Get Creative in a Jewelry Class!

Have you ever been bitten by the "Creative Bug"? Would you like to learn how to make your own jewelry? It's actually pretty easy if you know how.

In several weeks, I'll be teaching a 4 week class at the Round Hill Arts Center in Round Hill, Virginia. This class is an extension of the 1 day "Intro To Wire Jewelry" workshops I've put on. The Center has had several people inquire about a longer, more intense jewelry class, so we've put this class together.

I'm pleased to say that the workshops have been well received and have gotten some nice reviews.

I took the Wire Jewelry class and would like to let you know what a great instructor you have in Meredith. She was informative, we practiced everything she talked about, and we walked away with skill enough to do it ourselves. She very nicely handled a large age range and skill differences. Also, when help was needed she showed you what to do, not did it for you. I had a great time, and would not hesitate to sign up for a class she is teaching.

Thanks,
Molly Tew

Here's the scoop on the class:

Jewelry 101: Intro to Making Wire Jewelry Instructor: Meredith Hilt Date: March 22- April 12, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Cost: $115 (Plus $25 materials fee payable in first class) This 4 week class is a more intense version of our Intro to Wire Jewelry Workshop. This class is designed for the beginner who wants to learn the basics, or for those who want to expand their jewelry skills and produce quality finished pieces of jewelry. Learn basic jewelry techniques needed to design and create your own beautiful jewelry using copper and sterling wire. We will spend some time becoming acquainted with safety, jewelry tools and wire. We will move on to skills such as making jump rings, links, clasps, and ear wires. If you’ve ever wondered what all those components can be used for, wonder no more! Each class will focus on building a different piece of jewelry. Students will learn to create earrings, rings, bracelets and pendants. Finishing techniques will also be discussed. What isn't completed in class may be taken home to finish. Learn the basics of jewelry making with this hands-on class and gain confidence. You will learn skills that will allow you to easily make your own jewelry at home! Register here

Hope to see you there!

My (cable) Television Debute

Imagine my surprise when I received a telephone call from Judy Sheehan of the Artscape Cable show inviting me to be a guest. She asked me to come speak with her about my Wire Jewelry classes and about the Round Hill Arts Center. After I picked my jaw off the table, I told her I'd love to! Ms. Sheehan asked me to bring along something to demonstrate as we spoke.

Everyone I told about the upcoming interview asked me when and where it would air. Not knowing, I called the studio and asked. I was told it would repeat throughout the month of January and part of February on the local (Ashburn?) cable network. Everyone then encouraged me to try and get a copy of the interview from the studio.

So on Monday, November 23rd, I was to drive into Ashburn to the Comcast Cable Studio. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous. That morning, Ms. Sheehan called to remind me of the interview. As if I'd forget! I asked her was was best to wear - would I be seen from the waist up or full body? She said we'd be viewed from the waist up, and she was planning on wearing jeans, so I could as well. Whew. I decided to wear a nice shirt and tailored jacket over my jeans, and of course, wore jewelry that I'd made. I wore the new copper and sterling flower pin that I'd just finished and the heavy copper bracelet I'd made out of 1/4" pipe. I topped those off with my pounded penny earrings.


As nervous as I was, I gave myself plenty of time to arrive. Good thing. I did get lost briefly. I arrived with some time to spare. I met the director, and as I was to be the first guest at 3:00, he showed me to a break room to wait for our hostess. He asked me what I'd brought with me and verified my personal details such as name spelling, web address etc. He explained briefly to me how the interview would go. He reminded me that the show wouldn't air until the first of the year, so not to make any references to Thanksgiving or Christmas. I then asked him about getting a copy of the interview and he said to talk to him after the taping. He then went off to do important studio things. Finally, at almost 3:50, Judy arrived, having had some sort of emergency at home. Needless to say, the waiting had made me nervous as a cat.

The director collected me from the break room and we went into the recording studio. Bright lights and large television cameras were aimed at a "stage" consisting of two chairs with a small table between. Ms. Sheehan came in and introduced herself and I was a bit dismayed. She wasn't wearing jeans, but a lovely - what looked like a cocktail - dress. Oh great!

