Progress on Painting with Fire Studio

Gosh, it's feels like it's been an eternity since I've visited with you guys.  I'm feeling somewhat mentally deranged; happy, but stressed out as hell!  Three weeks ago, we got the plans approved for improvements to our commercial building in St. Petersburg.  2428 Central Avenue will be a retail space, my studio, and a workshop spot.  The colors for the building all started with this new logo.

You might have noticed that we've changed our name in the logo from Painting with Fire "Artwear" to Painting with Fire "Studio."  We felt it would more aptly described what we're up to these days.  We'll be able to teach in the new space.  Thank God!  I'm not as young as I used to be (Surprise!!!) and being a migrant workshop instructor is incredibly fun ... but incredibly hard physically and mentally.  As you may know, I'm not the most organized person and the mental calisthenics I go through to make sure I haven't forgotten something is ... well ... let's put it this way, if I did that many physical calisthenics I'd be a size 8!

  

You won't be surprised to learn that I'm influenced by Thompson Enamel colors. I simply like Bitter and Flame Orange!  That's what you see in the logo.  I thought the charcoal gray was a softer touch than black.  I barely know the Adobe Illustrator program but somehow managed to get these transparent circles on top of the lettering.  I thought, "Wow! I like it!"  I think it gives the letters a little distressed look. The graphic designer and I were trying to get a logo that would be suitable for the sign for the building, a business card, and any other printed material.  

The graphics you enjoy on the internet when your computer is 10" in front of you, don't always translate well to building signs, which is unfortunate because Lori Plyler designed a beautiful image and I was disappointed not to be able to use it. 

Benjamin Moore has their own name for citrus green and it's called "Wasabi."  Good thing I like this color, because I chose it for a lot of the building.

The entire building will be painted Wasabi with the lighter coral surrounding the windows and door, and the deeper coral color for the shutters and window sills of the upstairs apartments.

Colors of Painting with Fire Studio, St. Petersburg, FL 

The walls in the retail space are accented with deep aqua bas relief molding. Of course, a lot of the wall color in the rooms will be covered with hanging displays and shelves. 

Alicia inspecting the paint job

Yesterday I ran myself ragged picking up paint ... twice! ... going to Lowe's for track lighting ... meeting the sign guy ... and going to Sam's Club to look at shelving units!  But believe me, I'm really just grateful that work has begun.   

In the middle of all this, my daughter, Laura, called to say that she ran out of gas on the Frankland Bridge (the float in her gas tank is not working).  She was among parade floats traveling from Tampa to St. Pete for the Grand Prix this weekend.  She said not a single person drove by, waved, and shouted, "Have a wonderful day!"   At the same time David, my son, was calling to say he locked himself out of his apartment ... plus the hair dresser was running 45 minutes late. 

 

Do you want to know how crazy I am?  I'm even excited over the security lights and the exit signs! 

These are the air conditioners that will help to keep the workshop space comfortable with 11 torches going at the same time!   


And here's one of the images from my book.  I can't help but smile at the colors that find their way into my work ... and now in the building.  Praise God for his many blessings ... 

Thanks for visiting me today.  I'll have more tomorrow when I can get a shot of what Cat Kerr gave me at last weekend's workshop!  You won't want to miss that!  :-) Barbara

A little bit about me ...

Let's start with the premise that I hate being in front of the camera!  But, when you're being ganged up on by your family and they're chiding you, you give in.  If you don't see anything else from this video than the fact that you can make beautiful torch-fired enamel work, just take it from me ... you can!  Be kind!  I'm no actress!





Please go here for more details about the eCourse.  :-)  Barbara

Painting with Fire Workshop eCourse

BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH DETAILS OF THE PAINTING WITH FIRE WORKSHOP eCOURSE, I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get the word out.  I sincerely thank you!

So, without further adieu, I'd like to congratulate LEA AVROCH for winning a seat in the online workshop!  Yay, Lea!  

