Saturday, June 14, 2014

Buchanan Art Center Classes

CLASSES, CLASSES, CLASSES – I have several classes offered this summer at the Buchanan Art Center.  I've listed the classes below. For more information and descriptions of all my classes, go to:  www.buchananartcenter.org
Sign up now by calling the art center at 269-697-4005

Fine Silver Jewelry – Introduction to PMC - June 18 – from 10 - 5
There are still a few openings in my class, Begging Metal Clay this coming Wednesday at the Buchanan Art Center.  Weather forecast is for rain on Wednesday, what a great day to be inside learning how to use silver PMC to create unique designs.  Cost is $45 for members/$50 non-members plus $60 fee for silver.

Etched Copper Bracelet Bangle - June 21 – from 10:30 – 2:30.  Cost is $45 for members/$50 non-members.

Beaded Kumihimo Bracelet - July 9 – from 12:30 – 4:30 Cost is $46 for members/$52 non-members


Silver Leaves – PMC Pendant August 9 – from 10 – 4.  Cost is $45 for members/$50 non-members + $45 fee for silver.

Bead & Button Conference

Last weekend my dear friend Christie and I headed up to Milwaukee for the mother of all bead shows.  This conference and show runs for a full week long, with 100's of jewelry classes and exciting events. Not to mention 4 days of shopping for beads, supplies and more.  If you need it for jewelry making, they have it, well almost everything!
My friend Christie had never attended the Bead & Button show and her enthusiasm and excitement perked up my desire to return one more time to the big bead shopping mecca - Milwaukee!
I have taken so many wonderful classes at this fantastic event over the last 10 years and learned so much. Teachers from all over the world come and share their knowledge, tips, tricks and designs to make us better at what we do and encourage us to grow and expand our techniques and to soar to new heights!
The 5 hour drive up was now behind us and we were ready to shop and explore. We quickly grabbed a sandwich for lunch and headed up to the show room floor at the convention center, Christie had no idea what she was in for! Like kids in a candy shop we started to explore, so many great things to take in and enjoy.
We both had our shopping lists in hand and began our search of the hundreds of vendors who came with  tools, supplies, glass, beads, metal findings and more.

I came across a vendor who had case after case of old collectibles. Oh my, talk about a kid in a candy shop, I was drooling at all the luscious old treasures. He had several cases of cameo's like the one on the left and they were the big old ones with elaborate gold filigree mountings & beautifully carved faces. Gorgeous old antiques!
Then there were the oodles of old lockets from all around the world. I could have spent the rest of the day at this booth and I would have barely seen a fraction of what he had brought to the show. When I found a case full of Cracker Jack toys he had,  I couldn't believe they had become collectibles. Oh, how I remember the excitement of munching that caramel coated popcorn till I got to the toy in the middle of the box, if I'd only known that one day they would become valuable.  Each case I encountered brought back memories of my childhood as I sorted through Monopoly pieces, old dice, magnetic scotty dogs and so much more.  THEN, reality set in, I'm getting old.  Guess that means I'm a collectible too!
My favorite new vendor is Dakota Stones from Edina, MN! So excited they came and I found their booth.  They had the best assortment of quality gems all neatly hung in rows with clearly labeled tags.  The quality of the gems they carried was fantastic, in my humble opinion. I spent a long time here admiring the huge selection of gems and carefully selected many new and interesting gemstones to come home with me. They had a selection of matte red river jasper that had me melting on the spot.  I purchased 4 strands of these stones and I can't wait to work with them later next week.  I also found a really dark green jade that had great color and I snagged up several strands in assorted shapes and sizes.  Then, my eyes were lured to this intense color of turquoise, be still my heart, it's Apatite.

 I had never seen Apatite this rich or luscious calling me to take it home, I selected 2 prime strands knowing just what I want to do with them.  The photo on the right just doesn't do justice to these stones, the red river jasper is satiny and smooth and has the most incredible colors and veining, in unusual patterns.  LOVE THESE!
 The show is called Bead & Button and there were several button dealers at the show, I would of liked to have seen more button dealers but those that were here had a great selection of buttons to choose from.  There is one dealer I make sure I visit  when I attend the show who has thousands of the most incredible buttons in every shape, color and size you can imagine.  He is an avid collector.














