I will start this posting by saying, thank you. Thank you for your patronage in the past years and for supporting Pouncing Rain. I am sad to announce that I will be closing the retail store in January 2012.
We will continue to give all the classes and workshops that are scheduled and listed in this news-letter. We will also offer personalized “one on one” instruction through the end of February. We will not be scheduling any new classes or workshops, until a new owner is found.
I feel very optimistic, that Pouncing Rain will be purchased and will continue to provide new and exciting metalworking and jewelry making classes.
Since the store is closing, we will not be selling any new gift certificates and will only be honoring gift certificates and store credits until December 31, 2011 for merchandise and February 28, 2012 for classes.
We will not be punching any new punch cards for purchases and will only honor your completed punch cards until December 31, 2011.
Starting December 7, 2011, all merchandise will be sold at 50% off the normal retail price. This EXCLUDES our fine silver and sterling silver stock, as well as all of our metal clays.
As of December 7th, all sales are final. No refunds or returns.
Members will be contacted for details on how to redeem hours or get refunds.
Thank you again for your support and enjoy the great savings just in time for the Holiday season.
-Kathleen
Located in Bellingham, Washington (between Seattle and Vancouver, BC) at: 521 Kentucky Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 Pouncing Rain Jewelry and Metal Working Center is a community education center. We offer ongoing weekly classes in jewelry making and silversmithing, as well as one and two day workshops in various other jewelry making techniques. We have a studio membership program for students and community jewelry/metal artist to work independently in our fully equipped studio.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Ganoksin office and home in Thailand are flooded. They need your help
Ganoksin offices are heavily flooded, Please read through their daily journal presented below, which describes their daily struggle with the crisis and how YOU can help our Orchid community to survive it!
Floods Daily Journal
October 27 at 7:47am
Floods update – Thursday morning In non-ceremonial event, we received late yesterday afternoon a government emergency relief bag. It arrived by boat. With no handshaking, flashes, no smiles to the cameras and no fat self-content politicians. It was a simple survival kit, made with thought, love and care, containing 5 kg of rice, one bottle of fish sauce, half-dozen canned mackerels, 6 small chili relish servings and brand-less soap, toothpaste and toothbrush. They also did not forget to toss inside some mosquito repellent. So cool! Later, I sailed away from my living room pier to find a mango tree in distant neighbors' gardens. I dreamed to find a tree so heavily laden with fruits that I wouldn't be able carry them all back on my boat, but all I truly hoped was to find a single mango hanging exactly at my hand reach, and I did! I'm just your 50-year old urban gatherer on a quest for a spicy mango salad.
October 26 at 12:07pm
Floods Update – Wednesday morning We are gradually settling into the routine of life in isolation. The house windows that just a week ago greeted our lush garden in are now a uniform greenish water panorama, to which the TV set oddly adds aquatic clips from the floods front line. The water levels are now such that it is inconvenient to embark our boat from the front door (Pier Tua Lek). They are knee deep there. The boat is now parked at the hall that leads to the dining room. The last dry grounds left at the first floor. We now can sail from the inside of house to the black waters pond, the home to a myriad of both life, and after life creatures.
October 24 at 8:34am
Floods update: Tuesday morning Our neighborhood is becoming a forgotten island. As the floods continue toward the city center, the flocks of media and life vest equipped reporters keep chasing the water front and are bravely standing in an ankle deep waters on the floods shore. We, in our personal owned Alcatraz are yesterday's news. TV channels bring experts with inconvincible tone who bet on the next turn the floods would take. Fashionable Bangkokians are ordering metrosexual cup of Arabica latte art or designer of espresso coffee, as the less fortunate struggle to save their modest belongings. I bet they would be submerged before the formers finished their drink. Our neighborhood is isolated and difficult to reach. We had no contact with the outside world for almost a week now. We still have enough food and water to continue the involuntary house arrest for couple more weeks. There is something very surrealistic in the situation we got caught in, in the cage made of water.
October 24 at 7:59am
Floods update, Monday morning. The first thing that I did this morning was to check if we still have electricity and running water. Both are fine at the moment! The floods water in the first floor acts as an indoor natural air-condition, we only hope that clouds won't form on the ceilings. In the 12 days that we have been dealing with the floods issue, I am transforming from a spoiled foodie to a savage islander. I am losing weight, my muscles are getting toned, I wear a club-med sun tan on my face and I might answer you the phone with Tarzan's ululating yell if you would call me.
