Playing With Clay

-My bead-

I had the pleasure of spending this last weekend with Jonna Faulkner, a truly amazing jewelry artist.

I have wanted to learn about COPPER clay for a long time and it was well worth the wait and anticipation. We used Art Clay Copper and it was so easy to work with and to fire. I love the rich hue of the copper...perfect for incorporating into fall designs.

-Jonna during demo-

The class project was to create a cylinder shaped bead incorporating both copper and fine silver clays. We first worked with copper clay and formed our bead around a 5/8" dowel wrapped in a teflon sheet. The copper was then fired.

The next day, we worked on the fine silver bead caps and appliques. My, my....applique is very intricate, time consuming work....and I am really pleased with the results. Each element is created independently, must be adhered separately, and dried ...making sure that each element is connected to eachother. This process, while taking about 4 hours, was very Zen-ful....and relaxing....although I understand from my table mate, Linda, that I was doing a lot of sighing.

Setting stones was the final step. Since I just love my bling, I added about 5 cz's. I decided to not add a bottom cap on mine. But instead, I left the bottom of the bead open and dangled an antique chandelier crystal from the inside.....it makes an ever so soft jingle....reminiscent of an enchanting tiny windchime. There are definitely necessary steps to be taken when using copper in combination with fine silver, but oh so worth it don't you think. I'm just thoroughly over the moon with the results.

I must apologize for not blogging much during this summer....wow where has the time flown. The minutes of my days have been filled with going to the pool, walking, working with a personal trainer, meeting with friends, taking classes, teaching, designing for my customers, entertaining grand daughters and oh yes....I purchased an IPad!!! Oh my....what a technological advancement that is....a grown-up toy for sure. I have been a PC girl most of my adult life, but I can tell you that I am becoming a convert. I will be asking for a MacBook Pro for Christmas.

I am now beginning to fill my iBook library full of some of the books I have long wanted. One of these books is Julia Cameron's "Heart Steps." .....a book so rich with thoughtful reflections. Let me share one such reflection here.

MINE IS AN ADVENTUROUS HEART

"I choose an expansive life. I choose adventure, freedom, self-expression. I choose self-definition, self-love, self-renewal. Life expands or contracts according to my expectations. I expect good and that is what I exerpience. Viewing the whole, I choose to be interconnected yet independent. I allow the God-force within me to open and enlarge my lens of perception and realm of action. My horizons stretch ever wider as I define my identity in terms of my divinity. I am an adventurer, an explorer, a dreamer whose dreams become true. I embrace the adventure of life. I have courage."

I wish you all adventure and self-renewal.

Tootles

Diana