Workshop Preparation

Creating projects for workshops is always an interesting task. Choosing techniques that will challenge yet are able to be completed in a strictly defined time limit, various experience levels, a design that is ambiguous enough to interest a wide range of people, etc.. I really love it, it challenges me, makes me think differently about metalsmithing. I have to get out of my own design aesthetic as well as work with techniques that may not be present in my own work.

WOW! What an amazing weekend. Thank you girls. More to come on our trip to Greenville, SC......

off to Greenville, SC

I am leaving this morning for a weekend trip to Greenville, South Carolina. Artisphere- an outdoor fine art/fine craft festival is going on there this weekend and we (my students and I ) are excited to check out what we hope will be amazing work and to discuss the dynamics of good and bad booth design.. I did my first craft show about three years ago and WOW was that an interesting experience- a lot has changed since then, mostly the fact that I am armed with much more knowledge and I have gone through ,oh, about four booths-atleast. I am eager to talk wth my students about booth design and display, there is so much to be said.

The weekend will be fantastic- days spent with friends, viewing the work of amazing artists and then Saturday night- dinner at the Lazy Goat (Chef Lindsay is ure to wow us!)

Photos of my Jewelry

I spent yesterday afternoon taking photographs of my work. For years now I have been trying to perfect the art of taking jewelry slides/images, it is hard and by no means have I gotten it right just yet. Traditional layout and lighting is very minimal and when done well it is gorgeous and the work truly comes alive but it is hard to achieve this outcome (well, it has been for me). So, I recently joined Etsy and have been really impressed with many of the photographs- natural light, textural backdrops, props- in the well conceived photographs the work does not get lost at all, a warmth is created, familiarity. So I tried this more laid back approach and I liked it. The photos may still need some work but I really like the textural feel of the photo and the soft, natural light. The process was enjoyable- no aching backs and ridiculously hot light bulbs. New adventures are good- my next will be shots of my work on live models.

Pin Swap

I have decided to do a pin swap with my higher level students. I teach so many new techniques in my jewelry fabrication courses that I thought it would be fun to do a project that gave the students an opportunity to show off some of their favorite techniques. The premise is simple- if there are 20 artists participating then you make 20 pins and at the end of the semester we will trade. I can not wait to see what they will bring, it will be exciting and diverse.I am sure there will be some amazing surprises.

Alt Craft?

Is alt-craft defined by what you make are how/where/when you market it?

What a dork

I am leaving tonight for a short trip to DC (yeah!!) So I find myself being really excited about the possibility of returning to the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum where upon my last visit I spent an embarrassingly long time drooling over the fossilized shells and ocean creatures (oh yeah! i am an uber dork, and proud). The collection was amazing and as always I was really inspired to create jewelry with textures and forms reminiscent of these creatures. I am sure the trip will be fantastic, time with family and good friends can be pretty priceless.

New Website

I just launched my new website this week -www.ericastankwytchbailey.com - I am really excited, it is long over due!