Flash Tattoos by Flash Tats

Flash Tattoo by Flash Tat

Metallic temporary tattoos are very flattering and I am currently enamored by this fashion trend!  The Southwest inspired patterns repeated can look like shimmering bracelets, rings, necklaces and adorn the body in golden and silver highlights. 

Visit www.Flashtat.com to order a batch to try and see how easy it is to transform skin into meaningful and beautiful art.

Check out the FAQ on how to apply, ideas for combining designs and how to remove.  This couldn't be any easier!

I hope you enjoy this creative expressive art as much as I do!

Tutorial Copper Ball Love Knot Friendship Ring

Copper Ball Love Knot Ring by York Avenue Studio

New Tutorial for wire wrapping a Copper Ball Love Knot Ring! 

This tutorial includes a list of materials, tools and instructions for you to create your own ring. The skills required are basic wrapping skills as well as some general metalworking skills. I have included close-up photos throughout the process.
Instant Download - Visit my Etsy shop here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/83350862/tutorial-pdf-wire-wrapping-copper-ball

Each side of the ring is adorned with a lovely knot. This is my original design with signature copper ball accents. This ring has a stylish Steampunk look and makes a wonderful Friendship ring or Promise ring.

Wire Wrapped Copper Ring by York Avenue Studio

Event is Over - Stethoscope Giveaway - York Avenue Studio

Stethoscope Giveaway by York Avenue Studio

Welcome to my Giveaway Contest!  The random drawing will be held Nov 17, 2013 and one winner will receive the stethoscope in the photo as well as the airway openers.  Brand new!  Bright cheery colors!  Enter now thru Nov 16th, details below.

I am hosting this Giveaway in order to introduce my charms for stethoscopes, hoping to reach those who use stethoscopes and would be interested in a charm that is personalized and custom made. 



Stethoscope Charm by York Avenue Studio

Stethoscope wide band ring that can be personalized with names and dates. I designed this solid metal cuff to fit around the tubing of your stethoscope and stay in place. The charm shown in the photos has a name and the date, the date is in roman numerals for a classy look. This particular charm has a paw print and DVM for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a caduceus medical symbol.

Stethoscope Charm by York Avenue Studio for Nurse or Vet

This is the perfect gift for anyone who uses a stethoscope! The name charm will identify their property as well as add a personal touch to their equipment. It stays put and isn't distracting or get caught up on clothing or in hair.  I make them in your choice of Golden Bronze or Sterling Silver. 

Gift for Nurse Vet - Stethoscope Charm by York Avenue Studio


Some ideas: Name or initials centered front with tiny paw prints all around. Maybe a dog or cat or both. Maybe the University letters of the school where the degree is from. Butterflies, flowers, stars, hearts, etc.

Veterinary Stethoscope Charm by York Avenue Studio

Please feel free to share this listing with anyone else that you know that might be interested.  There might be others that would like to find out about these charms and also enter the Giveaway. 

Designer made original art jewelry.

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To enter the Giveaway:
Unlimited entries per person, 18 years and older with a US shipping address.  I will mail the package to a US address only.  Be sure to leave an email so I can contact you if you win.  If you prefer to send your contact info and entry to me and remain confidential, send me a note to enter at support@yorkavenuestudio.com

One entry for every Facebook page like - Like my page and then comment below to be counted as entry.  Here's my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/York-Avenue-Studio-Handcrafted-Gemstone-Jewelry/138653009529987

One entry for Share on Facebook - spread the word for the Giveaway and leave a comment below to be counted as an entry.  The comment below can simply state "shared", but I would love to see the link, too, and visit your page!

One entry for every comment below with you ideas for what you might put on a charm - I really look forward to reading the ideas!

One entry for visiting my Etsy shop, YorkAvenueStudio,  looking around, and then commenting below about anything that caught your eye - I have a section in my shop called Personalized that I hope you enjoy browsing.

On Nov 17th, I'll count up the comments below, draw a random number, and contact the winner!

