In 2013, the certified Art Clay Silver educational level for Europe was standardized. That year several colleagues made a transition project, a combination of copper and silver. With this they were immediately Higher certified within the EU network.
 
Not every colleague instructor has taken this opportunity, fort his everyone had their own reason(s).
​Wendy van Toorenburg is one of these colleagues.
A good Art Clay Silver Instructor with a large, enthusiastic clientele.
The old-timers would call her a colleague from the "first hour" ;-)
 
I have known her for years and know that Art Clay Silver has been a period on the back burner for a period of time - unfortunately and unfortunately. Today she is in Harderwijk and she makes her copper project.
I can say that I am very happy that she is back again.
And not only me, her fellow instructors and especially her customers!
 
Dear dear Wendy, how nice that you were in my studio for a day.
Like colleagues and clients, I missed you.
Thank you for your commitment and conviviality.
We make another appointment soon, as good as ever!

Last year - April 2018 - in Den Ham, a young lad of just 19 years old lost his life after a stabbing. A birthday party got completely out of hand that evening, when a family had to say good-bye to their son and brother Michiel. His group of friends was deeply touched by this.
 
One of those friends is Dylan, the son of my brother, the cousin of our children. We do not see Dylan so often anymore, as with young people who are separately busy with school, work, in short, building their own lives. But last month my mobile suddenly lighted up and I received an instant message via messenger. Dylan asked me about the possibilities of making a silver pendant for him. This will he wear on his videoclips, music is his hobby. When I asked him about his idea about a design, he immediately remarked that Michiel was always called "7" by his friends. A memento of his best friend seemed really cool to him!

How special, a request which I gladly respond to. His message clearly showed that Dylan is missing his friend and that the loss has had a profound impact. What is it nowadays? I wonder more and more often why humanity becomes less and less tolerant. In a moment a small insignificant quarrel turns into an aggressive fight, where not only fists are used, but also weapons. And how sad can fate strike. Michiel is missed and the perpetrator(s) must live with the fact that he/they killed a fellow human being. The youth does not see cause and effect at a young age, so 1 miss can mark you for the rest of your life.

Dylan, I thought it was an honor to design this pendant for you.
I hope it symbolizes your friend.
Have fun waering, with and in your heart!
Lots of love,
 
Henriette

The Tooth Fairy is a figure from European and American folklore. According to the stories, she is a fairy who, when the children lose a tooth and put it under their pillow, exchanges the tooth for a coin at night.
 
This legend also lives within our family and our nephew Andrea and niece Teddie have now changed their milk teeth for adult teeth. And both are well remembered by the Tooth Fairy.
 
To make the Tooth Fairy real, parents come up with something to keep the legend alive. For example, their mother Brigitta has agreed with Andrea and Teddie that they can craft something beautiful and lasting for the coins they received, for example a piece of jewelry.
 
Today they come together with Brigitta to Harderwijk and I help them design a beautiful ring. The youth has clearly thought about it, they know what they want. At 10.00 we can start almost immediately. The ideas are discussed and assessed for technical feasibility.
 
And look what beautiful designs have been made!
Even found time for eating a mandarin, a sandwich and another mandarin, to finish with a sugar waffle. So bad, but oh so deserved!

Dear Andrea and Teddie, you can be proud of the memory of your milk teeth.
​I for one am very proud and I think the Tooth Fairy secretly too!