DonnaBarnako.com

New for 2012!

First, let me wish you a Very Happy New Year and a superb 2012.

These are the classes I've scheduled for winter/spring 2012 at Star's Beads in Vienna, Virginia.  Registration begins at 10am on Monday, January 9.  You can register by phone:  (703) 938-7018.  Each class is six hours (10-4pm) and $65 plus a $30 materials fee. There is a maximum of eight
students in each class.

Coloring on Metal, Part 1.  Saturday, April 7

Students will make their own fuming chamber and use ammonia to oxidize copper or brass.  The metals will turn varying shades of turquoise.  Class project is a pendant with a captured stone and techniques taught include coiling, cutting and texturing metal, setting a stone with coiled Sterling Silver.  A domed pair of earrings will also be made using a special patina.

Coloring on Metal, Part 2.  Saturday, April 28

Learn exciting new ways to color metals with paints,pencils, patinas and paste.  We will color copper and brass metal blanks, filigree and Lucite beads using these various methods.  A fun and easy class.

Diary in Metal. Friday, March 30

This is my "revised Sophisticated Steampunk" class with an all new project.  A potpourri of cold connection techniques (no soldering).  Make a metal keepsake diary necklace with metal pages displaying your special photo and inspiring words while learning to etch, texture, rivet, cut, pierce, stamp, Patinate and oxidize brass and copper. This is a jam-packed day full of techniques and fun!

Not your Grandmother's macrame. Saturday, March 10, 10am-4pm

In my studio in Great Falls. I love teaching this class and students love taking it!  It is my Daggers and Dandelions bracelet class, BUT we are making a pendant necklace like the one shown below.  You will finish the project in class.  I assemble the kits with my very special findings, leaves, flowers, beads, etc. to make a smashing piece of jewelry.  The $85 fee covers class, special kits, fibers, just bring yourself!  Limited to five people only.  To register for this class only, please email me:  Donna@DonnaBarnako.com. 

The perfect gift!

 Some Festive Gift Ideas from
the Jewelry Studio of Donna Barnako
It's Never Too Late! 

Here are some last minute ideas for your holiday shopping list.  I am happy to giftwrap, mail, welcome you to my studio, send other photos, whatever you would like to make your gift giving (and receiving) as easy as possible.  I do take PayPal, too! Below are descriptions of some of my newer pieces.

 

"Camouflage"
 

A freshwater cultured pearl necklace with matching earrings.  It is meant to be worn at the base of the neck, has a lovely sterling silver and matching pearl clasp and unusual paddle shaped pearls that give a ruffled appearance.  Wonderful with a plain cashmere sweater!  $175 for necklace and earrings.

 

"Painting with Fire"
 

This is a classic designed bead crocheted necklace with a stunning handmade glass focal bead.  I purchased the focal bead in Rockland, Maine from a design studio called "Painting with Fire", hence the name.  The bead crochet takes me many, many hours to complete, about one inch in an evening, and this is after I've strung the 15 feet of beads needed to do the crochet.  There are sterling silver accents and clasp and the beads are a Prussian blue with antique gold to complete the effect.  $200.

 

"Crossover"
 

A really fun to make and easy to wear necklace.  It allows me to raid my stash of wonderful antique and exotic findings I've gathered over the years.  The necklace is a long chain meant to be crossed over rather than clasped.  On each end I've assembled some accents.  The close up of either end gives you the idea:  an ancient Berber enameled medallion, an equally old sterling and onyx studded globe, a sterling wire worked bead I've made, quartz, Swarovski crystal  and a really wonderful royal blue "found object" from my endless antique market forays.  Wear it to the super market or to the White House, a real conversation starter.  $180.

 

Photo #276 "Scarab"
 

A linked bracelet that incorporates so many techniques:  cutting with a jeweler's saw, riveting, etching designs with acid, torching for color, oxidizing for an antique look.  The bracelet features a vintage 2cent stamp (Statue of Liberty), watch parts, a bumblebee, semiprecious pumpkin agate and turquoise.  $250.

 

Have a very wonderful, warm holiday.

The best to all for a healthy and happy 2012

Donna 

Escape to Venice

My husband and I have just returned from an 11 day trip to Venice.  

While he was taking a week-long photography class, I explored the alleys and canals of this centuries old island.  

We stayed in an amazing apartment overlooking a canal and each day watched the gondolas glide by with echoes of Volare and O Solo Mio wafting after them.  

I took a mask painting class, visited the neighboring islands of Burano, Murano and  Lido, ate some fantastico food and of course, bought some beads.  

We even experienced acqua alta, the periodic flooding of St Mark's Square and neighboring alleys (our apartment was less than five minutes from St Mark's). 

Simply having the time to soak up the flavor of this ancient city and gather inspiration from its colors and textures was the best part of all.  

I've uploaded some of my photos to a Venice Gallery.  To see the much more professional ones taken by my husband, click here. There's even a short video of the gondoliers singing.

