'the soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty,
to think, feel, do just as one pleases.'
~ william hazlitt
and so i entered susan lenart kazmer's metalsmithing class yesterday - i had been plaguing myself with wondering if i should plan ahead or just go with the flow... i knew the outline of the class and so could have had a personal project in mind, but i decided not to... instead to see where i would go if i dropped the anxiety over 'looking stupid' and decided just to be...
an incredibly giving teacher, she shared so much of her work style, her self, her TOOLS! i got to use a flex shaft (never had - and needless to say, loved it)... she taught her prong style settings and i chose to do a ring first (thinking that in 7 hours i would make more than one thing... some people did, i didn't)...
so where to start when one is given sheets of metal, access to fabulous tools, a table full of found objects, beads and fibers & a new technique to pull them together with? well, the first piece naturally...
prong setting created with cuts in the edges for our journey often feels interrupted, but the pauses are where we learn some of the great lessons or just regroup to take them on... i used the word 'sisu' also come to me by way of nancy (who i happened to see with lorelei, kelley wenzel and cassandra procopio as i bolted in from the rain on the way to the class) ...
please note the mistakes on the bottom, those holes are not supposed to be there - i misjudged the size of my conus shell... luckily they are covered up... and yes, i know that sisu has a '1' in it... the 'i' was missing - in fact, i am glad that it was... i like how it reminds me of class... and besides, i am a deep follower of wabi sabi...
susan has an affinity for conus shells as they are symbolic to the women of new guinea, i used one that she offered to us... and why the crazy looking little wonky square? functionally it was needed for the rivet, compositionally it repeated the shape of the bezel, and symbolically it represents many things that come in fours (elements, seasons, directional points)...
a huge thank you to susan for a wonderful class... it was good for me in so many ways... one of the biggest was getting over fears i had... this was the first project for which i completely used a saw ... and using her power tools with her guidance...
the journey continues! so i am left wondering, if she is sharing this information then she has moved past it - and i wonder what is new to her? and what will i do with this technique that is new to me?
Hi...it was so nice to meet you at Beadfest. The class sounds awesome...and the ring turned out really great. I really LOVED that copper etched ring though that you were wearing that day...too cool. And the journey continues! :)
ReplyDeleteMary Jane, your ring turned out beautiful! I loved reading about your experience and process. Such a lovely journey.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great class! Beautiful ring,it reflects you so well!
ReplyDeleteThe ring turned out beautifully! I can imagine what fun you'll have with these techniques in your arsenal :)
ReplyDeleteMary Jane, I love your finished piece, but even more than that, I love the narration of the journey you took to finish the project. A beautiful story for a beautiful piece of jewelry.
ReplyDelete:-) Molly
I love it that you went to the class with no firm expectations of what you would make. That is the journey, the mystery at the beginning, finding your way along the path at your own pace, pausing to let the elements direct you to the end. I'll be interested to see where this class takes you and how you will take what you learned and incorporate it into your own style. I think I know one thing you will do differently, but I'll see if I am right.
ReplyDeleteOh my god - those pieces look so great. I'd love to take a class with Susan. She's my hero!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such an awesome experience, and the end result is just stunning. I love how all those disparate elements melded together in your artistically capable hands...
ReplyDeleteLove it! Y'know you inspire me without even knowing it. I often feel awkward journeying to new unchartered territories, it helps to see someone else do it, and do it well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wealth of information you must of learned..and from the Master!
ReplyDeletelove this ring..the wire bezel is so interesting..i bet your head is now overflowing with new ideas.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. This kind of work is way out of my comfort zone, but I love seeing it done so well. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteWonderful... and its nice to have inspiration from others in a class, I imagine - both the other students and the teacher. Nice ring. Love the sisu word.... happy creating.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful adventure, good for you for jumping in and swimming in such a creative milleau xxx
ReplyDeleteYOur creations are always to die for dear Marie. I know that you will take this new talent and turn it into something immensly creative.
ReplyDeleteVicki
wow!! that's a beauty my fren! and i'm so envious of you, getting to do fabulous workshops such as these :) this must have been a really inspiring day!
ReplyDeleteA great piece ... a little of Susan and a lot of you in one piece!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know MJ, Susan is quite a teacher! The journey you shared with us on constructing your piece was quite exciting!!
ReplyDeleteNow, all the possibilities that await you will come flooding in like a mighty river...I know~it did (and still does) with me!
That is the beauty of taking a class, as it opens up the creative you that has been waiting inside, ready to be explored in a new direction.
Your rings turned out gorgeous .love the fiber you added! And, I love your prongs =))
You've created something amazing as I knew you would! So happy that you enjoyed your class Mary Jane. I can't wait to see what else you create with that beautiful soul of yours...hugs.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you were to take a class from Susan. I have heard she is such a giving and loving teacher. I can completely understand your fears in taking such a class. I think we are often harder on ourselves than anyone else; or at least, I am so I can empathize with your feelings. I love the ring. I couldn't find any flaws. I think it is perfect! : D
ReplyDeleteHi Mj, thanks for stopping by. I love seeing that you took a class with Susan, she is such a joy to be around. Inspiration just oozes from her! Her laugh is contagious. I loved spending a week with her in France a couple years ago, it was a ball, and we learned a lot. Love your ring, you did a wonderful job. Don't let those tools get the best of you, sounds like you conquered them perfectly. Enjoyed the story of the journey. Take care, Riki
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! And Susan sounds like a very giving teacher. I'm also tickled by the Sisu. I'm part Finnish and this was a often used term in my family. Thanks for connecting me with all those Finnish memories :)
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