January 30th, 2009
It was a rare sunny November Saturday and twelve students chose to spend the day inside with Northwest jewelry artist, Andy Cooperman. We gathered around the center table at Danaca Design and settled in for a day-long demonstration class: “It Ain’t Just a Drill: Getting the Most From Your Flexible Shaft”. Most jewelry students will agree that sitting in a jewelry studio watching someone else have all the fun is difficult. However, Andy’s personality and presentation of techniques was so engaging the class voted to keep watching and listening rather than spend the last few hours of class trying the techniques on our own.
Anyone who has looked through the Rio Grande catalog and been overwhelmed by the many pages of attachments for the flexible shaft would have benefited from this class. Andy reviewed everything about this versatile tool: motors, basic maintenance, shafts, foot pedals, various hand piece attachments, burrs, bits, grinding, shaping, finishing and polishing. He even revealed some of his secret tricks of the trade! (He “sculpted” a ring with a rubberized abrasive wheel. Benefit: a hammered finish without changing the ring size!) Andy discussed the benefit of owning several flexible shafts and shared photos of his studio flex shafts set up in a variety of ways. So if nothing else, students walked away with permission to buy another new tool!
The Danaca Design studio is equipped with an overhead camera and large viewing screen so all students had a birds-eye view of Andy’s metal manipulation magic. I would highly recommend taking this class whether you are just learning about this tool or are looking to expand your skills.
To learn more about Andy Cooperman visit www.andycooperman.com.
To learn more about jewelry design and fabricating classes at Danaca Design Metal Crafting Center & Gallery in Seattle, visit www.danacadesign.com.
Tags: Andy Cooperman
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December 23rd, 2008
This year, winter has announced its arrival with a white flurry in Seattle. What a great time to curl up on the sofa with a cup of hot cocoa and the newly released Winter Schedule from Danaca Design Metal Crafting Center & Gallery. With so many classes to choose from, you will barely notice the cold when you fill your next three months with jewelry crafting days!
An ever-present favorite is the Beginner Series taught by Dana Cassara, taken as three separate weekend classes or one jam-packed, fun-filled week. Another class offered again and again due to popularity, is Suz O’Dell’s PMC+ Class. As an added twist this quarter, she will be showing her students how to use Bronze Metal Clay!
If your schedule doesn’t permit total immersion into your jewelry-crafting world, check out the “Quickie” section. There are ten classes to choose from! Usually on a weekend or an evening, these classes are the perfect gift of creativity despite your busy life.
Whether you are looking to expand your skill or looking for a supportive, collaborative environment, the Mentored Independent Study sessions and Open Studio are great options. Dana Cassara and Juan Reyes offer Mentored Independent Study sessions on a variety of days and times to fit your schedule. Open Studio, a time and space to work independently without a mentor, is offered Friday and Sunday evenings. What an ideal way to start and end the weekend!
Today, I’m ending my snowing weekend curled up with my cocoa, my calendar, and my winter schedule to try and narrow down my choices! Stay tuned for previews and reviews as the Winter Schedule progresses.
To decide what you will be registering for at Danaca Design Metal Crafting Center & Gallery in Seattle, visit www.danacadesign.com
Tags: jewelry making classes
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December 23rd, 2008
Fret no longer, a gift certificate from Danaca Design Metal Crafting Center & Gallery is good for classes. Most people don’t ‘need’ more stuff – give the gift of an experience this year.
I know I have dropped the hint to my family that a weekend class where I gain a new skill is a gift that keeps on giving. Besides, my family usually receives my finished pieces for Christmas so they have a special motivation for my time in the studio! To see a list of classes offered at Danaca Design Metal Crafting Center & Gallery in Seattle, visit www.danacadesign.com
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