SNAG Pin Collection

Time is running out, so I think the SNAG pin collection ends here.

SNAG pins 2013

SNAG pins 2013 - details

SNAG Pin Swap

This year I will venture into a new world - the annual SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) conference held in Toronto next week. I'm looking forward to an exciting education as the program unfolds with presentations and demonstrations. The offerings range from new to old: digital jewelry photography and CAD to historical context of jewelry and tools, sustainable materials to roller printing, sawing and riveting.

One of the most highly touted events is the annual pin swap which occurs on the first night of the conference as a way to meet old and new friends. I've experienced similar events at other conferences, such as bead exchanges at the Gathering or charm swaps at a PMC conference, but constructing a fully wearable (although minimalist) piece of jewelry certainly takes the idea to a new level. I really didn't have any inspiration that would guide me to produce "20, 40, 60+ playful, clever, and inexpensive interpretations of the diamond."  

Then Bob Ebendorf's workshop gave me an idea. I decided that maybe I would take his suggestion for turning my fiber wrapped wire/tubing into a simple brooch. But how to incorporate the diamond theme? Should I go for shape? Should I glue on CZs? Then I remembered a coil of 1/4" copper refrigeration tubing stashed in my studio, a box of 50 5mm CZs in a drawer, a technique demoed by Ronda Coryell to quick set stones with a flex shaft, and a new rolling mill begging for work.

I quickly cut a short length of tubing, cut the seat for the stone and set it in about a minute, then used the mill to step reduce the tubing size. Finally I wrapped with some of my quilting scraps, stitching on a feather and a steel fibula. Now, can I set up an assembly line to make a collection of these in some reasonable time? The part I really enjoy about this idea is the possibility to make each one totally different. Wish me luck.

I'm Presenting at the PMC Guild Conference 2012!

As you may know, the final conference ever for the PMC Guild is coming up next summer. After the conference, the Guild is disbanding, so this is should be an especially bittersweet meeting. The program has just been posted, and I'm honored to announce that I'll be abetting Barbara Becker Simon with a demonstration on combining glass with metal clay.

Tim McCreight introduced the team demos last year and they were a big hit. Essentially, the two presenters trade off fast and furious demonstrations for an hour, leaving room for questions as well as entertainment. Barbara and I will try to present an interesting array of ways to combine glass with metal clay, while avoiding the most predictable and well known.

Amongst the speakers: Keynote Speaker Ellen Wieske, Tim McCreight, Jeanette Landenwitch,  Elizabeth Agte, Lisa Cain, Susan Dilger, Celie Fago (w/ Ellen Wieske), Holly Gage, Lora Hart, Hadar Jacobson, Donna Penoyer, Helga van Leipsig. Other demonstrators by Chris Darway and Terry Kowalcik, and a Japanese artist to be announced.

PMC Guild Conference

I'm slowly recovering from my trip to the PMC Guild Conference at Purdue University. The best thing about the conference was meeting in person all the friends I've made over the internet, through this blog, forums or Facebook. The hardest thing about the conference was walking the long distances. For the first two days, I used my single crutch, which made me immediately recognizable to many. Everyone was incredibly supportive, slowing their pace to accompany my shortened gait. By two days into the conference, I chose to leave the crutch in my room, as it seemed always in the way. How do you pass through a buffet with a crutch, or eat what a kind friend might collect for you??

The good news is that my walking is much improved from the "conference therapy." This morning I actually took my father, who is visiting this week, out to one of my favorite walking loops. I made it about a quarter mile before I had to turn back (and took a short cut to the car), while he continued on.

My favorite presentations of the conference were those associated with retail sales. Bruce Baker gave two talks, one on trends and another on booth design and sales. Both were excellent, as he is very knowledgeable and extremely entertaining. I was reminded of a crafts workshop on business that I've wanted to take for a while, which he is part of. Now I'm more determined than ever to actually do it soon. I already own his three CDs on jurying, booth design and retail sales, but I need to go listen again. I actually attempted to load them onto my iPhone before I left, but somehow they didn't transfer, so I couldn't do my last minute prep before the Show & Sell.

Susan Dilger also gave an eye-opening presentation on pricing. I have to give some serious thought to pricing my work. It seems that I tend to make very labor intensive work, which makes it very expensive, especially if I followed the guidelines that Susan gave, which give higher prices than I usually choose. I either need to rethink my work so as to make some more inexpensive pieces, or find the appropriate clientèle that will appreciate my work enough to pay those high prices.

So, lots of food for thought.