Before the taping, she asked me several questions about myself and made notes. As I sat there fidgeting (should I cross my hands in my lap, or should I put them on the arms of the chair? Is my hair okay? Will the camera show my jeans? Should I cross my ankles or keep my feet flat? Oh, why didn't I check my hair and makeup while I just sat in that break room??) I could see the director in the glass booth. He appeared to be giving directions to the two camera men in the studio with us. One of the men seemed more important and he had on a head set on that the director was giving instructions through.

The lights were pretty bright in the studio, and I couldn't see the second camera man very well. As Ms. Sheehan sat studying her notes the camera men adjusted camera angles and hooked up my microphone. We did some sound tests and once the director was satisfied, they did the countdown and we started. Judy introduced me and asked me the first question. I'd just started my answer when the headphone camera men stopped us. Evidently, the director noticed some sort of problem, and wanted to start over. Eek!

When Judy started again, she kept stumbling over her words, so we had to start two or three more times. To be honest, by that time, I don't know whether I did well or not. I was so nervous throughout the interview. I was told I'd have a total of 8 minutes. I'd felt like we were pretty rushed to get though it all. I was asked several questions, then we "broke" and I set up the demo I'd brought. I think they said I had two minutes for my demo, so I was a little panicked to rush through it. The next thing I knew, the headset camera man thrust my briefcase and my purse into my hands, unplugged my microphone and pushed me out the door. I stood in the hallway a moment a bit dazed and realized it was time to leave. As I headed out the door, the director stopped me and gave me a form to fill out and to return with $20 to get a copy of the interview. I asked him if it seemed to have gone well and he said "yes, yes, thank you" and off he went. As I left, I saw them rushing some woman into the studio. I imagine she was the next guest. And so, the show goes on!

Now, I just need to order my copy of the interview, and hope I don't look as foolish as I felt. I guess Andy Warhol was right. Everyone has their 15 minutes of fame - or in my case, 8 minutes. Who knows? I could come across brilliantly, and get a lot of students from the broadcasts.

Hey. It could happen.

New Northern Virginia Artists CoOp

With the move and reorganization of the RHAC, it had been decided that they wanted to concentrate their efforts on their well run art center and not have a gallery/gift shop as well. Which makes sense to me. The are all about education, not retail ventures. They'd suggested that the artists and consignors from the old gallery start a cooperative. RHAC has very kindly agreed to help in any way, and would like it to still be a part of the RHAC family.

Well, for the last several weeks a bunch of artists (a group made up of some RHAC's teachers, board members, consignors from the old gallery and local artisans) have been attempting to start an Artists Cooperative. We'd gotten a bit of a rocky start - a room full of self assured, creative people, each with an opinion... well, it was like herding cats. But, over the last several weeks, a core of people have put their heads together and have really made some progress!

It's been a very interesting process so far. We've had to work up financial information, consider space requirements and leasing options, creating standard operating procedures and by-laws. Whew! The RHAC have been VERY supportive so far and would like us to take adjoining space to their new facility at the "Hill High Plaza". It looks like it will be a very good joint venture.

The progression being made is exciting!! Please check us out on theartscoop.ning.com and watch us grow! Especially if you are an artist in the Northern Virgina area, we'd love your input AND participation. If interested, now is the time to get involved, because there will be a limited membership.

Round Hill Arts Center Moving to New Location!

It's really starting to get exciting around here. Things seemed pretty glum when RHAC had to move from their old location. The director began to work very hard to come up with a new location. Wow! Did he ever hit pay dirt!

Locally, we have an old apple packing plant that's been housing an eclectic country store, deli and pie shop. Located right on a very major road, the place seems to do a brisk business. The location is fantastic. During the winter months, the store occasionally hosts a farmer's market that also brings a lot of folks in.

It turns out that the country store is using only a tiny portion of the warehouse space. The rest of the building has been sitting idle, just collecting stored junk. The landlord has decided to convert the remaining area into finished retail space along the lines of an upscale mini-mall. In addition to the Art Center, there's talk of space being rented by a vintner, a music shop and our artists' cooperative is working on getting a gallery in there too.

RHAC has signed a lease, and the construction has begun! I got to see the floor plan and then take a tour of the space under construction. The Art Center will be so much better off in the new location. It will have a modern pottery studio, class rooms and space to hold all sorts of events. They think they might even be open in November!!


Our co-op is working hard to get a gallery in there. The Round Hill Arts Center is really supporting our work and hopes that we'll get in there as part of the RHAC organization.

