Art is an expression of who we really are. It is not what we have been taught but what we have embraced that comes through to the observer. I have taken the simple joy I have for life and used it to inspire me. With different styles and mediums I get the opportunity to display my artistic expression, tickling the imagination and tugging at the borders of creation to make a lasting impression of unique beauty. I hope you will enjoy.
Value Statement
Anyone who takes a class from me can expect to get not only a finished product, but a good understanding of the technique(s) used. I give exceptional support to students by answering their questions even months after taking a class.
Anyone who does not feel that they thoroughly understand how to use the techniques at a later date can retake a class for free. They will only need to purchase the supplies.
I also stand behind the products I sell and the customer's satisfaction is guaranteed.
Mission Statement
My mission is to teach how to create unique fine silver jewelry using metal clay and to help my students discover the hidden artist within.
Biography
I grew up in Philadelphia during a time when young girls learned sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery and cooking. My parents were both born and raised in Lancaster and my relatives on both sides were German (Pennsylvania Deutsche). I spent a lot of time in Lancaster and I still follow a lot of the ideals from those days like making my own noodles from scratch and canning.
I spent my summers on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. We had no electricity and the iceman delivered ice twice a week. It was paradise.
During my early teen years I discovered ceramics which turned out to be a life long passion. Pottery is still something that I do at least once a week.
My mother taught millinery classes at our local recreation association. They offered a class in cake decorating one year and my mother enrolled. She found her life long passion in that class. The teacher and her 10 students in that class formed a group called "The Kooky Kakers" and they got together once a month for over 20 years. Some of them ended up becoming small business owners. In the early 70s Norman Wilton (the professional cake decorator's supply source) decided to expand into the home retail business. Mr. Wilton hired my mother as one of the first teachers. By 18 I had already made my first wedding cake.
My mother's philosophy was "Never let a day go by without learning something new". I still follow that advice today.
When Art Clay Silver came to the United States in 1999, I immediately jumped onto the bandwagon. I was in the first level II class. There were only 3 of us from the Dallas/Fort Worth area ((Marlynda Taylor, Martha Ann Reading and myself)) in that class so we were called on to teach immediately. All 3 of us are still teaching the metal clay.
A year later PMC Connection was formed and they held a cross-over class which I attended. I am still a Level I certified teacher for PMC. I have progressed to Senior level for Art Clay Silver and I now teach classes full time for Art Clay World. Patricia Walton (also in our first class) became the Educational Director for Art Clay World and received her Master status in Japan.
I am where I am today because of the knowledge and encouragement that I received from Patricia Walton. Although she is no longer Educational Director for Art Clay World she comes to Dallas twice a year to teach Continuing Educational Classes to my Level I students.
Working with the Silver Clay is a lot like pottery and cake decorating only on a smaller scale. My first piece after certification was a pin that resembled the top of a decorated cake. It is still one of my personal favorites.
My husband (and partner) James and I have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. In 1999 I turned one of the spare rooms into a studio and retail store. Today the studio (formerly known as the living room) is where I teach a lot of my classes..
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