Maker Faire 2013 - San Mateo County Event Center May 18th-19th

May 18^th - 19^th 2013

San Mateo County Events Center, CA

Saturday 10am - 8pm

Sunday 10am - 6pm

Join me at the Maker Faire this weekend!

I will be doing a demo at The Metal Arts Guild booth on Saturday from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. There will be many great, fun things to create all weekend long!

Summer 2013 Classes at The Richmond Art Center

Jewelry 1
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone
pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more. 8 weeks
Class # SU19J • Jun 24 – Aug 12, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Jewelry Sampler
An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience
recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small
metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks
Class # SU20J • Wed, Jun 26 – Aug 14, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Beginning Enameling
An introductory class. Learn the techniques  of Vitreous Glass Enameling, fusing glass to metal. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the basics: sifting and wet packing, kiln and torch firing, mark-making, and knowledge of color interactions. $15 materials fee paid to instructor. 8 weeks (No Class 7/5,7/12)
Class # SU5J • Fri, Jun 21 – Aug 16, 2013 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $168 • Nonmember $185

‘Summer Bling’ Teen Metals/Jewelry Sampler
Ages 12-17, Whether you like Shiny Metal Jewelry or Funky Metal Sculpture you can create your art using techniques such as forming, stamping, soldering, enameling, cuttlefish casting, and stained glass inlay. Make bracelets, pins, rings, earrings, mini-sculptures, or wall pieces, the inspiration is endless. 6 weeks
$20 Class supply fee.
Class # SU22J • Mon, Jun 24 – Jul 30, 2013 1 pm – 4 pm
RAC Member $162 • Nonmember $180

Classes are held at The Richmond Art Center 

2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94804

www.therac.org • (510) 620-6772

What's in a name???

Since I up and moved to the Bay, I decided it was a good time to renew my self and branding as an artist. Start fresh as it were. I have been using the name Incognito Designs when I sell every day Jewelry, while using Holly Carter when I enter exhibitions with my sculptural art. After much thought and advise from some friends, I am going to just keep it simple and true. My name Holly J. Carter for the business name and as the artist.

What a novel idea, just use my name!

I went back and forth with different variations on my name paired with metal works, art works, designs, etc.. Branding can be a difficult thing, to be confident enough that one day just your name will have enough weight to be a brand is astounding and intimidating. I was also stuck on the fact that I had to end the business name with something that was descriptive. My good friend Adiel suggested thinking of it as simply a tag line that I use on advertising, but not part of the actual name. I was making it too complicated as I usually do!

So, Holly J. Carter, Metal and Jewelry Art. Plain and Simple.
(Or, maybe Holly J. Carter, Metalsmith, Sculptural and Wearable Art? Or Sculpture and Jewelry Art?
Oh boy, here I go again!)

I also have many ideas for a new line of supplies to sell on sites like Etsy for those people who like to buy bobbles and beads and what not. Therefore my current Incognito Designs will transition into Incognito Designs by Holly J. Carter, selling supplies and whatever random cool vintage stuff I pick up now and then.
I am then going to start a new Etsy site with my name for all of my Jewelry and Art. Of course I am also working on perfecting the shopping cart on my personal website as well.

Now that I have gotten through the difficult part, time to design a new logo for a stamp, jewelry charm, business cards, website banner, etc., etc..

Wow, there is lots to do!
When I finally get it all done, then I have to wait for the sales to come.

I will keep posting on my progress for those interested. I would love to get some feed back on the process. I just hope that I can get more than my one current follower for my blog so that I can get that feedback. Especially since that one follower is me! Hehe.

A Story of Two Rings - Congratulations to Kristi and Ike

So begins a tale of two rings, I was asked by Kristi, a previous Arizona student to custom design and make her wedding bands. After a little research she decided she wanted their rings to look like twigs. Kristi emailed me some examples she found on the web, they were twigs carved out of wax with a leaf holding in the stone. As I don't like to copy other people's designs exactly, I said I could do something similar, but I would cast mine from Natural Twigs rather than carved from wax. I believe this makes them unique and more special. She wanted them made out of a white metal and hers with a stone setting. After much back and forth about types of stones, the decision was for Palladium with a round Alexandrite. Since I can't cast Palladium I decided I would have to cast the originals in bronze, make a mold of the ones they liked, and inject them with wax to be sent off to the Palladium caster. I used a few different types of twigs for the samples, including some from a cherry tree of which they liked the best.

These were the options I offered. I sent the two grooms rings for Ike to try and decide on what felt the best, and the one brides ring that Kristi liked for them to try for size and comfort.

Final Choices on style.
One Decision down!

After some difficulty in finding the right size of Alexandrite in an affordable price, I threw out a couple other options. I supplied photo's with different size and shapes of stones. As an example I used some random stones I had so she could get a better idea of how it might look.

Stone choice was an oval Iolite. (Photo shows an Amethyst)







During the trial period Kristi and Ike decided the Palladium was out of their price range for the moment, as Kristi was just accepted into a college program and so the purse strings tightened a bit. They decided to stick with Sterling Silver after all and that I can could cast myself. After making some changes based on Kristi and Ike's preferences, here are the final wedding bands.

And, my little treat to them, I made a cute little custom box with a surprise note and ring pillow inside!

I used a cool box pattern from this website, and modified it a bit.

Wedding Photo's yet to come, stay tuned!

