Hidden Lanterns and Joyful Spinners!

I am very excited to be going back over the pond to the USA next month to stay with my good friend, the very wonderful Ann Davis. My flights are all booked and it is only five weeks away!! Ann is a truly amazing and very innovative artist. I always feel so inspired when I stay with her and come back with my head crammed full of new ideas. She has done so many things and is a real fount of all knowledge!!! I always learn new things from her.

 

While I'm there I will be teaching for 3 days at Ann's studio - La Ruche Davis, near Washington, DC.

 

First will be a two day Hidden Lantern workshop. These are complex little pendants with lots of exciting techniques to learn. Each side of the hollow pendant is gently curved.  On the one side we will be making textured areas to enamel into. We will also be adding lovely sparkly accent stones.

 

 

The reverse of each pendant has pierced out areas in the design. This is why they are Hidden Lanterns ;) 

 

On two of the pendants 24k gold has been added inside which shines out through the pierced areas and reflects the light when they are worn that way round. The third pendant is a variation with a removable base. This allows for something different to be placed inside to show through. Of course for me that has to be something colourful!! :D

 

 

This pendant also has small accent stones set down each side.

 

 



One of my favourite parts of these pendants is the tops!!! Each has a different design and loop to hang it with. These really add to the character of each one.

 

I'll also be teaching a one day Joyful Spinner Rings workshop.

 

These fun rings are a delight to wear. Hours of twiddling fun with the inner ring freely moving inside the outer channelled one. There'll be lots of stone setting too to give them sparkle.

 

I've been making lots of examples of them - I love making these!!!

 

This one even has tiny stones set on the sides for even more sparkle!!!

 

I can't wait to see what everyone makes on these workshops. One of the things I enjoy so much about teaching is seeing people take an idea and come up with variations that would never even cross my mind!!!

 

If you want to join us for all the fun do get in touch very soon!! Both workshops are nearly full but there is still a seat or two left at the moment :D I'm looking forward to meeting old friends again and making new ones!!

 

I know I'll come home having learnt so much too!

 

Meanwhile - have fun!!

 

Joy x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshops in the USA 2016

 

I am so excited to tell you that we are now all set for my workshops in the USA!!!

 

This is the only time I'll be teaching in USA this year so don't miss out :D

 

First I'll be teaching a two day workshop on the 15th and 16th October.

This is my new Hidden Lantern workshop.

 

One side has your own unique silver texture that is enamelled and decorated with 2mm stones...

 

 

 the other side is pierced and you have the option to add keum boo inside so the gold shines out!!!

Oh, and did I mention that we have a lovely radiating carved design top???



 

This is a technique packed 2 days and not for the faint hearted ;) But hey, you know me , I love to keep everyone working...with a good sprinkling of laughter and fun included of course!! :D

 

Then to follow on why not join me for my

Joyful Spinner Rings workshop.

This is on 17th October so you can make it a long weekend of creativity!!

 

 

These are super fun!!

We'll cover making them the right size (yes I know, that can be such a hassle!!!) and you'll make everything in silver clay.

 

The outside ring is textured and yours will be uniquely you as you'll create your own design around the edges. Of course we'll make sure everything is super smooth and beautifully tactile to feel and wear too.

 

 

The inner ring will spin freely and of course it will need some colour (doesn't everything???) so we'll be adding 2mm fireable stones.

 



 

 

 

Here's a spinney video ;)

 



These are just some ideas, I've already made other rings (watch out for more photos!). This technique is so versatile!

 

So... you've made it this far through my post???

 

Where are these workshops I hear you asking!!! ;)

 

Just near Washington DC at La Ruche Davis with the most excellent Ann Davis as host!!!

Check out all the details and how to book here.

A workshop at Ann's is always a good laugh, and don't miss out on her included Saturday night GF buffet and wine social if you book the 2 day workshop. I always love this bit with super people dropping in to join us too!! :D

 

I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones :D

 

Have Fun!!!

 

Joy

 

PS Feeling left out as you are in Europe?? I'll be posting about a wonderful workshop in Folkestone UK in November this year in my next blog post tomorrow! Don't miss it!!

 



49/52 Bits and Bobs!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Where did 2015 go??? Wow...that year seemed to go so fast!!! 

So we are now at the start of 2016 and I thought I'd do a round up of my year long challenge :D 

I know...this is only post number 49 so I'm 3 short of the 52, but I do have several things to show you in it though :D That's my excuse!!! I decided it was better to round if off as we have passed the year end, but I'll still be posting regularly and I have lots of ideas still unfinished so you'll be seeing them in 2016 :D

I thought I'd finish with a few other things I've made which had slightly different things in for me, but that I haven't posted here yet. I made these in December.

First off we have another spinner ring. This is the second one I've made using my new technique. It wasn't until I was well into making this that suddenly I realised I had created little sets of eyes all around it! That wasn't planned! They look like eyes either way up as well!! :D

Next we have a moulded shell. I know...we all make those...but this one was made in full 3D from a very special shell for a client, and it's the first shell I've done with this type of bail attached to it :D

Next is a simple ring - but I'd never made a Z ring before - again this was for a client. I think it turned out quite well. It has a wavy back to it - forgot to photograph it from that side though!

Then some little sparkly drops set with 8mm stones. These are from my Bag of Bling!

Finally we have a turquoise pendant. I actually made this one as an example while I was teaching an Art Clay Level 2 diploma recently...so why is that different? Well using turquoise and gold together was on my challenge list. I really like the combination of the two and will make more using those them.

BTW the spinner ring at the top was also made while I was teaching that L2 workshop. It's the bonus of a 1-2-1 workshop, I can often fit in demo-ing a few extra things ;)

So that will be it for challenge entries and whilst I didn't hit 52 I don't mind as I have really enjoyed it! I've learnt lots of new things and had fun - what else can I ask for!!

2016 marks 10 years for my business, and 10 years that I've been using silver clay - so watch out for posts about special offers as I'll be celebrating all year long!!!

Have fun!

Joy x

41/52 Textured Spinner Ring

This challenge piece is a spinner ring. Yes, I know I've made spinner rings before in the past but this one is different!! :D

When I've made them before I've used ready made RingCores for the outer channelled ring band, and then created my own unique inner rings. Here is a photo of some of them.

Don't get me wrong, I do think using RingCores is a great idea, but sometimes the sizes they are available in can be a bit restricting, and it doesn't leave any scope for design on the outer ring.

 

Now you know me, I do love my textures, so I decided it was time to start making the outer ring in silver clay as well. This ring is all made using Art Clay Silver, the main metal clay that I use.

 

 

 

I'm very excited with the result and will be making more of these very soon. Now I can have lovely textures on the sides of the ring and make the channelled ring band much more interesting. Also by making my own I've added a nice comfort fit to the ring with smooth rounded edges around the inside of the ring band. The inner band on this ring is set with 2mm lab sapphires. 

 

I made a short video so you can see the ring 'in action'!!! It spins beautifully - in fact better than any of the ones I've made so far!

 

 

This is a new one day workshop I'll be teaching so if you want to make your very own unique ring let me know! :D

 

Have fun!

 

Joy x