5/23/09

Meet the Team - Linda Gielen


Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Born in Laredo and raised in Brownsville, Texas, I come from a family who has several artistic members. Ever since I can remember, I have always participated in some form of art: painting, drawing, ceramics, metal smithing, etc. I have always struggled though with the fact that I have a practical side as well as an artistic side. It was only after I received my bachelor’s degree in Business that I returned to get my certification in Art. While getting my Masters in Education, I found my other passion which is computers. Now my time is divided between my art and my computer pursuits.
I am currently a Technology Facilitator at a private all boys school in San Antonio, Texas and I teach 7th and 8th grade computer electives. It’s kind of the best of both worlds because I am able to combine my two passions, art and computers, by teaching web design, graphic arts and animation. However, I still have the need to create strictly artistic items. So in the summer and during holidays, I focus on passion, my jewelry. Three-dimensional art has always been my favorite form of art with my first experience being ceramics. Ceramics, however, was not a portable art and I just wasn’t ready to invest in what I needed to have a complete studio. So I looked to other forms of 3D art and soon started working in polymer clay. I really enjoyed creating pieces, especially working with all the colors, but I just felt something was missing. While working with polymer clay, I learned about Precious Metal Clay and decided to take a class on it. After that, I was hooked! What was great about this medium was all the tools I have for polymer would work for PMC and so I was off and running. I took more classes and eventually took a certification course and I haven’t looked back since.


Have any special hobbies?
Lately, I‘ve just been focusing on metal clay, but I am an avid reader and spend many hours reading science fiction and fantasy. I also read juvenile and young adult books to review for our school library.

What is your business name and website address?
My business name is Clayology and my website address is http://clayology.etsy.com/.


Your shop address?
I only sell online or friends.
Do you sell in any shops other than etsy?
Yes, I sell metal clay and polymer clay pieces at http://clayology.artfire.com/.



How did you find out about metal clay and then start working with it? How long?
I found out about metal clay through an article in a jewelry magazine I subscribed to when working with polymer clay. I ordered a kit from my jewelry supplier and tried it on my own first. Although I was able to create a few simple pieces, I sought out a live class to expand my horizons. Our local arts and crafts center was offering a two-day weekend course and I jumped on the chance to learn more. I was instantly hooked and I haven’t looked back since! I’ve been working with metal clay for about six years.

What drives you to make jewelry?
When I was getting my degree in Art, my focus was jewelry and metalsmithing. It was a strange passion since I never wore much jewelry, but I just love making it!

Are you disciplined or do you go with the flow and work when you feel like it?
I tend to go with my flow and work when I feel like creative. Although I sketch a lot of ideas, I never have the discipline to follow through with my designs. I am trying to break that habit and follow my ideas more.

Won any awards for your jewelry? for anything else?
When I was in college, I did win an award for a necklace I made out of brass and wire. However, since then, I never have tried to submit any of my work to any contests. Life keeps getting in the way!

Do you do any other type of art?
Yes, I have dabbled in polymer clay, lampworking, acrylics, oils, ceramics, tinwork, beading, weaving . . . the list goes on. What is your art sensibility - precise or organic?I fight my tendency to be too precise because I have to be in my regular job as a Technology Facilitator and teacher. So, I try to let my “inner natural goddess” out so I can create more organic pieces and try to work at letting my work flow in that direction.

When did you feel you had more confidence in your abilities? Although others thought my work was good, I never felt confident that it had any value or that it was something I could sell. It is only when I began working with metal clay three years ago, that I thought my work had some value and I could actually sell it.


What is your favorite tool for working with metal clay? Since I love making vessels, my favorite “tool” I guess would be wood clay and dowels!

Where do you work? A photo of your work space is attached.I have set aside one of our bedrooms as my workspace. After many years of working out of this corner or that, I finally have a dedicated room.




