Pittsburgh

Whoa. Well, March was quite the month, so the blog has been let to wander unsupervised for a bit. It’s now a little behind reality, so let me take a moment to catch you up.

I started March by flying to Pittsburgh, beginning my stay at the lovely home of Lauren Lampe. I was in town to teach my first ever workshop at the Society for Contemporary Craft, as well as lecture, teach some high school seniors at their school and be a guest artist at the annual SCC fundraising auction. Arriving on Friday night, I was immediately whisked to an opening at the Pittsburgh Glass Center by my co-coordinator (and mentor) for the week, Sherrard Bostwick, via a quick pit-stop for me to see the Bridge 12 exhibition at the SCC.

My workshop began the next morning, with two Lauren’s, Kyrstyn and my studio assistant as well as a participant, the lovely Sarah Loch-Test. One of the Lauren’s was my aforementioned host for the week, so please don’t get the idea that everyone in Pittsburgh is named Lauren.

Everyone really ‘got’ the project, and in practically no time we started to see some fabulous pieces arising from the chosen objects. Below are the objects that my students started with, followed by their finished works.

Kyrstyn collects beautiful containers, such as this powder case. What will she do with it during her first metalsmithing experience?

Kyrstyn’s pendant, a cross, with sparrow and quatrefoil motif she politely asked to borrow from my own drawings. Happy to oblige this first-time metal-worker!

Kyrstyn’s complete set, with mirror back in original setting.

Lauren’s choice of weapon – a tin lid

We dubbed this collection from Lauren ‘Pearls for the housewife of the future…’ It’s a wonderful set of wearable works, but look out for the remainder of the tin

Lauren’s future pearl ensemble, complete with stitches on her zombified-container-lid! (The little guy in the hat is running away. As well one should!)

Sarah’s un-sawn tin

Sarah Loch-Test’s neckpiece from her ginger candy tin borrowed the design from the print on the container. Notice that he back section is also cut – she had this part enamelled by the end of the following week!

Lauren L’s tin – we missed getting the un-sawn shot, but this is with the full tin and pendant – her first work from this object.

Lauren L’s container lid (yes, it IS a Thomas the Tank Engine lunchbox she ‘borrowed’ from her son) with her pendant made from the centre of her shield motif cut-out