October 23 at 7:02pm Floods update The waters now are almost 2 meters deep around the house. I am sorry to report that we are losing the fight to save the kitchen, like newton that had to get hit by an apple on his head to understand the law of gravity, i am getting it in my face - water mechanics for dummies - waters are oozing through the floor tiles gout lines. Of course moron me, the kitchen is below the water level…. should let it sink like a treasure ship, or should i wear the captain hat and be the last who dessert my kitchen?
October 23 at 1:38pm
Floods update Floods Update, Sunday Afternoon: street water level in front of the house is now marked at @1.75 meter. It is fully satisfies my "water park biz" entrepreneuring urges. This is almost the top we can absorb without dire consonances. Now speaking on consonances I think we, humans, should be held responsible for all this mess beside mama nature...
October 23 at 10:08am
Floods Update, Sunday Morning: Electricity was cut off this morning, the pumps went silent, water levels in the pantry rose swiftly, and the war to save the kitchen was almost lost. Ton suggested that we should use buckets to bailout our sinking kitchen, and rush to grab the nearest one. I was on the phone trying to reach out to the authorities. Just before I could yell names at the busy tone I got, electricity was on again. What a relief! We just realized that 10 minutes of electricity cut separates us from the scene "To kitchen or not to kitchen". Ploy our maid, who never appeared in any "Survival" episode, made it to the outsides of her third floor apartment through a 2.5 meters water filled lobby, Like Gene Hackman at the movie "The Poseidon Adventure". Once she reached outside she still had to struggle through 2 meters deep waters, and when the viewers almost believed she failed the task, she managed to climb into a boat and sailed all the way here to check on us. When the crisis is over, I am going to give her in an homemade ceremony the "The best Maid Bangpoon" star award October 23 at 7:23pm Floods Update, Saturday evening: Water levels are rising fast. Our daily routine starts by assessing the night damages and determining what to fight and what to sacrifice. Today we concentrated on saving the kitchen. Water entered the back pantry despite bricks barrier we placed earlier last week. It shamefully failed to protect the service quarters because of hidden cracks the water could found without a tour guide. We carried with our boat sunken sand bags, placed them on the cracks to slow the water inflow, than relocated the water pumps and by midday we managed somehow to control the leakage, and lower the water level in the pantry in 10 cm. The kitchen was saved, at least for now. They do tell us in the news that a nastier body of water is heading our way in couple of days…. We play. We mark lines on the wall and bet to see who's prediction was the closest…. The floods are getting really deep, river fishes and our neighbors' beautiful koys (Japanese carps) are elegantly swim in their newly discovered territories; our parking and garden. A face to face encounter with a giant cat fish squeezed from me a high toned scream that alarmed no one. The front door is now our marina; we named the pier "Ta Naam Tua Lek", after our hero dog. Afternoon boating is a good exercise and completes the regime of the morning sand bags lifting. In our 200 houses community only 10 are still inhibited. It is a sunken ghost town. I imagine what it would take to restore it to what it used to be just a week ago, and envy those who are in the construction business. A huge body of cash is heading their way. We rely on stored dry food, and what we are sharing with our neighbors. In a sense I feel lucky to have to go through all this hardship, it's a life time experience in which one can measures his mental building blocks. There is also something very poetic about it, beauty is all around us, even when it's painful.
