The Trail Ride bracelet

A unique and artistic Horse and Nature Bracelet. Inspired by the many hours of trails I rode on when I was  kid. And dedicated to the great trail horses in the world who give us their best with generosity that literally shaped civilization. Think about it- where would we be without the assistance and devotion of horses?

click on picture to be taken to this bracelet's Etsy listing

They certainly brought me on a journey in more ways than one! yes, I learned responsibility,  devotion, a good work ethic, humility, and gave me a profound love of the natural world. (and while I'm at it, to be truthful, they also did a number on my vertebrae...which I am dealing with currently- actually, I only blame one bratty pony for my current tender neck...his name was Sprite- and he used to throw me after every jump by yanking his head down for grass....little brat!)

me, on pony- NO HELMET! (it was the early 70's) and my sister Amanda. My first riding lesson :-) 

Anyhow- I do love my equine friends- and I miss the ritual of the end of the day, going out to the barn while my horse munched on hay- and just listening to the munch munch munch of contented horse teeth.

please give your ponies a smooch on their velvet nose for me!- <3 M

next phase, workshopping it out!

Every independent artisan has  to find a balance of studio /teaching/office/family. Since I has Cosmo, I've been spending time here in Tucson, mostly working in my studio/office, and concentrating on my mom duties the rest of the time. I haven't had much opportunity to really shop out my teaching skills, until now, as Cosmo is growing up and becoming more independent... I am announcing my next phase- "work shopping it out"!(WSIO) 

me in my studio 

Would you or your metals organization like to have me come and teach a workshop? I've been teaching on and off for the past 15 years, (in Italy and the United States) and love to demo/ answer questions/lead you though investigations. Many of my students continue with their metalsmithing to this day- and a few of them have had a good deal of success, getting teaching gigs themselves, and one even recently got accepted to the ACC show in Baltimore!

I want to teach short workshops on different metals techniques (I have a huge list of techniques that I'm qualified to teach- got a technique you are interested in? ask me, I most likely have taught it) and I'm also interested in teaching design challenges, or teaching about social media and online marketing.

I am currently on the books to teach a fun mixed metals workshop at "the Ranch" near Seattle in May- (just before the SNAG conference) I'm also looking into the possibility of doing a pewter workshop in the area around the same time, or in July , when I plan on escaping Tucson's heat to go visit my sister in Hood River Oregon (and pick/eat cherries in her orchard)

SO, as I am currently getting my schedule booked for teaching workshops this summer through December.Anyone want me to come and teach? I have some spots open and would love to come mix up some metals with your group at your studio! You can contact me at bzap724@cox.net and we can schedule a call to chat about your group's needs, and see if we can put something on the calender! 

off to the studio now- may the Flux be with you!ciao-M