Working With Precious Metal Clay

I just got back from four days in Lacey, Washington. Here is a picture of my instructor for Precious Metal Clay, Ruth. She was a great teacher and really knows her stuff. And here I am, hard at work, creating mini-masterpieces. Ha! I wish.

It was an intensive four days and I loved it. Precious Metal Clay is great stuff. You can mold it, roll it, cut it and make three dimensional objects out of it. It can be worked like clay. It also comes in paste (slip), syringe (for extrusion) and sheets. After it is fired it becomes 99.9% pure silver.

I learned how to set stones into an already fired piece with bezel wire, how to create many different types of bails (the piece of a pendant through which a chain is attached), enamelling, how to use the kiln, how to create different textures and how to polish a finished piece. We made pendants, earrings, rings, and clasps. I also learned how to "paint" an organic object, such as a leaf and how to add 22K gold to a piece.

I learned how to look carefully at a piece before going on to the next step. I'm glad I took my magnifying visor with me.

I also learned a lesson that I didn't think I needed to learn. Don't touch pieces fresh out of the kiln! Yes, I slightly burned the index finger and thumb on my left hand. Well, who knew that silver heated to about 1450 degrees could still be hot a few minutes later! Safety, safety, safety. I can't say it or think it too much.

I am excited to try a few new techniques such as adding some PMC to Jack's ceramic pendants. I can also use pieces of broken porcelain or other ceramics with the silver to create mixed media pieces.

I took some pictures of some of the pieces I made, but even with the flash turned off, I got such a bright spot on most of them that they were no good. The one picture that was not too bad is at the top of the posting. It's not a great picture, but, at least you can see some things.

Now that I am back in Vancouver I will be very busy setting up our studio and trying to do some more work (make some more jewellery). And, of course, I'll be spending time with my daughter and granddaughter.

Good-bye all. Keep well.

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Henry L. Doherty

Happy 90th Birthday

I just got back from a one-day trip to Victoria to celebrate Mother-in-law's birthday. She is 90 in another month but we celebrated today because this is the week her youngest son could be here.

It was great to see everyone at the party. Many people travelled from the US and Canada to attend the celebration. Mother's nieces and nephew from Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver were there. Most of the grandchildren and quite a few great-grandchildren. G and C hosted the party and it was a wonderful success. Mother was so happy to see everyone. She opened gifts and cards, drank punch and ate birthday cake.

But I do think that my granddaughter was the belle of the ball. She held court in a pink jumper with green trim and pink tights. Her outfit was completed by some hand-knitted booties in pale green and a sweater to match. Everyone commented on how well-behaved she was and how advanced. Well, they are right of course, but I might be just a wee bit biased.

Unfortunately I didn't take my camera. I can't believe I left it at home. So many had cameras there, that I'm sure I will see many pictures.

A special kiss and hug for cousin M who expressed the belief that Dennis would have been proud to see his granddaughter. He would indeed have loved to have been there. Thank you, dear, for remembering him.

Mother now has 10 great grandchildren. Cheers and Happy Birthday. May I live so long!

I don't know how you feel about old age... but in my case I didn't even see it coming. It hit me from the rear. ~Phyllis Diller

The Peg and Back Again

Hello all. I'm back from Winnipeg and none the worse for it. I missed the Big Sky. Everywhere I looked, there was a different cloud bank and different colours. Some other differences I noticed in The Peg. I smelled the burning of the stubble in the farms around the city and the meat packing plant. It was different from the smell of the seaweed and salt air on the seawall. But, unbelieveably, I found it more humid there than here, in wet city.

Here is a picture of me with my former pet, Suzie. She was so happy to see me and the feeling was mutual. She is being well cared for by her new family.

I spent many happy hours with friends I have missed. Thanks to everyone for the great company especially to A and J and W for putting me up. Ate lots of food, drank a few bottles of wine and managed to consume four lobsters at Lobsterfest. I had a great time.

It's good to be back home....I never said that about Vancouver before. It really is my home now. In the taxi on the way home from the airport I opened the window and took in great gulps of Vancouver air.

I am happy to be back to making jewellery, looking for studio space and playing with my granddaughter. She is the jewel of my life...beautiful Remy. She is smiling up a storm now. She knows what smile are for- she's initiating smiles to get smiles back from others. Darling daughter and wonderful son-in-law are doing a great job with her.

Upcoming highlights: Mother's 90th birthday celebration, a four-day session in Lacey, Washington, to become certified to teach Precious Metal Clay making.

May you all be as happy as I am.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. ~Garrison Keillor