It has been quite a few years since we, together with a number of fellow instructors from the Benelux, organized a serious Metal Clay weekend. Not the annual Metal Clay Days, but a gathering of a number of ladies in a casual setting, where nothing is actually recorded but just the location. The last time Inge Verbruggen has rented a cozy holiday home at "Sunparks De Haan" in Belgium. That was great. We worked with faux-bone that weekend. I also remember the colleagues, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the fact that the price per person included final cleaning, hahaha. Time for a similar topweekend!
 
During Joy Funnell's masterclass Joyful Links & Chain last June 2018, Tine Demol of "Actino" suggested to take the organization on her behalf. And she immediately joined the action to the word, inviting us to rent “De Wolkerie” in Slijpe at an attractive rate. A beautiful old rectory from the year 1816 with a wealth of space, both inside and out. The girls' club consists of a number of well-known fellow instructors. Renske unfortunately had to cancel. Her employer has planned another USA trip for that week and that weekend.Who is present then?
 

• Tine Demol from “Actino”
• Inge Verbruggen from “Inge Verbruggen Metal Clay Artist”
• Edith from Leeuwen van “ArtiChic”
• Shirley de Jong from “Aware Jewels”
• Arnolda de Nooij from “Silverclay Art”
• Katty Van Der Elst from “Atelier Zandstorm”
• Claudia Smets from “Gardym Creatief”
• Daniëlla de Bont from “Creatief op Locatie”
• And of course myzelf

Initially I would drive with Renske to Belgium. After her cancellation, I contacted Shirley and Edith with the question if there was still a place available in the van of Leo, the husband of Edith. This turned out to be the case and guess what: I was allowed to ride, super sweet!
 
Friday I have an appointment at the physio early in the morning. After massaging work stress, I step into the Daewoo in the direction of Nieuw-Vennep. Shirley has moved, now I also see her new home. And I'm just in time for a cup of coffee, freshly made by Justin.
 
Edith drives into the street around 11.30 am. We pack everything in the spacious car and haed for Belgium. At Bergen op Zoom we get a light appetite, a bite to eat sounds like a good idea. Shirley searches with her cellphone for the nearest opportunity: "La Place", always nice isn't it? So we leave the highway, towards the chosen hotspot. And then comes the moment that the mobile indicates that we have reached our destination. . . what? Here??? The only thing they have on the menu is stones, sand, cement and a handful of construction workers. Hahaha, this "La Place" is still under construction. And yet the mobile shows photos of the interior, decoration, opening times, and the entire ratio plan. What a downer! We drive on and in the meantime demolish our extra supplies; dried mango, vegetable chips and energy bars.

Around 14.30 we arrive at "De Wolkerie" in Slijpe. The weather is good, it's nice and sunny. Everything is unloaded and as soon as the majority of the ladies are there (only Claudia comes later), we get a tour of the house. What a space! Cozy and comfy. We all choose a place to sleep. I can share a room with Shirley. Fine, in addition to spending the night with Renske, this now also feels more and more familiar. Down, time for tea or coffee and a delicious delicious avocado pie.
 
We all have a share in the meals and snacks for this weekend. Tine took care of the breakfast and scored mainly with her homemade, delicious freshly roasted granola. Katty has made a vegetarian stew, Inge a vegetarian pasta salad and Shirley a pasta salad with chicken.
Arnolda made a dessert for the Friday evening. Edith took care of the wine, red and white of the brand, how else could it be: "Alpaca" 😉. The other ladies brought fresh fruit, snacks and soft drinks. For these days I made a festive healthy vegan pie with avocado, nuts and dates and baked a vanilla cake. Altogether more than enough. For the Saturday evening, Tine has made reservations for a table in Middelkerke, at a restaurant directly by the sea. Say super organized!
 
And so we celebrated a wonderful weekend. Keywords are: relaxation, socializing, creative, humor, Metal Clay, food, drink and togetherness. Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. everything is as good as tidy and everyone leaves for home. Arnolda already left yesterday after dinner, she had other obligations. Daniëlla also drove home earlier. But luckily they were able to be there most of this weekend. We are going too, but not before we have planned a new weekend together. It will be 26 - 28 June 2020, or 3 - 5 July 2020. Shirley offers to organize it for the upcoming time, for which thanks.

Dear all, what a nice weekend it was. What did I enjoy and what did I need this.
For a moment no work, but being together with fun, creative colleagues.
​Thank you all for your lovely and friendly presence. I am already looking forward to next year!

