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The Mistake Police have arrived on the scene. The last mailing from PMC123 was a reminder card about the up coming CA Dreamin' Mini Retreat. It had a good link to register and get other info but the DATES WERE ALL WRONG!!! The correct dates are 14-18 January 2010. That good link is still www.mini-retreat.com. Click the banner above and go register. You will thank yourself later! |
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A Brand New (OLD!) Technique for Metal Clay
Yes, there is still research, development and progress going on in the metal clay community. Beginning in 2010 I will be teaching a new class, very technique-based, on a cold connection for metal clay. It involves the ancient technology of the nut and bolt, the principle of a threaded opening and a threaded rod. As a sculptor I have often used this technique for connecting separately cast metal components into a whole.Now you will be able to use this technique in many and several ways. It can be used, of course, to connect two pieces of metal clay.
Perhaps you want to create a piece that has interchangeable parts, a way to change out a particular element of a design with another. It might be to change out identical parts that have been set with different stones or different non-identical parts to alter the overall design. It can also be used to join hinged pieces together in a very secure way. All of the knuckles on one side of the hinged piece are threaded inside while the knuckles on the other side are drilled large enough for the hinge knuckles to swing freely over the hinge pin. And the hinge pin is a threaded rod that is soldered or glued into place through the threaded hinge knuckles. How cool is that?! I’ve titled this class “Everyone Loves a Good Screw.” While that may be a bit over the top, I’ve found that it captures the attention of most people. Join me in January 2010 in California or San Antonio or in two locations in Texas in February 2010 to learn this technique while discussing with fellow class participants all of the different ways to use it in future pieces. I’ll offer this class at Purdue University in July 2010 during the pre-PMC Guild Bi-Annual Conference classes as well. The “Good Screw” class fee (in San Antonio) will include metal clay and a complete Tap & Die Kit. The kit contains one tap, one tap drill, one “free” drill, one die and sterling silver wire matched to the size of the tap and die. You’ll have a choice in class of two different sized kits, one that uses 14ga wire and one that uses 10ga wire. I’ll also have available a deluxe kit that has 11 distinct sizes of matched tap and die sets along with the appropriate drill bit sets and wire.
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December Projects |
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In an effort to bring added value to PMC123 clients and e-newsletter subscribers we offer two virtual classes each month. Currently the classes are in a “Step-by-step” format with text and photo images detailing each step along the way. One class is a fun, easy, relatively straight-forward class that is, I’ve found, appropriate for beginners. This is a completely FREE, downloadable class. The second virtual class typically is a bit more “meaty”, presents a project with a twist, or otherwise offers up a technique that is more advanced. This virtual class is a “Pay per view”, i.e. there is a fee to download.
Though all of the virtual classes are © by Sherry Fotopoulos, we hope you will use them not only for your own enjoyment but that you might add them to your personal repertoire of classes that you teach. Everyone has a slightly different take on any given project so you are invited to add your tweak and present any of the techniques. Should you wish to copy a download(s) for handouts, we ask only that you include credit where credit is due. This month’s offerings are:
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Attention all metal clay enthusiasts along
the path from Houston, TX, to San Francisco!!! |
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In early Jan 2010, Cynthia DuBose will be on the move in her Traveling Metal Clay Studio. She will be traveling west from Houston, TX, and north to the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have wanted to host a class (in your home, studio or shop) or attend a class …Jump up NOW and contact Cynthia! E-mail her at Cynthia@phattphaneez.com or pick up the phone and call 979-549-5162. This PMC Connection Senior teacher is well-versed in many, many art and craft media beyond metal clay. Her “Rolling Studio” will accommodate 4+ students so you can guarantee that she will pull up in front of YOUR house to teach class by grabbing two of your friends and deciding that’s what you want! It’s that simple! Really! And all of you souls living in “Deep Cold Country” just make sure that your plans are for warmer weather classes. I’m told Cynthia may be heading for Canada when the weather warms! Don’t pass up this opportunity to learn from Cynthia. She’s a dynamo and a world class teacher. |
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Classes |
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Sherry has all of her 2010 classes (January through July!!) posted on www.pmc123.com. Take a look and register soon. Classes fill FAST!