What is your favorite thing to make?
My favorite thing to make is vessels. I guess I like that 3D sculptural feel of making one. I also love construction type pieces like boxes and hollow forms.
Do you ever add commercial components?
Yes, I do incorporate cubic zirconia stones, casting grains and dichroic pieces. I also sometimes use commercial earwires, chains and chokers.
How do you work, and when? (for ex. assembly line or one at a time)
I work usually several pieces at once and have several pieces going in different stages. However, most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind because I always want to try something new and I do not make duplicates. I do think it is wise to make at least two of the same design and I am going to try to do that this summer. Since I am a teacher, I tend to work the best and longest during holidays and summers, summer being my most productive time.
Do you have any kind of creative ritual?
No, but I think I need to get one. Especially for those days when I get artist block.
How do you hold onto ideas that you don't have time to pursue NOW!
I sketch out ideas in a sketchbook to remind me of what I may want to try out next.
Do you ever use a sketchbook?
Yes. It has been a habit since I began to take art courses over 20 years ago.
Do you ever teach classes and where?
I have taught art courses to elementary students, but I have not taught any metal clay classes.

Do you make a living at it?
Not yet . . . I just hope to make enough cover my metal clay “habit!”




Dichro Decorated Pendant


Do you do custom orders?
I am too fearful of rejection or issues that may occur in the process, so I have not tried any custom work.
What are you working on currently?
I am currently experimenting with BronzClay and am enjoying the fact that it is so much more affordable than PMC. I feel I can try out designs without worrying about bad outcomes. I am also trying to perfect my lampworking techniques to incorporate lampwork beads in my jewelry design.


What's next on your agenda to make?
Rejuvenate my shops this summer, take better pictures and try out some of my designs. I also purchased some copper clay to experiment with.

How do you make time for everything you want to do?
I try to squeeze some time during long weekends and occasionally at night after school if I get inspired, but I do the majority of my work during holidays and summer.

Anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
I have three great “girls”, Frida and Kirby, who are tri-colored brown Chihuahuas, and Java, a border-collie mix. I will be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary this November to a man who has always supportive my artist endeavors and believes everything I make is wonderful!

5/21/09

What's your favorite tool?

What's your favorite tool that's not "a tool"?

I've been looking for a beautiful tree stump (or wide log section) for hammering and flattening and texturizing metal -- and my dear friend and fine furniture maker, Bill Hewitt, provided me with such a dream item. Unfortunately the stump (nicknamed "the Billy Stump") comes my way because a horrible winter storm took out a number of mature trees on Bill's Whately, Mass organic farm. (I also brought home the most delicious organic asparagus I've ever eaten!)

I toted the stump home and carefully chiseled off all of the bark to help the stump begin the drying process (and give all living creatures a chance to move out.) I am in love with this chunk of sugar maple and I can't wait to get hammering on it soon.

I found the hammer at an awesome shop called Freight House Antiques in Erving, Mass on the drive home. It's a short handled hammer with a really wide face and I got it for a song after digging through a pile of hammers in that amazing shop. 

The stump is my favorite new "tool that's not a tool" - what's yours?

5/17/09

Meet the Team - Interview with Jane Font


This week we are interviewing Jane Font of Daisy Jane Designs. Jane joined the Etsy Metal Clay Team in February 2009.


Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am 31 and live in Utah. I have been married to my awesome husband for just over 7 years now. We have two dogs, Nova and Boris, and no kids. We both work full time at the same company (for the time being). I am going to school to earn my bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Have any special hobbies?
We both like to read, listen to music, and watch way too many movies. Mostly we like horror movies. Zombies are the best! I also love to spend time in my studio working with metal clay!

What is your business name and website address?
Daisy Jane Designs. As of yet I do not have my own website.

How did you find out about metal clay and then start working with it? How long?
I first learned about metal clay while I was off work for 3 weeks due to mono. This was in early 2007. It was horrible! The only thing I could do was lay in bed and for the 3 weeks I didn’t even leave my house. So, while I was lying in bed I watched a lot of TV. One day I saw Nana Mizushima making her silver leaf pendant. I was fascinated! I started reading everything I could find. I bought books and DVDs and within a few weeks I convinced my husband that I really needed to buy the big expensive starter kit. He relented and here I am!

