Bronze Clay Jewelry Class scheduled:

The next class for learning how to work with the Bronzclay  is coming up on October 6th.  It will be again in the Off the Wall Gallery, upstairs mezzanine...this is also known as Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden, at 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.

You will learn jewelry design, using templates and texture plates for your design, how to work with the clay in rolling, applying texture, cutting design shapes, and sanding smooth and finishing.  This includes everything you need:  30 grams of Metal Adventures Bronzclay, use of my templates and my own textures (many are my original designs), tools to use, instructions, and the kiln firing process.  The firing will need to be done in my kilns at home, then I'll return the pieces to the gallery for you to pick up...unless you are from out of town, then I'll send them.  30 grams will get you as many as 8-10 pieces or as few as 3....depends on how large you like your jewelry!  All this will cost you $60, payable prior to class (clay needs to be ordered.).

The class will start at 1:30pm, lasts as long as needed to get all the pieces ready to be fired...usually 2-3 hours.  Due to limited space, 6 students is the limit we can handle.

If you have questions, email artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the Yarn Garden stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.
I would need you pay when you sign up, as mentioned above, as I need to order clay  and other supplies before the class.  Also, it would be great if you would register with Mary Lynn since she is there at the gallery/store and can keep it all organized.  It might get kinda crowded if I sign up 4 and she signs up 6!!

This is a fun class, and you'll be amazed at what you can get!  The bracelets above are simple to make, and can be a good project for you to make..............

Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival

This weekend we will be set up in Latham Park during the Art & Balloon Festival in Lincoln, IL.  Our space is #9 near the corner of Kickapoo St. and Pekin St.  We had this space last year, and thankfully it has a fair amount of shade.  But it is located on a bit of a slant, so that I always worry about people "rolling" into my booth!

This sterling silver necklace is sold, but hopefully I can come up with something similar by Saturday.  Doubtful though:(

The art fair runs from 10 to 5 Saturday, and 10 to 4 Sunday.  There is an enormous amount of "things to do" during this festival weekend.  The program can be found at www.lincolnillinois.com.

If you can make it to Latham Park, please stop by our booth and say hello!

Advanced Bronzclay Class

The Bronzclay classes have been so popular, that we've decided to schedule an Advanced class, which will focus on making hollow lentil beads or  pendant.  This photo is of one made earlier this year.  It has a different texture on the reverse side.



This piece is also hollow, a little more time involved as it needs a top and bottom attached, but is certainly doable. 

This is a two-sided pendant that is joined with clay balls between, so the cord can be threaded through.  Also takes a bit longer, but easy to do. 

We'll again be upstairs at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden, 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.  If you're interested, send me an email artjools@frontier.com, or email to Mary Lynn, stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.  Starts at 1:30pm, 8/18/2012, $60.  Includes everything you need!



New Bronze Clay Classes

On July 28th, I'll be teaching a class on making Bronze Rings.  It'll be at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden & Off the Wall Gallery at 318 N. Main, Bloomington.  Starts at 1:30pm, will last 2-3 hours as needed to finish.  There are 3 or 4 people signed up, so there's space for 2 or 3 more!  Please contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.

We've scheduled a Bronze clay class making whatever your heart desires on August 4th, same location and times.  Please contact either of us above.  There are several openings there.

I did not get called for Sugar Creek art fair.  I did set up a table inside the Garlic Press, uptown Normal, so that helped.  Still..........really wish Rob had called.

We'll be set up for the next 5 Saturdays at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market, across from the music on Jefferson St.  This Saturday has the really fun Lincoln Festival going on.  I would highly encourage everyone to attend the market, the activities concerning Lincoln on the museum grounds (old Courthouse) which the market surrounds.  There are a number of other venues with more to offer...

http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/go/festival-continues-homage-to-all-things-lincoln/article_4a971f3e-d1a7-11e1-8ed7-001a4bcf887a.html

Still waiting to hear......

We're still waiting to hear from the coordinators of the Sugar Creek Art Festival, which is only 2 days from now, as to whether or not Artjools will be one of the participants.  This depends on another jewelry artist dropping out, which apparently is not going to happen.  If that's the case, we'll be at the Farmers Market in the usual spot on Jefferson Saturday morning. 
    Then, if no word from MCAC, I'll set up a table in the front entrance lobby of The GARLIC PRESS, on North Street in Normal!  So, I'll still be there at the art fair, but not part of the art fair, enjoying being inside in the air-conditioning!!! Hah!!

I've also scheduled a Bronzclay Class on July 14th, to be held upstairs at Off the Wall Gallery, 318 N. Main St, Bloomington, IL.  This will teach you to make the Bronze jewelry components for your own jewelry designs!  Above is a sample of what you can do with this great stuff.  Contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the gallery, actually at her store Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden at the same address, info@marylynnsyarngarden.com, 309-820-0174. 

Above are some Bronze Rings.  I've also scheduled a class in making these on July 28th, also at the Off the Wall Gallery.  Again contact me or Mary Lynn at the Yarn Garden.  These are both going to be lots of fun, and you'll have some great jewelry when you're all done! 

Men's jewelry for Father's Day

This attractive, manly piece is made with silver-coated lava beads, glass beads, and black leather.   It measures around nineteen inches long with a classy toggle clasp.  Can you see your Dad or hubby in this?  Looked verry good on Steve!

These bronze bracelets are made for a man, but, heck, just as nice-looking on a woman! 

Next weekend, June 23, we'll be setting up in Danville, at their Arts in the Park celebration.  This is a very well run event, even giving the artists a very nice Friday evening meal.  Good artists, music, and hopefully good weather!  This show honored me with the Best of Show award last year!!!  So, I guess, no wonder I like it there!

This is another photo I'm thinking of painting.  A very scenic little farm in Dewitt County.    

We'll be leaving the market right at noon this Saturday, which means having to start loading up at 11:30am.  The bronzclay class in Decatur, 40 miles away, is scheduled at 1pm, so we have to hustle down there to get set up for the class.  As far as I know at this time, there are a couple of spots left for students. 

I just read the blog of Dylan Punke, a local photographer well-known to art fair attendees.  He's started on a cross-country bicycle trip to the northwest!  What a brave soul!  Keep an eye on his progress at http://www.departgallery.blogspot.com/.

This is a photo of a field south of Heyworth, one of my favorite scenes to paint.