More Classes scheduled

This Saturday brings another set-up at the downtown Bloomington Farmers Market, 7:30 am to 12 noon.  Same space on Jefferson, and across from the music.  TOMB...The Old Men Boys, will be the band.  We have to go on record here to say they are the best group around, and definitely our favorites!

I have some new brooches/pins for the jackets and sweaters we're wearing this fall.  I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow.

Saturday afternoon 1p to 3:30 (or so) will be another Bronze Rings Class at 318 N. Main St. upstairs from the Off the Wall Gallery and Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden.    At this time, there are 3 students,  with room for 3 more.  

November 10th has been reserved for another class in Bronze Jewelry, same time and space.  The exact topic for this class is still under discussion.  Call me at 309-473-2013 for more information on this class, or anything else.  

At this point, we only have one more 2-day weekend show scheduled for this year.  That is coming right up on November 3 + 4 in Springfield at the Hope Presbyterian Church.  

We were very disappointed to hear our work was not chosen to be included in the Thieves Market Holiday Art Show in Iowa City in December this year.  We're on the Alternate List, but haven't had much luck with those kinds of lists this year.  It really is not a pleasant feeling to hear your work was not wanted...especially when I've never been rejected for this show before...and especially every year I have sold very well, and have many repeat customers there.   Art fair applicants are multiplying greatly, and apparently my work has been around too long, or not considered "right".  Oh well, its always been a horribly difficult show to set up for...glad to not go through that, at least!

Here's Proof!

Thank you Dylan...great photo of our booth and first place ribbon at the Arts in Central Park, Decatur.

We are set up now in Clinton at the Apple 'n Pork Festival...great weekend ahead!  Wonderful weather has been promised.   We're looking forward to it!!

Great news in Decatur!

Last Saturday at the Arts in Central Park in Decatur, our work was awarded 1st place in Jewelry!!!!

Judges were Jane Camp, Heartland Community College instructor in painting and drawing, and Randy Reid, Illinois State University instructor in jewelry, metals, and sculpture.

I will have proof when our friend Dylan sends the photo of the booth and ribbon.  (I forgot my camera.  So it's handy to be friends with an award-winning photographer!)

The loverly piece above is bronze with a silver bead embedded, strung with handmade bronze beads, Czech beads, and wonderful long, skinny Smoky Quartz.  I think it is one of my favorites now.

Tomorrow we'll be back at the Downtown Farmers Market, Bloomington, IL.  Space #4 across from the music on Jefferson St.

Next weekend is the great Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton.  Lets hope the weather gives us one more weekend without rain. 

Arts in Central Park, Decatur, IL

This Friday evening through Sunday we'll be taking part in the art show in Decatur, held in the beautiful Central Park located in downtown Decatur.  Friday evening is from 5pm to 7pm, and is quite a lot of fun!  There is a great band, and the committee puts on a wonderful feast for art patrons and artists.  

Saturday hours are 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.  This really is a very nice art fair, and the coordinators do a great job.  Great art and a beautiful setting usually makes for a great time.  Now if the weather will cooperate, all will be perfect!!

The Bronze jewelry class has a few openings, scheduled for October 6, 1:30 pm til 4ish, at 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.  It is a fun class!  Contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the store at stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com for more info or to sign up.  

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!