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Thursday, February 28, 2008

SHOP LOCALLY!!!!

SEVERAL SHOPS HAVE CLOSED ON MAIN ST THIS WINTER. I MUST ADMIT, I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT CLOSELY ABOUT WHAT THE PHRASE "SHOP LOCALLY" REALLY MEANT UNTIL I OPENED ARGENTUM ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO NOW. SURE ITS LESS EXPENSIVE TO "GO NORTH" OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL WALMART, HOWEVER, IF/WHEN FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE WE SHOULD, AS A COMMUNITY, SUPPORT THE PLACES IN OUR OWN BACK YARD. MY FELLOW SHOPKEEPERS AND I ALONG MAIN ST. ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PATRONAGE. WE PROVIDE YOU WITH QUALITY ITEMS AND PERSONAL SERVICE THAT CANNOT BE REPLICATED AT THE MALL.
AT ARGENTUM, MOST ITEMS ARE MADE RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH COUNTY BY RI ARTISTS. IN THIS ECONOMY, IT IS VERY EASY FOR A BUSINESS TO FAIL, AND IT IS UP TO US TO LEND SUPPORT SO NO OTHER BUSINESSES JUST DISAPPEAR.
SHOP LOCALLY.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

METAL LESSONS FOR FREE?!?!?

YES, ITS TRUE. I WILL OFFER FREE LESSONS TO ANYONE WILLING TO HELP ME PREPARE FOR A JEWELRY SHOW OF MY WORK AT http://SECONDSTAGESTUDIO.COM IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. I WILL NEED TO HAVE ALL MY WORK READY (ABOUT 15-20 PIECES) BY THE END OF MARCH. I NEED SOMEONE WHO IS A QUICK TO LEARN, CAN WORK WELL WITH THEIR HANDS ON SMALL AND OFTEN TEDIOUS PROJECTS. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO REMAIN FOCUSED AND TAKE MY DIRECTION. IT WILL BE A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE RIGHT PERSON, GUARANTEED. CALL ME AT 401.284.2419 OR EMAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT http://ARGENTUMDESIGNS@COX.NET. THANKS!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Learning something new every day....

I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy teaching metalsmithing. Turns out, I love it (so far). Breaking down a project into steps, I now realize how much I learned from the woman who taught me, Thea Ernest.
Thea has some of her work in my shop and every time I show it to someone, I feel compelled to say "that was made by the woman who taught me how to metalsmith". Then I usually say, "however her work here is not really representative of how meticulous and precise she is". I know the amount of work and calculation that goes into her pieces, but some people may not. Her work looks effortless and that is because of her skill and expert craftsmanship.
Several years ago now, she was asked by the The Preservation Society of Newport County to recreate much of the historic metal work, including intricate lighting details, for the Isaac Bell House on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI. I had the honor of working along side of her on this project and got a bird's eye view into how something historic is recreated from renderings to actual execution. It was then I realized the extent of her talent. Her precision and ability to replicate was staggering.
I was able to work on historic pieces of metal and got to sign my name on the backs of some pieces over which I had labored. It was a privilege not many people get to experience in life.
Thea taught me how to make things out of metal, and now its my turn to teach. I hope I am good enough and I can only dream to be such an inspiration.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

SO RHODE ISLAND

DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF SO RHODE ISLAND FROM ONE OF THE VARIOUS DISTRIBUTION POINTS IN SOUTH COUNTY.....I GAVE A BRIEF INTERVIEW TO MARY LOU BUTLER FOR HER MONTHLY ARTIST SPOTLIGHT. CHECK IT OUT.

ALSO, THE ARGENTUM SALE WILL BE ENDING FEBRUARY 15. BE SURE NOT TO MISS THE GREAT SAVINGS ON ORIGINAL ART, JEWELRY AND OBJECTS FOR YOUR HOME.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

BEHIND EVERY ARTIST.....

BEHIND EVERY ARTIST THERE USUALLY IS SOMEONE THAT GIVES THEM SUPPORT SO THAT HE/SHE CAN DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO DO THAT FOR ME SO I CAN FOCUS ON KEEPING ARGENTUM GROWING. ALTHOUGH I HAVE KEPT THEM IN THE BACKGROUND, MY PARENTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED ME THROUGH THIS ENDEAVOR. THEY HAVE BEEN UNCONDITIONAL AND STEADFAST IN THEIR SUPPORT OF MY DREAM.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOM AND DAD. I LOVE YOU.

ON A ANOTHER NOTE, I HAVE TWO OFFICIAL METALSMITHING STUDENTS! CLASSES ARE 25/HOUR FOR A TOTAL OF 10 ONE TO TWO HOUR CLASSES. CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED ON AN IDIVIDUAL BASIS AT MY SHOP. THE STUDENT OBTAINS ONE ON ONE INSTRUCTION ON THE BASICS OF METALSMITHING, SUCH AS LAYING OUT A DESIGN, SAWING, FILING, PIERCING, SOLDERING. LEARN A NEW SKILL THIS WINTER!!!!!