been a little slow in my progress. We only have access to one wood shop this semester (the other was shut down) so we've got lots of people in the studio trying to use the same machine. And I've been procrastinating too. It takes a lot of energy and careful measurements to create a good wood project.

However working with a new material is challenging to the senses and mind. Many factors must be considered. Wood has the most beautiful patterns; such as above.

Today I tried to be very careful treating my wood, my teacher helped me plane the panels but then we decided to hand plane the wood so as not to tear out the knot above.

One step at a time...hence slow progress.

P.S. I see a face, a mean face.
Pin It

stonesetting

Today in my Casting class Tim Lazure showed us how he sets faceted stones in a tube setting.

I really enjoyed it because Tim has such an easy and approachable method for many jewelry techniques.

I won't go into detail, however here is a shot of where I plan on putting my cubic zirconia tube set stones.
This brooch will be one in a series of 5 for my casting class. Luckily, Tim extended the due date for another week. Oh and I have a jewelry box due in wood...where am I going to find the time?? Pin It

Going with the grain

So I've been making a rectangular box in my wood survey class at ECU. It's taken awhile, as there are about 12 students in the class and we did all different size boxes and that means the machines are being used at the same time or because of safety issues we need our teacher to help us.

At first I was a little scared of the machines, such as a table saw, miter saw, planer and jointer. The miter saw was especially scary because of the large blade and sound. But I'm getting more comfortable.

It's hard to make a wooden box! Below is a shot of the box glued together and sanded with rough 150 grit paper and then I'll move up. And I still have to make the lid! ack. Wish me luck.
Pin It

Hairy Brooch

Hairy Brooch
Originally uploaded by Nick Mullins

This brooch is so interesting and somewhat deceiving at the same time.

The aquamarine 'stones' truly look like stones but are resin! Nick Mullins has a fascinating breadth of pieces, working in wood, metal and other found objects.

You can read more about Nick and view his portfolio on his website ... oh and I highly recommend viewing his other brooches on flickr.

Pin It