Cougarisms

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2010-03-14T09:41:00.001-04:00

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Tucson 2010 ~ 13

2010-02-18T17:20:00.002-05:00

At a trading post called 'The Pickle Barrel' in Globe, AZ, we spent quite a bit of time browsing through rooms full of antiques and original art works. Here's another example of metal sculpture - too big to fit in my truck though . . .

Tucson 2010 ~ 12

2010-02-18T17:18:00.002-05:00

Gotta love the view from up there though!

Tucson 2010 ~ 11

2010-02-18T17:16:00.002-05:00

The cliff dwellings are really up there! Imagine having to carry water, wood, food and other supplies all the way up the mountain and then up ladders?? Definitely one of my favorite places to visit.

Tucson 2010 ~ 10

2010-02-18T17:12:00.003-05:00

Here is a fine example of the Salado pottery, which is well known for the area. The color scheme is called polychrome. It was the most decorated pottery of the time and was traded far and wide. (Found at Tonto National Monument, AZ)

Tucson 2010 ~ 9

2010-02-18T17:08:00.002-05:00

At the end of my teaching stay, I flew my mom out to share some of my favorite haunts in Arizona with me. On the way home, we stopped to visit the cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument, near Roosevelt, AZ. Here are some examples of the Salado's early jewelry items. Of course, the turquoise came from local mines such as the Sleeping Beauty, but the shell beads came from the west coast and were more than likely bartered for.

Tucson 2010 ~ 8

2010-02-18T17:04:00.002-05:00

If you are ever looking for the most gorgeous, high quality (yet affordable)designer cabochons, be sure to look up Sierra Madre Mining Company. BTW, John will also be present as a vendor at Beadfest Wire in Valley Forge, PA this April. (Pictured are me with Armondo and John Bajoras)

Tucson 2010 ~ 7

2010-02-18T17:01:00.002-05:00

Home again after 3 wonderful weeks. Playing 'catch-up' with my blog due to the fact that I had internet issues while in AZ this year. Arizona has some awesome metal artists - as represented by this cute donkey that greeted me each morning as I left Dawn's home to go to work at the Jogs show.

Tucson 2010 ~ 6

2010-02-04T01:37:00.002-05:00

We, wire-sculture.com, attended the Foreign Source cocktail party this evening. Met some more great folks, (such as Kathy and Steve from Hilton Head) and enjoyed great food and wine. I'll be teaching all day tomorrow, so if you're coming by the Jogs, stop in and say Hello!

Tucson 2010 ~ 5

2010-02-04T01:34:00.002-05:00

My wonderful Wisconsin friends Dawn and Pedro, who are my host and hostess this year. They have a lovely home in SW Tucson, she's a great cook and we play with wire together when we have time off from work & shopping (right).

Tucson 2010 ~ 4

2010-02-04T01:30:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I feel I need to share just one more shot of some of the ammolite that swept me off my feet this year. (And yes, I got blues, purples and greens too.) Oh, for those of you who are here and want to see what is left, the biz is called 'Lapis Gems' and he will be at the Holidome this Saturday.

Tucson 2010 ~ 3

2010-02-04T01:24:00.002-05:00

Went to the Interweave Press party last night. (It's always nice to see old friends and make new ones.) Had today off, so Dawn, Pedro and I went to the HoJo show to find John & Sarah Bajoras and their AAA+++ cabs (BTW, they will also be at Beadfest Wire in Philly/April and known as Sierra Madre Mining). Got into trouble there because of all the new material he had to show us; and got into further trouble when we browsed the main tent. Yup, had to get more ammolite this year - gorgeous stuff!

Tucson 2010 ~ 2

2010-02-04T01:20:00.002-05:00

Things began a bit more slowly this year, as everyone seemed to wait until about all of the shows are open to arrive, but foot (and vehicle) traffic is picking up. My classes over the weekend went well, I worked with some great folks from all over the world. Tuesday I had time for a break and took Mark and Alec to one of my favorite shows, The Electric Park (or should I say 'eclectic' park). Love this show!

