Our New Television Commercial

Check out our new television commercial. Just click the video on the right of the blog screen.

Ring in A Day Class

We have 2 spaces left for our ring in a day class coming on Saturday, December 5th from 10:00 to 5:00. Design and fabricate a sterling silver band ring. Learn basic sawing, soldering, texturing, and forming. No previous jewelry making skills are required and all materials will be provided. (You may use our pre-made bezels with size appropriate stone cabochon if you chose to purchase these in addition) Leave with your new creation on your finger! If you like, bring a sack lunch.
$135.00

Thanksgiving Store Closed

Just a reminder to everyone that Pouncing Rain Retail Store is closed Thanksgiving Weekend from Thursday until Sunday. This gives our staff a chance to spend this weekend with their families. Have a wonderful holiday. We will see you Monday December 1st.

Nanci LaHatt Reception

Featured Artist Reception
jewelry gallery & sale

Nanci LaHatt

Join us in celebrating local artwork and creativity. Mingle with friends, enjoy refreshments, purchase beautiful jewelry, talk with the artist herself, and share in this wonderful community!

Saturday, November 13th
4:00pm – 7:00pm

Pouncing Rain Jewelry & Metalworking Center
521 Kentucky Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-3005 pouncingrain.com

Featured Artist Nanci LaHatt

Pouncing Rain’s featured artist, Nanci LaHatt, has been a metal artist for more than 20 years and a fiber artist for more than 30 years. Her jewelry making interest started as a child when she would crack marbles in her mother’s oven to make necklaces. From this unconventional beginning one interest lead to another, form knitting, spinning, weaving, and beadwork, to lace making, jewelry designing, wire wrapping, chain making, and metalworking. If you look at her work, you can see how each one of these arts is related and brings its own dimensions to her designs.

A major step in Nanci’s development as an artist, and one of the most enjoyable experiences Nanci recalls, was taking her first metalworking class from Judi Gauthier at Pouncing Rain Jewelry & Metalworking Center. Judi is encouraging, knowledgeable, sharing in her teaching, and inspiring to her students.

When teaching her own workshops Nanci delights in sharing her knowledge with eager students. “It is a joy to see someone get as excited about learning as I do.”

From her ETSY electronic storefront Nanci has customers literally worldwide, from New Zealand to Eastern Europe and Chile to Denmark. Her bracelets and necklaces are now on display at Pouncing Rain Jewelry & Metalworking Center and can be found locally at the following locations.

Living Earth Herbs, 1530 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA

Urban Boutique, Bakerview Square, Bellingham, WA

September Contest Winners!

Announcing the September contest winners:
Janeen Sorensen a follower of the Pouncing Rain Blog http//:pouncingrain.blogspot.com,
Giuliana Ragnone Johnston, a Pouncing Rain “liker” at http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1459581652944&s and
Jazzy_Della a twitter follower. http://twitter.com/PouncingRain.

Congratulations! Your beads are at our front desk with your name on them, ready to be picked up.

Fold Formed Cuff Bracelet Class

Our newest class, fold formed cuff bracelet will be held this coming Sunday October 17, 20010 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. It is $65.00 which includes all the materials to make a personal statement in metal. You will learn basic fold forming techniques as well as how to texture and shape your copper sheet into this very cool cuff bracelet. This cuff is perfect for a man or woman so think about the holidays just around the corner for gift ideas.

New Book! Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry by Kate McKinnon

Just in! This author is one of our favorites and this book includes a DVD.

Learn the art of metal clay from master teacher and jewelry artist, Kate McKinnon. Known for her signature style featuring sculptural forms, moving parts, and organic designs, she offers her metal-clay jewelry tips, tricks, and techniques in this detailed workshop-in-a-book featuring step-by-step photography, instruction, and a DVD of key techniques.

Sculpture Metal Clay Jewelry, begins with an overview of the properties of metal clay, including safety information and metalsmithing terms. Next, Kate offers detailed techniques for creating a variety of components, settings, findings, attachments, 3-D forms, and textured effects that are the foundation of her jewelry designs. All of the techniques are shown with step-by-step photography. For added instructional assistance, meet the author and see her techniques in action on the enclosed DVD. The technique section is followed by 10 unique projects that combine the foundation techniques with one-of-a kind design elements. Projects include three-dimensional rings, organic chain designs, metal clay, and bead pendants, and more. All the designs have components made from metal clay including the clasps, chain, and settings, moveable and removable pieces, unusual textures and patinas, unique construction and engineering, plus creative ways to incorporate beads. This book offers jewelry artists both the techniques and design inspiration needed to create gallery-level jewelry that is truly art to wear.

