Of the many ways we remember and celebrate the sacrifice of our Lord, dying Pysanky Easter eggs is one that has brought our family and friends together.
There is an open table tonight (sorry for the short notice) for anyone who would like to dye with us!
This old-world technique uses potent non-edible dyes, hot beeswax, and a kistka that you hold to a flame to flow the wax onto your raw egg. It’s immersive and meditative. One egg in 2 hours is normal.
You and a friend are welcome! I have everything you need, no cost.
I’m looking for people to participate in a big book exchange. All you have to do is buy your favorite book (just one) and send it to a stranger. (l’ll send their details in a private message).
You may receive a maximum of 36 books back to you, to keep.
They’ll be favorite books from strangers all over.
If you’re interested in taking part, reply to this message.
DEMO DAY, a metallurgic evening of speed “dating,” was a lot of fun, and the variety of people who came out for it added depth and context. There were families, established jewelry making enthusiasts, middle, and high schoolers, metal shop professionals, and those who have never experienced pliers. Also, 2 of my 2025 BJMC (Basic Jewelry Metals Course) graduates were on hand to guide the participants at stations during the 10 minute tool/tech circuit bursts. everyone made a pendant, a cuff, and a silver ring, as well as several samples.
I finish each DEMO DAY with a demonstration. Those that hung around last night were treated to an attempted flush set stone that was a fail, I am very sorry to say.
When I had cleaned up the studio this morning, and sat back into a criminally comfortable studio chair, still glowing from all the things that went right the night before, all I wanted was to prove to myself that I could do a better job on the flush set demo.
So out came the ball and setting burs. I triple measured each bit and bur, and my 2.5mm stones. I created a thick silver band from the fail stock, and this was the result:
Eight gypsy set 2.5mm cz’s on an argentium sterling silver band.
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s classes!
There are 12 stations for 8 metallurgic-curious speed daters to sample. 10 minutes per station: new metals and old metals, intriguing tools and magical mysteries of the periodic table—listen for the bell and move to your next awakening! There’s so much to discover and each station is just the tip of an iceberg.
This is a great place to discover the world of metalsmithing.
Here’s a favorite ring. It’s so satisfying to look at— it has a weighty presence, yet it’s hollow, so it’s surprisingly light.
It is built from two large discs lightly domed and soldered together, with the seam boldly presenting.
The design opportunities are vast! This one is all sterling, stamped, and the resulting recesses oxidized. Swapping one disc with copper, and using a texture plate over parts would be very dramatic!
I have to say, I like the 70’s vibe!
What would you do? Send me your ideas for a chance to make it!
Something new is happening at Joe’s Garage — DEMO DAY!
Think of this as relationship building, speed dating for the metal-curious. Each participant will take their place at the Meet-Your-Metal circuit. At 6:00 p.m. the bell will ring, setting in motion 12 rapid-fire Tech Tastings.
Sample cool tools and trendy techniques in jewelry metals! Melt metal! Use a texture plate on a rolling mill! Anneal! Dome! Bend a perfect ring!
The fast paced, info overload, is self-controlled. Do as much as you like at each station—knowing all JOE’S Garage students have unlimited access to OPEN STUDIO time to delve further into their new “relationship.”
Take home the copper, aluminum, and silver used at each “meet-up.”
Hey, check out my calendar now. All my community ed classes for the next catalog are showing on my calendar. The catalogs will come out I believe on August 18th!
Something WILD is a new MON-FRI camp with AM and PM shifts.
And it’s all fun!
Campers will enjoy our EARTH (nature), get WINDed (games), and feel their creative FIRE (crafts) at 3 rotations.
Claim an afternoon craft station! Distribute materials and instruct your table of 8 campers on simple BEADING, PIONEER PLAY, like cats-cradle and finger-knitting, FOLDED paper games, ROCK PAINTING—there’s lots to choose from! This shift is inside, and can be seated or standing.
Consider the flowers, the tiny flowers underfoot. Little tiny flowers. Why? Who thought of that?
Don’t be distracted by a perfect garden that may draw you off your path, but be moved by the beauty right under your toes.
Everything has been done before. I remind myself it’s not about being first or biggest or best.
The job of clover and thistle isn’t to be the centerpiece in a bouquet. Some tiny buds are even too small to weed, but a walk across a field or the woods without them would be lacking.
Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with Great love.
— Mother Theresa
I meet with a lovely group of women who first got together over the book Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, by Makoto Fujimura, and have continued to meet faithfully as creatives.
In the presence of productive creators, who are also supportive awesome people, I do have to remind myself to give my small flowers.
Here’s one now…
This CROSS RING makes a sweet reminder for a Bible study group wanting to create in community. Contact me about this free gathering space.
