Wednesday, April 18, 2007


Hi! We have had a great time this past couple of weeks, visiting with friends, discovering new towns (Saluda is super cute!) and creating like mad! I've drawn like crazy, inspired by the excellent suggestions left on my comments area. I'm trying to figure out lockets for production. I love them, but have no desire assembling little hinges - no way. I will make pieces and parts, but I hate production. I made these necklaces for Stringing magazine, and it took me days. I am sooo slowwww. I hope they like them. Tony and Lisa left and I am sad, sad, sad! They are so much fun and their work is fresh and well made. Lisa and I are working out a class, a two day pmc, polymer and resin extravaganza! Think ornate reliquary, capturing intricate relief sculpture. Lisa will teach how to make the bezels and I will teach how to make relief molds of tiny architecture, faces and text, using polymer and acetate. I haven't taught a class since Art Fest a couple years ago (got pregnant...everything changes!) so I'm pretty nervous. I have a tendancy to try and teach as much stuff as possible (forgetting breaks, like lunch and bathroom) so everyone feels satisfied. I love the feeling of inspiration in the air, that excited whirlwind sensation that something new is about to be discovered. I dread seeing disappointment when obstacles are hit (which happens when teaching something like sculpting). I think teaching is hard work, draining but rewarding. I forgot how much I liked doing it. I found an old issue of Ready Made and read an article about living in small spaces and how it forces you to consider all of your belongings and to pare them down to ones you use every day. Currently, all my work tables in my studio are occupied with sewing projects and paints, so I've moved my beads on the dining room table. Anyway, as I read the articles, my eyes swept over shelves and tables filled with my collections of dolls and books (they have over run this house) and I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to buy an Airstream and drive it all over the world, making art, writing and having a grand time. So, Greg and I have been scouring the internet, looking at the shiny contraptions. I rather like the idea of traveling to the sea or the desert and having a bathroom and my art supplies. Tomorrow I shall organize and pretend my house is an airstream.

7 comments:

Andrew Thornton said...

I'm quite confident when I say that I think your airstream will fast fill up with the treasures you find along the way.

You've got the pack-rat blood. It's in you, just as it's in me.

Andrew Thornton said...

The new jewelry pieces look really great. I'm trying to put together a book for you all of different designs. I owe you a newsletter, and thought that I could do a small book project instead. So I'm trying to rustle up various designers to do some of the pieces.

I'll have plenty of time since I didn't get into grad school. Perhaps I'll try and get a part time job at Fassbinder on my days off from my restaurant job.

Unknown said...

Hi...I live in Tryon (right by Saluda!) I just wondered if you ever offer classes in Asheville?
I have two girls and we all like to make things.
Enjoying your blog....Laura a.k.a.
Chloe's mom

Cynthia Thornton said...

We are currently working with Chevron Trading downtown Asheville to put our two day class on their schedule. Hopefully it works out!

Lisa Blackwell said...

we miss you guys!what a great time we had and the girls where so sweet!we are already planning our next trip.i'm really excited about us teaching together,i'll have samples in the mail to you on friday.
untill later.....

Cindy said...

I love the new designs. It amazes me to see how it goes from an idea to a sketch and then a finished product so quickly...and seemingly easily in the magic of cyberspace ;-).
Driving around in an Airstream sounds great, creating and teaching while seeing the country...I wanted to do that while homeschooling my kids, it would have been a wonderful way to live and learn!

The idea of paring down possessions is daunting but very freeing.

The fairy in a cage is intriguing, like a mysterious hidden world.

Unknown said...

I wish I could take that Cynthia/Lisa class--it sounds awesome. B and I miss you guys so much!