This past weekend I taught my first workshop, "Re-sin-blage': A Charming Exercise in Jewelry Adornments" at Valley Ridge Art Studio in Muscoda, Wisconsin.
It was a two-day workshop focusing on making charms with resin, as well as basic metalsmithing techniques used to construct a piece of jewelry.
We spent the first day learning about the many ways in which resin can be used, and made molds to fill, as well as pouring resin into our bezels and also making resin paper.
I did demos on the correct way to mix, tint, and fill a variety of objects.
At the end of the first day, I relaxed with a glass (or two) of wine and socialized with the gals. My husband came along for the weekend for moral support. We actually made the weekend a nice little getaway for ourselves!
Our second day focused on basic metalsmithing techniques. I began the day by showing the group the proper way to use a jeweler's saw. There were a few people in the class who have never used a jeweler's saw before, and I am happy to report that everyone was sawing (and not even breaking blades) before the day was over.
I also showed the group how to make their own tube rivets - when a regular eyelet just isn't long enough. Many of our finished bezels were thicker than the length of the longest eyelets. Not only did everyone in the workshop learn how to make and set their own tube rivets -- they were all making them, and they all turned out perfectly!
So here are some of the finished charms made by participants of the class...
an example of encasing natural objects into resin...
making bezels out of unusual objects...
a variety of bezels using vintage book pages....
another book made with resin paper...
rhinestones framing a vintage photo...
aren't these a cute combo??...
here are some more...
...and more.jpg)
...and even more!!!
And this is the group (minus Kathy..she's taking the picture).
Megan, Mina, Chris, Linda, Karen, Christine, Becky, and Myself
I had a fabulous time teaching the workshop, and the time just seemed to fly by. Everyone in the class was wonderful, and they made my first teaching experience better than I ever could've imagined!!!! Thank you all, ladies...you all did a fantastic job!!!!
4 comments:
Jill, I really enjoyed the workshop, and just ordered some ICE from Susan (I decided I couldn't wait another three weeks for B&B). Congrats on the first of what I'm sure will be many teaching gigs...you did a great job.
Thanks Christine...I really appreciate it!!!
We loved having you Jill and feel honored that your first teaching experience was at Valley Rige. I am certain that you will gone on and be a successful instructor across the United States if you want.
Kathy
Hey Jill, it all looks so great, wished I could have been there! Kristin Yates
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