Sneak Peak at My Goldie Bronze

While I love working with Art Clay Silver, there are several other types of metal clay on the market that I have been anxious to try. I like the look of bronze but previously bronze clay products were either too yellow or too pink for my taste.  Just recently Goldie Bronze became available in the U.S.  Developed by Waldo Ilowiecki of Poland, Goldie Bronze is a dream to work with, has a short firing time, and finishes to a nice soft golden color.

When I say it became available recently, I mean within the last month.  And there's only 1 US distributor and she was out when I placed my order.  So I had to wait.

Goldie Bronze, like several other base metal clays on the market, comes in powdered form and has to be mixed with water.  This is actually a great idea since it gives unused clay a longer shelf life.  

My first reaction was that the clay has a totally different feel from the silver clay--softer and more silky.  It dries less quickly so I have a lot of time to change my mind if I don't like something and want a "do over".  

While silver clay fires for 2 hours at 1650 degrees, bronze fires at a lower temp.  But the process for firing bronze clay is a bit more complicated.  I needed to purchase a metal pan and coconut carbon.  The dried pieces are fired on top of the carbon at 662 degrees for 30 minutes.  Then you bury it in about 1/2" of more carbon and fire it for 40 minutes at 1508 degrees.  You can take it out of the kiln hot if you don't want to wait for it to completely cool down.  

My first surprise was after the first firing.  The pieces were completely black.  Then after the 2nd firing they came out these lovely colors but gritty to the touch.

But after cleaning and polishing the end result is a lovely golden color.

 I've only had time to make a few pieces but we'll be showing them off for the first time at the Mattoon Street Festival this weekend in Springfield.  Stop by for the arts and crafts and take a tour of the brownstones or their gardens.

More news about Jansjems--

Jansjems jewelry is now also available at the Red Lion Inn Gift Shop in Stockbridge, MA.  If you're from the Berkshires or visiting the area, stop by and check out this wonderful gift shop.  Jayne Church has filled it with a wonderful variety of locally made artisan products.

There is also a small selection of jewelry at Sawmill River Arts, a gift shop you can find next to the Bookmill in Montague, MA.

And, of course, The Daylily in the center of South Deerfeld still carries our work.

The fall craft fair season starts in earnest for us this weekend. Visit our website for a complete list of upcoming shows. 

Ahhh. Mattoon Street

A neighborhood of historic brownstones, brick sidewalks, and old trees.  The perfect setting for a September craft show and another successful Mattoon St. Festival. And unlike some shows that are losing their popularity both with vendors and customers, Mattoon St. seems to be growing.  They hosted 100 vendors this year.  That may be a record.  And I really think the traffic increased as well.  Of course it helps to have good weather.

We showed up with both our steampunk and fine silver jewelry this year.  There are several other jewelers with beaded designs so I left those at home.  I was happy to see that our silver was almost as popular as the steampunk and I saw a couple of my newest pieces go to good homes.  It's really bitter sweet when a piece I've put a lot of time and effort into gets sold.  I tend to get attached.  Well, I can only hope my customers love wearing them as much as I loved making them.

I've talked so much about this particular show that a few of my fellow AWM members applied this year.  And I was pleased when they also reported having a good weekend.  

Awards are given out for first, second and third place in a variety of categories--fine art, jewelry, glass, etc.  This year Jansjems came in second in the jewelry category, losing first place to my good friend
Kathleen Anderson and her polymer clay jewelry.

And then there are the roving musicians.  From a harpist to a lady's barbershop quartet they have something for everyone.  The accordionist and clarinetist got together at one point and even played a couple of polkas. And, no, I didn't request them.

The Mattoon St. Association makes a real effort to make you feel comfortable.  Bob McCarroll is on site both days in case you need anything.  They allow set up on Friday night which I just love.  On Saturday morning I'm cool and calm and not all sweaty from setting up the tent.  The food court only has 4 or 5 vendors but there's alway a nice selection.  There were crepes this year to die for.  And, as in the past, volunteers come around on Sunday just before closing and offer vendors hors d'oeurves or cheese and crackers.  A rather nice touch.

Prize Winning Polymer Clay Artist

I'm often impressed by the work of other artisans I meet at the craft shows I attend. While exhibiting at the Mattoon Street I had a chance to walk around and talk to people. After a brief conversation with a woman who was leaving the food court, I decided to see what she created to sell at the festival. I'm so glad I did.

Kathleen DeQuence Anderson creates colorful patterns in polymer clay. Some of her jewelry has a tribal feel while her boxes, to me, look more modern. With clay in hand she also takes the time to demonstrate to customers how she combines canes of clay into the blocks that she cuts to create her designs. I'm still not certain most people realize the time, forethought, and patience this process requires.

Fortunately the Mattoon St. Committee appreciated her work. They award prizes in each category represented at the show and Kathleen took first place in jewelry. I was not surprised when I saw the ribbon hanging from her tent.

Kathleen lives just down the road in Amherst so, hopefully, I will see her again on the craft fair circuit.

Recovering from Mattoon Street

So far this season the Mattoon Street Festival is my favorite show. The fact that it didn't rain may have a lot to do with that. We've done so many shows in the rain. And this was a banner year for the festival with 95 artisans.

The weather couldn't have been better and the people couldn't have been nicer. On Saturday they came nicely dressed, many with dogs on a leash, and ready to buy. Some people remembered us from last year and were happy to see us back.



We were entertained both days by a rotation of musicians, singers, and clowns.



We tried out our new sheers and I love the way they look. Makes the tent feel a little warmer.

As usual we made some new friends. Photographer Margaret Burgess was across the street from us. I bought some of her cards with pictures she took in Italy of colorful homes. And I met Kathleen Dequence Anderson from Amherst who does incredible work with polymer clay. More about her in my next posting.

And we reconnected with some old friends. Elaine, the creator of the flower brooches made of zippers whom we met in Templeton, stopped by and chatted with us. She drove out from Worcester County just to check out the show. It was nice to see Rory and Patti of Hotrocks again. They were our neighbors at least year's show.

Sunday was cloudy and a bit cooler. The crowds came a little later and many were just browsing.


The Mattoon Street Association awards first, second and third prizes in each category. Congratulations to Katie Richardson of Katie Ray Arts on winning first prize in the glass category. She's a fellow member of the Artisans of Western Mass. who was exhibiting for the first time. I think she'll be returning to Mattoon Street next year.

With the Old Deerfield Show only 5 days away and stock very low, we'll be creating as much as we can this week. This is why I usually try to space the shows farther apart. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do both Mattoon Street and Old Deerfield--2 great fall shows.