YUMA 3- relay

Day 3 has two artists presenting in the morning, and the big closing presentation after lunch. Then comes one of the funnest events in the History of events- The National Saw, File and Solder relay.


Seriously...this is the way to have fun!!

In Teams of 3, it goes like this.... one runs to the end of the course (LOL, the bench is  only about 25 feet away from the finish line)  saws out a long oval, the next files it and shapes it into a ring, then the third runs down and solders the seam and shapes it into a circle....then runs back and jams it on their teammate's finger.
 
It's a relay often with full costumes, and the requisite free Tequila and limes from the back of Greg Patranos' car. Wildly fun- this year we even had a new challenge- soldering in the RAIN! (now I know all about wet strikers...never had that experience before)Trophies are handmade and fantastically designed by various artists each year. I have yet to win one.....(Note to self..must train harder!)

The Final night festivities hearken back to the roots of the Symposium. A big Barbecue is held for all participants- there is music, dancing, laughter and even a few tears, because the next day we know we'll have to wait a whole year before we can do it again.

I really want to acknowledge the Genius of this event- It's not only one person, but a group of dedicated makers who really know how to throw one hell of a party. Thank you particularly to Pete Jagoda and Neely Tomkins  for your vision and dedication.

that's it for this year- but in approx. 350 days you know where you can find me......
heading out to the deserts west.

ciao- cub reporter Maureen Brusa Zappellini signing off now!:-)

Tucson In February

Whew! February in Tucson is an exciting and busy time- we are now in our second week of Gem show frenzy- Lots of cars on the roads from out of state, no parking downtown...and our favorite eateries? Booked solid! :-) We love it though- because in exchange, Tucson gets to host 40+ of the most wonderful gem shows you ever have opened your wallet for!

Last week was the most active week for me- The Agta show is in the Convention center, all the tents are up at Holidome and Tep. That first official week of the shows (not including the "pre-show" shows the weekend before) that first week is chock full of activities- many seminars to choose from (most are free!) and of course, party after party after opening to attend.

This year, I hosted a small gathering at my studio for members of Metalsmiths Unite who were in town for the shows- Luckily, the weather was in our favor and we had a cool, dry evening to enjoy a bit of outdoors and a warm bonfire (I even toasted a couple of marshmalows....then gave up when I found that I needed a longer stick- ouch!)

OK- to those who could not make it to the meet up- sorry, I know how hard it is to juggle all the demands of the Gem show- I hope that you can find more time next year to come to this fun and relaxing gathering- And I hope that you had a good time if you got to the shows- made lots of contacts and found gems and tools galore!

I'm now setting my sights on the next fun February event- The Yuma Symposium! I'll be going there in a few weeks with a couple of my friends- it's going to be my 4th time attending the event, and I anticipate a Hugely entertaining and creative weekend- (I'll be blogging about it for sure!)

Have a great week everyone- remember to post your events/workshops/pics on the Metalsmiths Unite! wall- let us know what you are up to- Have fun in your studios! be safe-
Metalsmiths, Unite!
ciao- Maureen

Santa..suggestions from a bunch of smiths

Here it is! the 2009 Metalsmiths Unite official Gifts for the Metalsmith List !!

I was thinking of helping all of our significant others, giving them a sort of master list to look at for Metalsmith Gifts... I asked for input from the Metalsmiths Unite group and blog, and here is the list we generated----please feel free to add your wishes!

MBZ
   1. world peace/ the end of hunger
   2. really good hand cream
   3. a cool apron for the shop
   4. a bench mounted band saw
   5.  a coupon for 100 solitary hours at my bench

Roberta said...
    1. Rolling Mill
    2. Paragon Kiln
    3. Hydraulic Press
    4. Bigger Studio
    5. Time to use them
   
DeAnne said...
    1-Bigger Studio
    2- New Torch
    3- lots of metal to play with
    4- a reason to quit my day job so I have more time to play with my presents
  
Kalicat said...
    1. lots of gemstones
    2. gold, frankincense and myrrh
    3. vouchers at favorite suppliers
    4. time
    5. chocolates, many boxes
    6. storage
    7. master classes

Dana/WiredDesign said...
    OOh - I love DeAnne's #4 -
    "a reason to quit my day job...
    Although - I have lots of reasons, just need some courage to go with them!
   
JorgensenStudio said...
    1. set of Fretz hammers
    2. rolling mill
    3. new torch
    4. new tables for my booth
    5. a week workshop at arrowmont, pendland or appalachian ceter for craft
   

juliesanford said...
    1. A stump with a big anvil
    2. A nice bench shear
    3. A New belt sander
    4. Blades and bits that don't dull or break
    5. Heat
  
Eddie (aka Erkki Kokko)said...
    Dear Santa...
    I got some wishes too...
    1.Metal lathe
    2.A milling machine
    3.Lots of materials to play with...
    4.Time to play with my new tools :)
    5.What else? ...hmmm... oh yeah, world peace!
 
