Riveted Cuff Bracelet Class

Kathy Hunter

Riveted Cuff Bracelet Class

I taught a class last Saturday with some of my favorite, seasoned, and talented students. I had such a good time creating, teaching, and bonding with my fellow artists. And now that I'm here to blog about that, I'm thinking about what it actually was that I enjoyed so much. Aside from the creating part and being with friends - that's always a given - it was the teaching. I enjoy that whole process. At first, we as students are not too sure about what to expect or what to even visualize for that matter, beginning with those first steps all the way to the final, completed project. There's anxiety and pressure to do well coming from within, which needs to be released before you start. Gotta let that go real quick! We have to trust that we'll be able to "see" that next step, and then do it. Then, as the class progresses, you can see a transformation as confidence builds, curiosity takes over, and the student finds themselves looking forward to the next step. And finally the finished project. To see each person go home with a completed project is my "warm fuzzy"!

For my particular bracelet, I used three components (I like simple lines); a couple of sterling silver sheets of different gauges, and a PMC (fine silver with 22K accent) piece that I didn't like as a pendant and made good use of it here in this bracelet (love that!). Riveting or cold connecting is a great way to put layers of metal together without the use of solder.

My next class is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th 10-2pm. Check my website or give me a call to register. We will use other metals, like copper or brass for our top design then rivet onto a Sterling Silver Cuff. The Class is $75 plus a supply fee of $50. www.huntressexpressions.com

Had a good day and keep learning!

Rings, Rings, Rings

I like big rings! It makes my fingers look longer and thinner than they really are! This one is made from Precious Metal Clay, a glittery white cubic zirconia, and some gold leaf, and covered in blue enamel. Love the way the fine silver shines under the blue! I'm selling this adjustable ring in the gallery so stop in for a look. I have other ones too! www.huntressexpressions.com, www.theloftartstudios.com

Riveted Cuff Bracelet

What fun this was finishing this sterling silver cuff bracelet! Sometimes I like to switch gears and instead of working on Precious Metal Clay, I like to practice on my metalsmithing skills. I have so far made about three of these bracelets, each with a different design but basically riveted, using copper, and brass. I like the different metals incorporated into this bracelet. The copper panel on the top has a square cutout pattern, loosely cutout because I'm not that into precision. I like things to look handmade. At the bottom edge of the bracelet is a square cutout - a little surprise at the other end!
I have this showing in my gallery so come by if you like.

Want to buy it? Give me a call! Or email me at khuntress@gmail.com! $250!

A Glass Act Artwalk at THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery

A Glass Act Artwalk was held last Thursday evening that had participating galleries demonstrating featured artists and their love of glass.

I invited some of the gallery artists to come and spend the evening with me demonstrating their art. Mary Heldenbrand does lampworking and brought some of her beads to wire wrap into fantastic pendants. Pat Hardy came with her latest glassworks and demonstrated her art of stenciling in preparation for sandblasting her decorative glass pieces. Kathryn Guler demonstrated her lampworking techniques in front of her torch. She displayed her fanciful glass beads, that included mermaids and lots of colorful floral beads. Last, and certainly not least, Terry Cook was on hand to explain and show enameling techniques - enameling is fusing glass to metal. The kiln was glowing hot - which looks good at night!

It was a lovely evening under the stars and being in the Kiva Center especially, because we get to listen to the fountain! It was great to share our art techniques to those that were on the Artwalk route.

Thank you for those that came by...
and a big thanks to my colleagues in art! It was fun and we managed to have just a few more people know where we are now!

Figuring out My Creative Process ........or Step Out of Your Life for A Bit

My great friend, Terry, took me to the Desert Botanical Gardens Sunday where we spent the late afternoon and early evening walking through the gardens and checking out the Dale Chihuly Exhibit. Lots of people were there but we were so enthralled with the beauty of the gardens and the beauty of the glass that we made no eye contact with the other people except to get out and stay out of their way when they were taking pictures. I liked the colors of the glass and the different shapes nestled in between cacti and desert plants.

I had been working a lot of hours lately because there's a farmer's market on Sundays and it is the height of the "season" here. So it's best to just grab it while you can, be open, and see if there might be a gallery sale, or someone interested in taking one of my classes. I was due for a little break...

When Terry asked if I'd like to go, I jumped at the chance. Not expecting to "see" anything other than what was in front of me, I was surprised to find that I was getting inspired by the colors and the shapes, and getting motivated about what my next project would possibly be.

Those four hours of getting out of my routine and focusing on something other than working and jewelry making (which by the way isn't "work" to me), made me feel like a new person. I will make my project and then show it to you.

I am also promising myself that I will "Step Outside" more often!

Take care and have a great day!

New Class This Morning

I taught a class this morning in Precious Metal Clay. This was the first of four classes, my Introduction to Precious Metal Clay, where they will learn different projects each week using this special clay. I love the first class because sharing the discovery of this amazing material with other people always gives me a thrill. I love to show them the process, I love having them create something and then at the end of class for them to be able to go home with a piece of fine silver jewelry they made themselves. They are thrilled as am I. They can hardly wait til next week, and frankly, neither can I. ..Next week, we'll make a hollow bead, and yup, I gave them homework. ha ha! Just something small.

Fine Friends and Fine Silver Party

Here's an idea for a Girls' Night Out Party! Invite your friends to come join you at THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery, and with the help of me, the instructor, you can spend an evening creating a piece of fine silver jewelry. It's a great way to catch up on old friends, and to experience a new medium in a casual setting amongst friends. You leave with a piece of "I made it myself" jewelry! Give me a call to book your party. $40 per person includes a small package of PMC, use of equipment and supplies, and if you book a party of four or more, you can come free! Call THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery 480-699-6723

Kathy