Good Luck!  Thank you for allowing me to introduce my Stethoscope Charms!
Kathy

Voting Poll is Open until Sep 25th



Silver Wings by York Avenue Studio

 Voting is now open for the September Metal Clay Heads Challenge.  My entry is above, Garnet Gemstone Silver Wing Earrings.  The theme for the Challenge is "Winged Flight" and all the entries are amazing and so different, each handmade by the members of the Metal Clay Heads Team on Etsy.

Metal clay offers each artist an unlimited potential to express any design in precious metal silver, copper, bronze, etc.  Adding gemstones is a technique that requires skill and planning and brings even more possibilites to the design table.

I hope you visit the Metal Clay Heads Blog and see all the entries and be sure to vote for your favorite!

Click here to go to the Challenge Polls!
http://metalclayheads.blogspot.com

10 Days and 10 Grams - Playing in Leaves with Silver Metal Clay

Summer Leaf Collection by York Avenue Studio

When the price of Silver shot up, it seemed like my chances to work with Silver Art Clay were shot, too.  I’d just begun building techniques and skills working with precious metal clay and enjoyed making jewelry with fine silver to the point that it was my focus for future designs.  The price hike certainly busted my big plans, but I have been fortunate enough to still have the chance to work with fine silver, just on a much smaller scale.

First thin layer on leaves

With only 10 grams of fresh clay, I decided to try a technique of painting leaves and for 10 days I have had the pleasure to work with metal clay, enjoy the process of creating fine silver pieces, stretch my design skills to include a pendant with a hinge and just truly enjoy the entire time.  I have some amazing new pieces of jewelry and I am writing this post to reveal the photos of the projects and the stories behind the scenes.

10 grams of silver metal clay is not much, about the same amount as one stick of gum.  I used half the package as slip by adding water and thinning the clay until I could paint with it.  I scouted around my yard for tiny leaves that had nice shape and texture, picturing what they would look like as silver.  I selected a Violet leaf, three tiny Maple leaves and an Elm leaf.  They were small and I figured each leaf would require about 1 gram of silver, give or take.

Thicker layers with some curling as they dried

The technique for using real leaves with metal clay is basic, just paint thin layers and let them dry.  Fire them and finish, voila!  But, along the way, chatting with other metal clay artists, I discovered so many different methods and variations to the process, each idea or tip added even more possible outcomes and results!  It is amazing how each artist interprets the layering and resolves little issues along the way.  My Etsy team, Metal Clay Heads, had so many helpful suggestions and photos of their own leaf projects!  It was like having them by my side along the way, super great members with tons of experience to share.

I started with thin layers, then progressed to thicker paste-like layers.  As the layers became thicker, the leaves began to curl as they dried.  For my projects, this was a good thing.  But I was given a few tips that would help for keeping the leaves flat, if that is what I was hoping for.  There are also many ways to keep the leaves from sliding around or blowing away, and more tips on how to manage the silver that leaked under to the front of the leaf.  Great ideas that I have tucked away for future use!

The first leaf that was thick enough to fire was the little Violet leaf.  I layered my logo cutout on the back, dry clay to dry clay, using slip.  Once dried, I torch fired it and was thrilled to see the result!
I already had a design in mind for this leaf and make a bail with fresh clay, added a genuine Peridot gemstone and carved some leaf, stick and berry accents.  I fired the second time, did some finishing, used some Liver of Sulphur patina gel and was thrilled with the final piece!

Fine Silver Leaf with Peridot by York Avenue Studio

Fine Silver Leaf with Peridot - Back - York Avenue Studio

The next leaves ready were the tiny Maple leaves.  I had a design in mind for the upcoming Metal Clay Heads Team Challenge, which is to use the technique of a working hinge and the theme is Magical or Mysterious.  I put a lot of thought into this tiny pendant and with big expectations that I would have success, I carefully worked on the details and was thrilled that the planning worked out well!

Here is the big reveal with descriptions:

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Along the way, the Elm leaf project went south, and I plopped the leaf back into the slip jar to reuse the clay.  But, I picked some fresh Bella Donna leaves and made them into gorgeous little earrings!

