Outpost empress................

http://artoutpost.blogspot.com/2011/03/david-hockneys-fresh-flowers.html

A fresh view.  A few things that impress me.  

How to spend a day...............

Wouldn't it be nice just to spend a day in my shop making a few pieces of jewelry?  Get them off my list of to-do's.   That is how I would like to spend a day. 

Registration is open at Peninsula art school!

http://www.peninsulaartschool.com/

2011 Peninsula Art School (Door County) Class schedules are open available and open for registration................I will be there for 2 classes this summer.     Want to work on cold connection techniques?  Spend a few days immersed (that is a fun word when thinking about metal work)  learning how to work with beads and found objects and creating some unique methods for connecting, combining, stacking, setting and all that fun stuff!!  I have a wicked fun ring project to show you.  Let me know if I can answer any questions.  It is a great getaway weekend...............local lodging discounts are available......just inquire.   See you!

Here is a fun way to connect to other creative minds..............to buy and sell your jewelry wares. You can even connect via Facebook quite easily. I have not checked it out comprehensively but it seems to have possibilities. Social networking and some free publicity. Can't hurt can it? Good luck. Check out the link below.

http://yardsellr.com/talk/jewelry

Metals Fabrication Class at Shake Rag Alley (Mineral Point)

Upcoming class in April at Shake Rag Alley for you to broaden your skills working with metal.  Opportune time to take your skill levels up to learn how to turn a flat piece of silver sheet metal into a dimensional, textured pair of earrings.   Walk away with the knowledge of what tools are needed to set up your basic metalsmithing space.  I will have sample projects to try out but encourage you to create your own designs.  Shake Rag Alley is one of my favorite places to teach at and Cheryl Smeja's studio where we will be is a wonderful place to spend a day.   Go to http://www.shakeragalley.com/ to sign up.

Friends................

Sitting down with a glass of wine during the blizzard of the century which is only 10 years old of course.............appreciating the warmth and safety of my house and comforts of good friends.

Article for Art Jewelry magazine

Finally............30 or more hours of fun writing a project piece with photographs on how to make these earrings:  Soldered Shield earrings and variations on the theme.  Unfortunately it won't get published for a year................but patience is a virtue.  These are one of my all time favorites. 

2011 Class schedule is ready!

Happy New Year everyone!   Nicely in the midst of winter and it is a great time to settle back and finish some of those jewelry projects we all started last year.   But in the mean time I want to announce that my 2011 class schedule is up and posted on my website http://www.kayrashka.com/.   A few classes are yet to be added to the schedule.  I will be teaching at the Madison Art Glass and Bead show, Shake Rag Alley Art School, Peninsula Art School and the Milwaukee Bead & Button show.  I am teaching more project specific classes this year including some fun techniques:  etching, drilling river stones and setting rivets.   I hope you find my projects interesting.  Registration has just opened today for the Bead & Button show and one of my eight classes filled!  So...........just some encouragement if you were thinking of one of my 3 hour classes they seem to be going fast.   To register go to- http://search.beadandbuttonshowstore.com/beadandbuttonshow/search.asp?mode=search&ins=T648

Good luck and see you all this spring and summer!  Let me know if I can answer any questions about the classes.

Kay

Etching and Riveting jewelry class at Shake Rag Alley

Had a fun day with Joann, Joan, Tammy, Jenny, Nadine, Julie, Laurie and Cathy each working on an etched metal and coral pendant at Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point. I was a little nervous for all of them in the final moments when they were setting their tube rivets. As you can see from the photos...........I think they were too as they were all so intent on finishing.  Here they are setting the tube rivets.  Look at the fruits of their labor and creativity!

Bead and Button show 2011 preview

Folks are starting to get excited and I am about to start to panic........................about the coming of the 11th annual Bead and Button show in Milwaukee, WI................this coming June.  It certainly is extremely well organized event............quite impressive how seamless it all comes together.  I am in a panic about how much work I might have to do to get ready for my classes assuming I get registrants.  The classes should be fun.............a bit different I think than some of the usual offerings.   Here is a slight preview:
http://us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=9k1avobpj4h9c

Till then.............kay

Waste Not------------salvage art show Stoughton, WI at the Robert Rae gallery

http://www.stoughtonnews.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=2774&SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4

Peninsula Art School Fabrication/Soldering Class

Had a fun event with all the budding metalsmiths this weekend at Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek, WI ....... taught a 2 day workshop on fabrication and soldering.

Waste Not-----want not or want it??? Salvage art work

Riveted necklace with Waste porcelain knob finial as a donated art piece to the Habitat for humanity art auction here in Stoughton in October. Each piece of artwork must contain some salvaged component.

www.restoredane.org/artshow.cfm

"Bead Meets Metal"........

My method of jewelry design frequently encorporates large, luscious beads of all shapes and sizes with my passion for working with sterling silver. Nothing more fun than taking a flat piece of silver sheet and wire and turning them into a pair of knock-out earrings!

10th annual Bead & Button Show, Milwaukee, WI June 2010

Just returned from 5 days with my peeps at the 10th annual Bead & Button show.....................14,000+ people mostly gals at their best in a bead lovers paradise. If someone ever needs to feel enabled to satisfy their urge for beads and art and craft this is the venue to be at. Although downtown Milwaukee is not exactly what one thinks of in terms of paradise. Took classes with Suzanne Lennart Kazmer, Joe Silvera and Linda Larsen.............the best of the best. Had fun teaching my Metalwork earrings class.............thanks to the gals who signed up to learn how to man handle a saw frame and a 3/0 saw blade. See you next year!