This are pictures that one of our awesome students, Ron W. Ron was one of the students in Bill Dawson's "Anticlastic Raising" class. Thanks Ron for sharing these.

Pouncing Rain Blog: Spinner Ring Class This Saturday Only **free $20. ...

Pouncing Rain Blog: Spinner Ring Class This Saturday Only **free $20. ...: "We are having a special promotion for this Saturdays Spinner Ring Class. With your paid enrollment you will receive a free $20.00 gift certi..."

Spinner Ring Class This Saturday Only **free $20. Gift Certificate!

We are having a special promotion for this Saturdays Spinner Ring Class. With your paid enrollment you will receive a free $20.00 gift certificate to use anyplace in the store or towards another class or workshop. We do not want to cancel this class, so take advantage of this great offer and sign up today on pay pal, or call the shop and get your spot in this fun creative class.


Make two rings in one! This is a sterling silver ring that has a copper free moving spinning ring on the top. You can texture and stamp either or both. You will start with sterling silver and copper sheet metal that you will learn to solder, texture, and polish into a great ring. This is a fun unique ring to make and wear or give as a gift.  All materials are included. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!

Instructor: Judi Gauthier

Cost: $115.00

September 25th, Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm

www.pouncingrain.com

FREE Givaway!

We are having another free givaway contest in September. You could win three strands of Autumn colored 4x5mm, black, gold, and brown heishi beads. To participate in the drawing taking place on October 1st, simply follow us on our blog, facebook, or twitter page. We are having three separate drawings, one for each website, so you have three chances to win! If we draw your name, just come into our shop and pick up your prize. Good luck!

Blog: www.PouncingRain.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellingham-WA/Pouncing-Rain-Jewelry-and-Metal-Center/115032457461
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PouncingRain

September Bead WInners Are...

The randomly chosen winners of our bead giveaway are:
www.Pouncingrain.blogspot.com : Winner is “jody”
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Bellingham-WA/Pouncing-Rain-Jewelry-and-Metal-Center/115032457461?ref=ts Winner is: “Sue Noel”
https://twitter.com/PouncingRain winner is “sknep”
If you are a winner, send us an email with your name and email address. Congratulations!
Check back on October 1 for our next drawing!

Retail Shop CLOSED For Week

Our retail shop will be CLOSED for inventory and cleaning starting Monday, August 30th until Monday, September 6th. If you would like to sign up for an upcoming class during this time, please register online using Pay Pal. www.pouncingrain.com

Don't Forget Our Giveaway! Drawing September 1st

To participate in our September 1st drawing, simple follow us on our Blog at: www.blogspot.com, our twitter page: http://twitter.com/PouncingRain or our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/pages/Bellingham-WA/Pouncing-Rain-Jewelry-and-Metal-Center/115032457461
We are having three separate drawings and you can win one of these very cool faceted jasper triangle beads. No purchase to win, you just need to register and if your name is drawn pick them up in our shop.
www.pouncingrain.com

Beads... Buy One Get 2nd 1/2 Off!!! Through August

News from the Shop:
As we enter the final stretch of the summer we are pleased to offer our customers our fabulous bead selection. Many of you know us for our exciting classes, great tool options and hard-to-find informa-tive books. But, how many of you know what a wide variety of quality beads, pearls and cabochons we carry? On our wall of beads you will find quality Turquoise from the Southwest and China, gor-geous Labradorite, Lapis, and Amethyst. You will also find more unusual strands of semi-precious stones like Brownsite, Brecciated Jasper, Rainbow Obsidian, Kyanite, Turmilated Quartz, and Stick Coral. Our cabochon collection offers a wide variety of different stones in all sizes, shapes and prices.

September Mini Workshops

Join us for the series of fun and informative mini workshops in September. These workshops are two hours each evening. Take them individually for $25.00 or in a set of three for $70.00 and SAVE! All three require no experience.

-Sawing With A Jewelers Saw (September 7th, Tuesday, 6:00pm-8:00pm)
In the first mini workshop you will learn all about a jewelers saw and how to cut metal with your new best friend. You will learn the art of piercing and interior cuts as well as blade usage and correct ergonomic use.

-Texturing With Hammers (September 8th, Wednesday, 6:00pm-8:00pm)
The second mini workshop will focus on the broad world of texturing. Learn how to create your own textures using various hammers and materials, from shaped wire and patterned paper to lace and stencils.

