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Renate, who has taken Beginning & numerous Continuing Jewelry/Small Metals/Silversmithing classes with me (and Cuttlebone and Tufa casting: Gravity Pour, Etching, Cold Connections, Enameling, and so much more!), has certainly taken the information and inspiration and FLOWN! Renate is part of a great group of students who meet through my classes and studio; they continue to come in for weekly Open Studios and Workshops to learn more, use the equipment and supplies, work together, inspire each other, and share information and laughs. That is SO COOL! Hand-chosen by Etsy, she is headed to Chicago – The 15th annual One of a Kind Show returns to Chicago December 3-6 at The Mart (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza); Etsy Artist Pavilion, Booth #18. WOW! See Renate's Updated Student Portfolio Page!
Maryla taught a 3 hour Diener Studio Workshop to 7 students on Etched Sterling Silver & Heat Transferred Designs on June 22. Maryla photo-enhanced student designs for toner saturation, laser copied the designs onto pnp (pressnpeel) paper which is used for circuit board etching, facilitated the transfer of designs onto the sterling silver sheet, and then etched the metal for participants with ferric nitrate. View a photo here of Maryla's beautiful jewelry/metalwork incorporating her Etched Sterling Silver & Heat Transferred Designs.
Maryla has a New Student Portfolio! Professional Information: I am a nuclear physicist with a PhD in physics; have been working in this field for over 30 years. In addition to the newly found interest in working with metals and jewelry making, I enjoy outdoor activities, traveling and arts of any kind. "I have been coming to Kristin Diener’s classes for about a year and really appreciate a vast variety of different metalworking techniques that she teaches. None of my pieces would exist if it were not for a lot of help and inspiration from Kristin. Her patience and kind encouragement are priceless."
AK is currently enjoying her jewelry studio and business in Birmingham AL (madebyak.com). AK completed a 2-week, 10-day, 60-hour Jewelry/Metals college-credit apprenticeship with Kristin Diener in 2012, as a University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) student. "AK Hall was first drawn to jewelry for its sentimentality. She wanted to be apart of creating a piece of adornment that carried a memory. Her first experience with metal was in Albuquerque, New Mexico under the direction of Kristin Diener, who she could not be more thankful for and inspired by. She then went on to receive her Graduate Jeweler's Diploma from Revere Academy in San Francisco. Her jewelry is handmade in Birmingham, Alabama and completely one of a kind. A.K. is inspired by the imperfections of this life, but how the imperfect can still be used to display undeniable beauty. She hopes to achieve this idea in her designs." Please click here to see a slideshow of Ak's new work! And here to see AK's box ring she designed and fabricated while a student at Revere Academy.
Resin Workshops with Phoenix Forrester
Resin Expert and Guest Artist, Phoenix Forrester, brought her foolproof resin skills to Diener Studio for Resin Workshops during January and November 2015. Each student completed 3 pieces in the 2.5 hour workshop.
See photos of the workshop here.
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) with Eleanore Macnish
Silversmith and Guest Artist, Eleanore Macnish, taught 2 lively and informative workshops on PMC (Precious Metal Clay) during August of 2015. Each student completed torch-fired and kiln-fired pieces in the 3 hour workshop.
See photos of the workshop here.
Susan has perfected making enameled headpins using the acetylene torch, copper wire, and frit and powdered enamels. Through trial and error, then online and book research, more trial and error, more research -- you get the idea -- Susan figured out how to make it WORK. The common problems of enamel cracking off after the headpins are made, the burning out of colors, sizes of acetylene flames for particular procedures, enamel set up, headpin cooling, and more has been addressed, pursued and conquered!!!! Susan shared her information in a Diener Studio Free Torch Fired Enameled Head Pin Demo to an all-ages standing-room-only crowd on May 6. Take a look at a video here (with sound) and here (with music). Susan is currently working on an elaborately pierced sterling silver sheet cuff bracelet, with 15 brass bezels soldered in place, all filed to match the curve of the bracelet for silver soldering in place for step-bezel settings.
Kate has a New Student Portfolio! It is in-process so please check back for up-to-date-info!
Bright Star Gemstones: UPDATE 2015: Private Studio Sale: September 30, 5:15-7pm RSVP ONLY!