Fine Silver Bella Donna Leaf Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I would highly recommend trying some leaves with metal clay for anyone who is just starting out or for anyone who is stuck without any inspiration for a time.  Making leaves is so rewarding and without fussing over the detail or shape, just letting nature be the “mold”, the result will be beautiful detailed pieces of jewelry for charms, earrings, pendants, etc.  The added bonus is that just a little clay goes a long way!

May Metal Clay Challenge - Voting Now Open!

Origami Snoozing Kitty by York Avenue Studio

Every other month the team Metal Clay Heads holds a Challenge to design unique jewelry using Precious Metal Clay.  This month's Challenge theme is Spring Awakenings and the technique required is 3D.

Follow this link and see all the entries!  Each designer created amazing pieces for this Challenge!  Enjoy the photos and VOTE for your favorite!

Origami Snoozing Kitty by York Avenue Studio

I've entered this Challenge and my entry is the Origami Snoozing Kitty.  I've posted a tutorial on how I designed and created this cute little cat, click here to see the tutorial and photos.


Kathy

And the Winner Is.........

Thank you all so much for participating in this Giveaway!  It was such a pleasure be the host and introduce the handcrafted works of Adornyourself!  The interview with Kathy shows how much work and thought and experience goes into her designs and she is truly a classic, self-taught successful artist!  Here is the link to the interview and the original post as well as all of the great comments!

Using Random.org I generated the lucky winner.........The winner will be receiving the Pure Silver Nautilus Beach Stone Pendant AND the wheelthrown pottery coffee mug shown above!

The winner of the Giveaway is Jennifer of Envy Designs Jewelry!  Thank you for participating!  Jennifer is an amazing jewelry designer that also uses metal clay for her exquisite pure silver designs.  Please stop by her Etsy shop and enjoy her work!  Congratulations!
I hope you all enjoyed this contest and I will plan another Giveaway soon!
Your support is much appreciated and thanks so much for joining me!
Kathy

Origami Cat Tutorial - Snoozing Kitty by York Avenue Studio

This is an exciting post because I was very fortunate to try my hand at Origami using Paper PMC.  Paper PMC (Precious Metal Clay)  is the paper form of silver metal clay and has unique properties much different than the lump clay version of PMC.  After firing, the creation is 99.9% pure silver!  Here is my adventure:

Paper PMC - Origami Cat shown in practice paper

Cool Tools was having a Free Shipping sale, so I took advantage and ordered some Paper PMC.  I took this as an opportunity to try the paper version, because I only have so much room in my jewelry budget to explore.  Free Shipping, plus the notice that the prices were going up up up soon, prompted me to take a “Now or Never” leap of faith.

Sara Jayne Cole's Book on Origami Jewelry

Back in February, I won a Giveaway on Craftgossip.com for a book on Origami jewelry by Sara Jayne Cole.  Click here to see that post with links.  Since receiving the book, I have been wishing I could try the Origami.  Sara’s book is so wonderfully illustrated, great close ups, step by step projects, tips on finishing, patinas, etc. 
While I was waiting for my new Paper PMC order to arrive, I started practicing Origami with printer paper.  I Google searched for patterns and decided on the Origami Cat by Master Artist and Author, Tomoko Fuse. I was able to repeat the cat over and over on smaller and smaller pieces of paper, eventually getting used to the 6cm x 6cm size.  That is pretty small and that is the size of the sheet of PMC.  It’s about the length of your finger from tip just past the second knuckle.

Once the order arrived, I did a few more practice runs and almost gave up when my wonderful man told me flatly, “You’re gonna waste silver on a dog?”  Well, yes, I stuck to my original plan to make the cat because I could “feel” that the project would be just what I wanted!  A dog??? Seriously?!!

Tutorial for Origami Cat in Silver with Paper PMC

Silver Snoozing Tiny Kitty - Origami Cat by York Avenue Studio

Since the sheet of PMC doesn’t dry out once the package is opened, I took the opportunity to stop and take photos along the way.  I LOVE working with this type of metal clay!  There are so many differences compared to lump metal clay, all of them very exciting!

This tutorial may not be so user friendly if you are new to Origami, so here is the video for more details.

