A Big Teaching Weekend!

Last weekend , I ran my first polymer and silver clay weekend. This was a class our students kept begging for and hopefully I did not disappoint. On the Saturday, we made our silver embellishments, bails and toggle clasps. Following this on Sunday , the class was taught how to mokame gane their polymer clay. Mokame Gane is an ancient metal smithing technique which polymer artists now employ in their designs.
There were stunning designs everywhere. Unfortunately I did not get around to take pictures of everyones' work so bloggers you will need to look at the samples I made.

Enjoy these pics. Im off to now prepare for my upcoming silver clay ring course this Sunday.
Kathy

My Kids Did Good

Studio Amara staged their first students exhibition on March 12 in Bowral, which was a great success. Prior to the exhibition we had 3 newspaper articles published, together with a variety of direct mail and other promotional activities which led to a good attendance rate. General feedback was that our students are a very talented bunch and creating interesting, professional work. Those who dis participate have already suggested another of these events later in the year. We will keep you informed if this goes ahead. If you are interested and not on our mailing list please let us know so we do keep you in the loop.      


Here are some pictures from our day. Im sorry about the quality of the images.I forgot my camera and used my iphone to shoot these.


AAGH, my work is done here...


Kathy

One Sports Car and Metres of Clothing

Originally a scoop neck dress

"I cant believe its been almost a week now since Sylvia and I returned from our latest double trouble adventure in the Grampians. We were both attending the Grampians Texture Festival at Halls Gap, a beautiful area , three hours drive from Melbourne. This event, run annually is attended by approximately 400 people, usually obsessed creatives like ourselves. From the moment Sylv, picked me up in her cute little sports car I knew that we were going to be challenged about space. The car was packed to the rafters by the time my bags were in and we had planned to do some op shopping on our return from the conference even though we had made a pact not to buy anything. After all, this workshop we had chosen was Deconstructing Garments, making beautiful new clothes out of preloved ones. Both of us have been collecting our stash for some time and we have enough clothes to fill at least 3 lifetimes if not more!

I was not lying about the car

Our course was run by the gorgeous Philomena Hali, a very talented textile and fibre artist from Alice Springs who has worked for 19 years in the textile industry. More recently, Phil has been working with "Sustainable Coulture" as she calls it, teaching workshops and participating in an exhibition and fashion parade showing off this fashion. As the show was so successful last year, Phil is busily planning for another this year.


For five glorious days we played with clothes, turning them upside down, sideways, inside out, chopping , adding. Deconstructing clothes requires an open mind. There are no rules. Some of our play included mens suits being transformed to dresses, jumpers into pants, tablecloths to skirts, the ideas were endless.


Phil also introduced us to a great book for recycling ideas Junky Styling. Its available through Artisan Books in Melbourne.


Here are some pictures of my work.

Originally this garment was a long pullover vest

This garment was a very large skirt originally

Detail of the flower I made on this top