PAINTING WITH FIRE WORKSHOP eCOURSE - $90

THIS IS AN EARLY SIGN-UP PRICE ONLY.  The regular online course fee of $99 becomes effective on March 8.  Sign up now to benefit from this discount.  Please read to the end of this announcement.


With this course, you can learn the Painting with Fire Method of torch firing enamel from the comfort of your own home.  This is a comprehensive course that will take you through such topics as:


:: types of enamel
:: safety
:: setting up your work station
:: recommended fuels and why
:: metals appropriate for enameling
:: the sweet spot of the flame
:: where to place the bead on the mandrel for firing
::: how to remove the bead so that little clean up is required
:: enameling delicate objects
:: surface decoration
:: understanding color
:: creating compound beads
:: joining metal pieces with enamel
:: creating and enameling wire shapes
:: how to conquer the persnickety head pin
:: creating "twisty tendrils"


I'll also share with you some of my favorite tools, including the jump ring jig, which I use to create jump rings of any size in any gauge and from any metal.


I've set up a Ning group for us.  If you haven't experienced a Ning group, all I can say is, "You'll love it!" It's easy to navigate and provides a very interactive way of sharing information.  If you want to give it a test drive before the eCourse, please join me at www.paintingwithfire.ning.com.  The Painting with Fire Ning has been in operation for just two years and we have 2300 members. This is a free site to members and is open to anyone who shares an interest in torch-fired enamel.  


For the eCourse, I've established a completely separate Ning group.  The word "Workshop" has been added to the name (www.paintingwithfireworkshop.ning.com)  It is a private group and only registrants of the workshop will be at the site. All participants of the PWF eCourse will  have their own page at the Ning where they can download photos of their work.  Everyone's photos unite in a group photos section where photos scroll across the homepage and greet you when you log on.  You'll find  a FAQ tab at the site, but the forum section can be used for questions and for sharing information.


The eCourse will be three weeks in length.  It will begin on April 2 and go through April 23.  However, the site, with all videos and the content we build during the workshop, will remain available to you through May 23.  I know that life can get in the way of our best efforts.   This is a self-paced course.  No  one should be fearful about not "keeping up."


New videos will be added on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.  Each video will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length, give or take a couple of minutes.  On Wednesday evenings starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time, we will have an online chat where all of your questions can be addressed.


TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Painting with Fire Torch Firing Kit
In order to participate in the eCourse, you will need the Painting with Fire Torch Firing Kit, which contains the all-important patent pending bead pulling station. The kit has everything you need but the map gas and a heat resistant surface (i.e., ceramic tile, cement board, baking sheet, etc.).  The kit, which is available with or without a Hot Head torch, contains three 3 oz. jars of enamel (a white opaque, a blue-green opaque, and a blue-green transparent), mandrels, beads, vermiculite, bread pan, hose clamp, and C-clamp.


Map Gas
Map gas can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowe's, True Value, Ace, etc.  Look for a yellow canister.  Map gas, which ranges in price from $7 to $10, will give 8 hours of steady firing.  It is commonly used by plumbers to sweat pipes.


eKit
An eKit, which is available for $35, has all of the materials I use during the workshop demos. You'll have a mound of beads, copper shapes, mandrels, 6/20 enamel, liquid enamel, decals, a sifter, millefiori, etc. While your Torch Firing Kit contains all of the enamels you NEED during the workshop, I'll be working with a wide color range of enamels so that I can expose you to some of the beautiful colors of Thompson Enamel. If you decide to purchase additional enamels during the workshop, a 10% discount will be refunded to your credit card or paypal account following checkout at the website.


The Book
The book for this eCourse is, "Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire," by Barbara Lewis (North Light Books, 2011). Signed copies of the book are available to students for the reduced price of $20.  However, the book can also be conveniently purchased  at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Create Mixed Media, etc.  I highly recommend that you purchase the book, if you haven't already.  It was named the Best Craft Book of 2011 at Amazon for a reason.  I believe it's a great reference book for anyone interested in torch-fired enameling.


