News
Keep Calm and Hammer on ...
Last month I was all excited to share the news that I would be teaching not one but TWO classes in Pueblo, Colorado in May of this year. Welp, I just got news two day ago that the school, the Colorado Center for Metal Arts, is closing its physical location, so my classes are cancelled. Sigh. Times are tough out there, and you never know how close to closing any business is!
It took me a few days to rally, but I've decided to offer one of the classes at my home studio instead - same dates and content. Fuse, Forge, Roll, May 12-14, 2023. Of course my studio only holds four students, so if you are interested please sign up quickly! I am giving priority to those who were registered in Colorado.
Register here.
Last month I was all excited to share the news that I would be teaching not one but TWO classes in Pueblo, Colorado in May of this year. Welp, I just got news two day ago that the school, the Colorado Center for Metal Arts, is closing its physical location, so my classes are cancelled. Sigh. Times are tough out there, and you never know how close to closing any business is!
It took me a few days to rally, but I've decided to offer one of the classes at my home studio instead - same dates and content. Fuse, Forge, Roll, May 12-14, 2023. Of course my studio only holds four students, so if you are interested please sign up quickly! I am giving priority to those who were registered in Colorado.
Register here.
February Workshops Recap
It had been a long time since I'd hosted students in my studio - I kept putting it off because my studio was in sore need of a clearing out and reorganization. Finally I just scheduled the classes, and trusted I'd get the studio in shape in time! That's me, deadline oriented. I'm so glad I did - it was a whirlwind the week before, but I got it all done, and had two very successful classes. First 3-day class was "Fuse, Forge, Roll" where we made mokume gane billets and worked them down to sheet and wire. After a day's rest break, I taught a brand-new class called "Go Big: Larger Scale Mokume Gane Chisel Patterning." That was a great class, can't wait to teach both again. Read more and see lots of class photos here.
It had been a long time since I'd hosted students in my studio - I kept putting it off because my studio was in sore need of a clearing out and reorganization. Finally I just scheduled the classes, and trusted I'd get the studio in shape in time! That's me, deadline oriented. I'm so glad I did - it was a whirlwind the week before, but I got it all done, and had two very successful classes. First 3-day class was "Fuse, Forge, Roll" where we made mokume gane billets and worked them down to sheet and wire. After a day's rest break, I taught a brand-new class called "Go Big: Larger Scale Mokume Gane Chisel Patterning." That was a great class, can't wait to teach both again. Read more and see lots of class photos here.
Earl's Excellent Mokume Tip Videos
I'm so pleased to be able to share here the youtube channel of one of my mentors - Earl Bushey. Earl is the fellow who introduced me to mokume gane back in 2007. It changed the whole direction of my metals career - if I hadn't run into him I'd probably still be doing photo-etching. He only has three videos up right now, but they are all on mokume gane. In one he shares a very detailed step-by-step on creating his favorite mokume gane chisel pattern. Enjoy!
I'm so pleased to be able to share here the youtube channel of one of my mentors - Earl Bushey. Earl is the fellow who introduced me to mokume gane back in 2007. It changed the whole direction of my metals career - if I hadn't run into him I'd probably still be doing photo-etching. He only has three videos up right now, but they are all on mokume gane. In one he shares a very detailed step-by-step on creating his favorite mokume gane chisel pattern. Enjoy!
Mokume gane cherry blossom tsuba - done!
This tsuba is inspired by of one of the most well-known mokume gane tsubas in history - the Yoshino River Tsuba made by Takahashi Okitsugu in the mid-late Edo period in Japan. I used different metals (copper, brass and nickel silver), and a silhouette of my own design; five-lobed rather than 8-lobed. It took me about two years to create, and is just a first draft. Next one will be made with silver, shakudo and shibuichi.
From my very first billets, I always wanted to create crisp, unique mokume patterns with great control. This was different from a lot of the fairly random, all-over stuff I was seeing. It was in Masaki Takahashi's "Textbook of Mokume Gane" book that I was first introduced to the historical work of Takahashi Okitsugu - I saw it was possible to create such patterns, so I had a goal.... Read more and see all the process pics.
This tsuba is inspired by of one of the most well-known mokume gane tsubas in history - the Yoshino River Tsuba made by Takahashi Okitsugu in the mid-late Edo period in Japan. I used different metals (copper, brass and nickel silver), and a silhouette of my own design; five-lobed rather than 8-lobed. It took me about two years to create, and is just a first draft. Next one will be made with silver, shakudo and shibuichi.
From my very first billets, I always wanted to create crisp, unique mokume patterns with great control. This was different from a lot of the fairly random, all-over stuff I was seeing. It was in Masaki Takahashi's "Textbook of Mokume Gane" book that I was first introduced to the historical work of Takahashi Okitsugu - I saw it was possible to create such patterns, so I had a goal.... Read more and see all the process pics.
