Today we complete our first Art Clay Silver Instructor course of 2020. It sounds strange when I say it out loud. What we have had a hectic time. Humanity was hit by the contagious Coronavirus COVID-19 and almost the entire world was locked! The Dutch government also instituted a lockdown, fortunately an intelligent one. For Studio “Nevada's Dream”, this meant no workshops and/or training for 3 months, nor was it responsible.
 
At the beginning of March, Karien van 't Westende from Bergen op Zoom enrolled in the training to become a Certified Art Clay Silver Instructor Level 1. And what was she looking forward to the start that we had planned together for March 30. It was not to be, we had to patiently wait for a relaxation of the control measures. And these finally came in May, a step in the right direction.

And today Karien can be proud of 7 beautiful silver jewelry, all made of Art Clay Silver. She is already skilled in the art of goldsmithing. So an advantage for both. Karien knows exactly how a piece of jewelry can be forged technically and therefore thinks in steps. She uses the correct order to achieve a beautiful design. A technical view is also useful for metalclay.
 
We spend 3 full days together in my studio. No shaking hands and appropriate distance. Easy to do in a space of 65 m2 in total. We get to know each other better between activities. Funny, she is a neighbor of my dear sister Inge Florentinus, the sister of my husband Michael. During the conversations we discover a reasonable number of similarities. How special, our lives have followed a similar path.

And now it is already over. How wonderful it felt to be able to teach again!
I really missed it. The days have flown by.
Dear Karien, thank you for coming, creative input and pleasant chats.
I hope to see you more often to work with silver clay.
That is allowed in Harderwijk and of course also possible in Bergen op Zoom.
Have fun in the world called metal clay!

I am looking forward to it and travel with Renske to Temse on Saturday morning. She is already at my house at 6.30 am, which means that she must have left the high north at 5.30 am. There is no crowds on the way, no traffic jams and we arrive at the workshoproom of “Joc. The Nartist ”inside. Shirley is already there, she spent the night in B&B “De Brug”. That saved her an extra few hours of sleep, because she didn't have to get up early for the ride. Arnolda is also there, nice. In a short time colleagues trickle within.  Once everyone has settled in, Tracey will start with a welcome and explanation of the masterclass for the next 2 days. If we work reasonably well and have enough clay with us, we can even make 2 bracelets?! Hahaha, have I ever had one design ready during a masterclass? Not me! Okay, then get started in good spirits.

Inge has arranged tasty sandwiches for lunch.
I don't really give myself much time to eat.
The work pace is just normal and yet I am already behind.
I’ve some problems with the curves with which the bracelet will be decorated.
These must be rolled out firmly in the clay using a template.
And firm is difficult for me to estimate. I’ve quite a lot of strength in my hands, which means that what is firm to me, for someone else it means super firm, ending with the result: too thin!
At the end of the day I let it go, tomorrow I will fix it further.
Renske, Shirley, Katty and Els are doing well, their bracelets already look beautiful.
I think those of the other ladies too, I will look at them tomorrow.
I’ve a direct view of the work of my nearest neighbors, for a look at the other ladies I have to get up: no time, no sense 😉

It's over again, a super fun weekend in which I learned a lot again.
The upcoming period I will finish both bracelets, I may even make the actual (first) bracelet from scratch. Thanks to everyone for the fun days.
Inge it was again top and hospitable.
Tracey, your masterclasses will always be educational, thanks for sharing these techniques.
Renske, thanks for the lift and sharing the hotel room. Have a safe flight and see you soon!

Today Renske and I have planned another day of metal clay.
We start at 10.00, nice and early, so that we can work all day with old unfinished and new designs.
 
Last week Renske celebrated her birthday and today I come for the promised personal congratulation. Our Sara has become 50 years old and you can't tell by her!
 
Along the way, completely in my bubble and singing along with the radio music, I miss the last exit on the highway. Fortunately I left on time, these 5 km extra have no influence on the agreed arrival time. Renske already has coffee ready, delicious, just get "zen" and go through the plans for today. And then working with the silver clay. We both signed up for a Facebook challenge, Renske even for 2. In addition, she also competes in the Metal Clay Europe challenge with the theme "The Roaring 20s". Girl you have a busy schedule for his month, hahaha!
 
We will have lunch together at Restaurant Meer van Lenten. It is fresh, but sunny weather and so we decide not to go by car. Some exercise can do no harm, moreover it is only a 10 minute walk. So we have at least the "idea" that we are burning a little amount of calories from the delicious pancakes.
 