Step 1:  Open the package!
The sheet feels cold and weighty, just like rolled out lump metal clay.  It isn’t sticky, so I didn’t rub olive oil on my hands and tools.  It doesn’t stick to itself, so each fold is easily re-lifted as needed.  The sheet feels floppy, like thin polymer clay, but doesn’t stretch out of shape or smish.  The clay feels smooth and soft and it doesn’t dry out, so no rushing thru a project.  It also has no need for dry time, so once your done with the forming, it’s ready to fire!  This paper PMC is so much fun!

Step 2:  Start with a frog base.

The sheet is folded from one corner to the opposite corner, creased, then opened back up.  This gives you a nice line down the center in diagonal.  Bring one corner to that middle crease, line up the edge and crease.  Repeat on the opposite side.  This will give you a nice point.

Unfold back to flat and turn the paper 180 degrees and repeat using the same two corners, this time the point is on the other end, looks the same.  Unfold.
So far, you have a crease line down the middle, with crease lines on the left and right that make an “X”.

Step 3 - Flaps
Bring one corner up toward the middle crease, folding along the “x” crease till you reach the center, then carefully crease up vertically making the flap to a point.

Repeat on the other side.

Press both flaps down flat to point at the top, crease, then back up to where they were.  Press both flaps down flat to the point at the bottom, crease, keep them there.  Flip the piece over, with the flaps now on the under side of the piece, and turn the piece so the flaps are pointing away from you.  The top “V” layer will be folded next.

Step 4 - Making the Head

Lift the top “V” layer  until it is pointing at the ceiling.  Notice the bottom of that piece is the widest part.  Measure about ¼ inch up from the bottom and place your fingers to grip that spot with both hands on each side.  Keeping your grip, bring that “V” piece towards you until your fingers touch the rest of the piece, then fold away from you at that ¼ inch place, lining up the point with the middle line.  You want to keep the middle crease lined up top to bottom.  This last step will give you a little overlap at the top points of the “V”, with the flaps from step 3 underneath.

Step 5 - Making the Ears

Flip the piece over so the point you just folded is still pointing away from you, but is now the underside.  The short flaps are also pointing away from you.  Take the right flap tip and fold it to your left, lining it’s edge with the fold that goes left to right.  Take the left flap tip and fold it to your right, lining up the edge along the left-right fold.

Step 6 - Making the Body

Look at your piece.  The flap pointing towards you at the bottom is going to be the body/tail.  The flap at the top is going to be the face.  The little flaps folded together will be the ears.  Body, Face, Ears.

Take the tip of the point of the face and bring that flap over the top of the ears to lie flat, with the tip now pointing towards you.  Keep that flap in place, pick up the entire project and fold the entire piece in half along the center (lengthwise), using a Mountain Fold, which means the center comes up from the table and the sides fold down.  As you fold the body in half, stop holding the face flap in place as it will adjust as you fold the body and stand up a bit.  The ears will also adjust as you fold and stand up, too, underneath the face flap.

In the photo, I’ve folded the project in half, then set it down with the body to the left and the face looking right.

Step 7 - Finishes

Holding the entire project, grasp the face flap and gently pull it away from the ears, continue to bend the face until the point is facing down towards the table.  It will open up along the way and flatten out a bit.  The ears will also open up a bit as you do this.  The nose is super long.  Turn the face so it is looking at you.  Fold the nose under to shorten.  Fold again under to shorten more.  Press the face to keep it in place. 

To finish the body, select a point along the back and flatten out the remainder of the body to the tip of the tail.  From the point you’ve selected, reverse the fold to tuck the tail in between the body sides.  The tail will be folded in half and come out the bottom.  The piece of tail sticking out the bottom, fold it up on the front side of the body, then fold another little tip to point to the back.  This makes a little curled tail. 
I pressed the face and ears to face front and curled up the front paws.

I also used a tool to make a hole just behind the ear so I could attach the kitty to a necklace.

Step 8 - Firing the Cat

I set the cat face down on a firebrick and used a butane torch, holding the piece at an orange glow for 5 minutes.

Step 9 - Polish and Patina

I used a wire brush to scratch/burnish the white matte finish off.  Then I sanded with 600 grit, 1200 grit and 2000 grit.

