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!

Today I meet 2 sisters, Anneke from Utrecht and Desiree from Harderwijk. At the beginning of this year they signed up for an Art Clay Silver workshop. Now the time has finally come to create nice silver jewelry.

They are on time and are looking forward to it. We start with a cup of coffee and a "party maker", followed by a brief explanation about the unique silver clay. Both ladies know well what they want and adjust the wishes to the possibilities. They opted for rings. Desiree goes for a sleek model with the initial letters of the names of her grandchildren and a zirconia; blue as a symbol for the boys and pink for her granddaughter. Anneke wants a more playful design and goes wild with syringe and zirconias. It turns out to be a pretty handy job to put the stones neatly in sufficient syringe. Eventually there appears to be some clay left, Desiree turns it into a small drop-shaped pendant. 

​Driven they finish the jewelry, until the moment that a slight appetite indicates that it is time for lunch. Well deserved, tasty well-made sandwiches and fresh orange juice.

The designs can be fired by 15.00. Everything comes neatly from the kiln, the fit is good, time to polish. And how beautiful they have become, well done!

Anneke and Desiree, thank you for your presence.
I had a great day again, partly because of your efforts.
​Have fun with your rings and maybe until next time!

Ellen Arends lives in Zwolle, the face behind Ela Sieraad. In the past, she offered a wide variety of workshops. In recent years, this has increasingly focused on making jewelry. In this way she teaches students a.a. how to design cuioi bracelets. I think you know them, cabochons that you can slide on a leather bracelet. You personalize these cabochons by using different techniques. And metal clay can certainly be used for this.
 
Ellen has discovered metal clay through the internet and sees opportunities to expand her range of workshops. In 2 long days she follows the program to become a certified Art Clay Silver Instructor Level 1.
 
There is a small week between the two days, enough time to settle all the details. Ellen works hard and conjures up beautiful 7 jewelry from the silver clay. No extensive complex designs, after all, it’s all about technique. And who doesn't know the statement: "less is more"?!

At lunchtime we have lunch with tasty sandwiches and fresh orange juice. The second and last day we enjoy lunch outside in the sunshine, it is wonderfully warm spring weather. Everything runs smoothly and without breaks, the results are stunning. And there appears to be enough time to make a few decorations for the cuioi cabochons, nice!

Dear Ellen, I'm glad I could accompany you during your introduction to metal clay.
​I hope to see you again in time for level 2!

Today 2 new fellow instructors complete the first level within the Art Clay Silver Benelux network.
Vincenza and Miranda Cau, 2 sisters who intend to conquer the world together called metal clay.
Like many, they owe their beautiful first and last name to their parents.
Father Cau was of Italian origin and lives on as a memory after his premature death.
 
Upon arrival last Saturday, they both seem to have never been working with silver clay.
Beauty error in communication from my side so. I did not ask this question when registering for the course and I just assumed that they were already familiar with metal clay.
 
Vincenza has a great love for embroidery and has run a shop for embroidery items for a number of years. Miranda has a passion for baking and decorating beautiful cakes. And then especially decorating, modeling wonderfully with gumpaste and creating beautiful edible flowers from it. Anyway, all in all no knowledge of metal clay, so we start the training with a somewhat more extensive explanation of the material.
 
This is followed by 3 days full of questions, explanations, designs and socializing.
Whether they have a feeling for silver clay? Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself.
I think they have done their utmost and have translated all techniques well.

Dear Vincenza and Miranda, thank you for your presence and driven input.
Welcome to the Benelux instructor network and good luck with the rollout of your new business.
​We may see each other again for an additional level or supplement!

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!