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To catch up with Sherry and her pals
Go to www.mini-retreat.com for ALL the information/registration for
featuring Mary Ellin D’Agostino, Cynthia DuBose and Sherry Fotopoulos |
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Picture yourself on the breath-taking campus of Mills College (www.mils.edu) over-looking the San Francisco Bay Area from the east side in the rolling Oakland foothills. Typical weather during this “dead of winter” time is high 57°F and low 45°F, known as sweater weather in some locals. You’ve parked, crossed the street and are heading into the CPM Complex (Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics, (http://www.mills.edu/maps/virtual_tour/cpm.php) to join an exclusively small group of nine other people to learn much more about the metal clay you all have in common. The scent of eucalyptus wafts by from century-old trees on this 135-acre campus. Later in the evening you have plans to go to a concert, dine in a fabulous restaurant, catch a national sporting event, or simply walk the campus before dining at a local eatery. You traveled light getting here because all tools, equipment, and supplies are available right in your classroom. Take a good look inside and decide if this is YOU! |
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Go to www.heart-of-texas.net for ALL the information/registration for
featuring Marlynda Taylor, Donna Saint John, Sharon Gillespie,
Cynthia DuBose and Sherry Fotopoulos |
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Howdy, Pardner! If you think that visiting a working Texas ranch that also features a world-class spa and salon, Friday-night Fish Fry with live music, an atmosphere that is upscale, but very relaxed sounds like fun, COME ON DOWN! Here’s what they say, “The Old Chisholm Trail ran through the middle of Beaumont Ranch. Even today real cowboys on horseback can be seen herding longhorn cattle outside the ranch’s 1880’s Western Town, Chisholm Fork. Located just 35 minutes from downtown Fort Worth and Dallas, the ranch is just close enough to the city to allow convenience and just far enough to place you where the West begins.” Again, we can promise you NO SNOW with the high of 59°F and the overnight low of 42°F on Valentine’s Day this year. This is the real deal, folks, but with all of the amenities we know we deserve! And classes will be sized (max. 10!) to enjoy and learn. We’re looking forward to hearing from you! |
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Featured Products of the Month |
Do you have these yet? |
5lb Carbon, 1lb Carbon, 4” Firing Container, 2 ½” Firing Container
18” Kiln Tweezers |
This month we will help you get set up for firing BronzClay and CopprClay. We offer the necessary carbon in a 5lb. portion. This is the coconut-based carbon to be used when firing CopprClay. It can also be used to fire BronzClay.
Sale priced at $16.95 (Offer good thru 31 Jan 10) Retail $21.95
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We are also offering the carbon in smaller amounts. Some people need just a bit to augment what they already have or are firing in a small container. Now you can purchase just what you need of the coconut-based carbon in a 1lb portion.
Sale priced at $3.39 (Offer good thru 31 Jan 10) Retail $4.50
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We also offer the BronzClay and CopprClay firing container in two sizes. The first is the tall container which measures approximately 6 ¾” (W) X 6 ¼” (L) X 4” (D). Use this size if you have a front- loading or top-loading kiln that has a chamber of 8” X 8” X 5.9” or larger. You can fire lots of pieces just by making sure that there is a ½” to ¾” layer of carbon between layers with pieces and the load has a 1” layer on top.
Sale priced at $19.95 (Offer good thru 31 Jan 10) Retail $21.95
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The second BronzClay and CopprClay firing container we offer is a shorter one typically used in top-loading and smaller sized kilns. The container measures approximately 6 ¾” (W) X 6 ¼” (L) X 2 ½” (D). This size BronzClay and CopprClay firing container requires a kiln chamber size of 7” X 7” X 4 ½” (but not smaller). Order yours today!
Sale priced at $16.95 (Offer good thru 31 Jan 10) Retail $21.95 |
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And now for the tool for getting not only the firing containers but everything else in and out of the kiln. We have 18” kiln tweezers! Use two sets for the firing containers, one gripping the flange on each side of the container, for safe and easy loading and unloading. I use just one set to load and unload all of the shelves I use in my kiln. These tweezers are long enough that you need not worry about the heat of the kiln. Don’t delay, order today.
Sale priced at $9.95 (Offer good thru 31 Jan 10) Retail $11.99 |
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