this is from a post I had on my profile a couple of days ago....
feel free to chime in your answers in the comments section!
You may be a Metalsmith if..........
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Michael David Sturlin- AZ treasure
Metalsmiths Unite
Blog Interview with Michael David Sturlin 11/17/2009
Blog Interview with Michael David Sturlin 11/17/2009
How would you describe what you do as an artist?
I'm a goldsmith and studio jewelry artist. I work with precious metals and gemstones.
what inspires your designs?
Minimalism, practicality, functionality. My design aesthetic tends towards simplicity.
My basic inspiration comes from combining skill with tool and fluency with material.
how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
Nearly 40 years, professionally for 35 years, I started making jewelry in 1970.
where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
I have a private studio in Scottsdale Arizona. My email address is michaelsturlinstudio@cox.net
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store? (list url here)
http://www.goldcrochet.com
http://www.michaeldavidsturlin.com
http://michaelsturlinstudio.ganoksin.com/blogs/
http://www.facebook.com/MichaelSturlinStudio
what other ways do you market your work?(shows, galleries, brick and mortar stores)
My jewelry is represented in galleries. I don't currently sell work online.
do you teach? if so, where-
I'm a faculty member at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco http://www.revereacademy.com
At this point in my career I am devoting the majority of my time to teaching. I work with students at all levels from beginners to accomplished professionals.
I also offer private instruction and group workshops in my studio and I teach extensively as a visiting guest artist.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
Focus on skill development. Start by working with simple tools and traditional techniques. This is the most useful foundation for building the vocabulary to produce work which will bring forth a recognizable style and develop into an artistic identity. Skill comes first, then, as fluency increases, individuality in expression follows.
where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
I will be teaching more advanced intensive workshops and longer programs at fewer venues. This will provide the opportunity to work with the participants at a deeper level.
anything else you would like to share?
Wherever a person works, it is important to think of that space as a studio. Whether it is just a kitchen table with a couple tools, a closet, a corner in a basement, or a well furnished room, the attitude and perspective of the practitioner is more important than the physicality of the environment. Thinking of the work area as a studio sets the right frame of mind and cultivates the intention to produce good work, regardless of how limited the facilities might be.
*********************************************************************************
Many thanks to Michael David Sturlin for taking the time to give us a glimpse into his work and teachings- It has been a real pleasure to get to know him through Metalsmiths Unite and our mutual Arizona connections- I look forward to many more opportunities to converse and hope to see him here in Tucson during the Gem show!
Ciao----MBZ
Monday, November 16, 2009
Julie Sanford - support admin and BAMB!
Today I will post the interview with Julie Sanford, who has been a big support to Metalsmiths Unite in our year and a half of being a bonified group. It has been a delight to get to know her and we both have enjoyed getting Helsinki black licorice...(thanks Erkki)
How would you describe what you do as an artist?
-I fabricate fine art jewelry.
what inspires your designs?
Incredible things I see in nature, unique gemstones, great art and design.
how long have you been involved in this type of making? -Professionally 20 years but I was raised by a very creative single mother and we were always doing some kind of craft. We even had a ceramic shop in the basement.
where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
-The studio is in Grand Haven, Michigan
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store? (list url here)
- http://www.juliesanforddesigns.com
what other ways do you market your work?(shows, galleries, b+m stores)
-I show in about 10 outdoor fine art shows a year and am also represented at a museum shop, jewelry store and several art galleries.
do you teach? if so, where- (I’ll link this to the website of teaching institution)
-I teach at my studio in Grand Haven and will be at Bead Fest Wire, the Bead & Button Show and Bead Fest Philadelphia in 2010.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
-Value your work, be inspired by other artists, express yourself freely and don't let fear paralyze your growth as an artist or in your career.
where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
-I did some new, complex, multi-part pieces for a gallery show this fall where I used the imagery in jasper interpret the design. It was exciting, fun and I will be doing more of that.
anything else you would like to share? (favorite techniques? any good jokes? you can even put your flickr/twitter/blog links here too)
-My favorite technique is soldering when I am all alone in the studio, the sun filtering in, music on, talking/laughing out loud at myself. To anyone outside looking in I'm a complete NUT, but for me.. Life's a Bench!
LOL, thanks Julie! Next, I will begin interviewing members of the group- stay tuned! (and Happy 'smithing!)- M
so, here she is, Julie Sanford, BAMB! (Bad Ass Metals Babe) :-)
How would you describe what you do as an artist?-I fabricate fine art jewelry.
what inspires your designs?
