Sunday, May 23, 2010

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

This month I have lots coming up.

I just finished up teaching the second 8 week session of Introductory Enameling. We also had one student at the intermediate level who got to learn how to bezel set enameled pieces and explore his own jewellery designs with colour and fabrication. The results were great, and I think we will have many more classes to come! What better time than summer to make some bright cheery jewellery. A new 8 week class with begin Monday, June 7th and 1 day workshop on Saturday, June 19th. Come fire something in our kiln!

I received my acceptance to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition a few days ago. This will be my second summer in the show, first year as a professional artist. Last year was great, winning best jewellery gave me great exposure, and was an excellent networking opportunity for me. I hope this year will be just as successful. I just invested in a HUGE tent to  call my own which currently takes up way too much space at my apartment. It will be put to good use July 9, 10, 11th at Nathan Phillips Square, come visit! http://www.torontooutdoorart.org

But before the Outdoor Show, I have to finish and send new work off to Halifax, NS for the Adornable Show curated by my friend and talented NSCAD Alumnus Vanessa Neily. Here are some pictures of my initial ideas, will be a series of several working toy cars, planes, automobiles that can be worn as pendants as well.  (above and right, photos by J. Katz)
The show opens June 24th at Hydrostone Gallery and will run until August 1, 2010.



I am off to garden the day away! I will take advantage of this long weekend before a busy week, as I am moving to a new apartment (very exciting!). Hopefully I can squeeze in enough studio time next week with all the packing I still have to do....then once that is all settled, its back to work for real, I have lots to make for the Outdoor Show.

Have a nice sunny Sunday and Monday!

Emily




Monday, May 17, 2010

You just never know

As a jeweller, you often don't know what you'll be doing that day or what job is going to come in.

Someone recently brought me this 15 year old Zuni bangle. It has tiny pieces of  turquoise epoxied in and after 15 years, the epoxy is breaking down and loosening up. Stones are already missing.

It's not a difficult repair just tiny and time consuming. I have removed the turquoise and epoxy but seeing as    I've decided to reuse the tiny turquoise pieces attempting to get every bit of epoxy off  has been difficult. I couldn't save all of it so I've had to find a perfect color match to add some more pieces.

Now I just need to decide on a durable epoxy and reset them....

Quincy @ Quincy Jewels & Design








 

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi everyone! It's my turn to blog for this week! I would like to keep you guys updated about what I have been doing recently. First of all, I want to show my student's final projects from Introduction to Fabrication class.




Amanda always finds that the bangles she has bought never fit her quite right; therefore, she decided to make herself one. The plate riveted on top of the surface will be engraved with a special message.






Alynne made herself a ring which was inspired by her vintage jewellery. Even though the fabrication of the ring was a little complex for a beginner, Alynne certainly conquered the challenge!



Now, I will share some of the process of an upcoming piece I am making for a group show that our studio is making inspired by "Red."  I finalized my ideas into three containers which are related childhood stories. I will use different media such as polymer clay, resin and objects to create the imaginary world that the stories gave us while we were children.
Tomorrow is Mother's day! Has everyone decided what to do with your lovely mother? If you don't want to do an ordinary event, our studio has mother's day workshops: cuttle fish casting or bangle design! There are still spaces, but not too many left!! Hurry up!

Have a Good Weekend!
- ChiaChien-