For the 5th year in a row, Richard of Bright Star Gemstones will have a Private Studio Sale in Diener Studio! RSVP required to attend. See a few photos here.
Beginning Silversmithing/Jewelry/Small Metals: A zesty crew of students and their first jewelry/silversmithing, acetylene torchwork, and stonesetting! See photos from the 5-week (15 hour) class here.
Silversmithing: Metals, Stones, Rings, Pendant: A fabulous group of students create beautiful work in a 3-week (9 hour) class. See photos from the class here.
The Shirley Family: The Shirleys completed a Ringmaking/Silver Soldering class, then a follow-up studio workshop. See what happens when The Shirleys get busy in their workshop at home here. UPDATE 2014: "We've sold several things - one thing went to Jamaica even. That was exciting! Another went to a dealer in the Phoenix area. We are gradually getting things out there, and all from the basics you taught us! Thanks!!!"
Youth Intro to Silversmithing (Spring 2015): Ages 13-17 enjoy the wonders and techniques of silversmithing -- high temperature silver soldering with the acetylene torch, hammers, patina, chasing tools, ring and bracelet mandrels, disc cutters, hole punches, polishing cloths, satin finishes, jump rings, ear wires, and safe studio practices -- to name a few!
Take a look at what the students created in their 2-meeting (6 hour) intro class here.
Youth Intro to Silversmithing (Spring 2015): Ages 13-17 enjoy the wonders and techniques of silversmithing -- Take a look at what the students created in their 2-meeting (6 hour) intro class, via a very thorough slideshow.
Youth Intro to Enameling (Spring 2015): Youth ages 13-17 enjoy the wonders and techniques of enamels (glass melting onto copper at 1450 degrees), the kiln, and the safety equipment! Take a look at the students and what they created in their 2-meeting (6 hour) intro class here.
Alex: UPDATE 2015: Alex returns in August to try her hand at Precious Metal Clay. She completed a ring for her sister during the beginning jewelry/small metals/silversmithing class, in addition to her bezel set citrine cabochon and sterling silver ring for herself. Take a look at her sterling silver, copper and brass ring.
Alice: UPDATE 2015: Alice continues to bezel and prong set, incorporating interesting gems, stones and findings in her jewelry and metalwork. See a slideshow of her work here.
Alice is the featured local jeweler at WILLOW (clothing store) in The Shops of Flying Star Plaza for their Elegant Autumn Evening Event! Alice has been silver-soldering tiny bezel cups and setting very small cabochons to create her intricate jewelry -- often reminiscent of the victorian and antique jewels she loves so much and researches! Alice has also been working with the flex shaft, cupping burs, and scoring.
Alice's September 2011 Trunk Show is a smashing success. See her invite and her lovely work here.
Audra: UPDATE 2015: Audra has a New Student Portfolio! Audra continues to enamel, including cloisonne', champleve', sifting, wet packing, counter enameling, and use of crackles, glass threads and adhesives. See a photo of Audra's colorful work.
Bonnie:
UPDATE 2015: Bonnie returns to Albuquerque from Detroit for another round of classes in Diener Studio. She continues her silversmithing and design skills, completing this amazing necklace combining reticulated silver, cold connections (tube and wire rivets), stone setting, patinas, finishes, and a cast twig (lilac) element. A photo session scheduled with Margot Geist adds to her portfolio and professional development. Also photographed is Bonnie's lost wax cast ring, previously made at Birmingham/Bloomfield Art Center where she studies in Detroit. Take a look at Bonnie's ring here, incorporating etching which is then roller printed, disc cutting and patination, along with work done at Birmingham/Bloomfield Art Center where Bonnie studies in Detroit.
Cheli: UPDATE 2014: Cheli has completed her first year
at Santa Fe's New Mexico School for the Arts, a charter high school. Congratulations, Cheli!
Cristina: UPDATE 2015: Cristina is on a roll! silver soldering, bezel-making, stone setting, gravity pours (cuttlebone, tufa, and water), precious metal clay, and more! View her website zmoxy.com
David & Jeff: 18k Gold Wedding Rings! Jeff and David made their wedding rings out of gorgeous 18k gold. Through sterling silver ring prototypes, they had a crash course in sawing, filing, and soldering with the acetylene torch. Then on to the 18k gold! "We had such a great time with you making our rings, I will never forget that day. Thank you!" and
"...so talented, patient and kind. With a large helping of generosity." YAY! Beautiful!