I used Liver of Sulfur gel in warm water with 2 tablespoons of ammonia.  I dipped the piece for a few seconds, then swirled in cold water.  I repeated until I got the colors I liked, then soaked the piece in water with baking soda.

Hand polished with a cloth.

Origami Cat - Silver Snoozing Tiny Kitty by York Avenue Studio

I am super pleased with the patina color which is blue-purple and silky.

The little hole I made behind the ear to attach to a necklace was covered after firing.  The good thing about paper pmc is that it doesn’t fire together but rather each flap is still separate and can be nudged gently apart to tweak the points.  I could easily bend the ear out a bit to uncover the hole I made.

The silver is similar to 26 gauge sheet and flexible if using pliers.  Be careful when using any power tools, like a drill or you will destroy your project before you know it!

Here is a photo showing my practice paper kitty next to my silver kitty!

I would love to hear your comments about my Origami Kitty and also love to see any photos of projects you’ve done with Paper PMC!
Kathy

Closed! Jewelry and Pottery Giveaway - Fine Pure Silver Beach Pendant Plus Handmade Coffee Mug

In this post, I will introduce to you Canadian Jewelry Designer and Pottery Professional, Kathy McDonald of Willow Tree Designs, Brandon, Manitoba.  She has graciously offered a Giveaway Contest, which I am hosting on my blog!

I'll include the details on how to enter the Giveaway Contest in this post which includes two amazing handmade items selected specifically by Kathy for this Giveaway and for the lucky readers of my blog! 

The winner of this Giveaway will receive the handmade items pictured below!  Exclusive designs by Kathy McDonald.

Giveaway Prize - Handmade Fine Silver Nautilus and Beach Stone Pendant AND Handmade Pottery Mug!

Closer Look:

Pendant: Drilled Manitoba beachstone pendant with handforged Fine Silver Nautilus design, oxidized for antique finish with polished highlights, gorgeous!  The cord necklace is included and is finished with a sterling silver small lobster clasp.  The Fine Silver design is handmade by Kathy using Silver Art Clay and is 99.9% pure silver!

Coffee Mug : Wheelthrown stoneware coffee mug with hand painted overglaze decoration, 10 oz size.  Collectors of pottery, this is such a unique design, directly from the artist herself!

One lucky winner will receive Kathy's gorgeous pendant and coffee mug!  Everyone is invited to browse her shop on Etsy.  If you're lucky, there will still be items available, as she sells out quickly, especially her jewelry designs.  Visit her Etsy Shop, Adornyourself and mark your favorites with a "heart".

 Father's Day is fast approaching and handmade pottery is the perfect gift.  Any birthdays that you know of for May or June, plan ahead now and order them a handmade item from Kathy's shop!



Sculptural Pottery Bottle by Adornyourself



I met Kathy when she joined the Etsy Metal Clay Heads team.  We both have shops on Etsy, the website for handmade goods, vintage goods and supplies.  We both share a passion for using metal clay for jewelry designs.  We both are named "Kathy" with a "K"!  What I find extraordinary about Kathy is her mastery of both pottery clay and metal clay and her skill at creating jewelry and pottery that anyone would be fortunate enough to have in their collections!

Pottery Basket Coil Built Sculpture by Adornyourself

Kathy’s pottery background inspires me with her knowledge of kilns, firing temps and schedules (and repairs), her impeccable talent for creating forms and her techniques for enameling, which she used to teach.  I enjoy the monthly chit chat about the daily projects, the good times, the bad times and sharing the ideas, tools, tips and trials of our craft.

Kathy creating a wheelthrown bowl just this week!


I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathy about her jewelry making and pottery adventures: 

YorkAvenueStudio:  Kathy, you started working with pottery clay almost 40 years ago and still have the enthusiasm and enjoyment which shows in your creations.

Adornyourself:  I am retired now after a long career as a social worker and educator and can devote a lot more time to my business of creating and learning.  I know that combining family, outside work and a clay addiction are very difficult to balance.

