what a day!

transistor brooch by caitie sellers, sterling and steel

yesterday was one of those special penland days for me. it began with a demonstration in the metals studio lead by david anderson, a goldsmith from taos, nm. david is the visiting artist in julia woodman's concentration metals class and julia was kind enough to invite me to watch. the metals studio at school just got a new 25-ton electric hydraulic press and david showed us how to use it. the demo began with hydraulic press basics, an excellent refresher for me. then later in the afternoon he showed us how to do some anticlastic raising with it. it's a pretty incredible machine. techniques that normally take countless hours can be done in minutes. the bracelet by david posted here was formed using the press after the stones were set. awesome!

bracelet by david anderson, sterling, 18K gold, garnets

woven majesty tea service by julia woodman, sterling silver

next i went upstairs where lisa colby is teaching a one-week beginning jewelry class and listened to rhonda and elijah wyman talk about their business, figs and ginger. rhonda and elijah were visiting because their friend and employee, caitie sellers, is lisa's assistant. (caitie was also my assistant at penland.) it was great to hear them talk about how they make it work. caitie and i toured them around school after ward.

whale charm necklace by figs and ginger, sterling silver

finally, i went to lisa's instructor slide talk. i really like her work and have for awhile. she has a great design sense and i like her textures and use of repetition. i got to spend some time with her that evening along with some of her students, caitie, and adam whitney.

bracelet by lisa colby, sterling silver

what a great day!

thanks for reading.