Because I've been teaching this technique for several years, I've had the benefit of learning from my students.  I know what techniques may be more challenging and can emphasize different aspects of those techniques.  I love sharing the Painting with Fire immersion method of torching firing.  It is by far the fastest, easiest, and safest way to enamel anything that has a hole (bead, pendant, charm, etc.) Success in creating beautiful torch-fired enamel is at your fingertips!


Details for logging in at the Painting with Fire Workshop Ning!  The Ning site will be operational a week before the eCourse, at which time you'll receive an invitation to join following registration in the class. 

Pantone Colors of Spring ... Spring into Action!

I know this blog title sounds like it should be on the Wheel of Fortune, but I couldn't resist. :-)  I'm just lovin' these flower components, which I have at my etsy shop, where you indicate your color preference at checkout.  They are inspired by the Pantone Colors of Spring 2012, but Tangerine Tango will be with us throughout the year since it's the Color of 2012!





You could wear these as a pendant with a simple chain or as the focal of a beaded necklace.  Earring clutches can slide onto the 20 gauge wire to hold everything together or you can simply wire wrap a loop. Since there are so many openings in the filigree, you can also use jump rings as an attachment.  I can envision one of these riveted to a leather bracelet. Hey, where's that old belt? :-)

The head pins are the bomb because they're more than a head pin ... plus this design means that the enamel head pin is less prone to cracking. 


Do you have any ideas on how else these could be used?  I'm going to give you a chance to try some of them, because Monday I'll announce the details of the giveaway!  

A new look ... AND A SALE!

You might have noticed that the Painting with Fire Artwear blog has a new look.  Not to be outdone, the website had to put on some fancy duds!  Here she is with her new outfit!

The jewelry section has but one lonely entry, but that will change as soon as it stops raining and I can take some photographs.  We're getting pounded here in Southern Maryland by Hurricane Lee...

TO CELEBRATE OUR NEW LOOK, WE'RE OFFERING 20% OFF ALL MERCHANDISE THROUGH SUNDAY!

Create Mixed Media and Bead GiveAway

Hi all,  Blogger has shut me out for the last several days and I've been unable to visit you  to say "Thank You!" for participating.  It's not too late to enter ... we have until next Tuesday! 

Your free e-book waiting for you at Create Mixed Media.com

But if you haven't stumbled upon this exciting new resource for how-to's and inspiration, I want to invite you to visit Create Mixed Media. It is a great new site sponsored by North Light, but goes way beyond North Light.  You'll be able to learn and be inspired by our favorite artists, like Ruth Rae, Jen Cushman, Susan Kazmer, Bob Dancik, Rice Zachary, Pam Carriker, Stephanie Lee, Judy Wise ... you get the idea.

My artist profile just appeared on the site.  You'll find more about me than you ever wanted to know. :-) 

Bead Giveaway!

Let's have a little fun!  If you were here a few days ago, you saw my video of some pieces I had made with a technique I discovered in the studio.  It is so easy to make a rivet with heat instead of a hammer!  So now that amazon.com has the "Look Inside" feature activated for my book, you'll be able to see how it's done!

To thank you for visiting the site and taking a look inside, I'm giving away a set of beads (valued at over $75).  The best part is that you get to pick your color.  Just let us know if you want them as they are ... or possibly in pink, red, dark green, a robin's egg blue, black, navy ... you name it, we'll make it!

Here's what you have to do ... visit Amazon (just click on the link above), take a "Look Inside", click on the "Liked" button, post the contest on your blog and become a follower ... if you aren't already. :-)   But don't forget to come back here and leave a comment on my blog so I can enter you in the drawing. We'll be announcing the winner next Tuesday at this time!

I love giving gifts ... and thank you in advance for helping me to get the word out about my book.   :-)

                                                                                 Source: anabundanceof.blogspot.com on Pinterest

I love this quote ... and truly appreciate it as I pare down even more of the remnants of my pottery studio :: electric kiln, pug mill, potters wheel, glaze chemicals, pottery tools.  Things, in and of themselves, are not useful, it's when they function for their intended purpose that we embrace them and bask in the glory of our excellent decision to buy it!

