Catherine Witherell's New Studio

On Monday, May 13, our little group, The North Bay Makers Guild, met at Catherine's new studio in Petaluma.



Catherine in her new studio

We were all quite honored that Catherine let us be the first to work in her studio as they had not moved into her house yet.

Well, I must say this, it is a dream come true for any artist and Catherine is a multi talented one. She has been planning this for many, many years and I am so happy for her.

The idea for our project was to bring some metal or unfinished metalwork and finish it at the meeting.

Catherine in teaching mode. She's the greatest.
 

 Marion (in the beautiful yellow gold) was working on an original bracelet made from enameled mesh, resin rings and silver buttons. It is going to be stunning.



I was working on a multi metal bracelet with copper and brass which will be wire wrapped and beaded.

We had our lunch first and then started working with lots of starts and stops for show and tell and laughing.



Judy was working on a pendant that she started in her metalsmithing class at Marin College several years ago.

She actually finished it by using small brass rivets. I love the way it came out and the beautiful color she achieved on the metal.


 

Here Donna is giving us all some great polish cloths that I think she scored at a show. Thank you, Donna.

To say that we had a good time is an understatement. Each time we have a meeting, I think it can't get any better but it does.

 Have a fantastic remainder of the week and a spectacular next week, especially my friends at Bead and Button in Milwaukee. I am thinking of you.

Julie Panusis

Focus on Life: Week 20 "Looking Up"

As soon as I read the prompt for this week in our 52 week photo challenge, I knew what photos I would post. Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime gave us the prompt, "Looking up."


Last May in Northern California we had the pleasure of being able to see a partial eclipse of the sun.

 My husband Kirk, has lots of welding equipment so he passed out welding masks to everyone who came outside to view the eclipse.

 I was reminded of a 50's movie when I saw everyone standing motionless with their eyes transfixed at something in the sky.

It was a marvelous experienced to share with our neighbors.

I was so surprised at how long it lasted and really enjoyed the experience.

This photo was taken through the mask. The large reflection is not the sun.

The sun is the tiny light at the bottom left of the flash.

This photo clearly shows the partial eclipse at the lower left.

 It was taken by pointing the camera at the sky.

 

This is the eclipse reflection on the fence.



 

 
 
I am in constant awe
of nature and all the experiences and sights that we are privileged to be a part of.


Thank you, Lord.


Have a fantastic week!

Julie Panusis



Abstract: Focus on Life and Diana Frey

Last week, Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime gave us the prompt, "Abstract" for our 52 week photo challenge. I was stumped for a while but soon was out in front taking photos.
 
My take on this is anything that is oriented in a different way or very close looks abstract to me so here goes. This is one of our succulents. It looks like a sea anemone to me.
 
The best part about being in this challenge is that you look at the things in your life a little closer and that's always a good thing.
 
 
For quite a while now, I have been thinking about a class I took with Diana Frey.
 

As I looked through the classes that were being offered at Art-is Petaluma last September, I came across this photo and a class called,"Madame Bijoux Boxes." I knew immediately that I had to meet the teacher and I had to take the class.

Diana Frey says she is on a magical mixed media art journey and she loves to simply "create", especially vintage-inspired jewelry. And she does just that, better than anyone I have seen so far.

I was very happy to find out that my new Facebook friend, Cheryl McCloud and one of my dear friends, Catherine Witherell, were also taking the class.



I was right about the class and the teacher. We worked with brass boxes and decorated them with solder in which we stamped, then made a bezel out of copper and filled it with photos, beads, glitter or whatever our hearts desired. Then we filled the bezel with resin and put the finishing touches on the box.



These are some of the boxes finished by other students. I got this photo collage from Diana Frey's Blog:Tattered Adornments.  She also has online classes and an Etsy Store.

My birds of Paris box
 

I was very pleased with the way my box turned out. It is amazing how different all the boxes are as they reflect the personality of the maker.



Art-is Petaluma is happening again this September and I am taking some new classes and new teachers. I can't wait for my next exciting adventure at another Art-is You Retreat.

 

 

Thanks Diana, you are a very special lady!

 



Have a super day!

 

Julie Panusis