Weekly Class Update

Looking for something to do on a cold damp Tuesday night? Resin is such fun to play with - you'll have a blast!

Resin with Rosemary - Tuesday, October 16th from 6pm to 9pm

Students will work with ICE RESIN® to create their own personal pieces of jewellery using either clipart or photographs or other inlcusions (like gemstones, crystals, pieces of metal etc).

In the class, students will learn and design a collage to set in a bezel, and cover with ICE RESIN® to create a glass-like dome. We will look at different objects that can be converted into bezels and have fun.

NOTE: Your creations will have to stay at BEADFX overnight to set.

Skill Level: Beginner

Prerequisite: N/A

Technique Focus: Learning to use Resin

Wednesday, October 17th from 10am to 6pm
Professional Development Seminar for the Studio Artist.  Pricing, Promotions, and Presentation with Michael David Sturlin

This is a professional development presentation focusing on three of the most important concerns for the emerging artist and seasoned veteran alike; 

• developing an accurate reliable pricing formula
• designing a successful publicity campaign
• refining the way you speak about and present your work

The day begins with an in depth examination of pricing strategies including: product cost analysis, calculating material markups and profit margins, determining overhead expenses and, cost of sales. 
This is a comprehensive and all-inclusive approach to creating a formula tailored to fit the specific situation of your own studio.
Presented by an internationally renowned jewelry artist with publication in 6 books and more than 85 magazine articles, the seminar’s second session is designed to illustrate how you can successfully achieve recognition and promote your product.
Michael details a cohesive approach to developing the effective promotional and public relations aspects of your business by; cultivating a professional image, creating promotional materials, assembling a media kit and press packet, writing a press release, preparing magazine submissions, obtaining publicity, and getting your work featured in print.
The third component is directed towards acquiring skill and grace, confidence and effectiveness in displaying and presenting your work. Whether you sell to merchandise buyers at wholesale tradeshows, exhibit at local and regional arts and crafts fairs, interact with your clients at gallery appearances, or meet your customers at home parties, speaking about your work requires finesse and fluency.
Increase your ability to communicate effectively and sell your work successfully as you learn how to overcome the obstacles of self-limiting behavior and negative thought patterns. You will develop
your ability to make public appearances much more comfortable, more enjoyable, and more lucrative.   
Students should bring the following items: 

• calculator
• notebook, writing materials
• business cards, brochures, postcards, or other promotional materials
• images of your jewelry or artwork
• images of your booth or jewelry display

Thursday, October 18th 10am to 6pm
Creative Development for the Studio Artisan - Developing an Artistic Identity with Michael David Sturlin

Under the guidance of an award winning goldsmith and jewelry designer, students will learn to harness and direct their creative energy in a purposeful and expressive way. 
One of the challenges facing the emerging artist is developing a sense of an individual style and a recognizable artistic identity. This two–fold emergence is essential for the creation of truly original work.

Developing an individual style is a gradual process. It happens over time and emerges through sustained periods of dedicated activity. It is the evolution of personal expression. This developmental evolution can be effectively accelerated by applying a systematic approach to the process of design.

Using a systematic approach provides a strategy to take design ideas all the way through from beginning concepts to completed work. Understanding this system and applying this process repeatedly in a reliable and purposeful fashion leads to the increasing development of an individual style.

Artistic identity starts with recognition that the process of making original work is also an evolution. This evolution begins with developing self-awareness. Cultivating an authentic and recognizable artistic identity evolves from a process of introspection directed outwards as a creative expression.

Developing individual style and artistic identity assists us in creating a cohesive body of work with recognizable features and identifiable characteristics. We accomplish this with a twofold approach; group exploration as an outer view, and individual exploration as an inner view. Skill Level:Emerging and Seasoned Artists 
Students need to bring the following materials: 

• images of past and current work including:
  photographs of finished items
  drawings and sketches of intended designs and works in progress
• a few samples of completed jewelry (not more than 7 items)
• art materials and drawing supplies:
  white copy paper, sketch pad, pencils, colored pencils
  markers, pens, tracing paper, ruler, compass

Hot Connections 3 - Bangles with Iris Melamed - Saturday, October 20th 10am to 4pm

In this class you will learn how to successfully create 3 sterling silver bangles from different types of sterling silver wire.

We will start by twisting round wire. Next we will measure and form the twisted wire, half-round wire and round wire into "D shapes", making sure that the joins fit perfectly. We will solder our shapes closed and then form the bangles on a bracelet mandrel. Finally we will texture, finish and polish the bracelets.

Technique Focus: Soldering different types of heavy gauge sterling silver wire (round, half-round, twisted).
Skill Level: Beginner Plus
Pre-requisites: You have done the Hot Connections 1 class or experience soldering with a micro torch.