This weekend marks my first back from my workshopand I'm just now getting back into the swing of things. Workshops are wonderful things, and I nearly always leave brainstorming ways to return as soon as possible. This workshop at Arrowmont was no different. I was a bit apprehensive at attending a workshop in the heart of Gatlinburg, which is where the center is located. The workshops I've attended in the past, are situated in the middle of valleys that take several hours to traverse, or nestled into hills that housed more deer and bunnies than people. Going away, for me, means going AWAY - no need for a car or a cell phone, no nearby restaurants or all-night internet cafes. I drove through Pigeon Forge and made my way into Gatlinburg, with it's fudge shops, the mini-golfs, the hotels. I nearly missed the sign, but managed to turn in, and the second I turned onto the winding road that bisected the complex, the touristy ick sort of fell away. It was like a bubble, and even the sounds of the tour buses and crowds seemed to be muffled by the trees that separated us from, well, 'them'.
I admit to venturing into town for a fancy coffee one morning after breakfast, and on the last day being convinced to take a ride on the skylift, which ended up being quite nice - at the top we could just make out Red Barn, the building at Arrowmont where I roomed.
The facilities were fantastic, from the metals studio to the library and supply shop, which held most supplies one would need if they were forgotten or unable to be procured before one left for their workshop, along with some basic toiletries (though I wouldn't advise buying their towels - I was left with little bits of blue towel fuzz all over after using it to dry off. All over. Oh, yeah.) and postcards so you can tell all of your friends what they're missing. The metals studio was incredibly well equipped, if a little (okay, a lot) chilly (I advise bringing a long sleeved shirt or two - I brought only one and completely threw off my classmates one day at lunch by not wearing it. 'I didn't recognize you without the red shirt!' Perhaps that was their polite way of saying, 'I couldn't smell you without that shirt you've been wearing every waking moment of the week!').
Vises, disk cutters, flex shafts, hydraulic presses, drawing plates, more hammers than I've ever seen in one place, a wall full of torches, bench shears...the studio was incredibly well-equipped. What was lacking was quickly remedied by one of the studio assistants who monitored the classes and procured was what needed, or something very close (when we needed a sieve in which to put small items that needed to be pickled, the assistants went to work drilling some small plastic dishes from the supply shop). Debra Lynn Gold, the instructor, was excellent. Encouraging and incredibly knowledgeable, and gently pushing us to go beyond our safe zones without making us sacrifice our own style and vision for the pieces we were creating. Beyond that, my fellow students were fantastic, swapping and lending tools, tips, tricks, and 'that's amaaaazing!'s without reservation. In summary - I loved it. I learned a huge amount in five days, and came away with a notebook full of tricks and a bit of a kick in the ass. Perfect.
And now onto other news in the world of craft..
Handmade Arcade sent out their newsletter this week, advising people of their move to a cool new venue and letting us know that applications for the November 8 and 9 show will be available on their site bright and early on July 13th. From everything I've read and heard, this is a show that's not to be missed, either as a seller OR a buyer.
Coming up, too, is the Pitchfork Music Festival, which will also feature a number of vendors, including the boutique like offerings of DEPART-ment - one booth housing the wares of over a dozen vendors, yours truly included. $65 gets you access to the show and all of the great food and craft vendors. See you there!
In sadder news, Modish is closing it's doors. Boo. Jena of Modish is moving on to bigger and better things and closing the lovely and quirky Modishoppe on June 30th. She's currently got a sale on through June 30th, which is your very last day to shop. Check out the site, and be sure to show Jena some love in her blog, which will continue, here.
And last but not least, I bring you some lovely things for your lovely creations: Gorgeous linen/cotton blend bias tape, suitable for any number of things (I plan to pick some up and turn it into a headband or three to tame my unruly mop this summer, from Namolio, and happy, muted floral fabric, screenprinted with an original design by ofpaperandthread.
Happy making! And, as always, if you have a craft related bit of info for me - a show you're participating in, a website, a fantastic feat of sheer craftiness - send it my way!
Love,
Brooke
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