Masako's Woolsmithing Workshop at Tap

Last Saturday we hosted Masako Onodera and her Woolsmithing Workshop at the studio.

We had a wonderful day learning the different methods of needle felting. It's a fiber based technique that is appealing to jewelers because of the variety of different shapes and forms possible to create.

The small 3 dimensional shapes of felt can easily be incorporated onto metal structures such as earring or pin backs. Introducing us to a more organic way of combining materials without typical metalsmithing techniques such as solder or rivets.

 hard at work

   a plethora of Masako's work

a lovely finished piece

Todd's gold panning trip in this month's American Craft Magazine!

Here is a link to the article in American Craft featuring the trip Todd made last year.  The primary focus of the project was to bring awareness to mining and supply chain issues. 

 

Have a look at these short videos!

https://vimeo.com/31729587

https://vimeo.com/31730399

https://vimeo.com/31731627

https://vimeo.com/31731870

Masako Onodera at the William Busta Gallery

                                                        Masako Onodera  Eruption Cuff

On view now until November 12th is the exhibition Tactile Bodies featuring the work of Masako Onodera.  Her work has an oddly sensuous quality while being at the same time slightly unsettling.
She has taught metals and jewelry at Bowling Green University since 2008.  You can find more information about Masako at http://web.mac.com/masakoonodera/Masako_web/Home.html.
The William Busta Gallery is located at 2731 Prospect Ave.  Click here for more info about WBg.

New Tap by Todd Pownell

Have a look at Todd's  website to see what 

else is new.

Bridesmaids Workshop at Tap

The girls working on their necklaces.

We had a fun afternoon at the studio with Leanora and her bridesmaids.  They each created a unique charm necklace using stamping, hammering and forming techniques.  Some embellished their charms with Swarovski crystals.

Leanora contemplating her design.

Some of the completed charms.

Everyone modeling their finished necklaces

Todd's getting ready for the trip to South Dakota

     Todd and Roman on the lookout for gold on the Chagrin River

Practicing his panning technique.

Todd will shortly be on his way to the Black Hills of South Dakota prospecting for gold.   Along with Gabriel Craig (project founder),  Amy Weiks and the lucky couple,  Todd is going prospecting for the gold he will use to create the wedding bands. More info on the project  

The story might possibly be published by American Craft Magazine.

Open studio this Saturday at Tap June 25, from 12:00 to 4:00

Stop by this Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00 and see what's new at our studio.  You can either come on your own or hop on the Art Space trolley for a tour of our neighborhood.  The tour is organized every year by Bill and Harriet Gould who are true urban pioneers and promoters of our area.  Go to  http://artspacecleveland.com/ or 216/241-4355 for reservations or more information.
This is a great opportunity to discover a part of your city you might not be too familiar with.  Have a look at the current issue of Cool Cleveland to view a feature of who is included in the trolley tour.[Image]

Debra at the Shaker Arts and Music Fest tomorrow and Sunday

Make sure stop by my booth if your going to the Shaker Arts and Music Festival this weekend and see what new pieces I've been working on.   For more info click 

We are back from Seattle

Todd and I escaped for almost two weeks to attend the SNAG conference in Seattle.  We had four days to immerse ourselves in a world of contemporary jewelry and craft related lectures, demonstrations, and exhibitions.  Here is a very interesting blog from the Art Jewelry Forum that highlights some of the topics discussed and shows a few pieces from an outstanding exhibition we saw there called Geography.  http://www.artjewelryforum.org/blog/

After the conference we took a bit of time to explore the Olympic Peninsula