Just curious ... have any of you experienced this shift ... one so great that you rid yourself of the things that were a beloved element of a past life?

Turquoise Starfish ... Why Not!

I know that Turquoise was Pantone's color of the year for 2011 and Honeysuckle is the color for this year, but who doesn't want to wear turquoise ... especially in the Spring and Summer.  Turquoise and Summer are synonymous in my book!

Glass beads by Blue Heeler glass, starfish by guess who?

Gettin' Ready for Bead Fest Wire!

We're days away from driving to King of Prussia for Bead Fest Wire!  I really hope I'll be meeting a bunch of you there. Even though we only talk in cyberspace, your blogs have invited me into your world ... and I'm so grateful. It would be nice to put a face to a page. :-)

I'll be giving a demo on Friday at 11 a.m. and you can find me at my booth at other times on Friday and Saturday and, of course, at the teachers Meet and Greet on Friday evening.  On Sunday, I'll be teaching 20 of you how to enamel as fastly, cheaply, and safely as is humanly possible!  So, I hope now that you know where I'll be, you can come by and we can have a gigglefest!

Over the past few days I've been making jewelry because I feel a strong need to show some of what's available with torch firing.  But what I really want is for you to give it a whirl.  The paintingwithfire.ning.com can be a great source of support as you continue a home study course in enameling. :-)  I think of it as an extended warranty. LOL  You all, of course, will take the technique in other directions and create outta sight stuff!

I think one of the most obvious attractions about enamel is color.  Metal is a wonderful material, but when you put colored glass on top of it, metal comes alive!  You need not cover every speck of metal with color though. I'm finding that fabric and enamel look great together.  It's also a great solution to costly metal alternatives.  As far as color, it's WOWx2!

I see fabric and my brain says, "I need dat!" But apparently I have a lot of needs ... but we won't go there!  The sari ribbon I use is Fair Trade and recycled.  It helps to support impoverished woman in Nepal and India, many of whom are single-mother head-of-households, which is one of the reasons I decided to carry it at my website.

Here's a new piece I just finished yesterday called, "Dogwood." The saffron ribbon keeps the piece from becoming just toooo sweet!

Dogwood

Dogwood, detail

But, I'm curious ... have you noticed that there's a trend toward using ribbons and other fibers in jewelry design? Do YOU find yourself using more ribbons and other fibers in your work?  Do you have favorites?  I'd love to hear what you're thinking ... :-)

March Madness Sale on Enamel

Do you want to live your life in black and white?  If not, don't miss out on our March Madness Sale on Thompson Enamel.  From March 24 to midnight March 31 you'll save 10% on your order of 3 oz. or 8 oz. Thompson Enamels at my website, Painting with Fire Artwear.  Now might be the time to bring more color to your life!  :-)  Barbara

Enamel Bangles

Toil and trouble can lead to success ... sometimes. :-)  I've been struggling with the torch-firing of a bangle bracelet made from wire.  Talk about frustration!@#^  Well, persistence paid off and I want to share the results with you.  Here's "In Flight."   The colors are a gorgeous baby blue opaque with drippy transparent pink enamels on part of the bracelet. There's an enamel swallow charm (hence the title, "In Flight" < :-) > and another charm with a leaf design in a purple called "Iris." 

In Flight

In Flight

In Flight, detail

The charm on "Meadowsweet" was made in a Painting with Fire Workshop.  It's one of the final things we do that leaves students saying, "Wow!  I didn't know you could do all this with torch firing!" To fire the charm, I dangle it from a mandrel and when it glows orange, I dip the piece into enamel.  Repeat two more times.  Then I transfer the mandrel to my nondominant (left) hand. I tilt my hand slightly so the mandrel is in a more parallel position to the ground. Using tweezers in my right hand, I place the flower chips where I want them. The yellow stripe is a cat whisker I added and to the upper right is some larger grain size enamel in the transparent enamel color "Copper."  All of these items are at my website (www.paintingwithfireartwear.com) if you want to try it.