-Cold Connections (September 9th, Thursday, 6:00pm-8:00pm)
In the third mini workshop learn how to take your metalwork to the next level with various cold connections. Learn how to make rivets and eyelets to connect metal, resin, plastic, ferris metals, and so much more. Eyelets can be used to dress up simple bales.

Fast Fire BronzClay in stock at Pouncing Rain

The faster way to fire! FASTfire BRONZEclay™ drastically cuts your firing time—making it ideal for production work, the classroom, or for those times when you just want to bring your creations to life a bit quicker.
With FASTfire BRONZclay, you can fire your pieces in 2 hours or less (depending on the thickness of your piece, the size of your firing pan, and the type of kiln).
Just like original BRONZclay, FASTfire™ BRONZclay provides an incredible artistic range. And, because it is bronze, it is also so economical that you can use it for large pieces—even sculptures—very affordably! It can be pinched, rolled, sculpted, cut or manipulated any way you like. Then fire it, and the binder burns away, leaving a solid, pure bronze object. Create jewelry, jewelry components, or custom-crafted specialized tools. We stock 30 gram or 100 gram packages.

Silversmith Camp Next Week

We have a really small "silversmith summer camp" next week. We are at risk of cancelling if we do not get at least one more person... This is such a great opportunity for anyone that has next week to spend learning and playing. Check it out: http://pouncingrain.com/metalsmithclasses/silversmithcamp.html

DRAWING FOR FREE BEADS! September 1, 2010

Drawing for these awesome faceted jasper triangle beads on September 1, 2010. We will be giving away 3 strands! We will have a random drawing of all our facebook friends http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellingham-WA/Pouncing-Rain-Jewelry-and-Metal-Center/115032457461 and then another drawing of our Twitter followers http://twitter.com/PouncingRain and a third drawing of our blog followers http://pouncingrain.blogspot.com/

Added additional Ring in a Day 8/15/10

We have added an additional Ring in a Day class this coming weekend. There is room in both the Saturday and Sunday class on August 14th and August 15th. This is a great beginners class because you need no experience to learn to make a sterling silver band ring. You will learn to solder, form, texture and polish your creation.

Very Cool Pics of Etching and Woodworking

One of talented students has shared these pictures of his work. Ron learned how to etch in Ryan's "Etching without Acid" class and has just run with his new knowledge. Way to go Ron. This is a beautiful piece.

If you are interested in our "Etching without Acid" class, it is happening again on August 7th from 10:00-5:00. Check it out at: http://pouncingrain.com/workshops/etchingwithoutacid.html

Learn to Make Ear Wires Class

In this mini instructive workshop we will practice with copper wire and then use sterling silver to create our own earwires in two different styles. Open up your world to creating your own custom earwires! All materials are included. No experience needed!

Cost: $18.00

Instructor: Ryan Albachten

Wednesday, July 7th, 7:00pm-8:00pm

June Silversmith Class Pics

A sampling of the June Silversmith Camp treasures. This camp was attended by our most geographically diverse group yet. We had local students from Western Washington in addition to students from as far way as Tahiti and Fairbanks, AK.

Beginning Jewelry Making Class tomorrow eve.

Don't forget our beginning jewelry 6 week class starts tomorrow 6:00-9:00. Great fun class with Judi Gauthier as instructor.
Space available.

Intermediate 3 Day Intensive Starts Friday May 28th

Intermediate 3 Day Intensive is focused on Soldering. Beginning Jewelry or equivalent is a prerequisite, and the skills from it will be built upon to complete a bezel set ring. The class will work with copper, brass, and silver and focus on gaining competency in soldering, torch handling safety, and bezel setting a cabochon cut gemstone. Additional tools used in class will be ring mandrels, torches, burnishers, and the rolling-mill.

Cost:$240

May 28th, 29th & 30th. Friday-Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Beginning Jewelry Evening Class Starts Tuesday May 25th

We have moved back the evening class of our Beginning Jewelry Making to May 25th. This is good news if you have wanted to take it and just did not sign up yet.

This is the class that started it all. This is the class that most everyone at Pouncing Rain has taken to get started. This class will introduce you to the vast and wonderful world of metalworking and jewelry making. You will learn about materials, equipment and safety in the jewelry lab. Through a series of demonstrations, you will learn: sawing, piercing, soldering, filing, polishing and texturing metal. You will have time to finish a few pieces. Creative design ideas make this introduction to jewelry a thoroughly enjoyable class. 6 week course: 3-hours, once a week . No experience needed.

