WILDACRES
LATEST NEWS
July 27, 2010
Barbara McGuire has restructured her class and changed its name. The new class
is called
Designers’ Rehab (formerly Popular Polymer Clay Projects). The class
is now open, and appropriate for, all levels of students. It will concentrate
on teaching specific design techniques with Polymer Clay. Beginners will have
special instruction to get them up to speed quickly and can then work on advanced
techniques. Experienced students will be given the opportunity to select specific
skills that they want to learn. Techniques will be discussed and demonstrated
in the mornings and students can implement them into their designs in the afternoon.
The instructor fee for the class has been reduced to $75 and “includes a special
collection of tools, findings, accents and assortment of clay, powders etc. purposed
to stimulate individual design”.
The
“Cold Smithing” class has been renamed to
“Metal Connections & Finishing”
(September). This is a cold connection type class with special emphasis on texturing
and finishing the metals. In addition to this, Charlotte will be teaching corrugation
in the class. See the class description on the website for more details.
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) classes are a really unique opportunity. The classes
are taught by Mary Ann & Ken DeVos. Mary Ann has written several books on
PMC and is the Education Director for PMCC. Not only do we have one of the best
instructor teams available; but we have them for a full week at less than most
PMC classes charge for a couple of days. The August class is a beginning certification
class. Completion of this class will result in a Level 1 certification which
provides a discount on the purchase of PMC supplies. The September class is an
advanced class that will focus on enameling on fine PMC and setting unusual natural
gemstones. This class requires previous PMC experience.
The
August classes for Beginning Silversmithing, Beginning Wirecraft , and Metalwork
Help & Special Projects are currently full. Waiting list names are being
accepted for these classes.
Southwest Silver (September) filled up within a week of registration opening.
However, a couple of recent cancellations created 2 openings in that class. One
of the openings has been filled. This is an excellent opportunity to register
for a fun and very popular advanced silversmithing class. This opening probably
won’t last very long so register soon.
Beginning Fused Glass (August) has openings. This excellent class is taught by
a couple of retired educators. They are excellent teachers as well as experienced
glass artisans. I have personally taken this class and can highly recommend it.
Scrimshaw (August). It has been several years since Bill taught this class and
we were fortunate to get him back to teach again. I remember seeing some of the
most beautiful jewelry from his class the last time it was offered. Scrimshaw
is the scribing of a design on a piece of ivory or bone in order to produce decorative
objects or jewelry. It is one of the first American folk crafts, originated by
New England whalers to pass their time at sea.
Cabochon Making (August) and Jewelry Bench & Tool Making (August) each have
a couple of openings.
Both the August and September sessions have openings in the
Addictive Seed Beading
class. If you have not seen Vivian’s bead work before you will be amazed by these
beautiful pieces. See the examples on the website!
Bronze Clay (September) this class has openings and will provide students with
a good introduction to this popular new Metalsmithing technique.
Advanced Fused Glass (September) has a couple of openings. We were very fortunate
to get the services of Rich & Linda Dillon from Illinois who are well known
glass instructors. I have heard from several people who have attended their classes
before that they are excellent instructors.
Chain-Maille’ Jewelry (September) has openings. While advertised as a beginning
class, advanced students are welcome to this class. Beginning students will learn
ring coiling & cutting and some of the classic chain patterns. A large collection
of patterns will be available for advanced students.
Beginning/Intermediate Silversmithing (September) has only 1 remaining opening.
We have a new instructor for this class who operates a studio and teaches classes
in Atlanta. She will have lots of new ideas and designs to present in her class.
Intermediate/Adv. Wirecraft (September) and
Intermediate/Adv.Faceting (September)
both have a few openings.
Roy Deere
Wildacres Director