Even after all this time I am still amazed at the transformation of the raw materials into the finished pieces.  That connection of human hand, earth, and fire that has been entrancing people for centuries.
I love glazes that are warm and earthy and draw most of my inspiration from natural objects and the prairie landscape around me.  I work with both stoneware and porcelain clays, as well as metal clay and really like to experiment with glazes that are natural and earthy.  I make all my own glazes from raw natural materials.

Fine Silver and Birthstone Bridesmaid Charms by Adornyourself

YorkAvenueStudio:  When did you start using metal clay? (Precious metal clay, PMC or Silver Art Clay, is made up of recycled silver grains mixed with binder ingredients which forms the consistency of clay. The wet clay can be molded and shaped, then after drying, fired in a kiln or torched with the end result as 99.9 pure silver in the exact shape of the design!)

Adornyourself:  I bought my first packets of metal clay when you had to purchase them from overseas and the instructions and booklets were all written in Japanese.  It was so exciting to have an opportunity to turn “clay” into fired metal.  I have a good friend who is a silversmith who agreed to mentor me back then and we both have been able to collaborate and learn the materials.

Lots of mishaps and waste but my friend was able to use the scraps in his designs.

I started out using PMC3 (I date myself) and switched to using Art Clay Silver
a few years ago after volunteering to co-teach a class at the local art center here and that’s what they had ordered because they got a deal.  I’ve kept on with Art Clay Silver because it’s more readily available here.

Handcrafted Stonewear Pottery Beads by Adornyourself

YorkAvenueStudio:  What materials do you use to make jewelry?

Adornyourself:  I use mostly stoneware and porcelain to make pendants, beads, and other components for my designs, and combine these with many other materials including the metal clay, glass and semiprecious stones.
I have a passion for bead collecting and my favourites include artisan glass lampwork and African trade beads.

Hand Marbled Porcelain by Adornyourself

YorkAvenueStudio:  What was your first inspiration for jewelry design?  How did you decide to make jewelry?

Adornyourself:  Good question. I think my first inspiration for making jewelry was watching my dad work in his shop when I was a child.  We lived on a farm and he often repaired machinery and made or repaired horseshoes for our horses. I can still remember the smell of that shop and the old anvil and fire pit.  I was fascinated by the fire, the metamorphosis of the materials from molten to finished product, and the rhythmic pounding of the hammers used to shape those metals.

Now my inspiration is the textures and impressions that natural materials and images evoke.
I ‘m very inspired by the design courses I’m taking that are leading me to explore the natural geometry and symmetry that occurs in objects of everyday life and the world around me.

Porcelain Pendant by Adornyourself

YorkAvenueStudio:  What shows off your style the most in your jewelry designs?

Adornyourself:  I think my style (if I have one) seems to change and include something new and different every day. Making jewelry lends to the exploration of many materials incorporated in various ways to make a whole.  The whole is so often greater than the sum of its parts.

I have tended toward very simple designs when I use metal clay and more complex forms when I use stoneware and porcelain. I love using fired lustres and enamels to embellish porcelain and I would really like to explore this next.

YorkAvenueStudio:  Does your background in pottery lend itself to jewelry making?

Adornyourself:  Yes it definitely does.  Over the years, I’ve made many discoveries about metal and clay simply by experimenting with both materials and combining them.  Some have been utter disasters. Others have been quite beautiful, but difficult to replicate. Like throwing silver and copper clay into the raku  combustion can with my pots. Gorgeous pieces, but I’ve never been able to replicate them.

YorkAvenueStudio:  We talked once about the necklace that you made that you wear daily.  Tell me the inspiration for that piece?

Adornyourself:  I do have a piece of mine I wear all the time. When my daughter got married several years ago I made 2 very similar pieces so that we could wear them on her wedding day.  We both wear them a lot.

Special Wedding Day Necklace worn often by both Kathy and her daughter

YorkAvenueStudio:  With the price of silver almost 4 times what it was last year,  how is this affecting your designs?

Adornyourself:  The cost of silver has made it quite difficult to be really as creative as I’d like to be with the material. I am so much more conscious of the amount of material I am using that I think it inhibits the kinds of things I undertake.  I’m tending to want to go back to things I’ve abandoned in the past like working more with sheet and copper.

