Labor Day Shenanigans

Okay, today is Labor Day. We celebrate the laborers around the Nation. Some are lucky enough to have the day off from their work, some are lucky enough to work, and then there's the local merchants. Like me, I chose to work today, thinking that it would be a good day for those that are on a three day break, to do some shopping downtown. But the opposite is true, the streets are bare, and other merchants have chosen to go home.

So now that I have some free time... not really, I do have "work related" stuff to do but instead, I started playing with pictures of my beautiful cat, Polly. I call her Polly- Wolly- Doodle- All- Day! She loves it. She's two years old, is a polydactil, which means, she's a Hemmingway cat with six toes, big ole mittens on the end of her legs, and she's a rescue. Found her online through AZ Rescue. She's my company these days and loves to talk. I wanted to take a picture of her with emphasis on her feet and got this great photo, which turned out very blurry. But, a little adjusting in photoshop and I have a great picture! I think I will print a few of these up and sell as greeting cards, with the caption, "Polly Loves Toe Dangling".




So, that's the extent of my "labor" this Labor Day!

Class Handouts - Should We or Shouldn't We?

I had the opportunity to be a teacher this week with seven students at Creative U in Cave Creek. I sometimes go "on the road" to teach a class. It gets me out and about in the community. I can renew my friendships and find out what is happening in their neck of the woods. Handouts were not given out at this class, mostly because I felt that it was more about the creativity; we were making a riveted cuff bracelet that required cold connecting three components with three rivets. Simple enough?

The weekend before that, I taught at MADE Art Boutique in Phoenix, the crocheted earring class. I didn't have any handouts for that class either because the process of crocheting with wire gave a lot of room for play as they crocheted. Simple enough?

In both instances, I received some "suggestions", or "advice", that I should have had a set of instructions for the class. Hmmm. Interesting.

I also participated in a workshop held by Kate McKinnon in my studio this past weekend. I was the hostess but more important, a student, learning along side eight others; all of whom are my long time friends, my previous students, and accomplished artists every one of them. Kate didn't pass out instructions either. Nor, did anyone expect them. Some jotted down a few points, some took copious notes, and some just watched the demonstrations.

Kate McKinnon Workshop




Which got me to wondering which was the better way? To give handouts or not to give handouts? I do not have instructions for every class that I teach, which is mostly Precious Metal Clay classes. I give handouts on specific information like firing schedules, firing with gemstones, and other pieces of information. I believe that I actually only have one set of instructions and that is the crocheted bracelet class because it has set steps that need to be taken in order to get to the next step.

So how do I really feel? I don't think I'm that into "instructions". I want the student to be creative with their own work. And, I also think when the student feels the need to remember something that she will write things down. Isn't it better for them to write it themselves so they will be able to reference back to it in their own hand, in their own words, in their own mind's eye?

So now what. Perhaps other people's opinions may be helpful here. Which I welcome. From the student? From the teacher? Anyone.

By the way, I'd like to thank Creative U, and MADE Art Boutique for allowing me to teach in their place, with or without instructions. And, Kate for coming to teach us at my studio, with or without...

Early Morning's Reminder To Live Everyday Sacred

I'm in my routine now of walking in the mornings. It hasn't been so hot the last couple of mornings. How nice is that! I carried my camera for a change and when I do that I look at things with different eyes. This is my favorite spot in Chaparral Park under an umbrella of trees looking out over the water, an empty bench inviting me to sit for a bit. It's peaceful and quiet and allows some "being" time, time to just "be". It's also a reminder that there is beauty in the world - a great sunrise, cool breeze, ducks, geese, birds all around; it reminds me to live every day with gratitude and appreciate all that I have and all that I am able to do.

Then it was getting showered and ready for work, off to the farmer's market on Cactus and 51 to be back to my studio by 9:30am. Got some yummy veggies, put myself on a budget and didn't go over that. That worked out well because I want to buy so much more!

Have been doing paperwork most of the morning in my gallery, a few customers, printing up class brochures and getting back to business. It's time to write my blog, downloaded the picture and everything stopped. I remember...

Live Every Day Sacred!

Think I'll go create....

Summertime in Scottsdale Arizona - Support Local Merchants

Summertime in Scottsdale Arizona means staying inside a lot to avoid the heat, the scorching sun, and slowing down - to avoid sweating of course. I'm actually reading more these days. We drink lots of water, eat fruits, and avoid hot meals (although I had some sweet and sour soup the other day that cooled me off; I did hear that somewhere). It's supposed to be 108F today!

And the streets are somewhat empty as I look out over the Courtyard at the Kiva Center on 5th Avenue. One thing that I have noticed, being a local merchant in downtown Scottsdale, is that there are more people out here in the afternoons than in the mornings. Why is that? 4pm happens to be the hottest part of the day in Arizona. On the east coast, Florida, where I moved from, the hottest part of the day was noon. Should we do some marketing and get folks to come and shop downtown in the mornings and hang out at the malls in the afternoons?

Well, I think I'm starting this campaign to shop downtown Scottsdale in the mornings. Support your local merchants in downtown Scottsdale during the summer. I have an art gallery, THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery, on 5th Avenue in Scottsdale, and I have morning art jewelry making classes, new works in the gallery, plenty of water to share. Come down and see me, take a class, or buy some art. Wouldn't it be great to start your art collection now? Uhmm, in the morning of course!

New Inspirations

My main focus at home these days has been to get into cleaning my house, sorting out old magazines, art books, jewelry books, books everywhere. I love books but this has to a stop, I have to get organized. I have a pile of magazines, especially Arts of Asia publications, that becomes my source of inspirations. And so, it is at this point, that I stop my frenetic organizing to look through a magazine here and there, destroying my focus of cleaning and organizing. Being back in my creative mode is by far the better place for me to be.

I created this design from a samurai sword hilt, called a tsuba. This'll be the first of many I'm sure. I like to think that it goes along with my own "warrior" mode, at least I think I am sometimes. Ha!

This piece is made of Precious Metal Clay and measures about 1 1/2 inches in diameter with cubic zirconias around it. And, I have another one that I just finished that's in the tumbler. Stop by the gallery to see it - it's for sale!

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