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".
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.
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!