what's on my bench

Last day of the year photos on the first day of the year post.

2012-01-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

It seems predictable that I post on new years day and not much for the rest of the year. Trying hard to work on that now....

2011-12-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

Cool grey days make the colors and textures pop. This is a great time for color photos and portraits outside. Shoot in the early morning or late afternoon for shadows and texture detail.

light show

2011-12-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

One of the best light shows in Berkeley is the 4th St stroll...

No there, there

2011-12-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Walking a neighborhood is the only way to see it, is it Oakland or Paris?

letters

2011-12-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

a gift to the hardest working mom I know.....letters collected from oakland, berkeley and beyond...

more local color

2011-12-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

Loved this, its on the top floor or a parking garage in Berkeley, there is only the Up and no sign for the Down ramp. I'll have to come back after dark to see if it still lights up....

The persimmon harvest is good this year, a bit small but sweet.

Close up inspection of the moss reveals a little forest of plants, remember to walk carefully...

2011-12-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

A few new pictures of November in Northern California......I am so lucky to live here, now.

new stuff

2011-08-03T14:55:00.001-07:00

the title sort of says it all, its been a productive time around the bench....in this shot, samples for new and updated classes, Craftsman Necklace, Netted Focal Beads, Herringbone Flower Earrings, and wait for it.....

Torch Fire Copper Clay! its not bad, not as lovely as silver but boy is it cheap! Torch fire or kiln fire make lots of stuff........

New years resolution?

2011-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

the last one.........

Since the Fall of 2010 is now totally over, I feel much more like coming out of my shell and posting a bit more. They say bad things come in threes and those were three tough months, September, October and November!!

Onto new business. I've been cooking up a storm the last two weeks, it goes with the winter weather, cold, rain, more cold.... Today's feast, potato latkes, made with zucchini and spinach so good!

In the pan......

Art Fest '10 Port Townsend

2010-04-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

Peace rocks!
Looking at the Straight of Juan de Fuca....
Post cold war moss.
Arty traveling companion and navigator, Lisa!
Not bad for upside down at arms length.
To the Lighthouse!

At the bunker
Wet beach with rocks.

Well, months have gone by and I'm not blogging much.... I'll do more..... especially since I'm on a photography kick.

Art Fest was a good time and I've added another location to the 'gotta live here sometime' list. North Beach in Pt Townsend. My new favorite beach. Tons of beach glass, good strolling and lots of doggies...

Images of work done in paints and wax coming soon......

look up

2009-10-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

I really like the change of seasons, with colors and new items to look at.....

Fishing and inspiration

2009-09-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is 2 months later and ya know I really need to get on the stick......work, family and life sometimes is all absorbing... I had a day off this week! It felt weird, no commitments, nothing to do but read, sleep and try to shake a headache.... so, here are a few new pictures...

Himself and I went to Truckee and went fishing, I know it looked like a grand safari, two chairs, umbrella, big bag of paints, beads, books, camera, sunhat.... he fished, I read and took pictures, did a bit of painting, nothing I can show you yet. Fishing was successful, and a beautiful location.

Inspiration- look at everything that catches your eye, from every angle, in light and dark, under- over, and record. Notice the commonalities, the matches or reoccurring themes. Edit, edit, edit.

PMC Summer Retreat at Perlz

2009-07-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hey!

Last chance this summer to get a PMC retreat at Perlz in Kelseyville, CA. I really like teaching in a workshop environment, there is plenty of time and space to explore good technique and branch out where the students lead me. Here is the blurb from Perlz, check it out and sign up!

In the spirit of full disclosure, Kelseyville is my hometown, and has a special place in my heart. Time moves slowly there, the summer days are hot- cool off in the lake! There is still a drive in movie theater, and the best county fair....

And yes, I promise to post more often, it's been a busy couple of weeks.....

Emily B. Miller joins us for a guest instructor retreat - this one focused on Precious Metal Clay (PMC). If you’ve been waiting to try this miracle material that starts as clay and fires with a creme brulee torch or a kiln into pure silver, or if you’ve tried to learn how to use it on your own only to be frustrated - now’s your chance!