Hey, where'd you get that cool t-shirt?!
If you've seen me online or at a workshop recently, I may have been wearing very stylish jewelry/metals-themed gear created by our very own talented and irrepressible Ame Stanko. That's right - after quite a medical adventure last year, Ame is healthy and working hard to make a long-time dream come true - making a living doing her own custom illustrations. With the help of etsy her detailed and often hilarious designs are available to all of us! Over time she'll be adding more (she has about 1,000 ideas per day, I can personally attest to that), but somehow she decided to start with some fantastic jewelry/metals themes from a tool mandala to the superhero we all need - how did we get so lucky? Her brand-new shop is called is Mondo Bop, and you really should have a look - it is full-on professional, sweet, funny, cheerful and full of fun stuff. Take me to Mondo Bop!
If you've seen me online or at a workshop recently, I may have been wearing very stylish jewelry/metals-themed gear created by our very own talented and irrepressible Ame Stanko. That's right - after quite a medical adventure last year, Ame is healthy and working hard to make a long-time dream come true - making a living doing her own custom illustrations. With the help of etsy her detailed and often hilarious designs are available to all of us! Over time she'll be adding more (she has about 1,000 ideas per day, I can personally attest to that), but somehow she decided to start with some fantastic jewelry/metals themes from a tool mandala to the superhero we all need - how did we get so lucky? Her brand-new shop is called is Mondo Bop, and you really should have a look - it is full-on professional, sweet, funny, cheerful and full of fun stuff. Take me to Mondo Bop!
Featured Class
Mokume Essentials: From Fusing to Patinas in just 5 days - In-person
Danaca Design, Seattle, Washington
June 19-23, 2023
Tuition $960 (+$120 kit fee payable in class)
Brand-new workshop at the fabulous Danaca Design Studio in Seattle, WA.
Mokume Gane is an ancient Japanese metalworking technique in which layers of non-ferrous metals are fused together using time, heat, and pressure (no solder). All aspects of this complex technique will be covered in just 5 days, from fusing to patterning to patinas. On day 1 we’ll stack and fuse billets using the precise solid-state diffusion bonding method. Day 2 we’ll forge and roll the billets down to workable material. Days 3 and 4 will be an enticing smorgasbord of patterning techniques, including the cherry-blossom pattern (not offered in Anne’s online classes). Finally on day 5 she’ll share mokume-specific soldering and finishing techniques, and we’ll end with some knock-your-socks off patina recipes. You’ll leave with detailed handouts to practice and repeat the processes, equipment list to fuse your own mokume at home, fused mokume, patterned mokume, and maybe even a finished jewelry piece or two.
Register at Danaca Design.
Danaca Design, Seattle, Washington
June 19-23, 2023
Tuition $960 (+$120 kit fee payable in class)
Brand-new workshop at the fabulous Danaca Design Studio in Seattle, WA.
Mokume Gane is an ancient Japanese metalworking technique in which layers of non-ferrous metals are fused together using time, heat, and pressure (no solder). All aspects of this complex technique will be covered in just 5 days, from fusing to patterning to patinas. On day 1 we’ll stack and fuse billets using the precise solid-state diffusion bonding method. Day 2 we’ll forge and roll the billets down to workable material. Days 3 and 4 will be an enticing smorgasbord of patterning techniques, including the cherry-blossom pattern (not offered in Anne’s online classes). Finally on day 5 she’ll share mokume-specific soldering and finishing techniques, and we’ll end with some knock-your-socks off patina recipes. You’ll leave with detailed handouts to practice and repeat the processes, equipment list to fuse your own mokume at home, fused mokume, patterned mokume, and maybe even a finished jewelry piece or two.
Register at Danaca Design.
Free Metal Arts Events
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Looking for Sawing Circle? You can join from here!
Online Sawing Circle When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 5:30-7pm Pacific. Where: Online via Zoom - Cost: FREE Our Sawing Circle is like a book club but instead of reading, we work on cool stuff, help each other with problems, share ideas and provide accountability for ongoing work. If you've been looking for support for moving forward on your projects then this is the online gathering for you. Join us from your studio to work in the good conversation and company of like-minded friends. Totally free, no need to RSVP, simply make yourself a snack, settle at your bench and click the button to join in. I don't attend all the time, but when I am there, I'm happy to answer any mokume or other metals question, general or specific. Even if I'm not there, you'll still have fun, I promise! |
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"Anne was so wonderful to work with for my fiancé's wedding ring! She answered all of our questions during the process and above all, the ring is gorgeous, beautiful, unique and perfect! Thank you, Anne. You have created an heirloom we will treasure for a long time." ~ Emily & Greg |
"Mokume gane patterning with chisels was one of the most enjoyable courses I've ever done." ~ Helen M, Sydney, Australia |