Fiona: UPDATE 2014: Fiona has an Updated Student Portfolio! When asked if I could include her photo in the following student news update information, Fiona replied "Sure! That's like super awesome! I'm so glad that Kristin is my teacher." Aaaaaw... Fiona
-- about to enter 8th grade -- just participated in her first show and also had her first sale! View Fiona in front of her forged red brass and found sea glass necklace, Sea Goddess, that sold at the Opening Reception on July 12 in Bainbridge Island, Washington here. Fiona is also wearing her handmade necklace and earrings. See Fiona's Updated Student Portfolio and
and listen to a podcast interview featuring Fiona http://bestofbcb.org/wu-037-teen-art-show-july-2-30/. Fiona is continuing her metalwork in the Pacific Northwest and will take another class at Diener Studio during a future school break. Her mom says "Fiona is adjusting to what the climate does to her base metals. Brass polish is her new friend. She's adjusting to a whole new look and patina (gone is that faux gold look and here is a more earthy palette). The beach glass is amazing!"
Flo: UPDATE 2015: April 1944 (Philadelphia) - October 30, 2014 (Albuquerque) -- Missing Flo Stein the Great. View Flo's Obituary here.
UPDATE 2014: Flo has an Updated Student Portfolio!
Flo has completed beautiful new work -- pendants, bracelets, sculptures -- combining her skill with forging, stonesetting, torchwork, and searching out stones (cabochon and faceted) from local and international sources with her love for metalworking and design. She was the New Mexico Jewelers Association's featured jewelry of the month for March 2014! She was the New Mexico Jewelers Association's featured jewelry of the month for March 2014! Check it out here.
Flo is represented by Weyrich Gallery and Corrales Bosque Gallery and most recently, Right Brain Gallery. Flo works with a variety of metals and stones, creating bracelets, earrings, pendants, belt buckles, rings, and sculptures, as well as beautiful mezuzahs and pushkes.
Heather: UPDATE 2015: Heather has an Updated Student Portfolio!
Click here to see a slideshow of new work. Heather is creating work on display and selling like hotcakes at Mariposa Gallery (Abq), Pfeifer Gallery (Abq) and Karen Melfi Gallery (Santa Fe). She continues to specialize in etching, rollerprinting, silver soldering, and beautiful designs here.
Jessica: UPDATE 2015: Jessica has an Updated Student Portfolio!
Jessica is very busy with her work at Metallo (Madrid), commissions, and a variety of festivals and art fairs, such as the Santa Fe Wine Festival. She continues to fabricate the delicate and the sublime! Please check out Jessie's new work which is combining her enamels, metalwork/torchwork, stone cutting, etching, and cold connections here and her updated student portfolio page Jessica
Joanna: UPDATE 2015: Joanna has a new website and is utilizing her waxworking skills. She says "The Luna Necklace and the Malpais Ring are probably the best examples I have of wax casting." sonambulojewelry.com UPDATE 2014: Joanna met AK at Revere Academy this summer...what a great coincidence! Joanna took a Waxworking for Lost Wax Casting for Jewelers Workshop thru Diener Studio upon her return to New Mexico. Take a look at Joanna and her beginning waxes ! And check back to see photos of Joanna's finished cast work!
Karmen: UPDATE 2015: Karmen continues to harness her explosive-specialist expertise and combine her engineering skills with her studio work. Check out her Updated Student Portfolio, including process photos of cuttlebone castings & finished work, and a lovely sweat-soldered sterling silver and 14k gold cuff bracelet! Karmen previously assisted
an 85-year old lapidary artist and jewelry maker find homes for his extensive collection of stones, books, and tools. She continues to bezel set unusual stones and has recently been incorporating prong settings to showcase certain stones and "cuts". Diener Studio recently coordinated a session with photographer, Margot Geist, to have Karmen's work professionally photographed and included in the Student Portfolio. Please take a look! Karmen
Kate K: UPDATE 2015: Kate has a New Student Portfolio! It is in-process so please check back for up-to-date-info! Kate is featured in a new video, "Kate's Story" (UNM Pain Center Patient), partially filmed in Diener Studio. View the video here. Kate is working on her own jewelry designs and fabrication as well as doing finish work (soldering pin findings, polishing, patinas) and making handmade chains for another artist's line of jewelry and castings.
