Not sure how one can be so relaxed yet energized at the same time, but today was one of those days….had a shop full of amazing folks who jumped right in and had no fear–they fired up all the torches, (nothing caught fire-well, I don’t think steel wool counts…), tackled the shear cutter, (all left with their original digits intact), and didn’t loose any nails or skin on the grinder…my idea of a successful day! I think there’s just something in the Creston Valley that creates these very special women with a “can do” attitude….and no drama. Loved ’em!

Firing up the MAP gas…

Fat Daddy Cutters in action

Incense..yes, we were using this to actually create a part of our project-really…

My “new” torch arrived yesterday so we took it for a test spin today-it’s gob-smacking fabulous!!!! (pretty sure that’s a word…) Ain’t she purtty????? Thank you my friend Diane Cook for suggesting I buy this brand–

Look what the ladies made..I am in awe–and so proud of every one of them-

Next Sunday is “All About Bangles”.. you will be just a little surprised what we are going to do with a little copper tubing, wire and sheet metal…and no, it doesn’t involve building a still–this is even better! More to follow, stay tuned!

Can you believe it all starts here…an rather unimpressive pile of dull and tarnished raw metal sheeting…

If you think you’d like to learn some new skills and share some laughs in the process , join me this Sunday, November 9th at Creston, BC for my Cuff workshop. You’ll forge and hand form a base metal cuff, learn how to etch and apply a patina, some texture techniques, fold forming, cold connections, and a whole lot more. You’ll be fairly impressed with yourself and what you are able to create at the end of the day-and just maybe make a dent in your Christmas shopping list. Contact me at ValleyMetalArts@gmail.com for more details, very limited seating.

No Fear!!! Most of the workshop participants today had never worked with wire or metal, fired up a Propane torch, and certainly stamping with molten solder wasn’t something most had ever heard of. Nobody flinched and dove right in-they were quick learners and I was beyond impressed at what came out of our workshop this weekend! These are just a few examples of what they created-must be something in the air in this Valley…Wow.

Little drops of green and pink…

Blue Moons

Silver Solder Scripts

Rockin’ dangles

Serious bling…

SIlver solver AND crystals…

Bent and Beaten

B&B plus Bling

This is going to be a busy day–so many techniques, so little time…here is what I have planned for us~

“You’ll design your own hoops and ear wires, then learn loads of techniques to showcase them-beaten copper, folded and textured brass, stamped silver solder, wrapped wire, adding beads and baubles, patinas—and oh so much more! You will leave with enough unique, serious bling to put a major dent in your Christmas shopping list…and add to you arsenal of metalsmithing techniques. “

When:  Sunday, November 2nd 10-3pm
Where:  1012 Selkirk Drive, Creston BC
Message me for more details

Another successful workshop with some amazing talent- Today I had a studio full of artists in their own right..they brought so much of their own knowledge to share, was an exciting day! None of these folks had worked with etching copper or brass before..you’d never know it by the results!  They cut, etched, scrubbed, torched, hammered, and pickled, had lunch, then did it all over again for the rest of the afternoon. The results were nothing short of drop dead awesome.

And at the end of the day, we were all reminded how much we have to be thankful for-a spectacular sunset lit up the sky as the last of the ladies left…kind of summed up the entire day. I made several new friends and for that I am grateful-

I have an incredibly talented group of folks who took my last session.  Given a few basic lessons on technique and form and this is where one person ended up-so unlike anything I’ve ever produced or envisioned.  But-her own spin on the basics is incredible….I am so in awe of the creative storm rolling through the  workshop–much more to follow!  Lucky I am….

Next session is October 11th, one spot left !  Going to be knee deep in cuffs again-etching up a storm, and working with stamping and bling-did I mention this is going to be a whole lotta’ fun? Email me if interested in attending!