Incredible things I see in nature, unique gemstones, great art and design.
how long have you been involved in this type of making? -Professionally 20 years but I was raised by a very creative single mother and we were always doing some kind of craft. We even had a ceramic shop in the basement.
where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
-The studio is in Grand Haven, Michigan
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store? (list url here)
- http://www.juliesanforddesigns.com
what other ways do you market your work?(shows, galleries, b+m stores)
-I show in about 10 outdoor fine art shows a year and am also represented at a museum shop, jewelry store and several art galleries.
do you teach? if so, where- (I’ll link this to the website of teaching institution)
-I teach at my studio in Grand Haven and will be at Bead Fest Wire, the Bead & Button Show and Bead Fest Philadelphia in 2010.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
-Value your work, be inspired by other artists, express yourself freely and don't let fear paralyze your growth as an artist or in your career.
where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
-I did some new, complex, multi-part pieces for a gallery show this fall where I used the imagery in jasper interpret the design. It was exciting, fun and I will be doing more of that.
anything else you would like to share? (favorite techniques? any good jokes? you can even put your flickr/twitter/blog links here too)
-My favorite technique is soldering when I am all alone in the studio, the sun filtering in, music on, talking/laughing out loud at myself. To anyone outside looking in I'm a complete NUT, but for me.. Life's a Bench!
LOL, thanks Julie! Next, I will begin interviewing members of the group- stay tuned! (and Happy 'smithing!)- M
Friday, November 13, 2009
Erkki Kokko- Finnish Batman
So today I'd like to introduce one of the "support" people who have helped Metalsmiths Unite flourish.
Erkki Kokko (aka Eddie) joined Metalsmiths Unite when it was a little group of about 40-50 smiths-
His enthusiasm for metals and craft are apparent in his work- He works in many diverse metals, from fine jewelry to ironwork. Erkki also is my private Finnish licorice connection- I've been lucky enough to have been mailed packages of salted black licorice (Salmiakki) and now am hopelessly addicted. YUM
how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
-I got "infected" in metals in 1997, when i was four months in metal art course, learning basic jewelry techniques, bronze casting, forging, etc.
where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
-My studio is in Helsinki, capital city of Finland.
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store? (list url here)
-edscraft.com (without www) :D
what other ways do you market your work?(shows, galleries, b+m stores)
-sometimes in craftsmarket, museum shop and i also make some jewelry to bigger company as a subcontractor.
do you teach? if so, where- (I’ll link this to the website of teaching institution)
-I teach in primary school and some courses in folk high school.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
-"It's not a 9-5 job. It's an every moment you're awake job because you actually enjoy the work that you're doing!"
where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
-Hmmm... Can you give me the crystal ball? :)
anything else you would like to share? (favorite techniques? any good jokes? you can even put your flickr/twitter/blog links here too)
-Thanks for the interview! :D
Erkki Kokko (aka Eddie) joined Metalsmiths Unite when it was a little group of about 40-50 smiths-
His enthusiasm for metals and craft are apparent in his work- He works in many diverse metals, from fine jewelry to ironwork. Erkki also is my private Finnish licorice connection- I've been lucky enough to have been mailed packages of salted black licorice (Salmiakki) and now am hopelessly addicted. YUM
here is the interview- Metalsmiths, Unite!
How would you describe what you do as an artist?
-I consider myself more craftsman than artist. (Does that make any sense? :))
-I consider myself more craftsman than artist. (Does that make any sense? :))
what inspires your designs?
-Museums, exhibitions, life...
-Museums, exhibitions, life...
how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
-I got "infected" in metals in 1997, when i was four months in metal art course, learning basic jewelry techniques, bronze casting, forging, etc.
where are you located?( email if you want to share, or city/town that you live in)
-My studio is in Helsinki, capital city of Finland.
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store? (list url here)
-edscraft.com (without www) :D
what other ways do you market your work?(shows, galleries, b+m stores)
-sometimes in craftsmarket, museum shop and i also make some jewelry to bigger company as a subcontractor.
do you teach? if so, where- (I’ll link this to the website of teaching institution)
-I teach in primary school and some courses in folk high school.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share?
-"It's not a 9-5 job. It's an every moment you're awake job because you actually enjoy the work that you're doing!"
where do you envision your work going in the next year? (artistic direction)
-Hmmm... Can you give me the crystal ball? :)
anything else you would like to share? (favorite techniques? any good jokes? you can even put your flickr/twitter/blog links here too)
-Thanks for the interview! :D
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
introductions are at hand- Maureen BZ
With apologies to those who are sick of hearing me blab about myself, I thought it would be a good idea to start the Metalsmiths Unite! interviews at the beginning- with my interview-
what other ways do you market your work?