Custom Commission: Final Steps

I am a little behind on my posting! In November of 2011 I began working on this commission piece and here are some of the final photos of it before it left my hands. The client was planning to have it gold plated, but I haven't heard if she has done that yet.
If you would like to see the post on my previous progress click on the links below:
Custom Commission
Custom Commission Continued

I was unable to permanently attach the last bits. Due to the plating process the pearls could not be attached yet, so I took a photo of what it might look like when done.

With some creative assembling and photography, here is an accurate depiction of what the finished piece will look like except plated in gold. It was a great learning experience and I gained a new friend in the process.

Spring 2013 Classes at The RAC

Jewelry 1 (Click for more info)
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone

pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more.

No Class May 27. 8 weeks

Class # SP19J • Mon, Apr 1 – Jun 3, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Jewelry Sampler (Click for more info)

An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience

recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small

metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks

Class # SP20J • Wed, Apr 10 – May 29, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Richmond Art Center Classes
2540 Barrett Avenue Richmond, CA 94804

Winter 2013 Classes at The Richmond Art Center

I recently re-located to the Bay area in California and will begin teaching classes at The Richmond Art Center in Richmond, California in January of 2013. Please check out the classes below and don't forget to get signed up as soon as possible!

Jewelry -All Levels
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more. Intermediate students may learn the basics of enameling to create an enameled centerpiece or other techniques. 8 weeks

Class # W3J • Tue, Jan 22 – Mar 12, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Casting: Organics and Found Objects

Amazed by the world around you?  Do you bring home objects every time you go for a walk? Want to preserve them for a lifetime? Learn an interesting twist on the Lost Wax method of casting molten metal. Use organic materials and found objects such as seed pods or plastic toy parts to convert to silver or bronze. Sprue, Cast, and finish your casting as completed Jewelry or as an element for a future jewelry piece or Sculpture. 4 weeks

Class # W18J • Wed, Feb 6 – Feb 27, 2013 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

RAC Member $117 • Nonmember $130

Richmond Art Center Classes

Cash Mob

Cash Mob at Eden Gardenhouse and After Party at McGurkee's Italian Kitchen

A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business and all buy items from that business. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. Our after party will be held at McGurkee's Italian Kitchen. 

For more information on the event, please see our page @ 

http://www.cashmob.com/phoenix-arizona-cash-mob-planned

Please Join us in supporting local and stimulating our US economy on 8/8/12!

Cash Mob date at Eden Gardenhouse: 

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012  5pm to 7pm

Cash Mob After Party at McGurkee's:   7:00pm 

(but you can arrive as soon as you are done at Eden Gardenhouse, bring money for food too!)

Eden Gardenhouse

2928 N 7th Ave

85013 Phoenix, Arizona

602 274-2470

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/events/390868340974823/ 

Like Eden Gardenhouse:https://www.facebook.com/pages/EDEN-GardenHouse/138246729557054 

Can't join us in person? Information will follow for Virtual Cash Mob so you can participate through your computer.

Workshop at Eden GardenHouse

Workshop

‘Make your own

Textured Copper Disk Earrings’

taught by

Metals Artist & Instructor

Holly Carter

Saturday, June 30th, 2012

                              1 p.m.- 3p.m.

Workshop Fee: $60.00

Learn how to texture copper disks with tools such as a hammer or sand paper and finish with a patina or polish. Make your own sterling silver ear wires and assemble your earrings with sterling silver jump rings. *The earrings each student completes may be different from those shown.

Class fee includes supplies for One pair of copper disk earrings with sterling silver earwires. Instructor will supply tools for student use during class.*Additional supplies may be available for purchase from instructor, please bring cash.

Please call Eden Gardenhouse to reserve & pay for your space in advance.

Instructor, Holly Carter is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metals, Minor in Interior Design History. She is an internationally known artist and her work is currently shown in galleries across the Southwestern United States. Holly is an instructor for the Tempe Edna Vihel Center for the Arts, the Mesa Art Center, and The Phoenix Center for the Arts. Is a member of The Society of North American Goldsmiths, The Arizona Designer Craftsmen (ADC), and the coordinator for the ADC Metalink group.

Make sure to see ‘Organic Inspirations’

Art Showcase Featuring some of Holly’s work, open for the month of June

Eden GardenHouse

Home and Garden Inspired Boutique

2928 N. 7^th Avenue  Phoenix, Arizona 85013

602- 274-2470

 ~ www.edengardenhouse.com ~ info@edengardenhouse.com ~

Solo Showcase at Eden Gardenhouse

 ‘Organic Inspirations’

 Eden GardenHouse

 Features Artist

Holly Carter

June 1st - 30th, 2012

Art Showcase Featuring the Metalwork of Local Artist Holly Carter. 

A Focus on natural organic inspired wall art and jewelry.

Holly Carter is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metals. She is an internationally known artist and her work is currently shown in galleries across the Southwestern United States. Holly is an instructor for the Tempe Edna Vihel Center for the Arts and the Mesa Art Center. Is a member of The Arizona Designer Craftsmen and The Society of North American Goldsmiths.

 Opening Reception

June 1st, 2012

6 p.m.- 9p.m.

Closing Reception
June 30th, 2012
4 p.m.- 8p.m.

Light Refreshments will be served at Opening and Closing Receptions

 Eden GardenHouse

Home and Garden Inspired Boutique

2928 N. 7^th Avenue  Phoenix, Arizona 85013

602- 274-2470

~ www.edengardenhouse.com ~ info@edengardenhouse.com ~