Art Clay Silver college instructor Mieke Kuiper of "De Zilverloods" in Radio Kootwijk recently created an event in the private Facebook group for all Members of the Benelux network. Five participants have registered for this:
 
Yusti Kilian from "Yusti's Design" in Houten
Hetty Dijkhof from"De Zilveren Hand" in Wilp
Annemarie Klappe from "Zilverkunst" in Vollenhove
Mandy Gleisberg from Rhenen and myself.
We obviously count Mieke, and thus reach a cozy sextet.
 
Everyone takes for this day something tasty to eat, and Mieke offers, in addition to coffee, tea and soft drinks, its studio space for this occasion. And today is the date, September 30, 2017. Welcome from 10:00 on the Gerritsflesweg 11 in the pitoreske Radio Kootwijk.
 
I intend in time to drive away, but a little discussion with daughter love makes me leave half an hour arrive. Fortunately, some ladies also just arrived.
Before enjoying a delicious hot cup of coffee and tea, we admire the beautiful studio of Mieke. Cozy, homely, warm and spacious, located in a beautiful peaceful wooded surroundings. In short, a picture!

Today I have an appointment with Dineke Oosting from Groningen.
She has signed up for an Art Clay Silver workshop.
​At 10:00 we start this day and despite the busy traffic at this considerable distance, she is fine on time.
 
During the discussion about the completion of the workshop and wishes of Dineke, she proposes to process porcelain in a ring. This is fine, provided we take into account a slightly longer cooling time.
After heating, Silver Clay can be cooled from the kiln directly into cold water, the so-called "crash cool". In combination with porcelain, this method is not recommended.
 
All stages are performed without breaks. Dineke certainly has affinity with the materials. The result is exactly as she had imagined it.
 
For lunch we took a little less time haha. We found time consuming one delicious sandwich and a fresh orange juice. Dineke takes home the 2nd sandwich, after all, she has a long drive ahead.
 
I enjoyed again today. Met a lovely, enthusiastic and creative lady, with whom I can share all kinds of fun ideas. Dineke, thank you for your input and success with all your creative activities!

After the Silver Day in Schoonhoven, I was approached by the organization of the Kunstvesting Heusden. An art route is held annually, for which artists from outside are invited. Art Clay Silver appears to be a good product to introduce this town's attention. Now, Brabant, for me as a representative of Metal Clay, is less interesting than De Veluwe in the field of work. However, I said yes, after I had decided to set up an exhibition with a colleague instructor. For this I have approached Joyce van Roosmalen from "Joy for Art" in Uden. This weekend we used both to introduce the small Heusden to this unique silverclay.
 
Particularly is that this weekend my husband Michael has come with me. He has arranged for Friday evening we can stay in a wonderfully luxurious room in the Hotel NH Waalwijk. So we enjoy a good night's sleep and have the next morning with a little 15 minutes at the former City Hall in Heusden. Joyce is also right on time and together we decorate the magnificent Guild Room with stunning silver jewelry. Outside it storms heavily. This makes the rise a little less than hoped this first day. Sunday forecasts are better, we expect more visitors.

At the end of this first day, the organization offers the opportunity to participate in a communal meal in the form of a Thai buffet. A summer movie is also planned for which each participant could sign up. Michael and I have decided to eat a bite together. He reserved a table at the Afghan Restaurant "Attan" in Waalwijk. Back at the hotel we freshen up briefly and then go on foot towards our dinner. Today, at 20.00, the start of "De 80 van the Langstraat" will be held. The center of Waalwijk is completely set for this event. Well, a small miscalculation, but good for fat burning. Back and forth this walk is just over 8 kilometers.
 
And what have we eaten deliciously say! A quiet little restaurant run by a Colombian young man and his Afghan girlfriend. We took us on a culinary journey and got a palette of tasty dishes. Extremely friendly and helpful service, everything taken care of. And that, looking for a festive crowd during the start of the previously mentioned walking event, the famous 80!
 
After such an exciting day it is wonderful to sleep in our spacious hotel bed. The next morning we eat our 2nd breakfast of the trip. It is a full occupation, so to see many Efteling visitors. After breakfast and check-out, we drive again towards Heusden for our 2nd and last day of the Biënnale.
 
The weather is better and thus the rise. We have brought Art Clay Silver to the attention of many. I am always amazed, still many people have never heard of silverclay. A great weekend to look back. The interest, the "wauww" effect by seeing our creations, the contacts.

Dear Joyce, thank you for your input, I hope there are many assignments and workshops for you.
 
Michael, this was a boost for several joint Metal Clay adventures?