URL address and feed change

Today I'm in the process of moving my blog to it's correct URL address. Please bookmark this site or change your feed email. Thanks for your patience. Colleen Lee

http://wwwsilverartstudiocom.blogspot.com/

There are no "Square Pegs"

I met a really nice woman yesterday who had contacted me to see if I gave oil painting classes. It has been a good 15 plus years since I've attempted painting with oils. I told her that I would love to have her come by and we would learn together, just a fun day of trial and error, encouraging each other. And it was. We both got out our old tubes of paints, took an inventory of what brushes and supplies we had and agreeded we were going to start something small and simple. By the end of 3 hours I had shades of green smeared all over a small canvas and a new friend. What a great way to meet people and have fun. A few years ago I spent 5 weeks visiting my sister in Phoenix. She was working for a company there and ask me to come visit and do some drawings. I had not done much with my art through the previous years and being in Phoenix, around artist and crafter was so interesting. At the end of the 5 weeks the company took us to CHA in Las Vegas. We each had name plates with our names and a nickname under it. I ask to be the "Square Peg That Didn't Fit In" as I was with a group of scrapbookers and I didn't know how to do anything that they were doing. BUT, I started drawing again and experimenting with various crafts, and the creative juices started flowing. I have been tossing the idea around of having women come a couple times a month, bring their craft of choice and just have fun working and visiting with others who have similar interest. having a blast while being creative. I wanted to find a way to help people who were new to an area, people who might be lonely and wanted a way to meet others in a fun environment. A place where there were no square pegs because the circle of friends they made just became larger and larger allowing every square peg to fit into an ever increasing circle of friends. So, yesterday became the first of "hopefully" many more, "Square Peg" creative play days. Just remember there really are no "Square Pegs".

Obtaining a Great Mirror Finish

I have often heard metal clay artist say that getting a mirror finish is almost impossible. This can be challenging at times. I have found that by sanding each piece before attaching them eliminates a lot of this. I hand sand every piece beginning with 600 through 2000 grit sandpaper before attaching the pieces to each other. Once I fire a piece I repeat the process. Then I use all grits of polishing papers, using as much pressure as I can with each. I only use a dremel tool to polish tiny areas on the inside of circles or in deep crevice areas that I cannot get sandpaper into. I find it similar to working with wood. Each sucessive grit of sandpaper seals and closes the grains of wood. In metal clay, each successive grit of sandpaper fills and closes the pores in clay. I recommend using a dust mask and sanding with the help of a magnifying lamp which allows you to see tiny scratches and imprefections as you move through each level. I wash my hands at least twice when using polishing clothes because silver dust and particles get imbedded in your skin if it is callused. This can cause minute scratches on a high shine. I cannot emphasis enough the importance of sanding before and after firing if you want a flawless mirror finish. With practice you will pick up tips that work best for the piece that you are working on.