It'll be fun again, and yet I miss Renske Dussel, Shirley de Jong and Inge Verbruggen. I'd like to have them there. On the other hand, in Wareham I meet Reineke Muller. She comes from Moscow. Reineke has already visited my studio twice for a workshop and I am delighted that she is now also coming to England.
The flight is smooth, and familiar with the route, we take the train to Wareham from Southampton Airport. From the train station a taxi and so we arrive with an hour time difference around 11.00 in the Springfield Country Club Hotel.

We also fly together and have chosen the same flight times as last year. Edith van Leeuwen of “ArtiChic” from Hillegom also scored an event and flight ticket, all at the same time.
Thursday, March 15 Margit comes early to Harderwijk. Michael is so kind to drive us to Schiphol. Once at the airport Edith joins and we start our Metal Clay Event. These days An Meel, Annemarie Klappe and Joyce van Roosmalen are also present again. This trio will travel the journey by car. An likes to drive and does not turn her hand around for such distances.
It'll be fun again, and yet I miss Renske Dussel, Shirley de Jong and Inge Verbruggen. I'd like to have them there. On the other hand, in Wareham I meet Reineke Muller. She comes from Moscow. Reineke has already visited my studio twice for a workshop and I am delighted that she is now also coming to England.
The flight is smooth, and familiar with the route, we take the train to Wareham from Southampton Airport. From the train station a taxi and so we arrive with an hour time difference around 11.00 in the Springfield Country Club Hotel.
This first day we sit down after dinner in the bar for coffee and a drink. Then in time to bed, we have busy days ahead.
And so again 3 intensive, pleasant days filled with masterclasses, hands-on sessions, demos and talks. I have treated myself to a reservation for the following classes:
- Friday all day : Masterclass Hinged Earrings by Lis-el Crowley
- Saturday morning : On the road with An and Annemarie, exploring the neighborhood
and having coffee with a friend of An. Followed by the demo/talk Threaded Closures by Julia Rai
- Saturday afternoon : Hands-on session Spread Your Wings by Carol Douglas
- Sunday morning : Hands-on session Art Resin by Jin Matsushita
- Sunday afternoon : Connected to the Hands-on session Make Your Own Stamps from Grainne Reynolds. Not to participate, but to listen and in the meantime refine my Wing from the Saturday morning class.
Of course there was also a Charm Swap this year. For this I have made small silver bows. Symbol for a ribbon for friendship with many like-minded Metal Clay friends. I have been able to exchange my bows for 35 different beautiful, self-designed charms from fellow instructors and metal clay colleagues. Striking is the same number. . . I myself have made 45 of them, I also all handed them out and received only 35 back. Hmmm, I'm not doing something right, I think?
Furthermore, the Raffles and the Meet The Makers Round Table Sessions. Busy full days and everything is top organized. Even the promised snow has fallen, at least 10 cm.!
Sunday at the end of the day we say goodbye, quite a few participants go home already. Some have already left just after lunch, because of the snowfall and the associated traffic situations. We, read Edith, Margit, Reineke and I stay an extra night and fly back to the Netherlands on Monday. Joyce, An, Annemarie, Margit, Edith and I will follow 2 masterclasses in Mijdrecht. An and Annemarie can not both days, the work obligation unfortunately calls. Luckily they can participate in one masterclass.
I think back to these days with a warm feeling. Next year I hope to be back with you. The list is shorter than last year, the lack of the huge laughter from last year to this debit, so YCMI 2018 belongs to me at:
Friendship
Sociability
Good food and drinks
Metal Clay
Charm Swap
YCMI 2019!