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

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 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.

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 ~

Mesa Art Center Festival of Creativity Jewelry and Lapidary Student Exhibition

The Student Exhibition for the Jewelry and Lapidary programs was a great success!

The show, curated by myself and Julie Campbell, was a beautiful example of student work and the best showing of the festival, if I must say so myself.

 

The Following pieces are from the Talented Students that so kindly brought in their work for display.

 Malai Suriyasataporn proudly posing next to a pedestal of her cast organic pieces and Kimberly Cothern's Hollow Form Ring.

Cast Pieces by Beth Benowich

Copper Ring by Mary Chang, Sterling Cast Rings by Keith Imes, Bracelet by Sheila Carpenter

 Cheryl Fuller

Ale Corrion

Geri Colgrove

Ford Doran & Loretta Meador

Fabricated and Riveted Pendant by Brad Corrion

Etched and Fabricated Ring by Julie Campbell