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet

The colors in "Reef" remind me of all that's good about summer!  Turquoise makes an appearance with abandon! This 14mm ridge bead is topped with etched bead caps. An enameled head pin, some shiny faceted crystals in turquoise and a rhinestone rondelle finish things off.  The color of the bead is something my son, David, developed in the studio.  It was great discovery and is even more beautiful in person.  It's our new favorite! :-)  We call the color blend "Caribbean."

Reef

Reef, detail

I'm glad you were able to visit me today to share in my delight that the problem of enameling wire is solved! I love the wonky, organic nature of the bangle, so my persistence definitely paid off.  Can you think of a challenge in your own work that you've conquered?  I'd love to hear about it!

P.S.  Check out www.lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com for some other bangles I love to make!

Bright Enameled Pendants ... oh my!

 My latest projects in the studio have included enameling some "not so shy" pendants in shades of orange and pink ... and some teal thrown in for good measure. Perfect for this time of year and really anytime.  These would look great in the winter, too ... but we're forgetting about winter now ... nasty winter ... forget you!

This is called "Sunsplash" and begins with a copper disc that is a little over 1.5" in diameter.  I etched it first and then enameled it with overlapping colors.  I didn't want to get too busy with the colors because I wanted the etching to be appreciated.  It takes a little bit of time to get the effect I want, but who's in a hurry when you're making art.  Take a look at Patty's LMAJ post today about getting into the "flow."  I knew of the phenomenon intimately, but didn't know that anyone wrote scores about it!  Patty's post is definitely worth a read ... but don't jump ship yet ... stay with me ... :-)

Sunsplash

Sunsplash, detail

The next one has a little more going on with the addition of a murrini, which is a little small glass disc that starts life as rods of class that are joined and then stretched.  When cool, the murrini are cut from the rod.  Solar Flare spectacularly juxtaposes the complementary colors of orange and teal.  You'll see a little bit of red and purple in the murrini.  The exposed copper has been dimpled and polished.

Solar Flare

Solar Flare, detail

Solar Flare, detail

To go with either of these pendants are two discs that have been simply enameled, which makes them perfect complements to these bold pendants.

Sunsplash Discs

I've always worn conservative clothes and colors.  When I'd go to my wardrobe, it would be like, "Okay, what shade of beige will I wear today."  But I've found that my interest in enameling has naturally invaded my environment ... including my closet.  

Have you found that as you've pursued your jewelry passion that your interests in color have changed?

Are you now wearing a color or colors that you once said, "I'd never get caught where that color(s)!"? 

Look for these very reasonably price items at my website www.paintingwithfireartwear.com. Just go to the sidebar and look for Enamel Beads, etc.

New York Magazine Loves St. Pete!

By now most of you know that I live in St. Pete about 20 weeks a year.  It is a crazy schedule of two week trips throughout the year ... although we're shooting for more three week trips. We're just not in a position to move there permanently ... yet!  To say that I love St. Pete is an understatement ... and apparently someone at New York Magazine feels the same way.

On page 5 you'll find a reference to my neighborhood, Kenwood.  Because so many artists reside in the neighborhood, Kenwood Board Members and residents are working with the city toward establising a special residential status called an "Artist Enclave".  This would allow artists some limited commercial use of their property for teaching, etc.  Signage also would be permitted.  What page 5 of New York Magazine doesn't mention is that even though the homes tend to be small ... Kenwood has the largest concentration of bungalows in the state of Florida and a good many of them are charming.

Peg's Cantina in neighboring Gulfport

In 2005, Cottage Living magazine named Kenwood one of the five best cottage communities in the country. But it wasn't always like that.  In 1990, a run-down Kenwood began to turn the corner when a group of hard core restorers ... and partiers ... brought the community back to life through hard work and porch parties ... a tradition that continues today.

New Salvador Dali Museum, opened 1/11/11

If any of this appeals to you and you want to live in a warm climate, 12 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a mile from some great cultural sites and restaurants, get in touch with me ... I know a dynamite real estate agent who will hook you up!

Links!