Today an Art Clay Silver Origami Jewellery training is planned. Last year Edith van Leeuwen from "ArtiChic" in Hillegom and I taught this certified course for the first time in October. For those days, Katty Van Der Elst of "Creatief Atelier Zandstorm" from Erps-Kwerps (Belgium) had also registered. Unfortunately, she broke her wrist, for which reason she had to cancel. Now she comes to Harderwijk, together with Martine Ceulers of "Atelier Martine" from Weerde, also Belgium.
 
We start later than usual. Katty has a sad funeral service of a dear friend in the morning. It goes without saying that she would like to attend this, so we have jointly agreed to modify the schedule.
 
At 14.30 they are both honking and driving into the street. I can hear the horn, but I honestly didn't think it was Katty and Martine. Our quiet, reserved neighbor ladies suddenly turn out to be fairly "wanton"! 😉
 
We start immediately and it soon becomes apparent that they are set to work at a decent pace. Lunch seems to be out of the question today, we continue to work until 19.30. Then they leave with a number of tasty sandwiches and fresh orange juice towards the hotel, where they will stay for the coming nights.
 
The next two training days we start at 09.00. On Sunday we continue working until 19.00, but this is not necessary for the last course day. We finish the training at 15.00 and I can hand Katty and Martine the well-earned certificate. What did you work hard say and what great results!

I proudly say goodbye. We did it nicely again, didn't we?!
Partly because of your passionate commitment and endurance, for which thanks!
Katty, I'll see you again next weekend, for a few nice days in Slijpe.
Martine, I would like to tell you that you have done a great job. Take this with you okay?
​And know yourself definitely a valued colleague!

Do you still know her? Reineke Muller from Russia? She is Dutch and lives abroad because of her husband's work. Of course she is regularly with her family and takes those opportunities to meet up with Metal Clay colleagues.
 
And today she is coming to Harderwijk again. Perhaps the last time, or one of the last times. In the Netherlands, Reineke also moves from Amersfoort to Den Haag. A train ride to Harderwijk will then require more traveling time. Moreover, she is closer to Edith van Leeuwen of “ArtiChic” in Hillegom. The contact does not have to disappear completely. Optionally I also come to Hillegom on occasion, nice!
 
This morning I brought her from the train station and we are now chatting in my studio. In the meantime we are both working on a number of designs. I did not arrange lunch today, we each brought our own package. It is not getting late, because Reineke has planned her move for the next day.
 
At the end of the afternoon I bring her back to the train station. There is no time for a more extensive farewell, she just manages to catch the train. While she jumps out of my car, the train is already entering the station.

Dear Reineke, how nice it was to have seen and talked to you again.
Fortunately there is enough media available to keep in touch.
​Have fun in your new apartment and hope to see you on the YCMI 2020, or else at Edith 😉

New Mokume-Gane is still a great technique, where silver- and copperclay are mixed, processed, sanded, fired and polished. The jewelry that can be made with this have a fascinating look. And every year there are a number of Art Clay Silver Instructor colleagues who want to become proficient in this certified training. This time Agnes Koekoek from "Esquell" in Kampen.
 
She comes 4 days in my studio and neatly works out all the designs. 6 techniques, 6 pieces of jewelry and also a nice number, made from the leftovers. The small designs are often not the top pieces and therefore lend themselves perfectly to testing her kiln. Temperature is crucial during the firing process.
 
Agnes booked 4 days and divided them into 2 x 2 days in a row. We started on 17 and 18 February 2019 to finally complete the training on 3 and 4 March 2019.
 
This gives her a break of 2 weeks in between, so time to test. And she did that. At the beginning of March she enters my studio again with the announcement that her test strips are already done. Well sintered and pliable, her kiln is well calibrated. Okay, that's done, as are already 4 of the 6 pieces. Another 2 full days to design the other 2 pieces.
 
Ofcourse we have time left. Reason why Agnes decides to make her exam assignment between sanding and polishing: the feather technique. After practicing, making 2 small earrings, she sets her sights on a small, rectangular hanger. And in it she processes a damn net and subtle pattern. Neat Agnes, well done. I am proud of the results. All techniques have been discussed and now you master them well.

I wave her off, but not for long.
April 15 we see each other again.
Then we start with bronze.
​Have nice days and until then!