Kate Selene

What do you think?

This os some of the rough work i have ben tinkering with this evening! I would love to hear what you think? I need to wait untill I get to St Helen's next wednesday to see if I can solder the jupmrings that go through the resin, im hoping I may be able to pull it off, I just don't like opne links! Im developing a range of charm jewellery! Simply because I would like to bring in a few of my different styles into one range of work, so this is some of the shapes from my MA and some of my resin.

Iv also just finished sanding my bracelets to send off tomorrow. . . . . . . . . I feel like there is not end in sight!! Work was quite funny today, if not totaly exhausting! Bridget, one of my first years managed to set the fire alarm off whilsh I was investing their work for casting tomorrow! It was hillarious! the fire alarm went off just as I was taking the investment out of the compression chamber, so I had to stay in the workshop, alarm blazing , and finish the pour and then put the flask in the compressor chamber. Just as I was finishing, Brian (glass technicain) brough me a pair of ear protectors! then we had to wait outside the building until the alarm was turned off! At least everyone's work is all ready to cast tomorrow, and I got everyone else to clean up all the mess hahahahahhahaha!

The morning was quite nice too, I was teaching some of my part-timers PMC. We had a nice quiet workshop wich is a change, you can just about hear your own voice in there! and today I trated myself to a new bag! a gorgeous slouchy brown bag which can fit ALL of my stuff in! I needed the newba to help organise me, as if I don't write it down, or its not somewhere in particular, my brain wont find the space to fit it in!!

Well, in going to wind down, sleep, wake up and do it all again tomorrow and also go to Birmingham to teach! i can't wait untill the weekend, fingers crossed, I shall be walking the Hills of Snowdonia with Jon!

St Helen's

Iv just got back from St Helen's where I teach the jewellery class on a Wednesday night! Im pooped! Iv had a really exciting session, Iv tought Reppousse and even managed to dig out a micro torch that no one even knew exhisted! Little things like that make the 4hour train journey there and back worth it! I took my camera with me tonight so that I could get some snaps of the girls at work, and so that you could see one of the workshops that I use.

This class is very different to teaching at NEWI, there are no assesments and it is simply there for pure enjoyment! Everyone who comes (I teach a group of 16) wants to make jewellery, so that is perfect, as I live , eat and breath jewellery!! I do have a lot to do tomorrow though, im reluctant to go to sleep because I know how packed my day is going to be, and then I have to finish all of the jewellery for the Blue Coat and also make a pair of earrings for a commission. I can't wait to get stuck into it, and its surprising, as after a full day of teaching I didn't think I would want to spend a few hours making, but it really does relax me! Im teaching a private session on Friday in Birmingham which im really excited about, I will be teaching PMC to a small group of women who are wanting to set up a business making personalised jewellery! How cool! so I am honoured to be the one to show them the ropes!

My crazy day!!

Im sitting down for the first time all day, and Im ashamed to say that I have just eaten for the first time also!! Im not sure how I managed it really, Jenny (Works in glass, she is my big gossip buddy) even bought me dinner . . . . .. and I didn't even get the chance to eat it! Surprising enough, after all that today I managed to get a few quiet hours making jewellery . . . . .. for myself!! I did make all of the bangles for my resin charms but I made myself a big pair of earrings and some bangles to wear out tonight, after all, the day that I have had, I think I deserve a drink or two!!

My favourite bit about teaching is that it reminds me of how much I enjoyed using a new technique, even if I haven't used it for years! Today I demonstrated fly-pressing! I hunted around last night in the attic for a while trying to dig out all of my sketchbooks and test pieces, and whilst looking through my books, I was reminded of how much I enjyed the experimental part of my degree. I suppose I will never really get the chance to just mess around with techniques again, not now that everything costs a bomb and time is limited! So I use the students as my little guinee pigs, make them get all excidet about making!! woohoo!

A tough change in workshops!!

Me in the workshop in the PMC Studio

Since mid September, I no longer have a workshop at home and Im still getting used to the workshop in which I teach! Its slow but getting there. Im finding it a liittle difficult as things are notwhere I put them, or within easy reach, but I do have a lot to get on with so Im slowly making the workshop my own! I am however starting to get itchyfeet and I have already been looking at workbenches and setups, the only problem is I won't be able to have my own workspace again untill I move into a little cottage in the country . . . . .. ahhh, I can only dream!! I will get some pictures of the workshop up so you can see where im bumbling around!

Jewellery rush!!