Join Emily in August to study PMC for three days, covering basic techniques with PMC, stone setting, firing, finishing your pieces, creating hollow forms like beads and making rings.

Sign up for an optional 4th day - come back and embellish your PMC with gold leaf!

If you like, stick around for an optional 4th day - or night, actually - and add gold leaf to your fine silver pieces with the Asian technique of Keum Boo, from 6 - 8 pm on Monday evening. Highlight and add design with shapes and brush strokes of beautiful gold. Learn how to permanently bond gold to silver with heat and pressure at PMC and Keum Boo Gold Leaf.

Tools and texture materials available to share during class. Kit fee covers enough material to make loads of charms, beads, and rings. Light refreshments provided.

Advance registration for this class is highly recommended. Call to reserve your place as soon as you can!
Cost: $255.00
KIT FEE: $175 due and payable to the instructor, first day of the retreat

Contact Joe or Anat to register-707-270-2080 or joe@perlz.com

New jewelry storage

2009-07-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Just to keep it fresh I really like making things other than jewelry. As anyone who makes jewelry for themselves knows storage is always a problem. I had this flash the other day while prowling the aisles at Urban Ore, a salvage yard in Berkeley. So, I took home this great drawer for 3 bucks, cleaned it up, painted it, and put copper tubing across for necklaces and bracelets. I did add a flat piece of wood on the bottom so it stands, but I think this will eventually hang on the wall. It was so much fun painting with those little samples from the paint store, you should try it!

19 years ago today

2009-07-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

Himself picked the day, it was perfect! Warm and sunny with a fireworks finish. Thanks Honey for 19 wonderful years.....I can't wait to see what's next!

what's on my lap today

2009-07-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

When I was in Tucson for the biggest bead show in the western hemisphere I bought a quilt top. I spent 24 dollars on this awesome crazy quilt, fabrics from the 50's -70's I think my sisters had skirts made from some of these fabrics. I had two pieces of fabric for the backing, one from Jeanne Marc in SF purchased in 1983 (26 years...not bad!) and a piece of bead fabric with an unfortunate pepto pink background. I even had cotton batting for the inside. I tied the layers together and hemmed the edging. It's crazy quilt all the way around. Did you know you can get quilt tops on ebay? See you there.

New Necklace

2009-06-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

In an ongoing effort to decrease the number of PMC parts, pendants, beads, and charms I have sitting around I made a new necklace tonight. I love the look of stringing with bullion wire, so I made some extra to cover the softflex where it met the chain and clasp. The crimp covers rock too, making the transition to the clasp seamless.

Two words.....

2009-06-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

Copper Clay......

It's cheap, and fires faster than bronze clay.... such a pretty color!!

Images from the street painting festival

2009-06-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

An annual event in San Rafael, look at these wonderful colors......

remake, recycle, refresh

2009-06-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Remaking a piece of jewelry.

This was the original necklace, 30inches long.

Several options, pendants hanging around.....

I cut the wrapped loops above two beads, the dangle and the bead above. I turned them into earrings. I added a clasp, and about 1 1/2 inches of chain so that if I take off the pendant the necklace can be wrapped around my wrist for a 4 strand bracelet.....

Making stuff

2009-06-13T22:37:00.001-07:00

I make so many PMC pieces.....I have a huge pile of parts. My plan is to make a piece of jewelry each day or two, use up the pieces I have already. More later on perfect finishing touches, crimps, crimp covers and french wire.

what's on my bench today

2009-06-11T23:17:00.001-07:00

Ever since my trip to Artfest I have been playing with hammering and cutting metal. I know Joe will be horrified but these birds are cut with shears, not the dreaded saw. I like the freedom of the shears, and the deckled edge from hammering. I have been hammering on a shot bag, and a bench block with my newest hammers from Fretz. They are sensual in the hand and they texture perfectly.

Welcome to my newest challenge.....

2009-06-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

I guess I don't have enough to do, I need a blog.....I'll post pictures, ideas and whats on my bench....since I'm always working on something. You can comment if you like. Follow my links to good stuff, friends, and new things.