I have my work in some galleries and also a couple of boutiques . I am just starting to participate in local retail shows and events. Trying a little bit of everything now, and still trying to find the perfect combination! I'm always looking for new venues for my work-
do you teach? if so, where- I do love to teach, but am not currently holding classes- Previously I have taught in Florence Italy at Metallo Nobile (for a short while) and Fuji studio (as a TA) . I also have taught for Tucson Parks and Rec program , but had to stop because of scheduling issues. I am currently developing a couple of workshops that I hope to begin teaching in 2010.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share? Sure, for the newbies, I advise you to just roll up your sleeves and play! Find out the limitations of your material, and don’t get too stuck on producing a finished product. And if you have trouble with a piece put it down and stop working on it for at least 24 hours...sometimes a little distance is all it takes to give you the perspective you need.
where do you envision your work going in the next year? Having recently given notice at my day job, I’m excited about becoming more independent this year. I will use the extra time to finish developing my pewter urns and also revisiting my mixed metals and strap bracelet line.
anything else you would like to share? It has been truly amazing watching Metalsmiths Unite grow this past year- I’m looking forward to seeing our community develop in the future, and I hope to be able to meet with some of you this year at one of the metals events that I plan on attending ...the Tucson Gem show, Yuma Symposium, and hopefully I will be able to attend the SNAG conference this year as well. Metalsmiths Unite!
Coming up- Interviews with Erkki Kokko (Metalsmiths Unite! officer and Finnish metals madman)
Julie Sanford, (Metalsmiths Unite support admin.)
Once these "Official" interviews are completed I will be interviewing members of the Metalsmiths Unite community- I'm sure that there are many interesting stories out there, and I look forward to reading each interview!
ciao for now! Happy 'smithing- Maureen BZ
Maureen Brusa Zappellini
(Metalsmiths Unite! founder)
How would you describe what you do as an artist? I’m a metalsmith who is obsessed with metalsmithing. I’m passionate about Craft and the creative process. My work reflects my origins as a painter/sculptor by the use of color structure shape and texture in my work.
what inspires your designs? relationships between objects, architectural structures (both historic and contemporary), decay, natural textures, collections of repetitive objects (stone walls, stacks of timber, staircases), place, juxtaposition.
how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
I started Metalsmithing in 1986, during summers home from Art school (School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) - I was lucky enough to have had someone who was willing to apprentice me for 2 summers and take me from a complete novice to a competent basic silversmith.(both in Ogonquit Maine and Portsmouth NH)
where are you located?
Tucson Arizona- land of giant Gem shows!
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store?
yes, http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com , http://mbzap.etsy.com (that one is for my older pieces) and http://cosmosmoonjewelry.artfire.com (I opened an artfire account just to have a bit more exposure, plus it is a local Tucson company) I also have a "fan page" for Cosmo's moon http://www.facebook.com/cosmosmoon?ref=ts
what inspires your designs? relationships between objects, architectural structures (both historic and contemporary), decay, natural textures, collections of repetitive objects (stone walls, stacks of timber, staircases), place, juxtaposition.
how long have you been involved in this type of making? (how did you start?)
I started Metalsmithing in 1986, during summers home from Art school (School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) - I was lucky enough to have had someone who was willing to apprentice me for 2 summers and take me from a complete novice to a competent basic silversmith.(both in Ogonquit Maine and Portsmouth NH)
where are you located?
Tucson Arizona- land of giant Gem shows!
do you have a website or etsy/artfire/1000market etc store?
yes, http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com , http://mbzap.etsy.com (that one is for my older pieces) and http://cosmosmoonjewelry.artfire.com (I opened an artfire account just to have a bit more exposure, plus it is a local Tucson company) I also have a "fan page" for Cosmo's moon http://www.facebook.com/cosmosmoon?ref=ts
what other ways do you market your work?
