Beaded Rose. Roman Fibula. Tin-smithing Hurricane Lamp. Cloisonne Enameling.
The first class I took this Pennsic was how to make a beaded rose, taught by B'Gen Van der Sterren, of Middle Kingdom. I had the best fun! She made this seem easy, with humor and kind encouragement. I'm not quite sure it looks like the rose that it's supposed to be, but I am happy with it, and I made a thing!
The next class I took was on making Roman fibula. No bones, these were considered the predecessor of what we know as safety pins! Baroness Gina Dragoni was the instructor. She allowed us to choose kits with beads in colors we liked (brown/neutrals set), and gave the absolute best graphic I've seen on how to do these. My first one went together just right, and since we had wire left-over, I made another using lampworked beads that I made!
Next up was a class taken side-by-side with my partner, Morwill, at Livonia Smithery. This was the hardest class of all - my hands simply can't bend tin the way it deserves, but I prevailed! I'm not allowed to divulge the secret of the "glass magnet" that holds the hurricane lamp in place without so much as a wiggle, but I'll tell you that sucker is going NOWHERE! Morwill's handle was a little curvier without the kinks, but I think mine suits me just fine!
Lastly, I learned an art that had previously confounded me: cloisonné enameling. Oh my word... Yet another artistic form that utilizes glass, that has captivated me! I have THL Li Xia to thank for this one!
I chose a simple design, or so I thought. Having just been inducted into the Tadcaster Militia, little green ermines are at the forethought of heraldry. Looks simple? Look again. Notice the symmetry, and the exactness needed within the circles. Not so simple, now, are they? It took me a bit of time, but I created this little square that brings me more joy than I have words for. I am hooked. I'm not surprised!
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