Agnes Koekoek from “Esquell” from Kampen has asked to work with bronze clay and to be able to follow the Hinged masterclass. She has devised to design a bronze bracelet. Different parts will be connected together until the correct length is reached. She then uses small hinges.
 
April 15th, I received her in my studio for the bronze workshop. That day she designed a number of links and attached the hinges to them. Bronze clay clearly works differently than silver clay. It is smoother and lobbier, making it less easy to retain its shape. For example, the hinges in particular require the necessary attention and these parts must be sanded beautifully to make neat round tubes.
 
Agnes can do this well, works in a controlled and calm manner. She only takes some time for lunch. Enjoying tasty sandwiches, wraps and fresh orange juice, she recharges herself for the afternoon program. At the end of the day the 5 links are ready to be fired. She has also made a set of earrings.

Agnes starts forging wire that she has brought with her. Unfortunately, both of us are not sure about the type of metal and we can’t get everything done properly. Silver wire is of course also possible, but not preferred. We stop this job after a few attempts and first have lunch. Then Agnes decides to finish the bracelet at home and continue this afternoon with her pieces for the Higher Level. I explain to her the guidelines. This way we work through the day and she has already made a small start on her next certificate.

Dear Agnes, it was fun again. Nice to work together like this.
Thank you for coming, good luck with the Higher Level and see you soon.
​Perhaps earlier or else certainly at thge scheduled Metal Clay Days coming in September 2019!

Children and death are an almost impossible combination.
A young life, fully engaged in developing and growing, does not follow the same path as death.
Still . . .
 
It happened to the children of my dear valued colleague Tsjeardke.
She has 2 children together with Ramo, a son Kaan and Fadim, a daughter.
And last February these kids were unexpectedly quickly confronted with the death of their father.
Tjeardke, or Missy T., as I sometimes call her, had already said goodbye to Ramo, they were unable to follow their path of life in the same way. Of course the children also had to get used to this situation, as a child you prefer to see your parents together.
But with the sudden death, the loss of a father suddenly became abrupt.
 
I went condolences, not out of politeness, but because every fiber in my body felt I "had to".
There I met a nice gathering of family, friends and colleagues.
Tsjeardke was clearly happy that we were there and, as I know her, she did not hesitate to submit the request to me to make a beautiful commemorative ornament for the youth.
She liked to see Ramo's hair incorporated in this.
3 pendants, for Kaan and Fadim and also 1 for Sait, the eldest son of Ramo. 

​Just like Ingrid Wijnen and Reineke Muller, Cheryl Daunt is also an expat. These ladies travel with their life partners to the countries where the work requires their expertise. As a woman, this requires a considerable dose of adaptability. Distant places, foreign languages, new faces, just stand by!
 
There are, for example, many women from expatriates who mainly deal with the household. In addition, they maintain contact with other "fellow sufferers". All that in itself can of course be a day's work. But there are always exceptions. Women who develop themselves and that in addition to all the aforementioned tasks. And of course Cheryl, Ingrid and Reineke belong to that category.
 
Today Cheryl is again completing a certified Art Clay Silver course. The Origami Jewelery, Japanese folding techniques with Art Clay Paper Type.
 
She travels by public transport and I pick her up in the mornings at the train station. At the end of the afternoon, Cheryl is picked up by her dear husband. The last day he is busy for work and Michael - my husband - brings her back to the station.

For 3 days in a row she worked diligently on the various required projects. The jewelry consists of silver clay supplemented and decorated with silver Origami forms of silver paper. Beautiful designs Cheryl, nicely done. And another certificate richer.

Thank you for your warm atmosphere, it is always nice to have you in my studio.
Until next time!