After lunch we both continue working. In the meantime we talk about the past years, in which we have already experienced a lot together. Beautiful, happy and also sad moments pass by. Our friendship is warm and looks back on 14 years of metalclay. We are working steadily. Because we are both in the right flow, we close a little later than usual. I will continue at home, a shame to break this wave of inspiration early.
 
Renske, thanks for this great day!

A new year, 2020 again!
A relaxing start with metal clay in the first month of the year. Again a masterclass taught by the talented Anna Mazon, naturally hosted by Inge Verbruggen in Temse.
 
We already registered for this masterclass a year ago. It seems to have flown over, I haven’t even finished my previous "Anna paper". Now I have to admit that I also liked that technique a little less. I started too big with that pendant, it eventually became too big for my feeling. I am still considering whether I will continue to work on it, or whether it will end up in my paste jar 😉.
 
This time Renske is not present. She is celebrating her birthday and is turning 50 today! Dear, dear Renske, from Belgium, congratulations! Next week we have a claydate planned and I will come to Terherne - okay with appropriate delay - to congratulate you personally.
 
Annemarie has offered to pick me up. From Vollenhove this is a 10-minute detour for her. Together we drive to Houten, where we pick up Shirley. We carpool as a trio to Temse. Once there, Shirley and I spend the night in the now well-known B&B "De Brug", Annemarie sleeps with An in Berlaar. She offered very generous to hand over the car to Shirley and me, so that we can easily drive to and from the workshop room.
 
There are no traffic jams. We are more than on time and decide just before the exit Temse to make a pitstop at the Starbucks for coffee and/or tea. Then a short drive to the workshop room in "Joc De Nartist". Present for this masterclass are:

• Shirley de Jong from “Aware Jewels” in Nieuw-Vennep
• Annemarie Klappe from “Zilverkunst” in Vollenhove
• An Meel from Berlaar
• Patricia Alexandra Brenni from Antwerpen
• Katty Van Der Elst from “Zandstorm BVBA” in Erps-Kwerps
• Yvette Caljé from “Zilverpracht” in Goirle
• Izabela Biedrzycka from Antwerpen
• Lien Deceulaer from Antwerpen
• En natuurlijk Inge en Anna

Meet, greet, coffee, tea, introduction and explanation of the work schedule for the next 2 days. Soon the first hour flew by and we started working with Metal Clay. At lunchtime we have lunch with tasty sandwiches. For dinner, a table is booked on Saturday evening at "Eatalia", an Italian restaurant in Temse. After dinner we enjoy a nice sleep in our familiar B&B, "De Brug" in the Nijsstraat.
 
The next morning we enjoy the well-known breakfast ritual, and then get in the car on our way to “Joc. De Nartist”. And again I can't finish the design completely. Or would this have to do with my recklessness? I’ve now started on no less than 2 pendants at the same time. Anyway, I will finish this at home.
 
Around 17.00 we leave for home. Along the way we have a nice dinner together at La Place. At the carpool place in Houten we drop Shirley. She takes her Smart to Nieuw-Vennep and Annemarie and I continue to Harderwijk. The last part to Vollenhove will be a lonely ride home for her.

I look back on a nice weekend!
Thanks to everyone for the great days.
Inge, for the organization - Anna, for sharing your skills - Jan, for the well-kept room and the breakfasts - Shirley, for sharing a room - and Annemarie for driving (on a whim, to the right gear, hahaha, just kidding Annemarie 😉).
 
For some of you: Until February 2020!

In my previous blog I took you to Leeuwarden, where I taught the masterclass Roulette Ring in the beautiful studio of my Art Clay Silver colleague-instructor Hennie Broers of "Atelier Nyello". That day she already indicated that she would like to participate in the following masterclass: Perfume Bottle Pendant. Whether she could take a friend (also her student) with her? Of course! So, Reina Visser from Wergea, flower artist and visual artist was surprised with a pleasant educational day. Renske Dussel from "Renske Art" from Terherne has also registered.
 
All from Leeuwarden and surroundings, that makes carpooling easy. All three of them arrive simultaneously and we start a masterclass. Although, these ladies cannot be learned much anymore. They are all advanced in their own field and discipline. Renske has already followed this day during the annual Metal Clay Days with the Japanese Art Clay Master Etsuko Nakayama. Today is just a repeat for her. In addition to silver plate, Hennie knows how to handle silver clay very well and we help Reina where necessary. Ceramic is also clay, but often larger and less detailed.
 
The ladies brought ridiculously tasty cakes for coffee. And at lunchtime we have lunch with delicious, luxury sandwiches, accompanied by fresh orange juice. Oh boy, life is good!
 