Moon Pool Necklace


What drives you to make jewelry?
A lot of things drive me; all of them selfish ;) I want new jewelry. I want someone else to want new jewelry. I want to learn a new technique. I want to make something I’ve never seen before and see the look on someone’s face when I tell them that I made it.

Are you disciplined or do you go with the flow and work when you feel like it?
I pretty much work when I feel like it. I have tried in the past sitting down and just doing something…it never turns out very good. I have to have a good solid idea before I sit down to make a piece of jewelry. My frustration lies in the fact that I have time and will but no ideas at times.

Won any awards for your jewelry? for anything else?
At this time I have not won any awards for my jewelry. I have a ring and a pendant that will be featured in a magazine this summer though. I have won awards in the past in small art competitions for drawing and painting though.

Do you do any other type of art?
I love to draw! I’m not very good at it unless I can see what I am drawing. I don’t paint often anymore. My medium of choice for giving my drawings color is colored pencil and water color pencil. I don’t do anything with my drawings at this time, it’s just a hobby for me to enjoy.

What is your art sensibility - precise or organic?
Precise, which kind of aggravates me because I LOVE organic shapes! However, whenever I try for organic it just looks sloppy.
When did you feel you had more confidence in your abilities?
There is a huge arts festival in Park City every year. It is full of very expensive pieces of art ranging from glass work, to wood work, to jewelry, to painting and photography, and everything in between. This last summer I went to the show with a friend. Hoping to draw a bit of attention I made us each a necklace to wear to the show. We were asked by several artists what artist had made the necklaces. When I told them I did they asked what gallery I showed at. That really helped to boost my confidence. In fact I’m going to work on getting some of my work in a gallery this summer.

Autumn Garden Party Ring


What is your favorite tool for working with metalclay?
My rubber tipped clay shaper. It is an extremely important tool that no metal clay artist should be without. I didn’t see the need for one when I first started using metal clay. Now I know that I couldn’t work without it. My ring bands are stronger and more finished looking and my bails are more securely attached.


Where do you work? A photo of your work space.
I have a spare bedroom in my basement where I am able to store all of my equipment and do all of my work from creating to finishing. I don’t have a photo right now (and it’s not really in any condition to be photographed at this moment ;)


What is your favorite thing to make?
Anything! As long as I have an idea and I’m working on it, that’s my favorite. I tend to make a lot of rings. I really enjoy making them because a lot of attention has to be paid in making the joints as solid as possible. I enjoy tedious, detailed work.



Do you ever add commercial components?
I do use sterling silver snap settings for my rings with large stones. I purchase sterling silver chain in bulk but measure and cut it myself. I also use fine silver bezel cups. That is about it though. I make all of my own clasps, jump rings and ear wires.


How do you work, and when? (for ex. assembly line or one at a time)
I have done both assembly line work and one offs. If I have enough ideas and pieces to work on then I will do a bit on one, set it aside to dry while I start another one. Fire one piece and sand another while the fired one cools. I think I prefer to have more than one project going at a time, otherwise I get impatient and that’s when things don’t go the way they should.

Do you have any kind of creative ritual?
Not really. Sometimes I’ll listen to music, usually I don’t. One thing I do like to do while I work is listen to a movie. Next to my studio is our movie room. I like to have a movie on in there so I can hear it. Usually a movie I know well as I can picture it in my mind. I always associate that piece with that movie afterwards so I have to be careful what movie I choose.

How do you hold onto ideas that you don't have time to pursue NOW!
Yes! Usually they are inspired by an object, or a song, or a memory. Whenever I see the object, hear the song, or think back on the memory I’m reminded that I need to get busy! I try to never let an idea go. In fact, I have several right now that are begging me to get started!

