Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

One of the techniques I learned at Hadar's Tucson workshop used flat floral ribbon to make the shapes for clay.  The floral ribbon is flexible and can be cut with scissors.  Once it is bent into a shape, clay is cut and dried against the ribbon.  It is removed after the clay dries and one can proceed assembling the pieces.  At the class,we worked making jewelry but I wanted to experiment a little more and decided to make contemporary lizard for fun.  I used Goldie Roman Bronze clay as one of my goals this spring is to use all my various metal clays from several companies and then decide which I really like.  This turned out to be my largest piece I've made and just fit in a rectangular pan I had. Something I had to consider when I designed Turq.  His finished size is 3"x 5". My basic design with the floral ribbon Placing the dried clay pieces on a background Decisions:  do I want a bronze lizard that covers the skeleton or not? Nope!  I

It became obvious when I was in Hadar’s metal clay class in Tucson recently that there are so many new directions I can take my designs.  I think the fact that I have always wanted to learn new techniques makes it difficult to focus on making a cohesive ‘line of jewelry’.  And here I am again learning new ways to experiment.  Eventually it may become important to focus but right now I’m having a great time playing! I love the patina on this one! The class was fun because of the easy flow between students and Hadar (the teacher), Lyle Rayfield’s great studio and patio area in the beautiful Tucson mountains, Barb’s terrific meals and all the new ideas.  Even with me getting up and down often, exercising often and icing my knee through lunch, I managed to produce several pieces that I am sharing with you. We used Hadar’s Friendly Brilliant Bronze clay and her special inlay powders. One of my largest pieces did not get fired in class so I brought it hom

 http://theafghangemjewelry.com/ Last week I was able to go to the last day of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.  My two friends, Sandy and Jennifer, were patient as I walked through one hotel lobby.  My new knee is giving me problems in the bending/walking area and it will be quite a while before I am able to race through more than a few vendor's setups…..but next year watch out!   Eye Candy! One of the booths had spent some time color coordinating their beads. I spent quite a bit of time enjoying all that beautiful color.  At another booth, I found petrified bamboo.  I’d never even thought of what petrified bamboo would look like and it was lovely.  Sorry no photo.  http://www.manizone.co.uk/spiritual-exercises-understanding-spiritual-gifts-spiritual-p-1275.html The other excitement was finding Australian black opals.  My Dad always wanted to go the black opal mines and I thought it would be cool to have a stone since I've recently been to Australia.  S