Monday, June 15, 2009

Project #1


My first of five projects from this past weekend's Lexi Erickson's Art Jewelry Workshop.

All I can say is WOW. I'm still assimilating information and I think it is going to take some time to process what I learned. Plus, I will be practicing the techniques Lexi taught and developing new designs for my jewelry.

Let me tell you that Lexi is a fantastic instructor, friend, mentor. If you ever have an opportunity to take one of her workshops.... just DO IT!!! She is so sharing and willing to teach you what she knows.

Now I realize that these aren't the most fantastic earrings you will ever see, but these are my first pieces of metal work and I was delighted with the techniques I've learned so far. Part of Lexi's lesson plan is to build on each technique you acquire. And we did just that....wait til you see Project #5!!!!

The first project showed us how to get familiar with our saw, cut circles, add texture, shape, drill and finish. Pretty cool stuff from my perspective.

So I will share this photo of me (taken by Lexi) that shows my initial interaction with the saw and cutting the copper circle that eventually became two pairs of earrings. Yes, a second pair will make their debut tomorrow.

I did have a great weekend of creativity!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice! I like the shape of your first pair. I also like that stand that doesn't interfere with the earrings. Can't wait to see the next set!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Linda!

SCJ Jewelry Design said...

Very nice, Kathleen! Makes me even more eager to start my classes at Pratt Art Center this week. Is so fun to expand our horizons, isn't it?

-Don said...

Thanks for sharing your learning and growing experience. I love that you keep challenging yourself. You inspire me to push my boundaries and stretch. Keep up the great work...and keep having fun. -Don

Elizabeth Seaver said...

What fun, Kathleen! Having seen your exciting work in glass, I can't wait to see what happens with these new materials and techniques. Isn't it fun to learn new stuff??

susan hong-sammons said...

beautiful. I love how your design catches the light and creates dashes of sparkle

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Sandy! Yes I know what you mean. I've told Lexi about some other workshops I'd like to take from her on techniques. More tools are on my horizon too! :D

Hi Don. Thank you. I'm happy to share and I promise I'll keep having fun. I found some mask photos to share with you...I was looking for design ideas and ran across the masks. I'll email them to you.

Hey Elizabeth! Yes, I just love learning new things. It keeps my batteries charged.

Thank you Susan. I'm wondering where all of this will lead with new designs...now I need a little more equipment to creat things.

Beverly Ash Gilbert said...

Great job! You will never look at a piece of metal the same way again. Have fun!

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

Very nice Kathleen, love the shape! I was surprised to read that this was only your first stab at metal work.

Sharmon Davidson said...

Kathleen, first of all, thanks for the congrats on my sales. Secondly, I really think the earrings are beautiful, even though you may think they're "not the greatest". It seems you picked this lesson up very quickly, and are off and running with it.
finally, a note about your last post: where juried shows or calls to artists are concerned, don't let rejections discourage you. I have enough rejection notices to paper my walls- and maybe someday I will! But it builds character, I guess, or at least teaches you to grow a thicker skin where these things are concerned.
Have fun learning new things- the jewelry is great.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Beverly. I've been told metal is addictive...as if I need another avenue! :)

Hi Deborah. Thanks. Yes this is my first avenue into the world of metal work.

Hi Sharmon. Thank you. I really appreciate your wisdom and insight.