Do you ever use a sketchbook?
I tried using a sketchbook when I first started. I think it’s a good idea, I just forget about doing it. Once in awhile I will sketch something on a scrap paper if I am afraid that I’ll lose the idea. I usually lose the scrap of paper but because I went through the action of sketching it out I remember the idea.

Do you ever teach classes and where?
I have not taught any classes as of yet but I am working with a friend who runs a local art guild. I may be teaching a class very soon.

Sea Side Dwelling Necklace




Do you make a living at it?
Nope, but that’s the dream!


Do you do custom orders?
Most of what I do is custom work. I love custom orders!

What are you working on currently?
I am not working on any particular pieces right now. However, I am working on a few techniques with each new piece. I am very interested in layers of different textures. How they look lying next to each other or layered one on top of another. I like using different textures to suggest separate items: a linear texture for the sky, a sandpaper texture for a beach, etc.

What's next on your agenda to make?
Hollow forming is something I have not worked with too much. I have several ideas requiring hollow forms that I really do need to get working on. My excuse for not doing it yet is that my wood clay dried out ;)

How do you make time for everything you want to do?
Unfortunately I don’t. Working full time, going to school full time, and being a wife and a dog mom take up a lot of my time. But there are those blessed moments where everything is done at relatively the same time and I can take some time for myself.

Anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
My husband is so supportive of my work and my goals. He’s never negative when I start talking about quitting my job to make a full time go of my jewelry, even though that’s not realistic at this time.

Thank you Jane, it has been a pleasure getting to know you.

5/7/09

Meet the Team- Interview with Zoe Nelson



Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

My Mom was a big-time crafter, doing mostly needlework her whole life. She opened a consignment art and craft gallery when I was in High School and hired me to work there. That was my initial exposure to all kinds of art and what inspired me to make things. A college course in jewelry making taught me the basics of traditional fabrication work. After college I decided I’d rather make money than be a starving artist, so I went to work for a large corporation and made art in my spare time. I started doing bead work, which eventually led me to investigating this stuff called Metal Clay. That was it. I was hooked and haven’t looked back since. I left my “real job” 18 years ago and have been making and selling jewelry ever since.


Have any special hobbies?

I like to garden (I’m so glad spring is here!) and snoop around antique stores and auctions.


What is your business name and website address?

My business name is Artwear and my website address is


Do you sell in any shops other than etsy?

I’m a member of two local cooperative galleries: Hands Gallery in Boone, NC and Main Street Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC. These shops are owned and operated by groups of artists, so I work there selling all of our work a couple of times a week. I also have jewelry on consignment in several other galleries in my area. I do a few craft shows, but I’m cutting down on those. I used to do lots of them, but it’s getting to be too hard on my body.


How did you find out about metal clay and then start working with it?
I think I must have seen the very first information that Rio Grande put out about PMC. I ordered some (original formula at that time), played with it, and fired it in a friend’s enameling kiln. It was fun, but the cost of the product prohibited me from pursuing it much further. I sort of forgot about it for awhile and then heard about PMC3, which could be fired at a lower temperatures and shorter times and you could include glass and stones. This sounded exciting to me, so I took an introductory class and decided this is what I wanted to do. I was certified in 2004. So, I guess I’ve been working with it for about 8 years, and exclusively for the last 5 years.



What drives you to make jewelry?

I like to wear jewelry! And, the possibilities are endless. As long as the ideas keep coming, I’ll keep making more.

Are you disciplined or do you go with the flow and work when you feel like it?

I usually go with the flow, unless I have a gallery or craft show coming up. Then, I can get a lot cranked out in a short amount of time.
Won any awards for your jewelry? For anything else?

I won an award at a craft show a few years ago for best in show. I also got a grant from our local Arts Council when I was first starting out so I could buy some equipment, mainly my kiln.
Do you do any other type of art?

I like to paint and do collage when I have time, but only for myself. And, I still like to do intricate bead work at times.

