Sharing makes us human
Lapidary work can be cold, dirty and miserable
No matter how gorgeous your raw materials are, if you are uncomfortable when you work, it’s just not gonna be fun. Thanks to a good friend, my situation improved . . .
Originally published 02-23-2011
Goldsmiths are typically generous. I say typically, because I have met a few who are not, but that is their gig, and not what I'm writing about here. One of my favorite things about the whole "Social Media" phenomenon is that I can be stuck on a project or idea, and all I need to do is hop online to one of several places and it is virtually guaranteed that one of my metalhead pals will be there to answer questions, lend support, offer encouragement -- or provide an esoteric and intriguing little piece of culture or trivia that my mind or emotion can savor. Usually, that helps me get around whatever rock is in the creative river, and I can hop back to the bench and get on to more productive work.
Sharing makes us human. It is easy. It makes you feel good when you do it. And, if what you share is valuable or helpful to the other person, your good energy will return to you in the future in some way. Try it. You'll like it!
Today's tip: My good pal Michael Boyd gave me an immense gift last winter. His insight and experience made doing wintertime lapidary work in my cold studio so much more pleasant. This is elegant and simple, and obvious, however it eluded me until he told me what to do: Cut in hot water. Warm hands make cutting in winter SO much nicer!
Thank you Michael.
I’m a metalsmith and I like to draw
Quick doodles for designs within a square
I draw every day, and sometimes it has nothing at all to do with work I am making at my jeweler’s bench. Drawing helps me to stay artistically nimble and creatively unstuck.
Originally published 2-14-2011
Drawing comes naturally to everyone. I know many of you will say you say you can't draw -- you are wrong. Remember those drawings you made in elementary school on manilla paper, sidewalks and your mother's dining room wall? You can draw. It has just been beaten out of you through harsh criticism, mistaken ideas of "good" or "bad" art, and you forgetting that the act of making a mark is a basic human drive. Cave paintings prove this out. Drawing will help your metalwork, and remember that you can draw. But, you have to follow these rules:
Get a black permanent marker. Use white paper. Draw on it. Do not think, just draw. Do not throw your drawing away. If you can't bear looking at it, file it in a drawer and look at it in a few weeks. If you can't decide where to start, draw a square and decorate it. Then, draw another, and another until the page is full. Do this every day. Soon, you will look forward to drawing, and you will sketch out your metalwork ideas before you touch metal. Trust me, with the price of metal, this is a more economical way to work things out.
Todays tip: Use PH down instead of commercial pickle. I buy mine at the end of season pool supply sale for 50% off at my local big box store. Mix about 1/4 cup to a quart of water in your crock pot.