I love the way these links look and they are so much fun to make ... I think it's because I love to see the wire ball up on the end.  It's 16 gauge copper so it takes a little bit of juice ... not everyone has a torch that can handle this gauge.  These are a little over 3/4" wide at the outside diameter and are bound with sterling silver wire.  They are hammered, oxidized, and polished.  Here are just a couple of ways you can use them ....

But, you can stack them as rings, use them as earrings ... I can also send them to you unbound so you can link them together.  They would be complete except for binding them closed with wire. These are available at my website.  Look under "Beads/Components" on the left sidebar ... the price is an affordable $5.25 per link. If you buy 3 or more, the price drops to $5 a link.  The discount will be refunded when the links are shipped.  

Book Cover!

"Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire"

While I try to find my camera so I can post the photos of yesterday's scene at the Tucson Bead Show, I thought I'd share with you the cover of my book.  I know the fonts will undergo some change, but the rest of the cover will remain the same.

It was a challenge for the designers to impart a feeling of fire without actually having a flame in the photo.  My daughter says it's like the glow of a fireplace.  When I opened my email and saw it for the first time, I had a visceral reaction ...  I felt flushed, had goosebumps, a dry mouth, and a lump in my throat.  Sounds like stage fright doesn't it!  

The first week of August is the release date, which will conclude an 18-month process unlike anything I've ever experienced before! ... but in a good way. :- )

Art and Soul, Portland

Hi Folks, Registration for Art and Soul, Portland begins today, February 1!  I've got a pretty exciting line-up.  I'll be teaching everything I know!  My book, which will be out by then (August 4), will beautifully record what you'll be learning in the workshops with hands-on experience. I can only imagine how creative you'll be with your artwork ... and you'll inspire me to greater things!  That's how it happens you know ... the teacher learns from the student.  It happens every time I teach ... I learn as much as I teach.  Would love to meet some of you out there.  Portland ...  the spot where it all began.  Ten years ago Art and Soul pioneered the concept of art retreats and is still leading the pack!  Come join me!

Cat Whiskers Treasury

Who could come up with a treasury for Cat Whiskers?  Well, Louise did!  It just goes to show you what an artist's eye she has, to create such a lively treasury.  Louise obviously is very talented by the looks of the things in her shop!  I love the "poppy pinwheel bowl!"

Let's make a play date!

Treasured Snippets, Portland Art and Soul, September, 2011

Treasured Snippets, Portland Art and Soul, September 2011

I've got a lot of teaching in 2011. Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon with great people who leave the workshop with smiling faces?  It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.

Aside from teaching at arts center in Maryland and St. Pete, I'll be teaching at some great art retreats and bead shows for the very first time. On April 28, I'll be giving a Painting with Fire Workshop at Art and Soul, Hampton, VA and on April 10, I'll be at  Bead Fest Wire, King of Prussia, PA.  You guys have seen tons of examples of the wonderful beads made by students who attended other PWF workshops, but I did want to mention that Painting with Fire Artwear will be exhibitors selling enameling supplies and torch-fired enamel beads and pendants at Bead Fest Wire.

In early July, I'll be teaching three workshops at Art and Soul, New Orleans. We have the PWF workshop, but the other two are Enamel Explorations and Forging Away.  Take a look at some of the projects for those workshops.

Forging Away

Forging Away

Enamel Explorations

Enamel Explorations

Enamel Explorations

Enamel Explorations

On August 20, I'll be teaching Forging Away at Bead Fest Philadelphia.  On the August 21 I'll be teaching Painting with Fire. Painting with Fire Artwear will also be exhibitors selling enamel supplies and torch-fired enamel beads and pendants. Now we're back to where we started ... in Portland in the Fall where I'll be teaching Painting with Fire, Enamel Explorations, Forging Away, and my newest class, Treasured Snippets.  I hope I'll have the opportunity to meet many of you during 2011 ... and to have some of you in class.  We cover a lot of territory in the workshops ... and have a great time doing it!  Speaking of which, I can't wait to show you some new beads I made yesterday!