Kate P: Kate also returned for an open studio after completing the Beginning Silversmithing/Jewelry/Small Metals class. She started and completed another amazing ring...take a look!
Kejka: UPDATE 2015: Kejka has a New Student Portfolio! View Kejka's sterling silver rollerprinted cuff bracelets
-- using designs and textures first etched onto yellow brass -- and her silver solder
and her solder and cold connection pendants. Kejka continues to tufa cast and cold connect with great success. Previously, Kejka completed a beautiful sterling silver pendant, incorporating a bezel set cabochon turquoise, discing, cold connections with use of spacers, and a handmade bale. Kejka also has made unusual cage, prong and tab constructions for stones she found in Rockhound State Park, AZ and tumbled.
Kristina completed the Intro to Enameling class and then brought her daughter, Hannah, in for open studio. Here they are, wearing their enameled pendants!
Lisa B: Lisa has moved to Australia!!! We miss Lisa
Luma: UPDATE 2015: 10-year old Luma returns to the studio periodically to work on her silver soldering, etching, chasing/texturing/stamping/hammering, disc cutting, hole punching, bracelet/pendant/earring making, oxidizing/patina, enameling, and polishing. See photos of Luma at work here! She is very conscientious and creative in the studio, using the equipment and tools carefully as she creates her own individual work. Luma is currently working on a series of etched metal pieces that are intended as gifts. Luma sold all of her jewelry that was on display at the Red Hot Hearts Valentine's Day Trunk Show & Sale! See photos of Luma at work here!
Lynnae: UPDATE 2015: 11-year old Lynnae is industrious and creative, and she loves to visit the studio. Recently Lynnae made a sterling silver pendant, to add to the brass and silver silver-soldered rings she had already completed. See Lynnae at work here.
Maggie: UPDATE 2015: Maggie has been enameling, silver soldering, discing, etching, and rollerprinting to name a few things. She has ventured into some difficult and beautiful stone setting (bezel and prong) and bracelet fabrication. Maggie is always trying new techniques and materials, and is currently working on a sterling silver pendant with a bezel set larimar cabochon.
Maryla taught a 3 hour Diener Studio Workshop to 7 students on Etched Sterling Silver & Heat Transferred Designs on June 22. Maryla photo enhanced student designs for toner saturation, laser copied the designs onto pnp (pressnpeel) paper which is used for circuit board etching, facilitated the transfer of designs onto the sterling silver sheet, and then etched the metal for participants with ferric nitrate. Amazingly beautiful. Maryla has a New Student Portfolio! Professional Information: I am a nuclear physicist with a PhD in physics; have been working in this field for over 30 years. In addition to the newly found interest in working with metals and jewelry making, I enjoy outdoor activities, traveling and arts of any kind. "I have been coming to Kristin Diener’s classes for about a year and really appreciate a vast variety of different metalworking techniques that she teaches. None of my pieces would exist if it were not for a lot of help and inspiration from Kristin. Her patience and kind encouragement are priceless."
Melinda: UPDATE 2015: A jewelry maker living in Maine who taught at Western New Mexico University's Graduate Studies Center (Gallup, NM) for years, Melinda wanted to learn something completely new. She decided on a Diener Studio Two Day Enameling Intensive and 3 Open Studios. Take a look at Melinda's enamels here. She is wearing sterling silver earrings, a beautiful necklace and bracelets of her own design and fabrication. To view more of Melinda's work www.melindasalazar.com.
Renate: UPDATE 2015: Renate has an Updated Student Portfolio! Renate is creating her beautiful work, which is for sale at Mariposa Gallery/Nob Hill and renatesurh.com She continues to astound us all with her creative designs, productivity, and technical know-how and exploration.
