Teaching Workshops

I have been teaching metalsmithing and jewelry making workshops and classes for almost seven years. It seems like just yesterday that I was walking into my first class, scared to the bone, wondering if I could possibly impart upon these strangers then passoin that I have for metalsmithing. Those first classes were riddled with overwhelming stage fright complicated by that which can only be called the demo disaster- a phenomenon that occurs when you are demonstrating a technique you have done a thousand times and crazy things go wrong. Well, I have grown, learned to plan, and though the occasional demo disaster still occurs I have now learned to use it as a learning opportunity with a couple of laughs. I love teaching, for me it is an obvious extension of my life as a maker. The solitude I experience in my studio works as a compliment to the intense interactions that occur in the classroom and vice versa. My students keep me on my toes and I cannot thank them enough for that. I taught a workshop yesterday on Torch-fired Enamels, it went really well, we had a blast and the work was truly amazing!

My first

Wow- this is the first time for me. Blogging has existed as an abstract, undefined concept for me until very recently (I REALLY drag my toes when it comes to new things). While at the SNAG conference in early March I attended a lecture/talk given by Megan Auman, it was fantastic. I was truly inspired by her complete embrace of the opportunities available on the internet as well as her willingness to share her strategies, Thank you Megan. This is all very interesting for me- communicating in this way. On the surface it seemed so impersonal to me but after reading several blogs I realize that it can be intimate and revealing, offering an insight into an artist or friend that one might not normally have. I am excited!