I have my work in some galleries and also a couple of boutiques . I am just starting to participate in local retail shows and events. Trying a little bit of everything now, and still trying to find the perfect combination! I'm always looking for new venues for my work-
do you teach? if so, where- I do love to teach, but am not currently holding classes- Previously I have taught in Florence Italy at Metallo Nobile (for a short while) and Fuji studio (as a TA) . I also have taught for Tucson Parks and Rec program , but had to stop because of scheduling issues. I am currently developing a couple of workshops that I hope to begin teaching in 2010.
any sage advice for newcomers that you would like to share? Sure, for the newbies, I advise you to just roll up your sleeves and play! Find out the limitations of your material, and don’t get too stuck on producing a finished product. And if you have trouble with a piece put it down and stop working on it for at least 24 hours...sometimes a little distance is all it takes to give you the perspective you need.
where do you envision your work going in the next year? Having recently given notice at my day job, I’m excited about becoming more independent this year. I will use the extra time to finish developing my pewter urns and also revisiting my mixed metals and strap bracelet line.
anything else you would like to share? It has been truly amazing watching Metalsmiths Unite grow this past year- I’m looking forward to seeing our community develop in the future, and I hope to be able to meet with some of you this year at one of the metals events that I plan on attending ...the Tucson Gem show, Yuma Symposium, and hopefully I will be able to attend the SNAG conference this year as well. Metalsmiths Unite!
Coming up- Interviews with Erkki Kokko (Metalsmiths Unite! officer and Finnish metals madman)
Julie Sanford, (Metalsmiths Unite support admin.)
Once these "Official" interviews are completed I will be interviewing members of the Metalsmiths Unite community- I'm sure that there are many interesting stories out there, and I look forward to reading each interview!
ciao for now! Happy 'smithing- Maureen BZ
Monday, November 9, 2009
Gifts for the Metalsmith
As holidays are coming up, I have been thinking about gifts.Every year my husband struggles to figure out what he wants to get me for a gift-
he is baffled, as I really do not need anything traditionally girly..
and he knows what kind of reaction he would get if
he hung up his brain and went to Kay Jewelers
to get me a (yikes) heart solitaire locket
or some other commercial crapola..
Metalsmiths have lots of hammers, so you can guess what the
outcome would be...something would get ...forged. :-)
So I was thinking of helping all of our significant others, giving them a sort of master list to look at for Metalsmith Gifts... and I'd love to have your input! I'll gather a list of our wishes, and post them on this blog later in December- (and I'll announce it on the Metalsmiths Unite! facebook page)
Both practical things like tools / books and ideological things like world peace are welcome on this list
I'll give it a start-
- world peace/ the end of hunger
- really good hand cream
- a cool apron for the shop
- a bench mounted band saw
- a coupon for 100 solitary hours at my bench
I could go on and on...but I'll let You have your turn- to add to the wish list simply leave a comment on this blog, or if you want to do it privately you can message me on Facebook and I'll cut and paste it (anonymously) to the master list.
then..
I will publish the list in December- and will announce it on our Facebook page-
Have fun with this,( I look forward to seeing the end result.)
happy 'smithing everyone!
ciao- Maureen BZ
Friday, November 6, 2009
Phase 2...the BLOG
Hello my Metalsmithing friends!
I had an a-ha moment today as I was driving to work...I thought, "well, why don't I just start a blog for metalsmiths Unite!? " and then I immediately thought, "Why haven't I thought of this sooner?!!"
So here we go, into what I will now consider phase 2 of metalsmiths Unite- (not like any of this has been planned..) what I would like to do with this blog is have it here for
within the next weeks I will be developing a blog post schedule- and will be introducing myself (who you already know) and the other support people that have helped me during the year and a half of Metalsmiths Unite's growth.
I'm really excited about the possibilities for this blog- and hope you are too-
please excuse the mess while I'm doing construction....I'll be careful not to make too much noise
:-)
Happy 'Smithing!
ciao-Maureen
I had an a-ha moment today as I was driving to work...I thought, "well, why don't I just start a blog for metalsmiths Unite!? " and then I immediately thought, "Why haven't I thought of this sooner?!!"
So here we go, into what I will now consider phase 2 of metalsmiths Unite- (not like any of this has been planned..) what I would like to do with this blog is have it here for
- interviews of Metalsmiths Unite! members
- MU member's reviews of books/shows/events about metalsmithing
- plus links to each other's blogs.
within the next weeks I will be developing a blog post schedule- and will be introducing myself (who you already know) and the other support people that have helped me during the year and a half of Metalsmiths Unite's growth.
I'm really excited about the possibilities for this blog- and hope you are too-
please excuse the mess while I'm doing construction....I'll be careful not to make too much noise
:-)
Happy 'Smithing!
ciao-Maureen
Your husband (or wife) suspects you're having an affair with your bench.
You'd rather shop for stones than clothes.
You can't remember what your hands looked like with fingernails.
You've ever said, "Just one more {fill in the blank} and I'll be done for the day."