Cost: $240

Instructor: Judi Gauthier



Check out the info on our website. http://pouncingrain.com/metalsmithclasses/beginningjewelry6week.html

Learn to Make a Sterling Bangle Bracelet! No Experience!

Bangle Bracelet
You will learn to cut, texture, file, stamp, punch, solder and form sterling silver into a beautiful bangle bracelet. You are the de-signer. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. INCLUDES ALL SUPPLIES!!!
Instructor: Judith Gauthier
Cost: $100.
Sunday, May 16th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm.

Etching Without Acid

Using salt water and electricity discover a family and pet safe way to etch copper and brass in your home. You will learn different resist techniques. If you have personalized drawings or art you would like to try to etch, please email them to ryan@pouncingrain.com at least 24 hours before the class. Designs should be no larger than 2”X2” to etch in class. You can use this new skill in many different applications. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
Instructor: Ryan Albachten
Cost: $95.
5/15/10, Saturday 10:00am - 5:00

Instructed Studio Starting

Instructed Studio Wednesday mornings 9:30-12:30: Are you feeling a little rusty about your soldering skills? Are you not ready to work independently in the studio? Do you not set aside time to work on your projects? Do you feel like you need some help moving to the next level of your jewelry making? Do you have a dozen projects started but not finished? Do you want to work in a group environment with the help of a teacher? For those of you who answer yes to any of these questions, Instructed Studio is a great solution. Join us on Wednesday mornings. You can drop in for one session and pay $45.00 or pay for the month and get a much reduced rate. Current Instructed Studio members are considered members and will be entitled to our member privileges.

Anti Clastic Forming Class July 24th and 25th

Anticlastic Forming
In this 2 day workshop, Take the confusion and mystery out of anticlastic forming, as you create beautiful organic looking shapes from sheet metal. In this workshop you will learn the basics of anticlastic raising. This process allows you to create exceptionally strong, flexible, lightweight, and organic-looking forms. A flat sheet of metal is shaped by compressing its edges and stretching the centre so that the surface develops two curves at right angles to each other. A saddle is a good example of an anticlastic form. We will focus on "open" or "monoshell" forms made from single pieces of thin sheet metal, working to create striking dimensional shapes. Each student will have the opportunity to make a finished piece of jewelry that includes this process.

Though open anticlastic forms date from the middle Bronze Age, it is only recently that they have been explored in detail. This new focus has yielded some of the most interesting forms in contemporary metalworking. You do not need a great deal of metalworking experience to take this class, but some facility with the hammer is helpful.

Students will be provided with sheet metal and other materials.

Instructor: Bill Dawson

New Retail Hours!!!

Starting May 1st we will now be open on Saturdays from 10am-5:30pm. So come share this beautiful May Day with us and explore our fun selection of beads, cabochons, tools, and so much more! If you can't make it tomorrow, we are open Monday through Saturday, 10am-5:30pm. We hope to see you soon!

Etching Without Acid ~ Coming Soon!

Using salt water and electricity, discover a family and pet safe way to etch copper, brass or nickel in your home. You will explore different patterns using multiple resists, including PnP Blue. Enjoy creating texture plates for Metal Clay, roll-printing projects or etch metal for a later project. No prior experience required.

Cost: $ 95.00

Instructor: Ryan Albachten

Saturday, May 15th 10:00am-5:00pm

Learn the Byzantine Chain!

In this class you will learn the basic techniques required to make byzantine chain jewelry. Techniques include winding cutting jump rings and assembling each ring into Sterling Silver Byzantine Bracelet with an attached toggle clasp. You will be surprised how fun is to make and beautiful to wear. Tools supplied during class. No jewelry making experience needed.

Cost: $95.00 (Includes material kit-18 gauge sterling wire, 1 mandrel, toggle clasp, safety pins and, an instruction booklet.)

Instructor: Nanci La Hatt

Saturday, May 1st. 10:00am-3:00pm

Video Made by Our Own Barbara F's Grandaughter

This is a link to Lindsay Fassers youtube video. Shame on those who are using violent protests to express their views. What we need is love!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7hZNkWqqqc

Kathleen

Trunk Sale Discounts!!