Adornyourself Craft Show Jewelry Display

YorkAvenueStudio:  What are some tips or techniques for working with metal clay that work for you?

Adornyourself:  I know this likely isn't really accepted, or proper, technique but I sometimes use a bit of liquid polymer to help condition my clay when I`m getting it ready to use,or to coat the clay if I want to have a clean line etched into green pieces. I found that it makes the art clay a bit easier to handle during its green state and does not affect the fired outcome at all. NOTE:  I have a big kiln with lots of ventilation so I do NOT torch fire the pieces because of the toxicity.

I often make my designs in clay before I make them in metal clay, that way I can get a good idea of what they will be like once I commit them to silver.

YorkAvenueStudio:  Tell me some things about you that you are proud of accomplishing, dared to try or on your Never Again list.

Adornyourself:  I was very proud to have had a “one person” show at our local art gallery several years ago.

Never try again: demonstrating torch firing at a local music festival and art sale.

Adornyourself Pottery Craft Sale Display

YorkAvenueStudio:  Do you participate in craft fairs or shows?  Stories to share, tips on booth

Adornyourself:  My main outlets for selling now are wholesale to shops, galleries, and maybe one major craft sale a year. I find our local farmer’s market and open houses through friends are my best profit generators.

I have done craft shows for many years and my stories would likely be a whole other blog post.

The funniest anecdote I can tell you all happened at a folk music festival last summer.  My adult children were helping me out at my booth when my daughter noticed a woman openly breastfeeding her baby while trying to sell her work.  They both made comments to the effect that they felt that the time and place were inappropriate when the fellow in the next booth to mine piped up and said, “ I remember your mother breast feeding you at this festival some 20+ years ago, don’t knock it, it gets the job(s) done.”  Total silence from my kids.

YorkAvenueStudio:  When you are not working with clay, what keeps you busy?  Other hobbies, interests, goals?

Adornyourself:  I love to cook and bake.  I’m a Food Network junkie and I constantly try out things on my husband and our youngest son.  I also love to garden and my husband and I have a big garden every summer.  We rent a booth at a local farmer’s market where we sell our produce, my pottery and baking, and of course my jewelry.

We have a dachshund named Cashmere who needs to be walked LOTS!

Goals: Finish my BFA…maybe? Keep creating…. Yes!

YorkAvenueStudio:  How can readers find you? 

Adornyourself:   My primary web presence:

Etsy Shop

http://www.adornyourself.etsy.com/

Flikr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonewear/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1342327795

If you are lucky enough to live near Kathy in Manitoba, Canada, here are some local shops and galleries that you may find her designs:

Poor Michael's Bookshop Art & Cafe
http://poormichaelsbooks.ca/

The Cinnamon Tree

934 Rosser Ave, Brandon, MB R7A 0L4

Dundee Designs
http://store.dundeedesigns.com/

Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba
http://www.agsm.ca/

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If you want to contact Kathy regarding her pottery and jewelry, please visit her shop on Etsy Adornyourself and use the contact link.

Now for the details on how to enter the Giveaway!

Contest runs from April 14th thru May 6th, 2011.  There are several ways to enter the contest.  Each point below will count for one entry, please leave a separate comment below this post for each of your entries, and your email so I can reach the winner.  If you'd prefer, send your comments to me by email.   Enter once or enter with all the possible ways! 

Followers of my blog will be entered automatically without a comment necessary!

Limited to US and Canada mailing address and must be over 18 years old.  Winner will be selected on May 7th and announced on my blog!  Revisit on May 7th to see the winner!



1.  Browse Adornyourself Shop on Etsy and mark your favorites with a "heart" and leave a comment about items you like.

2.  Browse Adornyourself on Flikr and comment on your favorite photos.
3.  Post a link on YOUR site to this Giveaway to spread the word, and comment below with your site link so I can visit you!

Have fun and Good Luck!  I've enjoyed introducing you to designer and artist Kathy McDonald and it was a pleasure to show off her pottery and jewelry!





Pottery Pie Plate Baking Dish by Adornyourself