Agnes Koekoek from "Esquell" in Kampen, has now passed for her Art Clay Silver Supplements training UV-Resin and she has received her certificate. On to the next wall decoration.
 
Today I meet her for the second and final course day of the Porcelain Supplement. Yesterday she has already prepared a large part of the projects, so last night I could fire some. The ring is thus ready to be brushed and polished.
 
The two pendants can be further finished. For these designs, we used the first firing session to prevent deformation of the jewelry. ​In this way Agnes ultimately gets a better result.
 
We have enough time, 2 full days. Coffee, chatting, lunching and being creative. And because we are ready early, I can also explain to her what is expected of her for the Higher Level. I understand that she wants to get started with this after the certified Art Clay Silver New Mokume-Gane training. I’m very curious what you will design for this Higher exam Agnes!

Upcoming month we will work with my favorite technique and combine silver and copper, with which you will design fascinating fine jewelry.
​See you in a few weeks!

Hi Agnes, there you are again! This time for the Art Clay Silver Supplements training UV-Resin. Play with color and so embellish the silver designs.
 
Agnes has decided to expand her skills as an Art Clay Silver Instructor, choosing New Mokume-Gane, Porcelain and UV-Resin. Porcelain is planned for 27 and 28 January. She tries to plan New Mokume-Gane together with Ingrid Wijnen. Level 2 they also followed together, so they have already worked together. And say it yourself, it is often fun to follow such courses with several colleagues.
 
But today she comes for the UV Resin. Agnes has already made the ring at home, technically according to the work description, with a personal twist. This jewel can therefore be decorated directly with UV-resin and color pigments. She opts for a beautiful green color. Because of the shape of the opening it looks like the ring is wearing a beautiful gemstone.
 
Meanwhile, she is designing a pendant, which is fired during lunch. Only sanding and polishing and then color can also be applied to this creation. For this she mixes a nice, warm color, orange yellow tending towards ocher.

Both designs look beautiful. Agnes thanks for your enthusiastic commitment, it was as always welcoming. I'll see you in 2 weeks for the Porcelain module. Have a nice day and until then!

Nice start of a new year full of Metal Clay.
Anna is coming to Belgium this month for several master classes, most of which I have already followed. So I opted for a new challenge and signed up for the Fantasy Eye.
 
This fun weekend starts for me already on Friday. So I took a day off from my job at the bailiff's office. Renske and Shirley are going too. Furthermore, I also meet Mieke, Arnolda and a number of other well-known colleagues from Belgium and England.
 
Shirley left last night and has already spent a night in Temse. Renske and I drive together from Harderwijk. As I write this, I realize that some readers probably notice that this is a different order of carpooling than before. Right! Renske moved last year and exchanged De Bilt for the high north of the Netherlands. On her route to Belgium she passes Harderwijk. By then, she has already been driving for more than 1 hour. Together we drive to Temse and I take the honors as a driver. Our little Daewoo is currently slightly spicier than the steel steed of Renske. Her car therefore celebrates a long weekend in our city.
 
We leave at 7 am and are waved off by Michael and Nevada. Both also got up early and not only to say goodbye, but also to congratulate Renske. Today she is 49 years old, Hiep, Hiep, Hurray!

No traffic jams on the way and we arrive at the workshop space on time. Present for this master class are:
 

• Shirley de Jong from "Aware Jewels" in Nieuw-Vennep
• Renske Dussel from "Renske Art" in Terkaple
• Mieke Kuiper from "De Zilverloods" in Radio Kootwijk
• Arnolda de Nooij - van Dalen from "Silverclay Art" in Leiden
• Karin De Pauw from "De Zilverdoos" in Reet
• Katty Van Der Elst from "Zandstorm BVBA" in Erps-Kwerps
• Gudrun Haedens from "Atelier Gudi" in Avelgem
• Yvette Caljé from "Zilverpracht" in Goirle
• Jessie Pauwaert from Lochristi
• Izabela Biedrzycka from Antwerp
• Jennifer Anthony from England
• And of course Inge and Anna

 
Meet, greet, coffee, tea, introduce and explain the work schedule for the next 3 days. Soon, the first hour flew by and we started with Metal Clay. Every afternoon we have lunch with delicious sandwiches. For dinner we reserve a table on Friday evening at "Casa del Torero", a Spanish tapas restaurant. A few years ago we ate there once and that has left a positive impression. Shirley, Renske and Arnolda are coming along. Well, that impression the Spaniard knows for me to turn to a negative experience for me. Also the other ladies aren’t very enthusiastic, so we decided to eat dessert elsewhere. Arnolda isn’t going along and goes to her accommodation for the night. The remaining trio treat themselves to a delicious ice cream dessert at brasserie-restaurant “De Hoogpoort”. Another glass of hot tea and then on to our trusted B&B, "De Brug" in the Nijsstraat.

On Saturday night we reserve as usual at restaurant "De Zaatman". On Saturday night we reserve as usual at restaurant "De Zaatman". We are 10 people and enjoy good food and pleasant conversations. A last night in "De Brug", to join the next morning to the last breakfast, provided by Jan.
 
On to "Joc. The Nartist "with the aim to finish the pendant. Hahahaha, despite all good intentions, I'm not going to make it this time. As known and familiar, I make it a home study again.
 
We leave home early and are already in Harderwijk at 5.30 pm. Renske takes her bags over in her car and drives on to Terkaple.

What a weekend, great, delicious, cozy, TOP!
Thank you all for the pleasant days.
Inge, for the organization - Anna, for sharing your skills - Jan, for the well-kept room and the breakfasts - Shirley, for following my snail pace during the master class - and last but certainly not least: Renske, for sharing the car, room, breakfast, masterclass and the conversations.
 
For some of you: Until March 2019!