Busy Bran- Upcoming shows & classes

It's been a busy spring! 

Last weekend was the East Buntyn Art walk, which was excellent weather, despite predictions to the contrary. It's one of my favorite shows to vend as the people that come and wander the historic neighborhood are some of the friendliest folks i've met, but i miss being one of those wandering. :) The commemorative wine glass this year was PURPLE!! and i was able to replace the broken blue one from last year so i have the complete set of them from years i've been a vendor. (OCD nerd problems)

This weekend is the Vollentine Evergreen Art walk and the MAGS gem and mineral show, so i'll be busy both Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully, i'll sell a bunch of stuff Saturday so i can buy lots of rocks Sunday. :) 

Next weekend is the Tennessee Crafts Spring Show in Centennial Park, Nashville. It's Friday, May 1st through Sunday, May 3rd and i'm the chapter coordinator for the SW chapter, so i'll be set up with 2 other members of the SW chapter in the Emerging Makers tent. We will be joined by two artists from another chapter, including an artist with amazing turned bowls, so keep an eye out for pictures and if you're in the Nashville area, stop by and enjoy a variety of amazing arts and crafts by some of Tennessee's finest (and surrounding states)

The TN Craft spring show is my last show, as of right now, for the spring season. I'll be turning my focus back to my classes- the May class at the Botanic Gardens is going to be a fun technique class on using the jeweler's saw. June's will be combining metal clay and glass. In July, I'll be out at the Appalachian Center for Craft teaching a mold making/texture making weekend workshop with metal clay. I'm excited about all the cool stuff that is possible in a longer class- I always try to put too much into my 1 day workshops and have to scale them back a bit. :)

Weekly challenge- week 16

This Saturday is the East Buntyn art walk, so I've been busily making. Finally figured out how to finish the lovely silks that my pendants seem to float from. Got a project cleared off my to do... and still have some earrings to make.

Here's a teaser of new stuff.

Mobile Metal Working Studio

Last week i set up a GoFundMe for a VW bus that i can use to go to out of town art shows and also have a mobile metal studio for said shows as well as local events. I'm so thrilled at the support i have received so far but i still have a ways to go to be able to purchase and transport the bus from Cali.

I've created a logo for the MMWS and i'm already pricing how much it's going to take to get this thing on the road and to shows! (Positive thinking-- especially since the seller has lowered the price if i can get it off his hands this week!!!)

Rough draft of the logo- needs a little polish, i know.

Here's the link to the GoFundMe page- every little bit helps and i do have rewards for donations- I'm not just asking people to just give me money for an art project- I'm offering product in exchange for an investment in my community outreach plan.

Here's a picture of the high top camper VW Bus- it'll need a new paint job eventually, but it will do until i can get the inside outfitted to be useful. i think i'll paint her to match my studio. :)

Weekly challenge - week 15

These are 4 rings I finished last night and applied patina to today. they have this slick gunmetal finish now that really sets of the stones and the textures

Weekly Challenge - Week 14

I've spent some time spring cleaning at the studio - the anvil table finally has its top and all that is left is to get andy to help me drill the holes for the lug bolts. i'm excited about having not just the large vise, rolling mill and shear mounted, but also my Fretz stake holder that i have had in a little shrine on my bench, awaiting its turn to be used. :)

my bench actually has work space on it now, several unique strands of beads i purchased for the shop side have been rediscovered and are available for purchase and i re-curated my window display- adding another plexi shelf and spreading out some of the goodies so that they can be even more inspiring. My Sarah Perkins bowl (the amazing golden sun on the bottom shelf) is now out and visible as well. It feels good to get the energy of the space back into the positive, especially after such a long, cold winter.

Not the best picture, but gives an idea of the new pretties. 

I'm looking forward to a class i'm taking at the Five in One Social Club down on Broad. It's Old School Screen printing. I'm looking forward to seeing how i can utilize it in my metal working- maybe as a resist for etching, or something with enameling... I suspect there will be experiments documented here soon. :)

I'll be making some gallery rings tonight at Open Studio over at BMB designs from 6pm-10pm. That means soldering, stone setting and finishing demos! Gotta get stock built back up for the Art Walk on the 18th over in East Buntyn! I'll post a picture later, after they're all put together.

Weekly challenge- weeks 12 and 13

Just because I haven't posted doesn't mean that I have not been making- I just can't share them publicly yet :)

I've been looking at all the great things in have coming up this spring. Art walks, the TACA show in Nashville, teaching a new sawing technique class, and then in the summer, teaching at a new place.

So. I've got work to share- just have to wait. I also have a ton of new stuff in the shop, some new cabs to put in this week and some works in progress that I can hardly wait to finish!

In the mean time, enjoy today's finished piece- a variation of the infinite love pendant- I think the hammered wire is a nice touch.

Ok- here's the set that i made for week 13- the infinity pieces are gold-filled wire i twisted together for texture and the gemstones at the clasp are significant birthstones for the couple.