Looking for quality used precision tools? Gemstones, miscellaneous jewelry or art supplies? This swap meet is basically a big garage sale for local jewelers to buy, sell, and swap tools and supplies of the trade! There is NO CHARGE to attend and you don’t have to bring anything to swap but definitely bring some cash:) Be sure to check out the free table too! Who knows what treasures you may find?
Visiting instructor Jeanie Pratt will be teaching a woven metal class in September, we’re really looking forward to it. Great opportunity to incorporate something new into your work!
Designs in Woven Metal
Jeanie Pratt
September 20-22, 2019
Friday – Sunday, 10:00 – 5:00
$490
Necklace, woven metal (argentium silver, 24K gold, 22K gold, 18K gold), with topaz – Jeanie Pratt
Beetle on leaf wall piece, woven metal, Jeanie Pratt
Brooch, woven metal, Jeanie Pratt
Brooch, woven metal, Jeanie Pratt
Beetle teapot, woven metal, Jeanie Pratt
Beetle teapot, woven metal, Jeanie Pratt
Jeanie Pratt – Artist’s Statement
I delight in the magical surrealism of reality in nature. My designs are informed by studies of entomology, and life sciences, as well as experiences while living in the tropics and the desert. I savor researching and revisiting the realm of anomalous plants and animals. With this comes the humble reminder that we are just one species in a multitude of interdependent creatures. We are defined as human beings by our need to create personal adornment and art. I feel a connection to a continuum of artisans as I pursue the possibilities that emerge from within me.
As a fiber artist now working with metal; I find that after 30 plus years, I am still striving to turn straw into gold. The textile patterns and textures fixed into the metal evoke memories of the traditional textiles and basketry encountered while living abroad. Translating fiber techniques into silver, gold and copper continues to fascinate me. With a weaver’s eye for color, I explore the processes of applying patinas and enamels, as well as incorporating gemstones and beads into my work.
In the solitude of my studio, I lose myself in time through detailed labor-intensive and historical processes. As I meld my lifelong interests, I endeavor to create exquisite and timeless pieces of jewelry and sculpture. This counterbalances the often irresolvable challenges encountered in my daily life. With passion and joy, I continue to push my own limits as well as the limits of the techniques and materials.
We’re featured in a cool article about creating a maker space in the March/April 2019 Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine! Pick up a copy to read about Danaca Design and other spaces that cater to artists, jewelers, and makers. We’re pretty excited about it, we even made a SHORT! little video.
Danaca Design Featured in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine, March/April 2019
Danaca Design Featured in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine, March/April 2019
Danaca Design Featured in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine, March/April 2019
Back in February 2018, oh my, so long ago…Danaca Design
hosted a fabulous show in the gallery, Crowning Glory: Ruling our Destinies, Directing
our own Paths.
This exhibition of crowns and tiaras was bold, creative and downright fun! I’m
sorry if you missed it but you might be in luck – our tiara show is traveling
to Greenville, North Carolina!
Chief, Queen, Tsar, Kaiser, Monarch, Caliph. The words
conjure images of power and pageantry, impressive jewels, and imposing
headdresses, crowns, and tiaras. Throughout history ruling over others usually
meant belonging to the “right” family and class—and displaying the associated
bling that demonstrated with sparkling intensity their wealth, power, and good
taste.
Crowning
Glory will be on exhibit through January 24 at Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge in the Don
Edward Gallery.
This non-profit arts organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Pitt
County by promoting artists and arts organizations, educating through the arts,
and making the arts accessible to the entire community.
This wonderful
opportunity came to us as part of an inspiring symposium hosted annually at
East Carolina University, the ECU Material Topics Symposium. I’ve never attended
this event but have heard it’s a good one, something to add to your calendar. This year’s theme is “State of Adornment:
Subject to Change,” and it’s this weekend! Find the detailed symposium
schedule here: https://materialtopics.com/2019schedule/
There
is a reception ECU Material Topics Symposium reception for our show Friday
evening, January 18, 6pm -8pm.
“I love the diversity and seductive qualities of the enamel and enjoy sharing an understanding of the material with students. I begin with a simple sketch, using the enamel as a printmaking or drawing medium, I work rather intuitively allowing the work to evolve. There is an element of assemblage or evolution in my process and composition, and I am excited about the imperfections in the surfaces.” -Jan Smith
Pendant, Jan Smith
With her decades of experience as a printmaker and jewelry designer, Jan Smith has a remarkable amount of expertise creating various compositions in enamel with a wide range of techniques. Her illustrative approach is translated into botanical and natural forms as well as more abstract and modern designs that rely on linear detail, diverse layers of color, and fine execution.
Necklace, Jan Smith
Over three days in August, Smith will lead students through a broad range of techniques to develop exciting surfaces. With sgraffito, students can create multiple layers of contrasting color by scratching or drawing designs in a top layer of enamel allowing the color beneath to show through after the piece has been fired. Through multiple layers of opaque or translucent glazes, different effects and levels of depth in the piece can be achieved. Underglaze pencils and watercolor techniques allow for more intensive detail and line-work, as well as intriguing color-play evoking greater subtlety and depth in the designs. Over-glazing in translucent or clear finishes can achieve unifying effects and protect the piece. Ultimately this workshop will open a whole new world of detail and depth to every students enamel work.
Work by Jan Smith
In Image and Mark Making in Enamel, Jan Smith takes the time to explain how each method can work with the others to build distinctive pieces. Students create prototypes of each technique, getting a feel for each method’s possibilities, and then create a series of pieces that can be incorporated into their jewelry. Armed with new knowledge, tools, and enamels, practitioners will have an entirely new narrative with which to compose pieces and images to “make their mark”.
Sometimes the old ways are the best. The first weekend in August silversmith and jeweler Juan Reyes will take students through several casting techniques that have been used for millennia in, Low-Tech Gravity Casting. Not only are they tried and true, these methods also use a minimal amount of equipment, and can be easily reproduced in a home studio, or even in your backyard.
Cuttlebone cast ring shank
Juan will guide students through various mold making processes and approaches. Whether it’s sand casting found objects, such as twigs or buttons, exploring the unique textures of cuttlebone, or carving your own molds in tufa stone that you can reproduce time after time, this two day casting class opens novice and experienced jewelers alike to this fun and rewarding sculpting method. It is also one of the best ways to use your scrap silver!
Low tech casting bits, samples, and experiments
With his expertise and enthusiasm Juan Reyes brings warmth and creativity to every class he teaches. He recently took the time to answer a few questions about his work.
What got you started in metal smithing and jewelry making?
My family has several jewelers in it. As a child, jewelry was something that I didn’t want to make when I was living with them. When I came to Seattle, I realized that I was missing that part of my family.
What do you like best about casting pieces?
One of things I like about a casting a piece is that once you made the first piece, you can make a mold and make as many as you want.
Do you have a favorite casting method?
Sand casting is my favorite method. It’s easy for me, because you just have to have something to print into the sand, then you close the mold and pour the metal. However, at the end of my class everybody has their own favorite method.
What are the biggest challenges new learners might have in this class?
The big challenge that I notice in my class all the time for my students, is learning to be comfortable with a big torch and pouring the metal into a mold once the metal is melted.
Do you have a favorite casting material?
Silver is my favorite metal to work with. Silver is very forgiving, you can melt and reuse it many times, that’s why I like it.