October 22 at 7:18amFloods update Floods update, Saturday morning. The waiting is over. The water did not spare our interiors. I was hoping that the energy of our determination to keep the house dry, would somehow find its way up there and the water would draw or at least settle at a mutual agreed status quo line. We lit incense from mythological fish statues, which were smoking out the fragrant smoke through their mouths, another way to please the spirits of the land. The holiness does stop here my friends; the flooded home appears strangely familiar. Evoking deja vu of hollow architecture - is it the biblical water pools I remember from The city of Beit Lechem or lost the Persian gardens I dreamed on? Walls surround a yard in the middle of which nature imposes herself on man's handiwork
October 21 at 9:50am
Floods update Floods update, Friday morning. we retired to bed quite late and very exhausted. so exhausted i couldn't find the words to compose a simple sentence. a full blown flood dyslexia. We surrendered the first floor completely. disconnected the electricity system, and phone lines and set up for a long camping upstairs. --- this morning is very quite. the water only concord the wooden decks, and are still hesitating in entering the front door. it is very quite, the sounds of city and the yelling of distressed neighbors are now gone, the big silence is now made of the sound of bugs, frogs and birds. we are in a middle of a big pond. Its hard to believe that just few kilometers away, on the other side of the 'war zone' life is as usual. I walk around the house watching the flooded lushes yard. what a great opportunity for an amateur garden designer to see a real life demo on where exactly to place the water element in the garden for the perfect harmonious location. it's hard to imagine but it does look quite beautiful, except for the awful smell of sewer, we must to get used to it, because we are located just at the southern border of the mass of body traveling to the sea, the rest of the 13,000 BILLION cubic meters of water should pass at least partly over our heads. If all would go well, we are looking at 2 more months before we can start dry things out.... i feeling quite relaxed today, we did all we can and now we have to get used to live like this, just for a while. our greatest fear is that they will cut electricity, tap waters and internet from our area, and our greatest joy is to find out among our friends the precious souls who do care and help. that is for me way more emotional than soaked sofa......
October 20 at 1:28pm
Floods update O our neighbors are already deep under water, washed of most of their life possessions.. a meter deep in good cases in most of the houses around. security caught looters last night, they are made of pixels of anarchy. our neighborhood is cut off the supply routes for food and drinking water. we relay on friends from the outside who make it halfway to send supplies. luckily we lost only the parking lot and garden. surprisingly the plants look amazing surrounded by water...in few days when their roots will rotten, i will definitely add a drop of tear or two to the pool of water that surrounds me. we TRY to be optimistic. the water is only kissing the edge of the home entrance. would it regret and go back home? or would it invite itself as an unwanted guest? we are prepared for at least two months of camping within our own home, a trip we would never forget nor recommend to anyone. please keep the comments coming in, it give me both slimes and tears. hanuman
October 19 at 10:55pm
Floods update Floods update. A TV announcement tells us to expect an extra 50-1meter rise by tomorrow. That will officially make me a dolphin
October 19 at 8:44am
Flood update: Wednesday morning. ... water are raising faster today, garbage bags float and start to smell, walking to the neighborhood gate is getting harder and quite riskier, the water are getting deeper. i cant stop thinking of of health hazards i cant see and try to avoid the snakes, centipedes and other venomous creatures who are trying to escape the water just as we are. The one paddle boat is harder to master than i thought, it seems to have its own mind, turning around instead of going straight.... the first floor is mostly empty now, a truck came yesterday (just in time) and carried away the furniture. we still have many details to try and save to reduce the damage, today i will move up some of the rare plants from the garden to the second floor veranda.
This image shows a satellite view of the floods currently devastating the Thai kingdom. You can see two bodies of water marked in blue just north of Bangkok. 13,000 BILLION Cubic meters of polluted water are making their way to the Gulf of Thailand.
Ganoksin offices are unfortunate to be on flood's path. We Need Your Support Thailand is currently facing its worst flooding in 50 years. Floodwaters have swamped more than two-thirds of the country, submerging complete towns. Hundreds of lives have been tragically lost. Rice fields and businesses of millions of families have been severely impacted.
We Need Your Support!
At this moment, our offices are completely inundated. We are very much isolated, surrounded by a swamp wide as far as the eye can see. Our only links to the world are email and phone.
At this unfortunate moment, your help is crucial. It is truly needed deeply appreciated.
We have extended the rules for participation in the amazing Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway. For every 35$ you donate to Ganoksin we are offering ONE (1) entry in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway.
Help us to keep the long service to our community!
Click on http://www.ganoksin.com/donate .
Alternatively, you can purchase any one of our eBooks and participate in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway by clicking on http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1c8
Yours Truly, Hanuman and Ton.