Jennifer's Choice

 Isn't she beautiful?  (Click on the image to see a larger picture.)

This is my latest piece which I'm calling Jennifer's Choice.  I was inspired by a painting done by my friend Jennifer Duncan, a fellow artist member of Great Falls Studios.  

GFS has a  web site:  GreatFallsStudios.com with a virtual gallery which changes each month.  The gallery is magnificently curated by Will Tuthill and September's theme is Feelings of Home.  

Jennifer has several pieces in the gallery, but I was particularly struck by In the Attic.  The colors and textures spoke to me and invited me to see how they would play out in my medium:  wearable art. 

The necklace has a foundation of macrame, many hand made and vintage beads and dangles from a glass circle.  The double chain and clasp are pretty special, too, as befits this beautiful piece.  It sits just below the base of the neck and would look wonderful over a solid-colored V or round neck top.  One-of-a-kind, truly.  It's $275. 

Don't forget our Great Falls Studios fall tour and open studios on October 15-16 (Saturday/Sunday) 10am-5pm.  There are 48 participating artists, including Jennifer, whose work will be at the Atelier in Great Falls.  I am opening my studio as well.  Come, visit. Programs will be available in just a few days.  

I have lots of work to do on our return from Maine!

Goodbye to Summer

Has your summer flown by like mine?  We are in the last few weeks of August with still so much to do.

That's not to say I've been lolling around eating bon bons every day.  We've eaten our share of lobsters and had a wonderful four day reunion of Delta Zeta (Penn State) sorority sisters here in Maine.  There were eight of us and you would never know that many years separated our last visit. (Photo?) 

Somehow the weeds keep coming back even though I painstakingly dig them up by their roots.  

I am proud to say that I've harvested beaucoup tomatoes, ONE zucchini and NO peppers.  Oh well, maybe next year.  

Ben, my sweet Bouvier has gotten used to our almost daily jogs...he starts squeaking if I try and leave him behind.  No more plein air jogging once back in Virginia, though....too much traffic, heat and humidity, so it's back to the creaky old treadmill. 

I have been so very busy making jewelry, especially experimenting with colorations and oxidation of metals.  I have obtained the most beautiful turquoise shades on brass and copper using ammonia and am excited to be teaching a class on it this fall.  

My full class description and schedule at Stars in Vienna, Virginia is shown below.  Some of my new pieces are displayed as well. 

PLEASE PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR OUR GREAT FALLS STUDIOS ANNUAL FALL OPEN STUDIO TOUR, OCTOBER 15-16, 2011 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 10am-5pm).  

I will be one of 48 artists opening studios for this very popular event. If you would like me to mail you a program, schedule and map, please let me know.  Everyone in Great Falls will receive one in their mailbox.

Donna's Fall Classes

SOPHISTICATED STEAMPUNK, 

• Two sessions. Saturday, October 1 and Friday, November 7 (Veteran's day weekend).  Classes are 10-4.  Cost is $60 with $30 kit fee.  

This very popular and jam-packed techniques class is always full with a waiting list.  I have made a new sample (photo) as the class project which incorporates all the techniques covered including riveting, etching, oxidizing, dapping and cutting metal.  

We'll use ferric chloride for the etching, texturing stamps, torches for coloration and liver of sulfur for antiquing. 

DANDELIONS AND DAGGERS

• Saturday, October 8, 10-4.  Class is $60 and kits are $25-$35.

This is a fun and easy class and I love teaching it.  

Students leave with a beautiful finished bracelet that they're very proud of.  You will learn a basic macramé stitch and add beads as you go along.  Special techniques to add lampwork glass beads and flowers will be covered to create a unique work of art.  

While not part of the class, I'll show how the work can be modified to create a pendant and have samples to show.  I will also have kits to sell of the vintage and other unique beads I've collected in the various colorways that I make and sell (for $300-$350).  

COLORING METAL PART ONE, 

• Saturday, November 8, 10-4pm.  Class is $60 and Kits are $30.

 
This is a new class that I will be teaching that I'm very excited about. Students will make their own fuming chamber and then use ammonia to oxidize copper and brass.  Either metal will turn varying shades of turquoise from muted to brilliant.  We will make a stunning pendant that pops out of its metal base.  I call the piece shown "Excavation".  We'll finish it off by weaving the pieces together.

Part Two of this class will be offered in the winter and involve "painting" metal.

Sign up for classes at Stars, Vienna (703-938-7018)

Oh, So Busy in Maine! Wow!

Rainy, cool June days make for big spurts of creativity and productivity.  

I have made these three fantastic (if I do say so myself) mixed media bracelets that incorporate just about all the techniques I've been learning over the last several years:  texturing, oxidizing, coloring, enameling, riveting and etching,  

They all have taken hours to make, about 3 days each as I've cut and filed the metal, picked out just the right components from my many goody boxes, altered them, made TINY rivets (can you find the 17-jewel-watch piece?) and even made and added patina to the connecting jump rings and forged them closed.  