Here is a recent press release, check it out! I was even quoted in the release. Gosh. It almost makes me sound important:

ROUND HILL ARTS CENTER TO RELOCATE TO HILL HIGH ORCHARDS


If all goes according to plan, the Round Hill Arts Center will be established in a new home in the Hill High Orchards building before the holidays.

According to RHAC Executive Director Frank Naylor, the Center has signed a letter of intent for the new space, which will be behind the existing Hill High Country Store. The space will include a brand new state-of-the-art pottery studio, art studios for classes and room for a new gallery.

The Center has grown exponentially since its inception in 2000. Interim Board President Lisa Zimmer-Chu explained that over the summer, the Board of Directors made the decision to move from the Center’s original location in the Old Furniture Factory in Round Hill “in order to pursue a location that would better support the Center’s mission and continued growth.”

“The new location keeps us in Round Hill but with quality space designed to be an art center from the ground up with room to grow,” Naylor said. “It will meet code, be ADA accessible, and be more economical to operate.”

In addition, the Hill High Orchards location is in a high-traffic area, has ample paved parking, outside space with tables and a small lake to facilitate outside events and classes in season, Naylor added. “It is an exciting start,” he said.
The Board envisions and is working toward an artist supported co-operative gallery space that would be staffed by the artists themselves. “This will be the only artists’ co-op in western Loudoun County,” Zimmer-Chu said.

“In talking with other artists who’ve sold and worked with the Center, we’re all really excited about actively supporting and working with the Art Center board in their new location,” said Waterford fiber artist Mary Kenesson.

Local artist and member of the co-operative committee Meredith Hilt agreed, saying she is “really excited to see the Round Hill Arts Center expand its horizons and be able to offer so many more wonderful opportunities for artists and the community.”

While the Center’s primary focus will be on visual arts classes and the artists’ co-op, Zimmer-Chu said a variety of musical events, in keeping with the Center’s popular Bluegrass Jam Sessions at the Old Furniture Factory building, are being planned for the future.

The Center has already moved out of the Old Furniture Factory and expects to be operational in the Hill High Orchards location within 30-60 days. In the interim, arrangements have been made to hold classes in temporary off-site locations.

“As with all non-profits,” Zimmer-Chu said, “ongoing community support is critical, especially during transition periods.” The Center is encouraging continued community input, attendance at classes, volunteerism and tax-deductible financial donations.

The Round Hill Arts Center is a community-based and community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to providing opportunities to explore the creative arts through classes, exhibits, musical events, artist meetings and more.

RHAC: Intro to Wire Jewelry Classes

I'd been approached by the Round Hill Arts Center to possibly teach some classes through them. Cool! I jumped at the chance, since it sounds like a lot of fun!

Since The Round Hill Arts Center is still in transition (they are in the process of moving to a new, FANTASTIC location which is not completed as yet), they've had to rent spaces to hold their current class offerings.

I contacted some of the people on my mailing list and there seemed to be a lot of interest. The classes are to start next weekend. I know there have been some sign-ups, but I have no idea how many as yet. I'm not sure what minimums are needed to make it worth renting the facility. So we'll see how this shapes up. Also, I've been told that the economy seems to be hitting the local art centers in the shape of lower class sign-ups. I know another teacher's classes were cancelled due to low enrollment. *glup*

Here's the information on my classes from their web site:

Introduction to Wire Jewelry
with Meredith Hilt

Saturdays October
24, November 7, November 21
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,
Purcellville Community Center
$75 each class (plus materials fee)

Registration discount if taking more than one class

Learn the basic wire jewelry techniques needed to design and create your own beautiful sterling and copper jewelry. These classes are designed for the beginner, or for those who want a refresher, to learn the correct way to tackle the basics. We will spend some time becoming acquainted with jewelry tools and wire. Then move on to making jump rings and links, clasps, wire charms, and various types of chain. Finishing techniques will also be covered. While learning these skills, you'll create several elements in each class resulting in jewelry to proudly wear home or give as gifts. Once you learn these techniques you'll be able to be move on to designing and making your own bracelets, earrings and necklaces!

These individual classes are designed to be progressive. But you can take one or all to advance your skills. Click here to register

I'll fill you in on how the classes progress. I hope they come to pass! I've already stocked up on supplies for the class. I've ordered sterling and copper wire, various beads and have created tools kits. I guess if worst comes to worst, I'll save them for future classes or else use them myself.