Rio Grande is giving away $10,000 worth of gift certificate prizes towards an exciting SHOPPING SPREE throughout their extensive tools & supplies catalogue! 4 lucky winners will share a grand prize pack valued at $ 10,000 to purchase products sold online at Rio Grande
1. First prize: $ 5,000 Rio Grande gift certificate
2. Second prize: $ 3,000 Rio Grande gift certificate
3. Third prize:$ 1,500 Rio Grande gift certificate
4. Fourth prize: $ 500 Rio Grande gift certificate
To enter for the grand prize drawing all you have to do is
1. purchase purchase eBooks from the Ganoksin project website at http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1c8 Each 35$ you spend on eBook downloads through the Ganoksin project website entitles you for ONE entry in our random door prize draw of 10,000 $ Gift certificates from Rio Grande.
OR
2. Donate to the Ganoksin project - For every 35$ you donate to Ganoksin we are offering one entry in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway. We are giving away special prizes to customers purchasing eBooks. !!
The Grand Prize winners will be drawn on April 15, 2012 Participation is open worldwide!
Rio Grande is your online source for innovative jewelry-making products, great service and technical know-how. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional jeweler, metalsmith or artisan, we share your passion.
We Need Your Support!
!
Floods Daily Journal
October 27 at 7:47am
Floods update – Thursday morning In non-ceremonial event, we received late yesterday afternoon a government emergency relief bag. It arrived by boat. With no handshaking, flashes, no smiles to the cameras and no fat self-content politicians. It was a simple survival kit, made with thought, love and care, containing 5 kg of rice, one bottle of fish sauce, half-dozen canned mackerels, 6 small chili relish servings and brand-less soap, toothpaste and toothbrush. They also did not forget to toss inside some mosquito repellent. So cool! Later, I sailed away from my living room pier to find a mango tree in distant neighbors' gardens. I dreamed to find a tree so heavily laden with fruits that I wouldn't be able carry them all back on my boat, but all I truly hoped was to find a single mango hanging exactly at my hand reach, and I did! I'm just your 50-year old urban gatherer on a quest for a spicy mango salad.
October 26 at 12:07pm
Floods Update – Wednesday morning We are gradually settling into the routine of life in isolation. The house windows that just a week ago greeted our lush garden in are now a uniform greenish water panorama, to which the TV set oddly adds aquatic clips from the floods front line. The water levels are now such that it is inconvenient to embark our boat from the front door (Pier Tua Lek). They are knee deep there. The boat is now parked at the hall that leads to the dining room. The last dry grounds left at the first floor. We now can sail from the inside of house to the black waters pond, the home to a myriad of both life, and after life creatures.
October 24 at 8:34am
Floods update: Tuesday morning Our neighborhood is becoming a forgotten island. As the floods continue toward the city center, the flocks of media and life vest equipped reporters keep chasing the water front and are bravely standing in an ankle deep waters on the floods shore. We, in our personal owned Alcatraz are yesterday's news. TV channels bring experts with inconvincible tone who bet on the next turn the floods would take. Fashionable Bangkokians are ordering metrosexual cup of Arabica latte art or designer of espresso coffee, as the less fortunate struggle to save their modest belongings. I bet they would be submerged before the formers finished their drink. Our neighborhood is isolated and difficult to reach. We had no contact with the outside world for almost a week now. We still have enough food and water to continue the involuntary house arrest for couple more weeks. There is something very surrealistic in the situation we got caught in, in the cage made of water.
October 24 at 7:59am
Floods update, Monday morning. The first thing that I did this morning was to check if we still have electricity and running water. Both are fine at the moment! The floods water in the first floor acts as an indoor natural air-condition, we only hope that clouds won't form on the ceilings. In the 12 days that we have been dealing with the floods issue, I am transforming from a spoiled foodie to a savage islander. I am losing weight, my muscles are getting toned, I wear a club-med sun tan on my face and I might answer you the phone with Tarzan's ululating yell if you would call me.
October 23 at 7:02pm Floods update The waters now are almost 2 meters deep around the house. I am sorry to report that we are losing the fight to save the kitchen, like newton that had to get hit by an apple on his head to understand the law of gravity, i am getting it in my face - water mechanics for dummies - waters are oozing through the floor tiles gout lines. Of course moron me, the kitchen is below the water level…. should let it sink like a treasure ship, or should i wear the captain hat and be the last who dessert my kitchen?
October 23 at 1:38pm
Floods update Floods Update, Sunday Afternoon: street water level in front of the house is now marked at @1.75 meter. It is fully satisfies my "water park biz" entrepreneuring urges. This is almost the top we can absorb without dire consonances. Now speaking on consonances I think we, humans, should be held responsible for all this mess beside mama nature...