Each piece, one-of-a-kind, is $350. I figure less than minimum wage.  

There's Scarab,

Hug Me

and Mixed Geometry (with a tiny turtle attached).

They can all be adjusted to size with the addition or subtraction of jump rings. 

BTW, my show at Gallery One Eleven in Wiscasset, Maine was a blast.  As you can see, the Gallery is just beautiful with its warm wood beams and interior filled with antiques and art including silk scarves, baskets and lovely fabric wall art.

Sweet Ben, who often keeps me company while I toil in my studio".

To see all that I've done in Maine, Click here for the Photo Gallery.

Shown in this photo are Mainers Zoë Bigley and Katharine Martin-Savage, who selected one of my copper and turquoise etched watches and enameled earrings for unique gifts.  

Both Gallery One Eleven and The Artisans in McLean, Va. will have a selection of my work this summer.  Each will have one of the mixed media bracelets above, unless they get sold on-line first!

Trunk Show in McLean, March 26

When

Saturday March 26, 2011 

Where
The Artisans 
Langley Shopping Center
1368 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101 

 
Driving Directions 

Donna Barnako / Jewelworx

1001 BEADS, an exclusive trunk showing of new works by Great Falls jewelry artist & world traveler Donna Barnako. The event will showcase Donna's designs in macramé, etched metal & wire, incorporating the myriad of materials that she collects during her frequent travels. This popular jewelry artist & teacher will be on hand to discuss her work & demonstrate her techniques. 

Register to receive an Event reminder by email, phone call or text

Register Now! 

Sticks & Stones macrame bracelet

English Country Garden

awaits final customization

Donna's beautiful & bountiful macrame bracelets incorporate dozens of beads, baubles & bibelots all tied together by theme & color palette. Special buttons create toggle closures. To assure that the bracelet sits properly on your arm, Donna will customize the length of each one sold. 

 

LET'S BROOCH THE SUBJECT

I have been asked by a number of people at my shows to please make some brooches as they are so versatile to wear. 

I made some "easy" fibulas which you can see at my December 28 blog posting and now I have just completed these two large pieces, one in copper and the other in silver. 

I really had fun incorporating interesting charms, beads and bits of metal which I've texturized, antiqued and in the case of the copper, put in an ammonia tent to achieve the beautiful teal colorations. 

There are also Raku, enamel and resin beads I've made and other ephemera (love that word!) I've collected in my travels.  The brooches are perfect to be worn on a coat, sweater or loosely woven scarf.

In a few days I'll give the details of a one-day show I will be doing on Saturday, March 26, all day, so try and set the date aside!  I'll also be posting photos of three terrific new pendants I've done...I HAVE BEEN BUSY!

Looking for a Home

With three venues for my jewelry, private clients, as well as shows through Great Falls Studios, I have been challenged to fortify my inventory. 

Since I will be teaching this wonderful macramé bracelet class at Star's this Spring (details below) and since I have sold every one of these bracelets I've ever made, I decided to get to work!  And this is what I produced:  one completed bracelet, "Sticks and Stones" that fits my 6 1/4" wrist, and four equally fabulous pieces waiting for their "forever homes".  Each will be custom-fitted to the new owner's wrist.  Each is $350.

"Sticks and Stones" features all the colors I love and I would not be unhappy if it chooses me for its forever home.  It's chock-a-block with semi-precious stones in earthtone shades of green, clay, taupe and teal.  There's hidden surprises in all these bracelets and this one features a watch gear, a carved stone bear fetish, a tiny filigree butterfly and lots more.

Number Two is "English Country Garden" with luscious shades of lavender, lilac, sea green and aquamarine.  There are four lovely handmade torch fired glass beads and some very pretty vintage two-toned lavender flowers.

Number Three is "Fade to Black", a dramatic midnight, periwinkle, teal and black number that has stars, several Murano beads and a spectacular dichroic stained glass button as closure.

Number Four is "Antique Lace", with shades of ecru, ivory, gold and a nifty little Sterling hedgehog charm that I found in England.  The gold is 14K and the square button which matches perfectly is from Dublin.  An international bracelet!

Number Five is "Chocolate Obsession" which features copper, brass, crystal and yummy vintage leaves in a half dozen shades of brown and taupe.  Jet black beads set it all off and a cool bronze button I bought in Dublin is the closure.

If you are interested in any of these pieces, drop me an email.  If you're "from away" you can always just send me your wrist size!

My class, "Daggers and Dandelions" will be Saturday, April 23, 10-4pm at Star's Beads in Vienna, Va.  (tel 703-983-7018).  Registration begins tomorrow (January 18).  The class is $60 and requires no previous experience.

I will also be teaching my "Steampunk Style" class again on Friday, May 6th, 10-4pm at Star's.  This class has been full each time I've taught it and includes many wonderful techniques. 

Hope to see or hear from you soon!