I’m soooo excited about this class!

This is the first class of the new year and it is with the fabulously talented assemblage artist, Michael deMeng.

above: Michael deMeng’s new book Dusty Diablos

Here is what Michael has to say about his work:

“My work is about transformations.  It is about the transformation of the common into the sacred.    Discarded materials find new and unexpected uses in my work; they are reassembled and conjoined with unlikely components, a form of rebirth from the ashes into new life and new meaning.   These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and  revolutions of existence:  from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction.  These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing.”

above: “Urn Your Keep” vessels by Michael deMeng

above: detail shot of above urn

above: “Lonely Hearts” a Valentine Michael deMeng style

This is an opportunity to spend TWO 90 minute sessions LIVE Online with Michael as he shares with us his creative process, and instructs us on his unique approach to the assemblage process. Once registered for class, you will also have access to an online forum for you to post your work, thoughts, and questions for Michael in between class sessions. (Everyone who registers for class also receives a full class recording to download to your desktop so you can listen and watch again.)

I’m excited.

Click the ad below to read more about the class and to register!

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Just use the contact link above.

XO

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Used some gold from my gold stash to make some new birthday earrings. The pearls have an open back bezel and making the whole earring very light. Even left them on sleeping…
Working with gold is such a high.
I alloyed the gold and made my own wire, fused a circle, and flattened the edges for a slightly random shape, sort of a 50’s inspired circle. I decided to hang a pearls and made the bezels, cut open the backs and add loops and jump rings.

I forgot what it is like to work this small. It was nice to have my whole world  concentrated beneath a magnifying visor.

PS. thanks to Michael David Sturlin’s class recording, I was able to use the jeweler’s saw with much more ease and successful results!

above: 22k Gold Earrings 1 1/2″ x 3/4″

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S SHOW

Today I talk with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, the host of the podcast CraftSanity.

We both know how to talk the talk about crafts, podcasting and keeping our sanity!

Also, books and products I love, plus an update on what’s happening here in the CRAFTCAST studio.

above: Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

above: the CraftSanity blog

SHOWNOTES
Books
Crocheted Wire Jewelry / Arline M. Fisch

Music
Darlin Do Not Fear / Brett Dennen

Products
Faber Castell Pitt Pens

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My friend, Elise Ann Skalwold, FGA, GG, brought this “stone” to my Thursday night’s jewelry class here in the CRAFTCAST studio. It’s a star rose quartz from Madagascar, weighing in at 795 cts.
Below is a photo I took with my iPhone. Here is a link to another look at this sensational stone photographed by Jeff Scovil.

It’s amazing the energy a stone like this projects, extremely powerful. (The size of this stone is equivalent to the size of a large orange.) I find it easy to get addicted to these earthly delights.

Here is another one of my favorite things also from Madagascar, chocolate!

above: Star Rose Quartz Cabochon 795 cts, Madagascar, E. Skawold Collection

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Christmas decorations were officially put away this weekend. (except for the white lights on the bushes that look so pretty against the snow)

Even though it’s still weeks away I couldn’t resist getting these Valentine inspired wreaths up on each door. Their color explosion cheers my winter doldrum spirit and creates an immediate optimistic outlook.

Yeah for Red, Lavender, Pink, and Moss Green!

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crafting,crafts, podCLICK PIX TO WATCH

Elise Ann Skalwold/Gemoloist,F.G.A., G.G.

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crafting,crafts, podcast

crafting,crafts, podCLICK PIX TO WATCH

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I love celebrating my birthday!
What can I say, a party, presents and cake with people I love

Here are a few pix from Monday’s fun.

above: tea at Slattery’s

above: my favorite new saying

above: fabulous gift always

above: evenings cocktail, a Shirley Temple

above: present from favorite boy child

above: present from favorite fiance

Now to work on this week’s show with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood.

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How did I not know about these?!!???!

The best for cutting anything in the studio, especially little pieces of solder.

And of course the RED makes them easy to find when the work table is covered!

above: scissors by Joyce Chen

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I think it was on the Christopher Lowell show that I first heard the term “tablescape”. He would show how to set the table creating different levels of visual elements keeping a flow of design across the table.

For years I directed photography for a bunch of different companies that specialized in fabulous items for the home. So the truth is I actually like setting the table more then cooking or any other part of entertaining. lol

Below are pictures of the table setting for our Christmas Eve dinner. It was done last minute with what was in the craft room. My dear friend Garvin, who I worked with for years, was over for our traditional “office” holiday lunch. I quickly enrolled him in the project with me. He pulled out a box of brass cuff bracelets and a tin of letters, and with a bit of sticky wax created the personalized napkin rings.

Next was the centerpiece.

A glass bowl was spotted in the “things for flowers” area of the craft room, and worked like a charm. Arranging the candles and glass balls took a few tries to get centered, but seeking this perfection also gave way to lots of laughing! Oh the curse of getting it “perfect”!

Anyway, it was an hour or so of creative fun with a best bud, which in my opinion is the best gift you can get!

above: Garvin creating!

above: a personal touch at each place setting

above: ready for guests, food, and good times!

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