October 23 at 10:08am
Floods Update, Sunday Morning: Electricity was cut off this morning, the pumps went silent, water levels in the pantry rose swiftly, and the war to save the kitchen was almost lost. Ton suggested that we should use buckets to bailout our sinking kitchen, and rush to grab the nearest one. I was on the phone trying to reach out to the authorities. Just before I could yell names at the busy tone I got, electricity was on again. What a relief! We just realized that 10 minutes of electricity cut separates us from the scene "To kitchen or not to kitchen". Ploy our maid, who never appeared in any "Survival" episode, made it to the outsides of her third floor apartment through a 2.5 meters water filled lobby, Like Gene Hackman at the movie "The Poseidon Adventure". Once she reached outside she still had to struggle through 2 meters deep waters, and when the viewers almost believed she failed the task, she managed to climb into a boat and sailed all the way here to check on us. When the crisis is over, I am going to give her in an homemade ceremony the "The best Maid Bangpoon" star award October 23 at 7:23pm Floods Update, Saturday evening: Water levels are rising fast. Our daily routine starts by assessing the night damages and determining what to fight and what to sacrifice. Today we concentrated on saving the kitchen. Water entered the back pantry despite bricks barrier we placed earlier last week. It shamefully failed to protect the service quarters because of hidden cracks the water could found without a tour guide. We carried with our boat sunken sand bags, placed them on the cracks to slow the water inflow, than relocated the water pumps and by midday we managed somehow to control the leakage, and lower the water level in the pantry in 10 cm. The kitchen was saved, at least for now. They do tell us in the news that a nastier body of water is heading our way in couple of days…. We play. We mark lines on the wall and bet to see who's prediction was the closest…. The floods are getting really deep, river fishes and our neighbors' beautiful koys (Japanese carps) are elegantly swim in their newly discovered territories; our parking and garden. A face to face encounter with a giant cat fish squeezed from me a high toned scream that alarmed no one. The front door is now our marina; we named the pier "Ta Naam Tua Lek", after our hero dog. Afternoon boating is a good exercise and completes the regime of the morning sand bags lifting. In our 200 houses community only 10 are still inhibited. It is a sunken ghost town. I imagine what it would take to restore it to what it used to be just a week ago, and envy those who are in the construction business. A huge body of cash is heading their way. We rely on stored dry food, and what we are sharing with our neighbors. In a sense I feel lucky to have to go through all this hardship, it's a life time experience in which one can measures his mental building blocks. There is also something very poetic about it, beauty is all around us, even when it's painful.
October 22 at 7:18amFloods update Floods update, Saturday morning. The waiting is over. The water did not spare our interiors. I was hoping that the energy of our determination to keep the house dry, would somehow find its way up there and the water would draw or at least settle at a mutual agreed status quo line. We lit incense from mythological fish statues, which were smoking out the fragrant smoke through their mouths, another way to please the spirits of the land. The holiness does stop here my friends; the flooded home appears strangely familiar. Evoking deja vu of hollow architecture - is it the biblical water pools I remember from The city of Beit Lechem or lost the Persian gardens I dreamed on? Walls surround a yard in the middle of which nature imposes herself on man's handiwork
October 21 at 9:50am
Floods update Floods update, Friday morning. we retired to bed quite late and very exhausted. so exhausted i couldn't find the words to compose a simple sentence. a full blown flood dyslexia. We surrendered the first floor completely. disconnected the electricity system, and phone lines and set up for a long camping upstairs. --- this morning is very quite. the water only concord the wooden decks, and are still hesitating in entering the front door. it is very quite, the sounds of city and the yelling of distressed neighbors are now gone, the big silence is now made of the sound of bugs, frogs and birds. we are in a middle of a big pond. Its hard to believe that just few kilometers away, on the other side of the 'war zone' life is as usual. I walk around the house watching the flooded lushes yard. what a great opportunity for an amateur garden designer to see a real life demo on where exactly to place the water element in the garden for the perfect harmonious location. it's hard to imagine but it does look quite beautiful, except for the awful smell of sewer, we must to get used to it, because we are located just at the southern border of the mass of body traveling to the sea, the rest of the 13,000 BILLION cubic meters of water should pass at least partly over our heads. If all would go well, we are looking at 2 more months before we can start dry things out.... i feeling quite relaxed today, we did all we can and now we have to get used to live like this, just for a while. our greatest fear is that they will cut electricity, tap waters and internet from our area, and our greatest joy is to find out among our friends the precious souls who do care and help. that is for me way more emotional than soaked sofa......
