Agnes Koekoek closes the 2017 academic year of Atelier "Nevada's Dream" with her participation in the certified private training to Art Clay Silver Instructor Level 1.
 
She comes from Friesland Oosterwolde, acts under the name "Esquell" and is blessed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Fine, to again welcome an enthusiastic colleague.
 
Agnes is already familiar with silver clay. She has already worked with it a number of times, something that is certainly an advantage for this 3-day course.
 
All projects run smoothly, the necessary techniques prove to be feasible and the result is more than just fine. And everything within the available time. In fact, she has even been able to make a beautiful ash bead from the remaining materials.

Dear Agnes, I want to thank you for your presence and input.
I am proud of what you have designed and absolutely glad you strengthen our instructor network.
​Work on your ideas, there are likely many other colleagues benefit.
 
Good luck and see you in 2018!

It is scheduled for today. The annual Art Clay Silver workshop at Kreativiteitcentrum “De Brink” in Nijkerk.
 
We start at 12.00 with 7 students, including three ladies who are already participating for the 5th season. In addition, another four "newcomers". I have met them all at the Open Day last August. And Silver Clay seems to catch on with young and old, so today there is also a grandmother with her youthful granddaughter. Everyone makes nice jewelry. Pendants, rings, beads and even a closure for an Egyptian necklace.

We will close by 17.00. I clean up and head back to Harderwijk.
 
Thanks to all the ladies and the young lady for the dedication and enthusiasm.
Ine, I like to see you in my studio again in the course of 2018. Then together we again make such a nice ring design and I make sure it has a better fit.
 
Happy holidays everyone!

Today we conclude an intensive 3-day New Mokume-Gane training.
Nice Metal Clay colleagues have participated and each separately performed 6 designs with this unique Japanese wood grain technique. I look back on a fantastic weekend full of fun, Metal Clay and. . . . . snow!
 
Present were:
- our Dutch colleague Mieke Kuiper from "De Zilverloods" from Radio Kootwijk
- Evelyn Buckwar from Berlin
- and the Norwegian Anne-Mette Grønland from London
 
The last two ladies have already arrived Friday in Harderwijk. Evelyn traveled by train, Anne-Mette took the plane.
 
We start the first day at 9.30 and the ladies are all on time. Also Mieke, despite a slight delay due to the snowfall. She would have liked to have arrived a little earlier, but the roads in the wooded area where she lives have not been wiped clean. She already has had a slippery ride.
 
We get to know while enjoying a cup of coffee. I met Evelyn and Anne-Mette in 2017 at the You Can Make It in Wareham England. Mieke does not know the ladies yet and the same applies the other way around.
 
Together we take the schedule, for the next 3 days. This certified training usually takes 4 days. Yet it is possible to go through this curriculum in three days. Of course three more intensive and longer days. Since a neat finish requires the necessary time, tight planning is necessary. We're going for it!
 
At the end of the first day, 2 designs are ready per person for firing. For this I set the kiln tonight. Furthermore, 3 other techniques have been designed with silver and copper clay, ready to finish and refine tomorrow. We close and I drive Evelyn and Anne-Mette to the city center of Harderwijk, within walking distance of the hotel where they stay overnight. Mieke drives home and we already agree that she calculates a sleepover for the next day. The weather forecasts aren’t good, it seems to be "monkey weather".

Day two we start with a thorough check of the fired rings. The three marbling rings are all undergoing a repair. The rings with oildrop technique look neat.
 
The rest of the day the ladies work on the other designs. The notorious feather technique requires optimum attention and is repeated no less than 2-3 times. Let's hope that it works. After all, at home the ladies have to make an exam with exactly this feather technique.
 
Just like yesterday, we have lunch with tasty sandwiches at noon. In the meantime, it snows and snows. We decide that it is indeed irresponsible for Mieke to drive home. She stays overnight in the bedroom of our daughter Nevada.
 
And again they’ve worked hard, this time there are no less than 3 designs ready for a baking session. Me so happy 😉!
 
For tonight I invited my students to dinner. The choice fell on Indian. For this I booked at "Mamta" in Harderwijk. Delicious what a treat. Afterwards, Evelyn and Anne-Mette return to the hotel, Mieke and I move to my home address. Sleep well and in the meantime firing the jewelry. Tomorrow is the last course day.
 
This third and final day is dedicated to finishing, sanding and polishing. And of course the firing of feather technique. Unlike the previous days there is not much time today for a relaxed small talk. At the end of this course, 6 pieces of work have to be photographed per person and preferably also neatly finished. And this works! Take a look at some wonderful results.

Dear girls, what have you worked hard say! I am very proud of you.
​Thanks for the very nice days, it was enjoying!
 
Good luck with your exam, this too will you succeed. Evelyn and Anne-Mette, we see each other no doubt in March 2018 on the YCMI in Wareham. Mieke, I probably will see and/or speak to you before.
 
Big hugs to you all!