Remember Saturday April 17th 10:00-5:00 Pouncing Rain's annual Trunk Show and Sale.
Beads 15% Off
Pearls 10% Off
Cabochons 10% Off
We will have demos, prizes and cookies!
pouncingrain.com for information

Membership Information

Pouncing Rain’s Membership is comprised of jewelry and metal artists who come together as a community to share information, tips, tricks and camaraderie here in our fully equipped studio. Pouncing Rain hosts member socials, events and sales throughout the year.

Open Studio Membership
To qualify to use the studio as a member or non-member, you must have taken our beginning and intermediate classes (or the equivalent) and be able to work safety and independently in the shop. We ask all new prospect members to meet with senior staff for assessment of skills and safety knowledge.

You must provide your own solder and other materials.

To be considered a member, you must have either a current punch card or have purchased an annual membership.

Non-Member Option 1: (not considered a member): $9.00 an hour “pay as you go”.

Member Option 2: $120.00 for 20 hour pre-paid punch card, good for 6 months.
This works out to $6. hour.

Member Option 3: $200.00 for 40 hour pre-paid punch card, good for 1 year.
This works out to $5. hour.

Member Option 4: $300.00 for annual unlimited “Open Studio”. Any time we have open studio, you can be here.

Instructed Studio Membership
Of special interest to Studio Members, we have added Instructed Studio which is a continuing education class that is designed to be taken over and over to build skills and learn new techniques. Judi will be instructing this class. Enrollment in Instructed Studio will entitle the student to Membership in Pouncing Rain Studio.

With continued pre-paid membership or current enrollment in “Instructed Studio”, you will become members in the Pouncing Rain Studio Community. Your support will be rewarded with special member discounts, privileges, as well as participation in our member social events.

Intermediate 3 Day Intensive Pictures

These pictures are from Ron W. who was in the 3 day intensive. Thanks Ron

Mothers Day Weekend Beginning Class

We have decided to have a special weekend for Mothers! We will give you 20% off the tuition for your mother for the May 7th, 8th and 9th Beginning Intensive Class. You will pay full price but your mom (second person) will get 20% off. We will also have special treats for the class on Sunday the 9th. See our website for further details!

Second Annual Trunk Sale

Save the date of April 17, 2010 for our annual trunk show and sale. We will have prizes, demos, refreshments and special pricing throughout the store.

News From The Shop

This month I’m pleased to announce that new treats and treasures from the annual Tucson Gem Show have arrived! Kathleen and Noelle spent days hand picking many new semi-precious stone beads and cabochons, chain, findings and fossil pieces for your viewing and pur-chasing pleasure.
Having to turn down the opportunity to go this year myself, I anxiously awaited their return with the boxes and bags of new stones and product we look forward to every year. The fun of this buying trip is getting out of the world of catalogs, meeting the vendors, and being able to pick up and hold stones in your hands before purchasing them.
Standing out this year is, the beautiful Red Creek Jasper cabs and large beads, full of red, greens and gorgeous veins of cream and dark brown this jasper just calls out “create with me”. This gem show is so massive and you never know what you’ll find around the next corner or on the next table of gems, like the red, gold and clear vintage glass reflectors, the pyrite ammonites and of course turquoise, turquoise, turquoise. So come on, check out our new goodies and add to your own treasure box! Remember, many of these treasures can not be reordered so when they are gone, they are gone. -Ryan

Tucson!

Just a quick update. Noelle and Kathleen have been in Tucson now for 4 days and have we found some wonderful treasures? Yes we have. We have have some of the nicest cabs we have ever carried and at really good prices this year. We found little tiny 2mm stone beads in many different stones, crystal beads, abalone beads (really cool ones), meteorite beads, sweet little round garnets, turquoise as well as pearls and more pearls. That is just a tiny selection of what we are getting. No kidding, we are bringing back lots of different treasures this year.

Kathleen

Beautiful Work from A Student in our Beginning Class

This is a picture of a pendant done by a student in our "Beginning 3 Day Intensive Class" in January. The student, Ron Wehde, writes ".... can't wait for the intermediate class. A big thanks again to Judith. She is a great instructor".

Ron was also kind enough to include some pictures of his fellow students. Thanks Ron and we will see you February 19th, 20th and 21st for our 3 day Intermediate Intensive class.

Give Us Your Tucson Wish List!

We at Pouncing Rain are always trying to bring you the tools, gems, findings, beads and cabs you want. So, we have decided to let you give us your "Tucson Wish List". What would you be looking for if you were going to Tucson? Just click here to go to our website and fill out our wish list form. www.pouncingrain.com/yourtucsonwishlist.html We will try our best to find the items you are looking for.