The gallery where I volunteer and sell my work (AuSable Artisan Village Gallery & Art Center) has started a very successful series of "Art Uncorked!" classes.  We provide the teachers and classroom while our neighbor, Valley Mist Winery, provides wine tasting for our students.  So far it's all been painting on various surfaces such as canvas, wine glasses, pottery, etc.

Some time last year I decided that, in the future I would only teach jewelry making in my own studio.  I really like small flexible classes. In my own studio I specialize in customizing the teaching to the student, so if he/she shows an interest in working a slightly different way - off we go.  That's my idea of fun! But off-site I can't go in a new direction because I'm limited by the (HEAVY METAL!) tools and materials that I haul with me as well as time constraints and class size. 

But I've been a student in a couple of Art Uncorked! and seen how much fun they are.  The emphasis is having a good time and helping folks with all levels of experience be comfortable with dipping their toes in the world of creativity. It's all about loosening up, diving in, and trying something new. 

So  I take it back!  I wanna play that game, too.  I'll still teach the more in-depth things in my own studio but I'm looking forward to this new perspective.  I'm developing projects that use as few tools as possible, use inexpensive materials, and look like they take a bit of skill but are actually surprisingly simple.  Those are the kind of things I gravitated to when I first started learning myself.  If all goes well newbies should be able to surprise themselves and create something they're proud of while more experienced folks can pick up some new techniques.  And of course, we all have a good time.  Here's our first project.  Students will each make at least one pair of earrings and one pendant using the caged bead technique.  

A local home-schooled student, Anna Tomlinson, has been creating a series of video reports on the Arts in Grayling. She and her family are often in the gallery. Her latest video focuses on the AAV Art Uncorked! classes.  I'm adding a link to it here because it's got relevant information, but even more so because I'm so impressed with the projects being created by this bright young student. You go girl!  You can see the other videos in her series on that page as well.

If you'll be in the area on April 28th, you might want to join us for jewelry making and wine tasting.  You can find out more about the class and/or register by going here.  In fact, Art Uncorked! classes of various types are offered almost every Saturday.  You can check the AAV calendar to see what's scheduled.  New classes are posted regularly.  A significant portion of the Art Uncorked! proceeds goes directly to our all-volunteer, non-profit AAV Art Center so it's a great way to support the arts in northern Michigan.

Whenever I’m going to teach something new I first try to round up friends to be guinea pigs.  That is to say, give them the chance to take advantage of a special opportunity – get a free jewelry making class and come out with a piece they probably never thought they could make.  That sounds much better, doesn't it? I discovered long ago that there are always surprises when you start teaching a topic and everything goes more smoothly when I’m aware of common problem areas before “official” classes begin.  

 This fall I’ll be teaching a fold forming class so I’ve been gathering willing, and a few not-so-willing subjects.  (What is fold forming?  See the previous blog entry.)  One was the husband.  I’d have to put him in the not-so-willing category but he finally succumbed to my sighing and gamely created a work of art that surprised both of us.  We're not sure where it is now or it would be included here... The only two I’ve convinced since I started this web site are my sister Danni and the husband’s old Albion College chum, Larry Downs.  The only one I remembered to take pictures of in the studio was Larry – so may I proudly introduce AuSable Designs August Student of The Month:  Larry Downs of Coldwater Michigan (pictured above).

I knew Larry was a handy fellow with an artistic eye and it wasn't too hard to talk him into trying to create a pair of fold formed leaf earrings for his lovely bride (of many years) Judy.  I assured him I would happily finish whatever he didn't want to, and he’d still get the special gift for Judy along with major husband Brownie points.  What's not to like? Turns out I didn't need to finish anything.   

I've always felt an important part of teaching is figuring out how much guidance your student needs.  Some are nervous and want step by step support. Others not so much.  I quickly learned Larry was at the extreme end of “not so much.”  I might have to make a new category of “show me only what you absolutely HAVE to then get out of my way.”  No matter how quickly I tried to demonstrate, it seemed his hand was reaching for the tool before I was done.  I found it best to keep myself busy in another part of the studio rather than hover.  If I saw a problem developing I tried to move in and out with explanations ASAP so he could get back to his own pace.  He did every step of the process from cutting out the copper sheet shapes to making his own sterling ear wires and applying multiple coats of Renaissance wax sealer in the final steps.  Here they are.  Who knows, this could be spoken about, in years to come, as the week that Larry Downs first learned he liked to move metal.  

His visit ended with a wonderful dinner of fresh grilled king salmon that the husband prepared while we metal smiths toiled in the studio.  The guy is a gem. Have I mentioned what a talented cook he is?  My mother used to loudly kiss her pinched fingers and shake them at you exclaiming with an Italian accent (No, we’re Irish, not Italian.  Not sure how that started but the accent and hand gesture had a recurring guest role on Mother's life show. It was probably an East Coast thing.), “My son-in-law, the gourmet chef!” 

But I digress ... again.  Larry caught the salmon earlier in the day jigging on Betsie Bay (just off Lake Michigan at Frankfort) with the husband.  Nice fish, nice earrings, nice dinner, and nice end to a 3-day fishing trip visiting with his old college pal.  Not a bad day for Downs.