Renate, who has taken Beginning & numerous Continuing Jewelry/Small Metals/Silversmithing classes with me (and Cuttlebone and Tufa casting: Gravity Pour, Etching, Cold Connections, Enameling, and so much more!), has certainly taken the information and inspiration and FLOWN! Renate is part of a great group of students who meet through my classes and studio; they continue to come in for weekly Open Studios and Workshops to learn more, use the equipment and supplies, work together, inspire each other, and share information and laughs. That is SO COOL! Hand-chosen by Etsy, she is headed to Chicago – The 15th annual One of a Kind Show returns to Chicago December 3-6 at The Mart (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza); Etsy Artist Pavilion, Booth #18. WOW! See Renate's Updated Student Portfolio Page!
Sharon: UPDATE 2015: Sharon has a New Student Portfolio! View Sharon's beautiful cabochon stone-set bracelet and the necklace made from her great great great grandmother from Belarus' amber beads and Sharon's rollerprinted sterling silver elements and handmade chain. Also, take a look at a recent commissioned ring with her etched brass design rollerprinted onto sterling silver.
Shelley: Shelley drove to Abq from Flagstaff, AZ to take a Continuing Silversmithing Weekend Intensive -- including gold-soldering -- after previously completing a Diener Studio Private Beginning Silversmithing Weekend Intensive! Shelley and her husband, Photographer John Running, have opened a new gallery in Flagstaff, AZ.
Susan F: UPDATE 2015: Susan has a New Student Portfolio! Susan has perfected making enameled headpins using the acetylene torch, copper wire, and frit and powdered enamels. Through trial and error, then online and book research, more trial and error, more research -- you get the idea -- she figured out how to make it WORK. The common problems of enamel cracking off after the headpins are made, the burning out of colors, sizes of acetylene flames for particular procedures, enamel set up, headpin cooling, and more has been addressed, pursued and conquered!!!! Susan shared her information in a Diener Studio Free Torch Fired Enameled Head Pin Demo to an all-ages standing-room-only crowd on May 6. Take a look at a video here (with sound) and here (with music). Susan is currently working on an elaborately pierced sterling silver sheet cuff bracelet, with 15 brass bezels soldered in place, all filed to match the curve of the bracelet for silver soldering in place for step-bezel settings. Susan continues to work with enamels on copper, silver soldering, etching, cold connections, use of unusual mineral specimens, handmade chain and findings. Check out Susan's enamel tear drop necklace with handmade chain and her 2 other amazing necklaces showcasing metalsmithing techniques listed above.
Susan N: Susan returned after the Beginning Silversmithing/Jewelry/Small Metals class to take a Mini Continuing Intensive and to learn new techniques as she honed her Beginning Silversmithing skills. Susan also took a Cold Connection Workshop and is working in her studio at home.
Tracy: Tracy studied for 4 days at Diener Studio, completing both the Intro to Silversmithing and the Continuing Silversmithing Intensives. She journeyed to Albuquerque from Cairo, Egypt! See photos of Tracy's work, including a pendant which she created using sea glass from Nuweiba, a town on the red sea in Egypt...take a look!
Yvette: Yvette returned for 2 Open Studios after completing the Beginning Silversmithing/Jewelry/Small Metals class to complete her gorgeous ring...take a look!
UPDATE 2015: See recent photos of the Gravity Pour & Cuttlebone Workshop here.
UPDATE 2015: See recent photos of the Tufa Casting Workshop here.
Red Hot Hearts Valentine's Day Trunk Show
Thank you so very much, you 12 fabulous participants (student-related in some form or fashion) and you many attendees (yay!!!!!) of the January 31 VALENTINE'S DAY RED HOT HEARTS JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW AND SALE! O BOY!!!!!!! Photos On Way!
Resin Workshop with Phoenix Forrester
Resin Expert and Guest Artist, Phoenix Forrester, brought her foolproof resin skills to Diener Studio for a Resin Workshop during January 2015. Each student completed 3 pieces in the 2.5 hour workshop.
See photos of the workshop here.
Youth Intro to Enameling (Summer 2013): Youth ages 13-17 enjoy the wonders and techniques of enamels (glass melting onto copper at 1450 degrees), the kiln, and the safety equipment! Take a look at the students and what they created in their intro class. |
