All posts by cgeurts@shaw.ca

If it involves anything spinning, on fire, or capable of doing major bodily harm-I'm in! All my interest in art has revolved around most things capable of seriously hurting myself-spinning wheels, hot kilns, grinding stones (and nails), cutting and soldering hot metal-love it all! A good friend of mine once said "if you are not living on the edge, you're wasting air..." this is my own personal quest in that regard....
Cuff, Earrings, In the Shop, necklace, Workshops

Bustin’ out in Bezels

Leave a comment

img_0532

What an amazing weekend with these very special ladies..laughed so much! It was made so much more exciting by Lynne Mizera who shared her expertise in creating background papers for the bezels-and her love for brilliant colours was contagious.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Things got really exciting from there- after  some torching, pickling, pounding and riveting–and a few prayers to the bezel gods, this magic happened:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

OK- not all of these pieces had a bezel, ladies got a little side-tracked.  Sometimes it just happens – magic is like that.  Most these folks had never touched a torch, let alone knew what a bezel was or come within a 100 miles of a metalsmith shop…. Proud teacher!!!! ♥♥♥

 

Cuff, necklace, Workshops

Time in a Bezel ♥

Leave a comment

Just finished the final touches for my next workshop, and it’s all about bezels–metal cups filled with special treasures, and then sealed in resin.  The inspiration for these little time capsules came from an old photo of my great grandmother (Barbara Ether Waddy Smith) . She passed in 1908 and this photo must have been taken in the late 1800’s, in Wexford, Ireland. This is what I did with a copy of that photo back in late 2012…

great-grandmotherToday my work has evolved into less ornate designs and these are a few of the pieces the current session will focus on:

Both copper and brass will be used to design around the bezels, and I’m excited to see how these suggestions will be used by the class for new and innovative pieces!

 

 

 

Uncategorized

Turkey Feathers

Leave a comment

Don’t ask what happened to the rest of the bird, but his feathers continue on…in jewelry no less.  These were used to help create background papers for my next workshop that will involve resin- filled bezels.  Wishing my good friend and amazing artist Lynn Mizera could have joined me in this, she has a “way” with paper and inks that she shares on her blog so pop over and have a look!  And bonus for me, she lives in Creston!

Up close
Liking the results
Getting creative
A little bit of India Ink
Sizing it all
The cuff is done..

 

 

 

Cuff, Earrings, necklace, Workshops

Crazy for Copper

Leave a comment

It didn’t take much of a demonstration to get this crew well on their way!  Happily pounding on sheet metal and firing up torches like they’d done it forever, these ladies were on a mission.  They amazed me with their creativity, and enthusiasm for trying out nearly every shop tool I own.

 After just a short few hours, these are some of the creations that appeared-wow.

They learned how to solder, set a bezel for a stone, how to anneal, pickle and patina, shape, make a set of silver ear wires, draw a bead with silver, stamp, come cold connection techniques, and mostly how to problem solve. They knew what they wanted, just had to figure out how to get their with each piece.  The results make this teacher proud !  Did I mention how much fun we had- and to be able to spend my day in the pleasure of their company was terrific! Thank you ladies-

 

 

Workshops

Tricks and a Treasure Chest full of Treats

Leave a comment

Maybe we’re rushing the Fall  season a bit but these ladies were on a roll. We spent the day refining (bashing, beating and bending) sheet copper to make some amazing pieces to hold many of the semi precious stones and gems I ordered in especially for this workshop. Lapis Lazuli, Hematite, Blue Lace Agate, a few blue Sapphires, and some really cool purple Turquoise…

With a few waves of their magic wands, these appeared:

And just like that, ♥♥♥, our day was over…way too soon!  Thank you ladies, what an awesome day! Your creations, energy and wonderful spirit  inspire me-more than you know ♥

 

 

Uncategorized

A Stone of Vision…

Leave a comment

Hate to admit how long this cuff took from start to finish, I measured production time in weeks, not hours. It began with the stone, called Unakite, that I cut here in our Creston Rock Club shop. Unakite Jasper, according to my stone directory is a stone of vision. ..one of the most healing crystals of the heart and mind.so I’m going with that! I also added a couple garnets – good for regeneration and vitality..this should be one healthy good luck cuff!

unakite-cuffThe silver cuff template came from a course I took with Leslie Kail Villarreal  earlier this year and if you are a silver smith, it’s worth checking out!

Cuff, Earrings, necklace, Workshops

Fall 2016 Classes

Image Leave a comment

 The weather has finally cooled off a bit here in the Creston Valley and  the shop has followed suit…thankfully!  Excited about the first class for Fall 2016-it’s going to be just wicked! Will be playing with copper and creating some awesome pieces-a time to treat  yourself to some “just me” time before the hectic holiday seasons begin….mark Sunday September 25th, 2016 on your calendar!

Did I mention the soldering that will be happening?  And the stones we’ll be using–carnelian, soapstone, black onyx, aventurine, jasper and blue lapis…yum. Only 15 more sleeps….If you are local or plan on being the area, contact me for course details at carolgeurts@gmail.com.

In the Shop, Workshops

Fellow Artists Play Date…

Leave a comment

Of course I had to pick one of the hottest days of the summer to do this, but we survived.  A wonderful (smoking hot) day spent with some amazingly talented friends,  and artists in their own right,  just sharing ideas, lots of laughs,  and enjoying each other’s special gifts.  None of these folks have ever worked with metal etching, let alone turning it into wearable art…their pieces left me “amazed”–♥♥♥ and feeling so grateful to be able to call them my friends..

Thanks to Anne Fetterly , Bart Bjorkman , Janet Holder and sister Linda and  Danica Sullivan ! You guys rock.

Uncategorized

3 carat bling…

Leave a comment

SO loving this gorgeous white quartz…”Quartz is a stone of clarity which dispels negativity and clears away negative energy. It can be used to purify and clarify on the spiritual, mental, and physical planes. It is powerfully protective because of these properties..”

On top of all this wonderfulness, it’s just plain stunning.  The band is hand formed and hammered 20 gauge sterling silver, that has not been antiqued—yet.  May just leave it as is, or maybe not.  I often wear my pieces for a bit before deciding on the final finishing touches, waiting to see what feels just right. This may never leave  my finger-