October 20 at 1:28pm
Floods update O our neighbors are already deep under water, washed of most of their life possessions.. a meter deep in good cases in most of the houses around. security caught looters last night, they are made of pixels of anarchy. our neighborhood is cut off the supply routes for food and drinking water. we relay on friends from the outside who make it halfway to send supplies. luckily we lost only the parking lot and garden. surprisingly the plants look amazing surrounded by water...in few days when their roots will rotten, i will definitely add a drop of tear or two to the pool of water that surrounds me. we TRY to be optimistic. the water is only kissing the edge of the home entrance. would it regret and go back home? or would it invite itself as an unwanted guest? we are prepared for at least two months of camping within our own home, a trip we would never forget nor recommend to anyone. please keep the comments coming in, it give me both slimes and tears. hanuman
October 19 at 10:55pm
Floods update Floods update. A TV announcement tells us to expect an extra 50-1meter rise by tomorrow. That will officially make me a dolphin
October 19 at 8:44am
Flood update: Wednesday morning. ... water are raising faster today, garbage bags float and start to smell, walking to the neighborhood gate is getting harder and quite riskier, the water are getting deeper. i cant stop thinking of of health hazards i cant see and try to avoid the snakes, centipedes and other venomous creatures who are trying to escape the water just as we are. The one paddle boat is harder to master than i thought, it seems to have its own mind, turning around instead of going straight.... the first floor is mostly empty now, a truck came yesterday (just in time) and carried away the furniture. we still have many details to try and save to reduce the damage, today i will move up some of the rare plants from the garden to the second floor veranda.
This image shows a satellite view of the floods currently devastating the Thai kingdom. You can see two bodies of water marked in blue just north of Bangkok. 13,000 BILLION Cubic meters of polluted water are making their way to the Gulf of Thailand.
Ganoksin offices are unfortunate to be on flood's path. We Need Your Support Thailand is currently facing its worst flooding in 50 years. Floodwaters have swamped more than two-thirds of the country, submerging complete towns. Hundreds of lives have been tragically lost. Rice fields and businesses of millions of families have been severely impacted.
We Need Your Support!
At this moment, our offices are completely inundated. We are very much isolated, surrounded by a swamp wide as far as the eye can see. Our only links to the world are email and phone.
At this unfortunate moment, your help is crucial. It is truly needed deeply appreciated.
We have extended the rules for participation in the amazing Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway. For every 35$ you donate to Ganoksin we are offering ONE (1) entry in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway.
Help us to keep the long service to our community!
Click on http://www.ganoksin.com/donate .
Alternatively, you can purchase any one of our eBooks and participate in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway by clicking on http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1c8
Yours Truly, Hanuman and Ton.
Rio Grande is giving away $10,000 worth of gift certificate prizes towards an exciting SHOPPING SPREE throughout their extensive tools & supplies catalogue! 4 lucky winners will share a grand prize pack valued at $ 10,000 to purchase products sold online at Rio Grande
1. First prize: $ 5,000 Rio Grande gift certificate
2. Second prize: $ 3,000 Rio Grande gift certificate
3. Third prize:$ 1,500 Rio Grande gift certificate
4. Fourth prize: $ 500 Rio Grande gift certificate
To enter for the grand prize drawing all you have to do is
1. purchase purchase eBooks from the Ganoksin project website at http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1c8 Each 35$ you spend on eBook downloads through the Ganoksin project website entitles you for ONE entry in our random door prize draw of 10,000 $ Gift certificates from Rio Grande.
OR
2. Donate to the Ganoksin project - For every 35$ you donate to Ganoksin we are offering one entry in the Rio Grande $10,000 Gift Certificate Prizes Giveaway. We are giving away special prizes to customers purchasing eBooks. !!
The Grand Prize winners will be drawn on April 15, 2012 Participation is open worldwide!
Rio Grande is your online source for innovative jewelry-making products, great service and technical know-how. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional jeweler, metalsmith or artisan, we share your passion.
