Reineke Muller is a Dutch lady, who is currently staying in Russia, due to the work of her husband.
 
She is familiar with metal clay and has created a variety of designs. Nevertheless she regularly visits her native country, using this short breaks for attending workshops, to acquire new techniques.
The last week of November they are back in the Netherlands and she asked me to teach her the New Mokume-Gane technique.

The Japanese curriculum for this technique has a certified character and only the marbling technique may be released in a workshop. When she is in the Netherlands, Reineke frequently visits metal clay colleagues. For instance Otteline Tuitel of "Non Soesa" in Sint MichielsGestel and Yolanda Nieuwboer of "Golden Art Design" in Almere-Stad already welcomed her.
 
For me again two nice days during which Reineke designed a gorgeous ring with the New Mokume-Gane Marbling technique. The attached photo shows the beautiful result.
 
Reineke, thank you for your enthusiastic input, have a save trip to Moscow and know that you are always welcome!

On a regular basis a challenge is launched in the facebook group Metal Clay Europe, to which fans of Metal Clay can participate. Every time I note that I am so extremely busy that designing and developing a beautiful design doesn’t seem feasible. For the eleventh challenge I see possibilities, the theme certainly appeals to me, and I actually instantly have an idea for a design. Getting started and submitting the photos on time, of course with a silent hope to win a prize. However, at the closure date, it appears that so many wonderful beautiful designs are submitted, that my hope fades slightly.
 
And then it is November 15 and suddenly I receive a message: I have won the 2nd prize! What a great news! Thanks to the jury and all the other participants, I proudly place the banner upon which is my design is illustrated.
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“Agony”
 
For me Halloween is all about vampires and bats, particular Dracula and his brides. This pendant is meant to be a dowry of Dracula for Agony, one of his three brides, called Death, Despair and Agony.
 
The pendant is build from 4 bat wings which each are slightly domed. The centre of the pendant has a heart shaped CZ. The top of the pendant has some colouring by application of Gold foil. Patina with liver of sulfur gives the pendant a touch of authenticity.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of this design!

The KreaDoe just passed and there is scheduled an Art Clay Silver Workshop. Mieke Nagtegaal from Ermelo comes to take a look at my studio, she booked this day to create a ring.
 
Soon after the first acquaintance it appears that we share some common features. That makes the day even more fun.

Mieke properly prepared herself, knows what she wants and in combination with my "know how" of silver clay, she opts for the design shown in the photo. Free form, texture and smooth, Mieke creates a beautiful ring. It is obvious that she enjoys the special capabilities of the unique silver clay and explains to me afterwards that she certainly wants to create more with metal clay.
 
Great, from that enthusiasm I myself also get extra energy!
A day later, she emails me her idea for a name, under which she would like to start her jewelry line. Nice choice I say, because I know who Wizard is. 

Mieke, we will definitely see eachother again. You have it in you to translate your creativity into beautiful jewelery. For additional techniques, I gladly welcome you into my studio for a customized workshop. Lots of success and see you soon!

This weekend is entirely characterized by Japan and Art Clay Silver. We welcome the Japanese guest instructor Kae Isono in the Netherlands, accompanied by Daisuku Minagawa Aida Chemicals.
 
Ms. Kae Isono is graduate of the Metal working course of Crafts Department in Osaka University of Arts.
At present she is teaching specialty skill up courses at Art Clay Headquarters in Tokyo and Osaka.

She established her own Jewelry brand [MUI-MUI] to create and sell original work. Beside teaching Art Clay, she collaborates with an apparel brand for original products, and her work is sold at select shops in major department stores.
 
The first course day my colleague Frank Hupse of "Teeth and Steel" in Nunspeet picks me up early. Together we drive to De Bilt, where we meet Renske Dussel of "Renske Art". Great that Frank wants to drive and comfortable that we can travel together. We have a lot to chat and discuss.
 
We are well on time so we can help out to put everything ready for the masterclass today: "Air Setting Ring". Let’s say that appears quite a job. The principle is slightly different from the normal way we set up and finish a ring. Especially for natural stones which can not be heated, this technique is great.
 
I can only show you the promotion model of Kae herself. Perfectionist as I am, I like to get some more time to neatly finish the design and take photographs. And now I even have decided that I want set up the ring at home again, to optimize it in tranquility. Ultimately it’s about the technique and we succeeded, besides that I etched it in my memory.
 
At noon we enjoy a good, soup and richly filled sandwiches. We end the day with a nice dinner at "Rendez Vous" in Mijdrecht. Delicious dishes, drinks, all while enjoying a laugh, recalling memories and sharing ideas for the future.
 
The next day we leave a little later from home, after all, the needed tools and materials are already overthere. Today we are going to design a pendant, "Intaglio Pendant".
 
In this masterclass we learn all sorts of new techniques, sometimes so simple yet so useful. The special techniques used in this design are o.a. creating detailed 3D ornaments with only Art Clay Syringe. The use of a beading tool creating a decorative bead design and making a deep engraved framework for a great appeal of the work.
 
And then it's over. Too bad, because I always enjoy those days immensely. We leave in time, Frank is playing chauffeur again, thanks for that! Fortunately we already have a next scheduled. January 2016, Belgium is on the program.
 
Looking forward to it already!

Again we represented Art Clay Silver at the annual Dutch hobby fair KreaDoe Utrecht from Wednesday, October 28th till Sunday, November 1st, 2015.
 
This year, in a slightly different setting, we have said goodbye to the workshop square by positioning the workshops in the stand.
 
In addition, we opted for a smaller team. The organization was as usual under the inspiring leadership of Renske Dussel. Edith van Leeuwen took care of the purchase and delivery of the materials and I myself dealth the workshops.
 
This construction meant that the two colleagues each worked one day extra, they set up the stand. It's my honor to help break down the stand, something which fits me like a glove ;-)
 
It was busy and hard working. Enthusiastic interested could register for a short introductory workshop in which a small charm or pendant was made. And the results were stunning!
Other visitors were answered by our topper Renske, to their questions about silver clay and applicable techniques, Edith helped me with the workshops and together we thoroughly enjoyed this top days.
 
And meanwhile we decided that we are going for another round in the next year. Girls, thanks for cooperation and to everyone else: See you at the KreaDoe in 2016!