Mistakes, Art and Learning

Inevitably, working with any media in art you will always make mistakes . . for that matter, we make mistakes whenever we are doing things because we are human.  While some mistakes in my field can be costly (silver clay fired incorrectly, copper didn’t melt, shattered glass in the kiln) it can also be a new direction in the process of the creation.  Just this week, I’ve been trying out some new techniques–adding dichroic glass to my silver work, melding white copper with regular copper and working with sheet metal clay.  So, out of the new techniques I was successful with 2 out of 3.  The melding of the two coppers didn’t go as well as planned.

Both copper clays can be combined and fired simultaneously, which opens up lots of creative ideas.  My shaping and sanding when well, however, I made a rookie mistake–one copper cuff I rolled out too thin–when working with metal clay, it is best to keep your bracelets or cuffs between 5-7 cards thick.  Otherwise, you invite cracks and splits when the firing happens–I lost one of the cuffs due to this very reason.  The second cuff was certainly thick enough however, my design was too deep into the clay and allowed natural cracks after the clay dried which I tried to repair.  Most of the time, I have success by shaping the cuffs before firing.  But, you can also shape the cuff after the firing.  This time I shaped the cuff and discovered that the imprint lines of my design caused cracks.

The good news . . I can still salvage parts of this thicker cuff.  Sawing off the cracks and doing some extra sanding with my dremel will create two new pendents that will display the two types of copper.  Due to my other pieces needing my attention these will wait till later.

Here is another failed attempt at blending coppers.  My mistake here was making the base too thin to support the white copper on top.  While this one didn’t turn into anything, it was still a lesson learned!

And that tool goes there . . .

After being on Hiatus for a while and getting back into my workshop/studio I realized it was time for an update.  I’m all about organized space and this is especially true in the studio.  There are just too many things that I use that need to be convenient and connected to my work flow.  Being a mid-level manager for many years in corporate America, it was critical to keep all my files, resources and more in the perfect spot in my offices so that I could be my most efficient.  While my middle initial is “E” and stands for my middle name “Eve”, I most often refer to it as standing for “Efficient”. . . .that’s just how my brain works when it comes to work!

When we moved into our new house several years ago, I was beyond thrilled to have a dedicated space for my workshop.  We are blessed with a large finished basement that we have all broken up into “creative areas”–my husband’s wood working tools and sawdust, my MIL’s office and sewing area, and my studio.  Basically, I extended my current setup to include double the space and work surface area.  Most important for me was the ability to have my kiln in the studio with me, yet in an open space to allow for heat “space”.  I was able to include another table and keep my photo area still next to the one window.  I began my jewelry making area in the corner of my very small kitchen at my old house and I used a large part of the back porch for firing torches and kilns.  To have everything in one area for me is luxury at its best for my work.  The only thing I would ever add is a work sink but with no plumbing in our basement that’s something I’ll have to do without.  But I make it work with my “wash tub”, rags and distilled water.

Here are some views of the improved space:

Here is the entry into my space . . .my brag wall is important to remind my of past success and to keep me focused on doing my very best with each piece.  My main work station is the table with extra lighting for those very small details when fabricating and assembling my pieces.

 

 

As you go past my work table you’ll note the extra shelves for my clay work and an idea board on the wall.  My great window which gives me great light for my photography.  Another board up on the wall into my new space.

 

 

Over to the left of my studio space . .more shelves–can never have enough.  I love the ability to see all of what I have since I collect so many things over the past years to use.  The tall shelf is basically current work stuff–my resources, office supplies, pricing materials, and working trays of pieces.  The shorter white shelf and the table next to it is my sanding station/cleaning station.  I do all my sanding of metal clay away from the primary work space due to the dust and and mess.  I keep separate sanding sponges, cloths and sticks for each metal clay so not to mix the dust particles.  I also collect the shavings to make into paste and more clay (especially the silver).

A closer look at the photography station.  Most of it is just sitting there.  The exact set up includes using the light boxes and lights and different backgrounds.  I use the materials from  Modahaus Tabletop Studios.  A truly compact and simple set up along with a good photo app from my IPhone.  I used to use a basic digital camera, however the new technology and the camera apps are quite cost effective and give you great shots.  Just be sure to learn all you can about positioning and lighting your work as well as know what your camera can do.  If this is your business, you need to understand that photos of your work are the only representation you have to jurors and buyers.  Photos can make or break your appearance.

 

 

This was my most important update, to have my firing supplies within the studio.  I added this table to the backside of my space and left it wide open to give the kiln free space at it heats up to 2350 degrees!  My tumbler, charcoal pans, enameling stands all make up the rest of the table space.  Another reason for a separate work area for firing gives me space as the charcoal firings can be messy with the dust.  Also, freedom to work my handheld torch with my enameling into metal is important.

