Hello Friends!
I am so thrilled, I just got my copy of the new book Metal Style by author/artist Karen Dougherty (Interweave Press) and it is absolutely stunning!

The wonderful step-by-step projects are artistic, delightful and full of great cold metal techniques. Ok,yes, one of the projects is mine but the collection Karen put together is what makes this book so special. It is a also a quality book with an organized easy to navagate format.

Here's an exerpt from the Interweave website.
"Get up to speed with the hottest trend in metalwork and jewelry making--Cold Joins. The cold-connection techniques showcased in Metal Style are the perfect solution for those who love working with metal, but hate having to use a torch or kiln. Master Jewelry Designers Thomas Mann, Robert Dancik, Connie Fox, Tracey Stanley and others (others, that's me!) offer signature pieces, constructed using cold-joins. Accompanying each project are expert tips and advice for additional ideas and customizations. Metal style is full of inspiration and techniques for jewelry makers looking to ignite a creative spark in their metal jewelry without lighting a flame."

Free Spirit Brooch in progress

My project idea started early last year when Karen asked if I was interested in contributing to the book. YES! I started with a few sketches, developing a cold connected project with the turtle motif and incorporating some special mokume sheet. I made the copper/brass mokume in 2009 and was saving it for a special occasion. I spent several weeks working on the pin, taking photos along the way and writing instructions (thank goodness for editors). It was a challenge to get good photos and I had to go back for more shots after the piece was made. It was worth every effort though, they did such a wonderful job putting it all together.

Finished Free Spirit Brooch

Patinated Copper, Copper/ Brass Mokume Gane and Sterling

Anyway, I am really happy to be part of this book and in the company of these talented metal artists!
I hope you have a chance to see it. http://www.interweavestore.com/Jewelry/Books/Metal-Style.html
All the best!
Julie

My Classes at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts

A few months ago I was planning my trip to attend the SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) conference in Seattle. I was talking to a colleague about it and he suggested using my resources ($) to attend a Masters Symposium class at Revere instead and I looked into it. I have to admit, I have been a jewelry maker for over 20 years and have never taken any formal (European style) goldsmithing classes, the Master Symposium classes looked especially intimidating. Trying to figure out where I would get the ‘biggest bang for my buck’ and where my skill set would fit in, I opted to sign up for two fabrication classes at Revere. I am so glad I did!


The first was Fabrication 5, taught by Vasken Tanielian. In three days we made a crocheted sterling chain with a fabricated barrel clasp and two basket settings. I had never measured so much in my life! I had to get my own set of digital calipers…good thing Otto Frei was right next door.

The second class was Fabrication 6, taught by Alan Revere. In this class we got to choose our projects from a box that contained close to a hundred pieces of jewelry. There were rings of all kinds, chains, complicated clasps, bracelets and hinged pieces. Tough to choose! I made a hollow donut ring, a gallery ring with a tapered bezel and started a third ring, another hollow construction. It was a great learning experience, each student was working on different projects and I tried to watch every demonstration. Most of the students had been together all the way through the program and it was fun to watch them interact with each other, their medium and the teachers.

Alan Revere is very patient, encouraging precision and efficiency every step of the way. He is also an excellent teacher and expert goldsmith. I learned so many new bench tricks and techniques. I can’t wait to see how my work will evolve from here!

Whether you are new to fabrication or a seasoned bench jeweler, I highly recommend classes at Revere. The office staff and teachers are friendly, welcoming and professional, the facility is well equipped and the curriculum is extremely comprehensive.

BTW, Hanging out for a week in San Francisco was super fun too!

I am so glad I took my friend’s advice and went to Revere. I look forward to taking the Masters Symposium Classes there in the future. To see this year’s Master class schedule visit: http://www.revereacademy.com/classes/symposium/

To see a few more pictures of my trip visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Sanford/37404771309

PS, I still want to go to the SNAG conference :)

Blogs Don't Write Themselves

Every couple of months I get pulled into Blogspot to read an interesting post on someone's blog, then I realize, hey, I started a blog here once. I sign in, check out my account and think... hmm, I should really update my own blog... and with nothing clever to write I promise myself to return when inspiration hits. Well, I found myself here today and I've again got nothing inspirational or noteworthy to share. Well, nothing that I can neatly write and package in a quick moment.

If you are reading this, I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous and joy filled New Year.

Thanks for being here!

Cheers,
Julie

True Individuality-Adornment of the Hand 2

About the same time I am contemplating my toadstool, I received an amazing book from a dear friend. The book, "A Walk With Me..." by nature and wild life artist Gwen Frostic, took me on a visual journey through nature with her enchanting artwork and descriptive narrative. This bit about the "fairyland of mushrooms" really grabbed me..

"What great fun and creative imagination must have gone into the molding of these little things...hundreds of shapes and sizes..just as many shades and hues...here are some of the most beautiful browns in nature...tiny dots on stems so delicate you can hardly see them...some round and pudgy...there are those whose caps sit at angles on their stems...and so they grow on old stumps...among the dead leaves...on fallen trees...that these things which lived may return to the earth...to live again..."

The "Toad's Eye" ring concept really came to life for me after I read this book (thanks Jen!)and the other two rings in the series followed...more later

True Individuality-Adornment of the Hand

I recently finished a three piece series for a ring show at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. The show title is "True Individuality-Adornment of the Hand"and opens Feb 26th at the Foster Gallery.

This ring, titled Toads Eye, was inspired by two fossils found on the beach this summer. I think I found one and my son Evan found the other. We had quite a haul that day!

When the fossils were stacked they looked like a toadstool. I put them together on the kitchen window ledge and over the next few months ideas started to mairnate.

More later....