What is your art sensibility – precise or organic?

Both. I love the organic look and feel you can achieve with metal clay versus sheet metal, but I also like the precision of building things like box beads.


When did you feel you had more confidence in your abilities?

It just took time patience and practice, like anything else. There are still some things that come out of the kiln that make me ask myself “What were you thinking?”. But, I feel pretty confident now.

What is your favorite tool for working with metal clay?

I guess I could say my hands, but that’s pretty obvious. I suppose my favorites are the textures I’ve made myself.

Where do you work? A photo of your work space.

I work out of my home studio – the second bedroom in my tiny little house. I’m running out of space because Daddy raised a tool junkie, so I’d love to be able to build a separate space one day.




What is your favorite thing to make?

I really like making lentil beads and anything with dichroic glass. And rings. Oh – also earrings. It’s hard to narrow down!

Do you ever add commercial components?

I use commercial wire, chain, ear wires and jump rings and occasionally clasps.

How do you work, and when? (for ex. Assembly like or one at a time)

I work in batches. I’ll get enough formed and dried in a week or so to fill a kiln shelf, and fire it all at once. Then I spend the next few days polishing, applying patina and adding the final touches. Then I have to inventory and photograph everything… and update Etsy and my website! Some things I make beaded chains for, and that takes extra time. I’m usually in my studio from about 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon almost every day. On days that I have to work in one of the co-op galleries I take something with me to work on, such as hanging earrings on ear wires, or bead crochet for a special pendant.

Do you have any kind of creative ritual?

Not really, but I like to listen to audio books as I work. Our county library needs to get some new ones – I’m starting to repeat ones I’ve already heard. It’s a great way to get caught up on best sellers and the classics like War and Peace, without taking time from my already busy schedule.

How do you hold onto ideas that you don’t have dime to pursue NOW!

I keep a notebook with me when I’m away from home and write down ideas as they come to me.

Do you ever use a sketchbook?

Yes, the same notebook mentioned above. I can get a rough idea from a sketch, but the finished piece usually doesn’t look exactly like the sketch.


Do you ever teach classes and where?

I teach weekend workshops of small groups of 5 or less at my home (in my kitchen). It’s usually a group of friends that all want to take the same class at the same time. I also teach a 15-hour course over six weeks at Appalachian State University’s Craft Enrichment Program.

Do you make a living at it?

Yes! I’m not Warren Buffett, but I earn enough to get me by. This economy is challenging, but I don’t think I need to go get another job, unless things get a lot worse. I’ve been at this long enough to know how to be the “ant” instead of the “grasshopper”.

Do you do custom orders?

Sometimes. It depends on what the customer wants. I really don’t like it when a person comes up with his or her own design and just wants me to build it.

What are you working on currently?
A batch is in the kiln right now. 4 rings, 8 hanging pendants, 4 toggle pendants, 3 toggle clasps, and 6 pairs of earrings.

Thank you Zoe, It has been a pleasure getting to know you.

5/4/09

Welcome New Members to the Etsy MetalClay Team

We have three new members of the Etsy MetalClay Team. These members are Oshrat of Terra Firma Studio, Nicola of Murano Silver and Judy of Teefeebijoux.

Oshrat of
Terra Firma Studio was born in Israel and moved to the United Stated a few years ago. Oshrat jewelry illustrates her love for abstraction, shapes and texture.

Oshrat's "The Trio Pendant"


Nicola of Murano Silver lives and works in the little village of Market Deeping in the UK.She is a designer Member of the British Jewellry Association. Check out Nicola jewelry on the following websites:
www.muranosilver.com
www.muranosilver.blogspot.com

Nicola's Wheel of Life Necklace


Judy of Teefeebijoux was first introduced to metal clay at the BeadFest in Philadelphia. This self-taught maven is currently experimenting with bronze clay. Judy is also a member of the PMC Guild.

Judy's Linen Earrings

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