At the end of the afternoon, they head north again. The perfume bottles are ready. And how nice they have become! Renske also finished and baked her first perfume bottle at home. Now they are both photographed and they deserve admiration. Reina and Hennie also decide to polish the bottles at home in their studio space. Just like Renske's, their designs will also look beautiful.

Dear girls, it was such a great fun ending of 2019!
I enjoyed all the conversations, the creativity and your presence and input.
Thanks for this beautiful friendship. Towards a beautiful and healthy 2020!

Today I shared the work description with 9 people in the beautiful atelier of Hennie Broers from Wirdum. She runs "Studio Nyello" in the DOAS, a huge building, formerly an old craft school. There, on the first floor, she has a beautiful, large space in which she organizes workshops, courses and masterclasses.

​Hennie has been an Art Clay Silver instructor for quite some time and I know her as a great colleague. She designs her jewelry entirely according to her own style and that is exactly what characterizes her. This is not only noticed in the Netherlands. A few of her pieces have recently been exhibited in Milan!
 
Anyway, I can tell a lot more, but Hennie was our hostess for today. Furthermore were present:

• Renske Dussel of “Renske Art” in Terherne
• Edith van Leeuwen of “ArtiChic” in Hillegom
• Margit Borst-Topper of “Zilver en Zo” in Dieverbrug
• Thea Tuinstra from Lemmer
• Marga Stam
• Pietie Oosterdijk
• Domina Liezenga
• Marietje Klunder and
• Reina Visser

Of course you know a number of names, they are well-known Art Clay Silver colleague instructors. The other ladies are regular students of Hennie.
 
We start around 9:30 am and as usual I ask everyone to read the work description and let me know if it is sufficiently clear overall. We then start by setting up a basic ring. They are all colleagues and/or students who regularly work with silver clay. A demo is therefore not really necessary. Explanation about the sequence to get a perfect working result is not enough for most people, so I opt for hands on the job.

It is quite a job, several parts must be made and these must all be exactly the right size. Demonstrations take up too much time, then we will not get the rings fired.

​We go down at noon. There is a cozy lunch table ready. Delicious freshly made curry soup, pasta salad, baguette and tasty fruit juices. Yes, Hennie takes good care of her student club.
 
Work continues after lunch. And all rings are fired around 17.00. Polishing and finishing completely takes unfortunately too much time and will therefore no longer succeed. Frankly, I did not expect this either. I had already asked if an extension was possible, but everyone is tired of working hard and is going home. Fortunately, they are all sufficiently familiar with the material and know how to treat the ring to get a good result.
 
I thank Hennie for her lovely hospitality. We see each other again in December, then we have a clay date. Tonight I will be driving to Renske. In Terherne we have a bite to eat together at "'t Far" and have a nice chat. In the past 2 years we have seen each other very little, agreements and work take up the necessary free time.

Ladies, I want to thank you for participating in this day.
Hennie, thanks for the good organization and the kind hospitality.
​All good fun with your "Roulette Ring"!

As promised in an earlier blog, today Ellen Arends of "Ela Sieraad" from Zwolle comes again for a visit to Studio "Nevada's Dream". This time for the UV-Resin. Prior to this day, I asked Ellen to make the ring at home, according to the technical work description. And she has taken enough time for that, she made no fewer than two!
 
One of these 2 rings is used today as a piece of jewelry for training. This piece of jewelry can therefore be directly decorated with UV-Resin and color pigments. She opts for different colors, but it may catch the eye, as Ellen thinks.
 
Today we also fill the other ring, but in a different way and with completely different material. I found it very nice to be able to supervise this, Ellen will probably tell you more about it in the long term 😉.
 
In the meantime, she also designs the pendant, which is fired during lunch. This is then sanded and polished, and then also decorated with color. For this she uses different shades, namely green, blue and black.

Both designs look neat.
Thank you Ellen for your pleasant presence and commitment.
​Good luck with setting up your new jewelry line!

The last 3 Mondays, 2 nice ladies have kept me company in my studio. Miranda van den Broek from Horssen and Sjaan-Marie Koenders. You haven't read these names in my blogs before. They are a new addition to the world of metal clay.
 
Sjaan-Marie has mastered the technique of silversmithing in the past and is now looking for a less intensive option to design jewelry. Of course you can always combine both techniques.
 
Miranda already has a healthy dose of entrepreneurial blood. She transformed many Cinderella into a princess, you guessed it: beautifying appearance by taking care of hair and skin.
 