I purchased these two fantastic silver buttons from his booth that were made sometime in the 1930's.  I couldn't resist this great find and had to bring these sweet ladies home with me. Wish I could have bought a few more but if I told you what these buttons cost you'd think I was nuts!


Christie and I had shopped till we dropped on Friday and headed back to our hotel and then on to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, the food was fantastic and the the key lime mango topped cheesecake had to be one of the best desserts I've had in a long time.  We headed back to our room and it wasn't long before we passed out from exhaustion.  The next morning we were a little worse for wear but had breakfast and headed back to the show for a few more hours of shopping that turned into a whole day.  By 6:00 we were ready to have dinner and get on the road for the long trip home but not until we had checked out the exhibition showcases for the Bead Dreams competition. Elaborate, fantastic, creative, stunning, the list of adjectives goes on and on.  Each piece more exquisite then the next.  Here's just a few of our favorites.







INCREDIBLE, is all I can say. Hours and hours of work went into each design.  Some designs were done by a collaboration of several artists who came together to create one stunning piece. These fantastic creations are the work of some of the best in world who use a variety of mediums including polymer clay, metal clay, wire, glass, fine seed beads and more! I'd love to post all the pictures I took but these will just have to do.  You'll have to attend next year if you want to see more.

Speaking of next year, I hope there will be another show as the attendance was way down from years past. Each year I have noticed a drop in attendance. I believe the attendance was the lowest of all this year, and not even the offer for free admission to the show seemed to help. That's a $10 savings for the attendee. So why aren't people attending? I believe it is the digital age, You Tube tutorials and the fact that we can now purchase just about anything we need in the line of supplies online.  I'm guilty of the above too but for me there is nothing like seeing and feeling the real thing.  Color, texture and a personal touch just is something we can't get via a computer.  So, for me, this girl will continue to make the 5 hour trip to the Bead & Button Conference in years to come to fuel my creative senses and shop till I drop so I can find great treasures and new companies, like Dakota Stones.  I hope this top notch show will be able to continue in the future and find a way to draw back the crowds.  Christie and I already have made plans to attend 2015!






Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Opening Artist Exhibition

The four of us prior to the opening of our artists exhibition on Sunday June 1. (L-R: Mary Meehan Firtl, Erin Warner, me-Darlene Troyer and Alan Fore) We toasted the Buchanan Art Center and at the same time hoped the great wine would settled our jittery nerves before the doors opened that afternoon.








It was a beautiful warm sunny day and after the long cold winter we couldn't blame anyone for staying home, but we were pleasantly surprised and very appreciative that so many people came to share in our special day.  The art center had a steady stream from the time the doors opened till closing. 








The four of us had spent a considerable amount of time planning the food selection for our reception. I made 2 trays of sushi rolls, 2 trays of caprese appetizers and a fantastic goat cheese log rolled in cranberries and pistachio nuts to go with the yummy food that was donated by Fiddlers Hearth and the Bucktown Tap.  I guess we did a good job planning as we didn't run out of food!

It was so much fun spending the afternoon sharing with others the process of how I make my jewelry designs.   I've done lots of art shows over the last few years but this was just so different and enjoyable having people interested in the process and the mind behind the designs!  It was such an enjoyable experience and I can't thank the Buchanan Art Center for the opportunity to exhibits my line of jewelry.

I have over 100 jewelry designs on exhibit  for my show titled, "Bling it On" in the three showcases at the art center.  What a process it was for me to decide what went where , it took me hours to get it all done but it was well worth the time that it took once it was done.

I want to thank all of my family, friends and customers who came out that day to see the exhibition and to share in this special event in my life!

If you weren't able to make it to the open house reception, the show is open through July 5th so if you have the time stop on over at the Buchanan Art Center one of the volunteers will help you in any way they can.

Below are just a few of the things that I have on display in the exhibit.  All items are available for purchase in case you find that special something you just can't live without.

 
 
"BLING IT ON"
BY ARTIST DARLENE TROYER
 
EXHIBITION JUNE 1 - JULY 5TH
BUCHANAN ART CENTER
BUCHANAN, MI