In October 2017, three ladies followed the Art Clay Silver level 1 training. And now they come for the continuing Level 2. Ingrid van Dijk (Wijnen) from Norway, Esther Peeren-Verkade from "D-Zign for Life" from Son en Breugel and Annemiek de Graaf of "Xitin Beads" from Harderwijk. The ranks are closed by Agnes Koekoek of "Esquell" from Kampen. She took level 1 in December 2017 and plays 4th "woman" during this game 😉.
 
Now I am not all days present in my studio and to save heating costs, the gas stove in the winter months only burns on the course days. However, in extreme cold, I’m heating 1 to 2 days before the start of the course, this makes it more comfortable. And for this weekend it has been indicated that the feeling temperature will be between 15 and 20 degrees.
 
Serious business, so I decide to start firing in the workshop from Tuesday. Fortunately, because on arrival it appears that there has been a considerable leakage, in certain places the floor is full of moisture. In combination with the icy temperature, it is really freezing. It remains to be seen whether I will get the space ready for this weekend. Moisture absorbers and stove to do their job, after Michael has fixed the floor tiles. The distortion is now in any case resolved.
 
In the run-up to this weekend Agnes reports that she has been caught by the flu, possibly she is not able to participate. We agree that she will keep me informed and whenever possible, she will enter the second day of classes. And that proves to be successful. The other ladies already have been on their way for a day in designing the different pieces of work.
 
I know what Agnes can do, she is really a diesel. She is working steadily and in the end she succeeds to manage all techniques and to process beautiful jewelry, great! Because she has booked for 3 days, I offer her to participate free of charge in the planned workshop Miniature Memory Box.

Again, the manufacturer of Art Clay Silver introduces a new certified Art Clay Silver training: Art Clay Origami Jewellery, in my opinion a little brother of the already well-known Silver Quilling. As is customary, this training is also offered to the various distributors first, this time from 9 to 13 February 2018 in Fuchu - Tokyo - Japan.
 
For the Benelux, Shirley Wouters of "Aware Jewels" from Uithoorn and Edith van Leeuwen of "ArtiChic" from Hillegom will participate and I have taken the place of Inge Verbruggen from Temse. Inge was unfortunately not in a position, her agenda was already fully booked with appointments in both metal clay, as well as scuba diving. I can imagine that she’ll definitely be in the next time.
 
We leave on February 7, to ensure a timely arrival and participation in the training. Michael brings me to the airport, this saves me a train ride. Moreover, it is fun and we speak to each other for a while, before I disappear from our family life for a week 😉. The other ladies are also nice on time. We have all checked in, so we immediately drop the luggage. Plenty of time for any purchases and a quick lunch. For the latter we choose the Asian kitchen to get into the atmosphere.
 
The flight with KLM is direct and well arranged. Good meals, plenty of drinks and a wide range of films. We will manage that way, even if we are unable to sleep. My sleep is often not a problem, so Shirley and Edith have more trouble. In the end it is all well and we walk reasonably freshly into Narita Airport. Now buy a bus ticket first. We are supposed to take the bus to Seiseki Sakuragaoka. Once there, Dice picks us up for a drive to Fuchu.
 
The bus ticket must be bought and paid with Japanese Yens. To be able to travel directly, a good connection is important, so arranging a ticket may not take too much time. And then it appears that our toilet break and the withdrawing of Japanese Yens lasted long enough to miss our connection. The next bus leaves only after 14.30. Too bad, but not insurmountable. There are also buses to Shinjuku, optionally we opt for that. First, to submit our dilemma to Dice, after all, we obscure him to adjust his pick-up schedule and it remains to be seen whether this is possible. And luckily there is something to change in the schedule, Dice comes to Shinjuku. There we can have lunch and shopping and then travel by train to Fuchu.
 
After a pleasant afternoon we arrive at hotel Matsumotoya. I share a room with Shruti Dev, she has already arrived a day earlier. That way we have more opportunity to chat, I am absolutely looking forward to it.

The next day and the following workshop days we have breakfast every morning at 08.00, after which we are picked up at 08.45 am to participate in the training. This is taught at the distribution center of Aida Chemicals, diagonally opposite the factory. These days we spend with the other participants, for me almost all already acquaintances. The group consists of the teacher Hitoshi Matsushita, various distributors and/or delegates and staff members of Aida. Katie Baum (America), Arlene Mornick (America), Shruti Dev (India), Iliana Carillo (Mexico), Hai Zhao (China), Morana Lee (Hong Kong), Astari Swatantri (Finland), Valentina Cossa (Italy) Shirley, Edith and me (Holland) and of course Daisuku Minagawa, Yutaro Takeuchi, Seigo Mukoyama, Togo Mukoyama and Mr. Aida. Where would we be without this last 5! Especially Dice and Yutaro, they have accompanied us the entire trip and where necessary helped, real friends!
 
In addition to the course, this time we’re also offered the opportunity to visit the factory. Furthermore, a visit to the fish market, the museum park and the headquarters of Aida, all in Fuchu. All this framed by delicious Japanese meals in dear company.
 
All good experiences come to an end. The training was pretty tough and yet we managed to finish all projects well. With 6 beautiful pieces and a certificate richer, we take part in the organized farewell dinner for the last evening. And what have I laughed that night! Yutaro, in your role as Jack McLoy, you have done justice to your American name. Tough look and incorrigible golden humor!

And then it's time to go back home. On February 14, early in the morning, Shirley and I leave with another 3 other colleagues to Narita Airport. After a long flight and a time difference of 8 hours, we arrive at Schiphol around 15.30. Edith stayed and has booked a short holiday. Her husband, Leo, has also traveled to Tokyo and together they discover even more Japanese surprises.
 
Dear all, thanks for another incredibly great experience.
​I look back with a smile and cherish the memories!