So, here is a glimpse of my work space and where I dream, design and do!  Everyone has unique spaces and unique work habits that are just right for you.  In fact, a funny aside from my corporate days.  I was the training coordinator for my area and had dedicated space to conduct the training classes.  One day, setting up for a new class, I was walking around the room with a Kleenex box looking for the perfect place to set it.  My HR friend walked by and was questioning me about why I was taking this task so seriously.  I remember stating to her that there is a spot for everything and that your space and how it was arranged makes a big difference in how your learn.  She simply smiled and shook her head.  Understanding the importance of space and where things work best it not simply a fantasy.  It is a skill that you can learn and an important part of your productivity.  While you could argue that “my messy office works for me”, one only has to look at your production and results to determine if that really is true.  For me and my creative muses, my studio/workshop works for me!

Hiatus and White Copper!

Well, I didn’t know I had been away from my blog this long!  I’ve had lots of non-business, non-jewelry stuff to do (and am still doing), so I thought I would update and try to at least post monthly!  However, during this period of time and one does very little, I have done a lot!

My most recent adventure in clay is working with the new White Copper–wow, and wow again.  It certainly has been fun to play with.  It’s consistency and features in clay are almost identical to the copper clay.  The one big difference is how you fire the White Copper.  It is recommended that you fire a Phase 1 in the kiln for about an hour on a wire mesh to burn out the organic binders.  Then on to a Phase 2 firing in the charcoal and pan.  After firing, you can do the usual metal smith work you would with the other metals . . .I like the shiny brightness after tumbling and then the matte finish as well.  Here is a bracelet and charm with a shiny finish.  It is certainly heavier than silver, but looks more like stainless steel–really neat texture and feel.

So, this past week, I decided to combine the white copper with regular copper and was completely bedazzled!!  Here is a piece with the two metals side by side:

Then I decided to blend the two clays together and see what the effect would be.  What was interesting to  me was that despite the product stating you must fire in two phases, I went ahead and fired the blended pieces according to the regular copper firing schedule.  It worked!  And, to test that theory even further, I misplaced a piece of solid white copper along with my regular copper peices (because they look so similar in the green ware stage) and fired it along with the copper and that piece was perfectly sintered and was just fine as the regular firing.  So, for me, I may only keep firing the white copper along with the regular copper.

As you can see, the first bracelet with the discs has two solid copper pieces and the other three are the blended copper pieces.  A very creamy metal color–some swirls of the copper are evident but all in all, it looks to me like soft pink tones throughout the metal.  Wonderful!  The second cuff bracelet is the solid white copper that fired with my regular copper in the kiln.  No evidence of any problems.  Solid and beautiful!

If you are following my blog, I will be the featured artist at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia, June 14-15!  The summer collection will be available and I’ll be demonstrating my bead making technique with enamel glass and a torch.

 

Working in the Greenware Stage of Metal Clay

Dust, dust, dust, and more dust . . that is the biggest observation I make every time I refine my clay pieces after they are completely dry.  It is always best to spend a good amount of your work time on this stage as it is easier to correct minor flaws and to make the piece more refined and polished BEFORE it becomes hardened metal.  Trust me, after it fires, it becomes quite a different matter to change anything other than hammer it and bending it.

It is also an important way to salvage the metal dust and keep it for future paste that you may need.  As I designed this week I noticed that I am really going for a more sculptural look with my pieces.  I’ve always loved the 3D effect of combining pieces but now I’m really playing around with themes and such.  This picture shows you my latest copper piece that I made into a bib style necklace with florals . . . (dried stage)

The branch underneath it will have some leaves that I cut out and will “paste” them onto the branch for a bracelet–I just finished sanding and refining all my copper pieces for this week and yeah, the dust will be embedded in my nails and cuticles for a few showers . . .

But, I will say this again, all the dust, dirt, work, and refinement at this stage will truly pay off.  I would also be sure that you are quite familiar with your kiln and how your copper and bronze pieces will fire.  Many metal clay “gurus” talk about doing test strips and I agree.  You don’t want all the work you just spend on molding, forming, designing, refining, etc to simply burn away. However, it is not a perfect world we live in and you will certainly run into over firing, over loading, or simply didn’t make the piece right and you end up with blistering, powder or melted away pieces.  I have a special jar for these and some of them I’m thinking of hacking off the cracks and such and make a mosaic piece . . .  maybe next week.  This week I did several bronze pieces, and they came out of the kiln wonderfully and are now tumbling themselves to sleep tonight while my floral garden and other pieces are firing up all night tonight.  I hope that tomorrow when I open the kiln and dig into the carbon that the sculpted pieces survived.  You’ll see pictures, because that’s how excited I’ll be.

Finally, I have some silver pieces waiting to go next.  Prepping for a fine art show in Gainesville, GA the weekend of the 9/21st and I like to have some WOW pieces for the judges!  I’m afraid that the copper floral garden will be priced for the higher end customer due to the amount used.

Till next time and thanks and shout out to those of you following my blog.  My goal is to share what I do so that you can learn and maybe feel inspired!