Tucson 2010 ~ 1

2010-02-04T01:08:00.002-05:00

Ok, so maybe taking a 75mph picture isn't always the best thing to do, but whenever I drive to Tucson I pass the hundreds of windmills on this 'windfarm', where I-20 and 80 cross. Had to share. Amazing!

Wire-Sculpture.com visits Tennessee ~ 2

2009-11-15T14:24:00.003-05:00

Some of our Wire-Sculpture.com faculty members were filmed during a table discussion about the business end of this art form. Pictured from left to right are scrimshaw artist Mary Bailey, mixed-media jewelry artist Suzanne Hollingsworth, with wire jewelry artists Sonja Kiser and Charley Key.

Wire-Sculpture.com visits Tennessee ~ 1

2009-11-15T14:15:00.003-05:00

This week has been even more insane than usual for me, as some of the Wire-Sculpture.com team flew in from Utah to do some filming in my studio. Several of my WS faculty friends took their valuable weekend time to drive in from all over the southeast to shoot video tips for the website Here are Mary Bailey of Nashville and Sherrie Lingerfelt of Alabama during a filming session.

A few 'wired' friends Oct 2009

2009-10-17T13:14:00.002-04:00

A few of my 'wired' friends came by last weekend and we all had a great time working on new designs and made a few new video tips for Wire-Sculpture. Here are Sherrie, Skye, Charley and Sonja. They all braved the tornados we had to get here!(Sherrie and Sonja are members of the WS faculty.)

Studio Familiar ~ Oct 2009

2009-10-17T13:12:00.002-04:00

Although we all still miss our boxer Sparky, Tabby seems to have made herself at home in my studio now.

Janice Endsley Oct 2009

2009-10-17T13:07:00.002-04:00

Janice contacted me via email, referred by a mutual friend, Greg White Hunt, We spent a wonderful afternoon together, and I look forward to our future classes!

WS 'Wired Retreat' Buffalo, NY 2009 ~ 4

2009-10-17T13:03:00.002-04:00

Yes, we did find lots of inspiration on our trip too. Besides the powerful magnificence of Niagara Falls, this is a working, water powered sculpture in one of the enclosed buildings in Toronto. Really an amazing piece of work. It reminded me of 'Steam Punk'.

WS 'Wired Retreat' Buffalo, NY 2009 ~ 3

2009-10-17T13:01:00.002-04:00

I just had to take Mark's picture while he was shooting footage of the falls with all of the different colored lights on them. Really a beautiful sight! (the falls that is)

WS 'Wired Retreat' Buffalo, NY 2009 ~ 2

2009-10-17T12:54:00.002-04:00

After packing everything up from our retreat weekend, the WS team took a quick trip to Toronto, Canada to view Niagara Falls and have dinner. Yes, it was late and we were all happily exhausted but we couldn't pass up the opportunity! Dinner was very nice and relaxing, and the steep walk down to the falls in the cold damp air was definitely worth it! (Getting through customs, just to have dinner, was more than an experience. Tip: never let anyone be talking on a cell phone while trying to cross the border!!)

WS 'Wired Retreat' Buffalo, NY 2009 ~ 1

2009-10-17T12:49:00.002-04:00

The first weekend of October found me and other members of the team in Buffalo, NY for our first 'Wired Retreat' workshop. We all had a wonderful time getting to know and working with new students.

Richmond VA, Sept Workshops 2009 ~ 1

2009-10-17T12:47:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it takes two to get long pieces of heavy gauge wire twisted together!

Richmond VA, Sept Workshops 2009 ~ 1

2009-10-17T12:40:00.002-04:00

I really enjoy all of the people I work with in Richmond, Virginia. About twice a year Celeste Miller organizes full day workshops for me and her students. 'Mint Spring' always comes by to help and play. Celeste is also an instructor in chain maille and PMC design!