Cover Girl!

 

Just returned from my magical two weeks in France where I learned many new techniques to incorporate into my jewelry construction.

 

Thanks to master instructor Keith Lo Bue, who traveled from Sydney, Australia to the tiny town of Durfort, in the south of France, very close to the border with Spain.  From Keith, I gained a new perspective on found objects, treasures from the past which I adore, and how to deconstruct them and incorporate them into my work.

In sorting through my mail today, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Viva Tysons magazine with my necklace, Sonoran, prominently displayed on the front cover, lower right side.

Inside is a very nice article about our upcoming Great Falls Studio Art Tour on October 17-18-19, 10-5 each day. You will find me at 1144 Walker Road, first floor (same shopping center as Dante's restaurant).  There are 14 artists in the building demonstrating and talking about their art.

Please stop by and see me.  I will be showing many new pieces and demonstrating some of my jewelry making techniques.

See you then!

Bonjour from Durfort, France!

I'm in the middle of a two-week adventure in the south of France taking a metal jewelry making class with Keith Lo Bue.  He is a very talented, kooky guy from Connecticut who moved to Australia about 20 years ago. 

There are twelve of us taking the class. We’re from all over the world.

We are  staying in a 17th century restored village town home.  Our studio is at the top of the house with lovely beams and skylights, but never enough work space!

One assignment was to make an object, jewelry or otherwise, that was autobiographical.  

This first photo is of my workspace.

Almost all of the materials and tools were brought from home! (50 lbs. in my one piece of checked luggage).  There is a lot more on the floor, too!

I decided to make a "doll" that would be me.

   

The photo shows the doll:  body from a small oil can, legs that are meant to be a battery tester, and a bald doll head.  All of these were found at French flea markets We’ve been to five. So far. :)

Here are a few smaller things I've made here.

You can see these pieces, and others I’ve done in this class, next month (Oct. 17-19) at the Great Falls Studio Tour at 1144 Walker Road.