**ART UNRAVELED**

I was fortunate to attend the Art Unraveled retreat in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this month.  I took classes from Susan Lenart Kasmer and learned about making sterling silver boxes, caging an irregular druzy, and enameling.  Susan is an absolutely wonderful teacher.  She is so personable, extremely talented, knowledgeable and very helpful.  She sends out positive vibes so that even a novice can gain confidence in producing something exceptional!  I was ecstatic to be able to attend and learn new skills to practice at home. Consider attending in the future and taking a class from Susan.  You will LOVE it!

Check out Susan's website at http://www.susanlenartkazmer.com/

Here are some of the class creations below.  Mine is the heart shape.  The next picture shows the bail and a little doodad added.

                                       
This side of the heart shows the first experience I had making reticulated silver (which means I torched the flat silver sheet until it shimmered and started to melt into a wavy shape before backing off with the heat).
                                       

I've wanted to learn how to cage an irregular shaped item.  I want to practice this technique with some antique buttons.

                                       
The next pictures show some enameling I worked on.  Enameling is a whole new world of wonderful with infinite variety.  Lots of times, you get a surprise when you finish torching the pieces!

                                     

                                  
School is starting up again and I'm back tickling the ivories for the choir classes at the high school. I hope you have a wonderful day!

P.S.  Check out Susan Lenart Kasmer's fantastic and inspiring website http://www.susanlenartkazmer.com/

Art: Donations of Joy

Dear Friends,
I know that many artists donate their artwork and expertise to various groups to raise money for a variety of community needs such as local schools, libraries, scholarship funds, youth religious groups, youth sports teams, youth trips, police and fire departments, and so many more.

I was able to make some donations of jewelry for the local high school where I work.  I play the piano for the choir classes.  The Madrigal group has a fundraiser each year to raise money for their annual trip to sing and perform and then attend a theme park.   This year I felt inspired to make jewelry with a theme from "Big Fish the Musical" which is the musical our students are doing this semester.  In the last song of the musical sung by the main character, Edward Bloom, the words are "It all ends well, this much I know."

We have had some very difficult situations lately and some disappointments in our family that I've struggled with and these lines from this song keeps running through my mind and helps me to be more calm and at peace.  Faith and prayer also help me very much, but I decided these words would be helpful whether or not you know about the musical.  So I wanted to stamp the words into the jewelry I made for the auction.

Here are some examples of the jewelry I made with stamped words from the vocal parts of the music.

I was so pleased to be able to solder the little wire fish onto the bar without melting the fish!  The next piece has etched brass with an etched brass "fish" soldered onto it and dangles that have a cowboy theme.  You can see the words stamped on the back of the necklace.

For this necklace, I made up a paper pattern and cut out etched nickel silver in a scalloped shape.  I sanded and drilled the metal and added wire-wrapped dyed red pearls and sterling silver chain and clasp.  I stamped the back as you can see in the next picture.

This simple necklace and bracelet were made by hammering 12 gauge sterling silver wire and then stamping the phrase "It all ends well." I added a small turquoise heart on the necklace and a pink heart on the bracelet.  I used sterling silver chain and clasp for both. 

 This necklace was made with etched brass and copper and stamped on the back like the one above, only I added a metal chain tassel with various little charms and doodads. 

 I took a class to learn how to make these earrings from decorative sterling silver wire. 

This piece has an etched copper back and soldered heart with little rhinestones in the resin and is stamped with an X O.  I had fun making these and watching the fun while people at the silent auction were bidding on them.  I always learn something new and improve my skills while working on jewelry.  I hope you are able to enjoy a few minutes here and there to work on your art as well.   

Have a wonderful Valentine's day!!!

Sincerely,

Julie Pike

Published in Jewelry Affaire Magazine!

Dear Friends,
Exciting news to share at the beginning of 2018--my inspiration article was published in the Winter Jan/Feb/Mar 2018 Jewelry Affaire magazine.  I submitted the necklaces I made in Luthien Thye's class "Fly Away With Me."  I took this six week course in the summer through Artful Gathering online classes.  I can't say enough wonderful things about my experiences with the teacher and class.  The classes are given for 6 weeks and during that time you have access to the videos of the subject matter AND especially important, access to the teacher for guidance.  The best part is that the class members can share pictures of their artwork and we can comment and help each other and enjoy learning together.  Luthien is a delightful teacher and since she's half-way around the world from me, this was an amazing way to connect and be inspired by her talents.

    

I highly recommend Artful Gathering classes.  There are so many wonderful classes, it'll be hard to decide!!  Here's some helpful information to checkout.
For Luthien Thye: at www.alteredalchemy.com and www.alteredalchemy.etsy.com
For Christina Galliher: www.artfulgathering.com and www.atozinnia.com

 Here's a little look at the article...

I hope you have a wonderful day today!