art and soul - hampton - a hurrah

hip
hip
hip
hurrah!
i wish i had a recording of mr. h's reaction when i emerged from my studio...all proud & excited that i had a...hurrah...from my bits created in sally jean alexanders class.
"wow...that's...wow...i didn't see you putting all of it in one piece...huh..."
ok...it's funny now...and in a way i get what he means...but ugh

with soldering...the more you do the better it goes. the box below was one of the first ones i tried...and it shows...i just wanted to gather it all together in a class study...

i have only seen a couple of the large necklaces sally does...

now i have one of my own...of my own.
hip...hip...hurrah!

art and soul - hampton - girls at play

that's what we were...girls at play. so my last two days in hampton were spent with stephanie lee. i was really looking forward to these classes...and it was quite simply the best. chain gang and junk drawer - torch and all. loved it...this speaks to me...it's organic and earthy...primitive and every imperfection just adds to it...yep...i could get into this! again my pictures show the bits and pieces i created...but determined folks left the class with chains down to their waists....so you can leave with a finished item...i just can't seem to...not yet anyway. these items i made day one - chain gang - i knew i wanted to use the image in the lower piece - it's an old fence along the "beach" in wisconsin. so i started there and worked on. i was able to solder with a torch, stamp metal, pour resin, burn my finger and have a blast! i really like stephanie...she's just as human as i expected...i've followed her blog and have been lucky to purchase some of her work... and honestly if she and her sweet family showed up i'd just give them the keys to the cabin and a welcome to stay as long as they'd like....they are good people...you can just tell.
the second day was junk drawer...and it was a great review of the day before - plus more...so i was able to take notes...and i absorbed tips i know i just missed the day before...many little ah ha moments...now i get it...multi days with one teacher is the way to go for me...it just is. i tried casting with the solder into clay...um...can't really tell what the things are supposed to be...even in person...but others in the class had great results...i just need to find items with better detail and then give it another go. i made a...perfect to me bezel...which i wanted to turn into a ring...when i went to attach the "ring" part... my perfect bezel warmed up and well took on a life of it's own. stephanie had warned me it might happen and she said i could fix it...but the outcome was kind of funky...i decided to leave it...she got that...i just adore that about her...no outcome is wrong. that's the ring at the top of the picture above...i was able to slip a stone into it...that moves around...i am fairly certain you could knock someone out with it if need be... so it may become a paperweight. so i have lots of bits to work with from this class...can't wait to get back to them and i'll be sure to post my hurrah. i know that stephanie's classes fill up quickly....but keep trying... there is so much instruction to soak up and spending a day with this gal is a treat. etched into me ... is art and soul ... thanks for all you have given me...i hope the journey that began at asilomar will continue for a long while... as i like this girl at play

art and soul - hampton - what a catch

the wild world of trades ... i first learned of this tradition when i signed up for the art and soul yahoo group... all these things to take part in ... charm trade ... fat book ... and just trades in general. so i'm a give it a try type of girl ... granted i was headed to art and soul to learn how to make a charm and i had no idea what a fat book was ... i gave it a go anyway ... oh what fun ... and oh my what talent.

most of the charms you see came from the charm swap ... i was thrilled to receive some in trade ... i think they had 28 artist participate ... i strung them about a wire basket so i can see them all.

a wonderful assortment of techniques and items ... i received charms, atc's, books, ribbons and ledgers and more...oh my!

i cast my net into this sea of art ... what a catch

i tried my hand at pmc...the item with the byzantine chain and the little bee are from day one. this class was taught by sherri haab and scott david plumlee. i'll be honest ... this class was on day 3 of my trip ... and i'm just not at my best on day 3 .... i looked at that bit of clay and really could not visualize what i could make with it .... but once i got over myself i was on my way. in some classes it seems i have to remind myself that the item i'm working on is a class study... it isn't as though i'll never get to try this again ...so get on with it ... experience it ... and i did. you can go here to try your hand at the byzantine chain. i also learned that i really like to have the same teacher for multiple days in a row... and i was able to add a second class with sherri... once again - a great group at your table makes for a great class. go here to meet dede & leslie ... we had a such a good time and it just got better when frankie turned her chair around and joined us.

what a catch is right...all you learn...all you experience...but most of all...is all the folks you meet and get to know...and look forward to seeing again...that is the best catch of all.

i hope to...i hope the same for you

art and soul - hampton - doors open

my plan was to finally sit down and tell you about art and soul in hampton...so i start out with a door i came upon in williamsburg...and i feel this pull to dig into my thoughts on inner doors and hallways and the little rooms i keep for myself...within myself...and how this new art journey has me turning in directions i never expected...granted i'm still seeing closed doors...a little like a big old house where entire sections...unused...just became closed off. that's what i seem to be finding. but it's there...it's in me...i just need to give it some light.

need a cute apron...sure you do...hop on over to this gal...cute blog and adorable finds...ok...back to art and soul...i had just returned home from three days with one teacher...and now i was on my way to three teachers within the same number of days + a few...so i knew i was going to have to take it up a notch...stay focused....la la la....well...i still need to spend a little less time chit chatting and bit more time...working. i cannot believe what folks accomplish in class. and i really want to go home with some finished projects too!

day one i spent with wonderful table mates in sally jean alexander -soldering for virgins. i had great intentions of practicing before i went to this class - my honey had given me all the stuff for christmas....we'll it made it out of the box just in time to be packed into my suitcase. so a soldering virgin i was....well no more...i had a great time in this class...great instruction...sally and "mr. sally" are so helpful and they do great demo's. she draws a big crowd and a full class, but she really knows how to divide the group and teach to everyone.

i was thrilled with the results...i was able to use artwork from my class with misty in the charms. i have several pieces just waiting for more supplies to arrive...then i'll finish it up...i'll post my big hurrah...when it's done.

i'm so glad i discovered art and soul. i cannot imagine how i would have begun this journey without you, without this wonderful new community i am getting to know and be a part of. i have met amazing folks with inspiring talent and gracious and open hearts. it feels like we will travel along together...making new discovery's - sharing - and opening new doors with joy and wonder.

more art and soul hampton to come...