Precious Metal Clay (PMC)

Fungus ring

Yesterday, I took a class that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Actually, I tried to take the class before I went home to Chicago last summer, but couldn't make it before we left. And so it's been almost a year since I first became interested.
The class was a 2-hour course in working with precious metal clay, and I made that ring. Actually, I made the ring in about 10 minutes, and had a mere 15 minutes to polish it. I don't have any history working with clay; I took every art class offered at my high school (including the many jewelry-making classes), but never took any pottery classes. So, it's probably good that the instructor limited the students from working too long on this first project, or we would all have attempted designs that were more complicated.

Well, I need a new hobby like I need a hole in my head. But, I have always retained my love for making jewelry, as some of you who have followed my blog know. So, I don't know what will become of this knowledge. Isn't that the way it is sometimes?

I had a blast taking this class and would recommend the technique to all who have been interested but haven't tried it up to this point.

Path2Joy

Completed April 17, 2007
27 1/4" x 36 1/4"


Well, this quilt is very interesting. I set out to copy a quilt that I liked, and, well, I really copied it. Like, almost exactly. And then, I felt like I had done a bad thing. I mean, I am trying to learn quilting by studying those that have gone before me. And I have been learning - loads! But making this quilt made me feel like a plagiarist. And the sad thing is that I love this quilt so much! But I guess it's just a step on the path. Of learning, that is. If I hadn't have liked the original so much, I wouldn't have been tempted to copy it, right?
But I'm going to make a lesson of this experience and let it instruct me in the next quilt I make.

In the meantime, I'm making some clothes. For me.

Just In Time For Easter

The Darkness Has Not Overcome It
33.75" x 44.75"

Completed April 5, 2007

This is the quilt that took three tries to get it right. Is it right, yet? Not sure. But it is much closer than the previous two attempts.

detail, rotated. Oops. You get the idea.

I've sort of had a revelation during the making of this quilt. I get this vision for what I want to do, and then I have to commit, commit, commit to the vision to see it through. I have just tons of doubt as I'm working - is this going to be the quilt that finally proves I'm no artist? Am I going to get that vision across? Do I have what it takes? etc.

detail

Sometimes, it is so hard to keep plugging away. I feel like the homeowners on While You Were Out, who have all these doubts that their new rock-n-roll kitchen is going to make their spouses happy, and they're totally freaking out. Meanwhile, the designer is happily melting LPs in the microwave, making chip bowls. But when the kitchen is revealed, there is joy, joy, joy. Those chip bowls are the best! And even though I don't have total satisfaction with every quilt, I also don't have disappointment in the same measure as I had anxiety. It's such a drama!

detail

And, I think I'm addicted to this drama. As soon as I finished this quilt, I was already scheming on the next one. And allowing the dinner to burn...darn! But, I think it's a sickness to spend weeks biting my nails, and then to have the release of the doubts, only to throw myself back into it again. But perhaps that is the mark of an artist. That is the sickness artists have.

"Let me help you thread that needle!"

Oh. yeah. He's such a big help.