Maureen BZ said...
    I just thought of another one-
    I was just thinking...
    instead of a gift-
    how about making a donation to an arts organization on someone's behalf?
    (I know I'd love to make a more significant
    donation to Haystack)the arts are suffering from lack of funding as usual- so maybe we could make a list of orgs that need more support from our community...
    hey, I'd be super happy with a membership renewal for SNAG! :-) just saying

Randi said...
    I'm still thinking in terms of a jewelers bra - with a nice little shield to protect my sternum when I tighten my saw. Is that too much ask for?

Eddie (aka Erkki) said...

    To Randi...
    If you take close look of my "interview pic" you can see, that i have reinforced my leather apron's left hand side with a piece of thick rubber.
    It is handy when i tighten my saw!
    No more chest pain! :) :)
    -Erkki- (Eddie) :D
  
Taueret said...
    Great idea! My santa list has on it:
    1- rolling mill
    2- set of alphabet stamps
    3- set of really good needle files
    4- set of really good hand files

Gwen said...
    Ooooh... my list would include...
    1. Some of that "invisible glove" hand cream that gardeners use... Makes cleaning up after polishing a breeze.
    2. A custom made logo stamp.
    3. A long enough holiday to let my nails grow long enough to paint them (for the first time ever)
    4. Tough enough fingers after the holiday to be able to work again without major finger damage...
    5. Some clothes without acid holes in them.

  Art of the Firebird said...
     1. A big ol' tree stump for pounding things on
    2. Several texturing hammers
    3. A small but sturdy rolling mill
    4. Someone to come in and organize my studio
    5. Time to work in the studio once it's organized

tucson open studio spring event

well, I finally did it..I opened my studio and gardens for the weekend during last week's open studio event. It ended up being one long garden party- so much fun and very satisfying to see many old friends and meet new ones as well.

Thankfully, I had a lot of help from my dear friend and cohort, Gina Reyes (the queen of the kings), who deftly composed a number of scrumptious savories for folks to nosh. (the gorgonzola cream cheese was amazing, and the persian 

cucumbers...Oh My Oh My!)

Guido and Cosmo put their party hats on too, and were perfect "ushers"; setting out more food, giving impromptu garden tours...Cosmo even gave us a preview of the  Mexican folklorico sword dance that he has been learning (thankfully he left his violin in it's case...as much as I am proud of him, he's not ready for his debut)

I was very happy to see many friends that I don't get much face time with- and delighted when a couple of my new online friends showed up- one from twitter, one from facebook! 

I made a few sales, more than enough to cover the costs of the weekend, (which I am thankful for.) So now I have to spend some time in my workshop, putting together another body of work. (I am currently making summer jewelry, light, playful, bold and colorful...to be introduced on my etsy shop "Cosmo's Moon")

So, in 6 months I plan on doing it over again- this time as a holiday party...(hot toddies, mulled wine.....mmmmm) I'm coming out of my studio shell...look out Tucson! (and world)

until next time.....ciao ciao- Maureen

Displays, Gardening, sign-age, metals finishing....

I am preparing for an open studio event this weekend- 

lots of extra work

I'm pretty excited- it will be the official "launch" of my studio 

(which had been delayed 1 year, due to my crazy work schedule last year)

Luckily, it looks like the weather is going to be perfect

(around 73 degrees) sometimes we get those crazy hot days here

(like in February , when it reached 90 degrees)

Here is the front of the postcard that I sent out...

if you happen to be in Tucson (or close by) please stop by!

I'll post images of the event next week-

ciao- M

Report from the Far West

Amazing Artists,

Historic Buildings, 

Sunny skies, 

Free Trade,

Flowing Liquids, 

Campfires, 

Singing, 

Dancing, 

Saw File and Soldering.....

Just a few descriptive words for the Magical annual event called the Yuma Sumposium

(click here to see the YS website) The last weekend in February, the dusty 

desert outpost of Yuma Arizona hosts artists and creative minds from around the world. 

This year was the 30th anniversary.

I describe it like this:

the Yuma Symposium is where your heroes 

become your friends

and your friends become your heroes

Me and Harlon Butt, the President elect of the 

Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)

and the creator of the most poetically gorgeous cloisonné vessels you will ever set eyes on

his website is at: http://www.harlanbutt.com/

(I had the privilage to take a workshop with Harlon a few years ago and I get to see him every once in a while at metalsmithing conferences. It is always wonderful to see him)

Yuma is where you get a good dose of kitsch, 

with a flair that lets you know

(in no uncertain terms)

that you are on the edge of California

it's a place where

a man on a segway with a cellphone

ambles by a Giant Rooster...all on webcam 

(see Yuma's live webcam here)

(the webcam had more interesting images when we were there, that's for sure)

It had been 6 years since I had last attended the Symposium, but I declare now that 

I will move heaven and earth to attend next year. 

It was that good.

really.

special day

Tears of Joy

My inauguration day celebration... at home with my good friend and my hubby...





Our newest President and First lady




Waving the "terrible Towel" of victory



My son's class spent the day watching the swearing in, building the white house with blocks (grade -k-1 ) and studying presidents past by sorting coins..passing on history to the next generation!


even our cat, Kikka honored Dr King's memory...

"I had a dream"


wonderful.