Now the ladies are concentrated on providing workshops and creating beautiful jewelry. Art Clay Silver predominates in this.

Miranda and Sjaan-Marie, thank you for coming, dedication and friendliness. On behalf of all colleagues from the Art Clay Silver Instructor Network of the Benelux, I would like to welcome you.

​Thank you for strengthening our team!

Ellen Arends of “Ela Sieraad” in Zwolle has today successfully completed the certified Art Clay Silver Instructor Training Level 2. She is now waiting for her certificate. She will receive this one of these days from Craftlines B.V., our distributor. Six months ago they followed level 1, which means that they are now one step closer to the Higher Level.
 
She completed the first level in 2 long course days. 7 designs are made during that first level. Such days are intensive and require attention and a driven work attitude. Ellen can absolutely do this, but I prefer to keep the recommended number of days for a level 2. My explanation that so many additional techniques are used in these 4 designs is enough to agree that she will participate for 3 days.
 
And we have spent the days well. All designs are nicely finished. The beautiful jewelry of Ellen is visible on the photos.

Dear Ellen, thank you for your input, you can be proud of the result.
See you again next month for the UV-Resin supplement training. If you then feel confident enough to go for the Higher Level, I wish you success with this already!

The Metal Clay Days of our Benelux Art Clay Silver instructor network are scheduled to close the month of September. Unlike last year, are now not two but three days filled with metal clay.
 
The following workshops are planned for the first day - Saturday the 27th:
 
Morning
Rose Pendant by Etsuko Nakayama
Mazekomi Ring by Henriëtte van Battum, so myself 😉
 
Afternoon
Cherry Blossoms Pendant by Etsuko Nakayama
Enamelling by Annemarie Klappe
 
Sunday 28 and Monday the 29th are reserved for 4 masterclasses, each day one choice from 2:
 
Sunday - All day
Brilliant Flower by Etsuko Nakayama
Hollow Pendant by Joyce van Roosmalen
 
Monday - All day
Perfume Bottle Pendant by Etsuko Nakayama
Gemmotion Ring by Edith van Leeuwen

The most favorite masterclasses are provided by the Japanese teacher and Art Clay Master, Etsuko Nakayama. She specializes in working with spray clay. Anyone who has had the opportunity to register for her masterclasses will be assured of a unique opportunity to learn from the Japanese master. Let me state for a moment that my colleagues' level is also high, but to learn something new from them is easier to plan and combine than a trip to Japan. And Yutaro Takeuchi from Aida Chemicals from Japan is also present this year. He flew to the Netherlands with Etsuko. Just like last year, they travel on to Germany after the Metal Clay Days to carry out various techniques there too. Look forward to a great and nice long weekend. I am ready!
 
I already told you last year that Renske has moved to the north of our country, Terherne to be precise. She again offered to pick me up, so that we drive to Mijdrecht together. We also share a hotel room again, plenty of time to chat.

She arrives at 7.45 am, right on time. Quickly repack all materials and tools in the car of Renske and go. We have no delay, that's great. I myself teach a workshop in the morning and would like to have everything ready on time so that I can start without stress. We unload on time and prepare everything in the hotel room "Tuinkamer" on the ground floor of the hotel. And then there is coffee, tasty coffee! Everyone upstairs for the welcome speech by Shirley de Jong, representative for Art Clay Silver, one of the successful brands of Craftlines B.V. in Uithoorn.
 
I myself worked out a workshop for this first morning in which the participating colleagues can make a piece of jewellery with a New Mokume-Gane technique. Designing such a piece doesn’t take the most time. Firing is a thingy, it certainly takes about 7 hours. I prefer to let the pieces cool in the kiln. The design for the workshop is a ring, but I can imagine that there are colleagues who prefer to make earrings or a pendant. Can and may all, as long as the pieces don’t become so large that they must be fired 1 by 1. Then I am still busy in the first week of October, hahaha.

We go upstairs after lunch, where the workshop takes place in the hotelroom called "Meesters". I make the pendant according to the proposed design and of course I don’t get it completely finished. Who cares, by now you are used to this from me. I finish most of my pieces at home in peace. Then I achieve the best result. Ready for today, on to a drink in the bar of Hotel Marickenland in Mijdrecht. Renske has already checked in for us, that makes a difference.
 
But this drink is ultimately not held in the bar, but in the hall. Upon entering, Charlotte Specken from Rotterdam appears to have slipped on the parquet section of the bar floor. She ended up so unbelievably unhappy and broke her hip. The ambulance arrives in a short time and Charlotte is taken to the hospital. Edith van Leeuwen accompanies her and has informed Jan, the husband of Charlotte. Very sweet from Edith, nice that she makes time for this.
 