I have so much to do at the moment I feel my head will explode! Im in the middle of getting a range of jewellery together to go on display in The Blue Coat center in Liverpool! I will be selling resin charm bracelets and earrings along with some dinkey necklaces and cufflinks! thats not all, I have a really great commission going on too, im making a pair of earrings for a bride on her wedding day! When i started teaching I was a little worried I may not have time to keep making, but I don't think I will ever not be able to make time to make, even if it is at 3am in the morning on a school night! I sahll post some pictures of the new work im doing soon, as soon as I manae to make tham that is . . . .. . . . . . i only have untill tuesday!

PMC Confrence at Missenden Abbey

The first ever PMC Studio conference will be held in May 2008 at the beautiful Missenden Abbey.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2008 - This two day conference will be the perfect opportunity to meet other Precious Metal Clay artists, exchange ideas and expand your skills.

Choose from a wide range of workshops, demonstrations and stock up on supplies in the vendors room.

I will be teaching Resin casting and Bezel setting!

Held at Missenden Abbey, Great Missendden, a beautifully restored 12th Century Abbey, with state of the art conference facilities and accommodation. Within easy reach of London Heathrow airport, Chiltern mainline from Marylebone and M40 /M25 motorways.

Registration from 1 October 2007 on www.pmcinfo.co.uk.

Applied Arts-Jewellery and Metalwork

This is one of the Universities in which I teach. I teach specifically in the Jewellery and Metalwork department and cover a wide range of techniques from texturing metal to Resin casting, felt making and stone setting! if you are interested in studing for a degree in jewellery or applied arts, here are some of the details about the course. If you would like any specific infomation about what techniques are covered and what you will gain from the course, just get in touch!

The image here is part of the body of work that I produced in my second year,part of my sewing range.

Applied Arts

This degree allows you to develop a broad range of creative and technical skills. Your studies will cover a range of materials and techniques, including ceramics, glass, jewellery and metalwork. The introduction allows you to see the links between materials and their uses and how your skills can be combined to produce meaningful works of art and considered designs. You may maintain links across discipline areas or you can specialise in a specific subject area in Level 2. Emphasis is placed on skills development, especially in terms of communication, professional practice, creating and evaluating solutions to design problems, innovative use of materials and team work experiences.

Special features

You will study in the new purpose-built accommodation and workshop space within the recently refurbished North Wales School of Art & Design.

There are regular opportunities to exhibit work within NEWI and at key exhibitions including London-based exhibitions.

There are opportunities to work on ‘live’ commissions and for you to gain professional development experience during Levels 2 and 3. The programme has also benefited from industrial sponsorship.

There are ERASMUS exchange opportunities at a variety of European Higher Education institutions.

You will be able to undertake field visits and research trips to important collections, galleries and other sources of inspiration.

You will be able to be involved in specialist events of regional importance to the arts.

This programme can also be studied at Coleg Menai in Bangor.

Career opportunities

Many career opportunities exist within the arts including careers in education, galleries, restoration work, museums and retail. The problem-solving skills you acquire in this programme are valued and will be welcomed by many employers. In addition, graduates seek self-employment as artists, technicians, artists in residence, designers and craftspeople.

Contact Information

If you would like to enquire about any of my work, comissions, classes, or you are interested in comming to study at the collage in which I teach, please contact me via email on ,

k.s.williams@newi.ac.uk

My new website should be up and running soon

www.kswjewellery.co.uk

even if you would like any advice about how to use PMC or jewellery making in general, I will be happy to hear from you so please do get in touch!!

Private PMC Classes

I am a big fan of PMC, and although I mostly use Sterling Silver, i love how wonderfull this product is! so wonderfull in fact that I teach private sessions in the privacy of your own home! I fyou have never touched the stuff or have had a go and want to learn more, I can tailor the class to fit your needs. I teach one on one and small groups for birthdays, hen nights and mothers day! If you like the idea of making your own silver jewellery rather quickly with the bare minmum of tools, then PMC is for you!! contact me for details!

The first UK PMC confrence

I will be teaching Resin and Bezel setting in the UK's first PMC confrence! Im really excited and my classes have already filled up! I will be using a new resin product which is only on the market in the US which is called P2 jelly. its tack free and cures in 5 minitues under UV light! more details will follw shortly.

Weddings

Little heart necklaces made from the fabric in the dresses of the bridesmaides for one of my wedding commissions.

Wedding comissions can be really exciting! I am available to create bespoke wedding jewellery, these pendants were part of a large collection, all pieces were made with the brides and the bridesmaids dresses! I make all sorts of work, so if you would like to see some examples of wedding jewellery or the different ypes of work that I make, just get in touch!

New Website!!

Im in the process of designing a new website! I have stackes of new work and I have new ranges going into the Blue Coat Center in Liverpool so the Website needs to be snappy! Im am teaching PMC classes also, and if you need any details about this or any of my work, please contact me via email.