gemma{factrix}

Busy Wednesday

Busy busy day today.

I woke up to an email from the wonderful peeps at the Spring Bada Bing, letting me know that I'd been chosen as one of the 60 vendors to show work at their show in Richmond, Virginia in April. Whoo! They're also having local wholesale buyers in an hour before the show, so my work may end up in some VA (and beyond!) boutiques this spring. I'm excited! The fee was super reasonable, and the show sounds like a lot of fun.

I headed to the studio in anticipation of teaching a mini-workshop today, and proceeded to organize the studio:

The class was really fun. It was a woman and her niece, who was about 12, and they wanted to take a class together. The aunt made some stacking rings to wear on either side of a wider band she loved and always wore, and the niece made a great bracelet from vintage beads, along with two hammered charms:

After they left, I filled a few orders, and took a bit of time to finish some pieces that have been waiting for me since early last week:

Those are my newest hoops, and they're available in three sizes in my Etsy shop.

A few artsy studio photos later.....

....and I was headed home to make dinner and flyers, postcards, and line sheets for the upcoming show.

Love,
B

Thanks, Styledash!

Mallory from Styledash interviewed me several days ago for a feature on their website, and in record time it's up and ready for you to peruse. Interviews are fun, though I must admit every time I read an interview I've given, I think of something I forgot to say. HOWEVER! Mallory asked great questions and I don't sound like a a complete dolt or completely self-absorbed. I think. ;)

I talked about the metalsmithing classes I teach here at the studio, new work, and how winter is approximately, oh, ENDLESS here in Ohio. Check it out, and have a great weekend!

Love,
B

Have a great weekend!

B

The First Workshop in the New Gemma Studio

I've been a bit MIA from my blog and website for the past few days, but for good reason {and not, this time, because I'm sick! I was teaching a workshop! It was great. It was a private workshop, one student. She came from Michigan to learn some basic metalsmithing techniques, and, since it was just her and I, we were able to go over so many techniques that we may not have been able to get to if the class was larger. Whenever I teach a student, I start out with sawing, piercing, and cold connections, like rivets. This gets the student started using the saw, as well as learning finishing techniques, and learning how to plan out a project. I think starting with these basic techniques is a great way to see if the student really likes metalsmithing - even after having broken a dozen sawblades in the course of an afternoon - and, it lays a great foundation for the student to either build on, if they can't or don't want to use a torch, or move beyond, as sawing, filing, sanding, and polishing are skills metalsmiths use every day. Lisa's rivets were great - she made this riveted disc, as well as a couple fun found object pieces with tube rivets.

I made a few demo pieces that used tube rivets as well, and I'd forgotten how fun riveted pieces are, and how much interest rivets add to a simple piece. After working on riveted pieces all afternoon, my mind was swirling with ideas. You'll likely find quite a few riveted pieces in my shop in the coming weeks.

We then worked on basic soldering, though Lisa made a gorgeous chain - normally something that I reserve for lessons 2 or 3 at the earliest. But, as I mentioned, working one on one allows for a much more intense and extensive learning experience. We practiced a lot of pick soldering, as well as how to plan and construct a simple chain made from jump rings, as well as how to add little embellishments to each link if desired. Rings can be made in much the same way as jump rings, and Lisa used this info learned on day two to make her final project, this gorgeous ring made sterling and peridot:



I don't know who was more excited about this piece, Lisa or me. It all came together so beautifully. Lisa did a wonderful job on it, soldering and finishing the bezel, and constructing the ring. I think the oxidization on this piece is just gorgeous, and the stone is a bit taller than most, which lends a great drama to the piece.

While workshops can be a bit intense, and I definitely go home a bit spent after each day, they're also truly energizing. I work side by side with the student, constructing my own pieces to demonstrate the skills I'm teaching while allowing them to make their own projects, as opposed to my halfway constructing pieces for them. These are pieces I may not have made otherwise, and they open my eyes and mind to new ideas and neglected techniques. I can't wait to make some rings with the gemstones I have on hand - faceted lapis, rose quartz, carnelian, and make some fun riveted pieces with the brass tubing and sterling we used this weekend.

I also can't wait to teach another workshop! This weekend's class reminded me of how much I love to teach. I can't wait to schedule more workshops here in the new studio. Hopefully I'll schedule some formal ones, which will be workshops of no more than 4 people. However, until then, I'm always willing to do one on one classes and workshops. There are ample places to stay in Dayton if you're travelling from another state, and lots of fun things to do in Dayton while you're here. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about workshops or classes.

Happy Sunday!
Brooke