A number of ladies are heading home or have agreed to go elsewhere. The rest of the group goes to restaurant/brasserie “Jettiez”, a 5 minute walk from the hotel. There Shirley made reservation for dinner. All in all it is a pleasant evening, great food and lots of fun. Still, Charlotte's situation remains with everyone and we are all concerned about her. Surgery is needed, we wish for a quick recovery.
 
After dinner and back at the hotel, I prepare everything to be able to continue firing the New Mokume-Gane pieces the next morning. Then we go to our hotel room. Rest is welcome, as there are still 2 intensive days planned.

The alarm rings, it's time to get up. Showering, having breakfast, and checking the first firing. Has everything come out of the kiln okay? Yes, it all looks neat. Then again 2 kilns on and tomorrow the last one. It will be fine and I am happy not to miss anything from the masterclasses for which I have registered. In the room "Tuinkamer" Joyce van Roosmalen is ready to provide her students with all the ins & outs to design a hollow pendant. This can be used, for example, to store ashes from a loved one.
 
Renske and I go upstairs again, where the room "Meesters" is filled with quite a number of colleagues. Everyone is ready to learn a new technique from our Japanese guest teacher. Today we make a beautiful Brilliant Flower pendant.
 
Etsuko uses the syringe with all the ease of the world, neat lines of different thicknesses. After the demonstration we can get to work. And then it turns out to be one hell of a job! Our hands are completely cramped. With my osteoarthritis, I can no longer pick up a coffee cup after more than an hour. Maybe better too, I foresee that I would pour the coffee into my cleavage completely uncontrollably. Afterwards we hear that in Japan only smaller flowers are made during this masterclass. Overthere the time factor is taken into account. But Yutaro assures us that Shirley has specifically requested a large version. Hhmmm, I couldn't discover Shirley all day on the upper floor. She participated in the masterclass of Joyce. How particularly strange. She must have known that this would be a big job for us and made herself out of the way, not available for comment, hihi. But to be honest, they will be beautiful! In particular, the delicate edges around a zirconia are an asset in terms of technique!
 
And what is surprise? (at least by myself 😉) My pendant is ready to be fired. Yet I prefer to do this myself. For example, the next day and then start in a cold kiln. Renske also goes for this option. It is great that we are stubborn together. But hey. . . Well we are both a certificate of participation richer eh!
 
Today we have dinner with a group of ladies at "Rendez Vous" in Mijdrecht. Again it is a cozy get-together and the food tastes great. We unanimously believe that the quality is less compared to "Jettiez". After dessert we drive back to the hotel to enjoy a well-deserved night's rest.

Last day of this small Benelux conference. After breakfast I put the flowerpendants of Renske and me in the kiln. Edith van Leeuwen's masterclass Gemmotion Ring is held in the lower room of the hotel.
She, too, has prepared well, her group participants will go home happily surprised with a ring that move dazzling zirconias. Again we take a seat in the room "Meesters". Today we make a perfume bottle with a screw cap. All parts are designed entirely from silver clay. Etsuko teaches us the correct method and gives good tips.
 
At noon a delicious lunch awaits us again, we let it taste great. I also take a moment to switch off the kilns and check the latest New Mokume-Gane pieces. Everything looks good, the colleagues can be proud of their results.
 
Around 15.30 I realize that I don’t get finished the perfume bottel as desired. I would also rather fire this piece at home. This way I’ve time to refine the bottle and apply more details. Renske has the same idea, so we decide to say goodbye to drive home. Everything is packed in the car, some of which we already loaded last night. Saying goodbye always takes longer than expected. I probably don't see the majority of my colleagues this year. They are all equally dear to me and all deserve a big blow. Together we drive towards Harderwijk, after which Renske drives on to Terherne alone.

Dear all, what a fantastic experience it was, cheers for our Metal Clay Days.
Shirley and Elles, thanks for the good organization.
Renske I thank you for the lift and sharing the hotel room. It was nice to see and talk to you again face to face. Next Sunday is a clay date, then we will finish our papers, okay?
Also the instructors, Annemarie Klappe, Joyce van Roosmalen and Edith van Leeuwen: thanks to your input these days became a success!
Yutaro and Etsuko, thank you for coming and being present, the beautiful book, sharing the wonderful techniques, the always attentive, humorous comments.
And last but not least, a speedy recovery desired for our Charlotte! I heard today that you can go home again, great news!
​Everyone until next year, I'm back at the Metal Clay Days 2020. Until then!