We Need Your Support!
!
Monday, September 26, 2011
How To Solder Workshop This Saturday
In this one day workshop you will learn soldering techniques using copper that can be applied to working with other metals, such as brass and silver. These techniques include sweat, butt, wire, and pick soldering methods. Using three different types of torches, you will learn how to solder prongs, sheet at a 90° angle, and jump rings. This workshop is designed to give you the confidence and experience you will need to solder on your own and safely set up your own studio. This is a technique based workshop and you will not leave with a finished project.
signup online at:http://pouncingrain.com/howtosolder.html
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Buy on Get One 1/2 Off Sale for September Beginning and Intermediate Classes
Buy One Get One 1/2 Off Sale on Beginning and Intermediate Classes. I want to tell you about an exciting discount for our upcoming Beginning and Intermediate six week classes starting in September. We are offering a BUY ONE GET ONE ½ OFF SALE. What this means is; your first class is full price, $240. but if a friend or family member wants to take the class with you, the 2nd tuition is only $120. If you want to take the Beginning Class this session and pay for the Intermediate Class at the same time, then you would only pay $120. for the 2nd class starting in October.
We will also be delay the start date by one week; classes will now start the week of September 20th. This wonderful weather we are having is making it hard for folks to get in “the back to school” mode, since it is so nice outside. We thought we would try to accommodate those of you who wanted a bit more time before committing to a six week class and offer this huge class discount. There are no changes for the six week advanced class with Ernest, which by the way, has one place left for this Wednesday evening, 9/14/11 start!
Remember, in order to take any of our more advanced classes with our newest instructor, Ernest Garcia, you will need to have taken Beginning Jewelry Making and Intermediate Jewelry Making or the equivalent.
Here are the new start and stop dates for Beginning Jewelry Making and Intermediate Jewelry Making:
Intermediate Jewelry Making 6 Week Class
September 20th -October 25th Tuesdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm
September 20th -October 25th Tuesdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Beginning Jewelry Making 6 Week Class September 22nd -October 27th Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm
September 22nd -October 25th Thursdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Hinges, Clasps and Stone Setting 6 Week Class September 14th – October 19th Wednesdays, 6:00pm—9:00pm
You can sign up online by Paypal, in person at the shop or by phone. Judi and I hope to see you soon.
-Kathleen
We will also be delay the start date by one week; classes will now start the week of September 20th. This wonderful weather we are having is making it hard for folks to get in “the back to school” mode, since it is so nice outside. We thought we would try to accommodate those of you who wanted a bit more time before committing to a six week class and offer this huge class discount. There are no changes for the six week advanced class with Ernest, which by the way, has one place left for this Wednesday evening, 9/14/11 start!
Remember, in order to take any of our more advanced classes with our newest instructor, Ernest Garcia, you will need to have taken Beginning Jewelry Making and Intermediate Jewelry Making or the equivalent.
Here are the new start and stop dates for Beginning Jewelry Making and Intermediate Jewelry Making:
Intermediate Jewelry Making 6 Week Class
September 20th -October 25th Tuesdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm
September 20th -October 25th Tuesdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Beginning Jewelry Making 6 Week Class September 22nd -October 27th Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm
September 22nd -October 25th Thursdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Hinges, Clasps and Stone Setting 6 Week Class September 14th – October 19th Wednesdays, 6:00pm—9:00pm
You can sign up online by Paypal, in person at the shop or by phone. Judi and I hope to see you soon.
-Kathleen
Saturday, July 30, 2011
NEWS THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Pouncing Rain Has News That Could Change Your Life I am Announcing today that I will be retiring in the next year and that I have put Pouncing Rain up for sale. Maybe you are the right person to buy it and take over the Stewardship of our community treasure. It will change your life in ways that are wonderful and mysterious.
Judi was the original founder and matriarch of Pouncing Rain. In 2006 she sold the business to me, and I became the caretaker and leader of this wonderful community treasure.
I have spent the last five years building a busi- ness that speaks to the creative needs of thou- sands of people in the community. Our commu- nity is huge; we have customers and students that have come from all over the world to at- tend classes at Pouncing Rain, from near and far... as far away and Europe and Tahiti. Our community is varied; we have had Doctors, Lawyers, teachers, as well as students and con- struction workers and every vocation in- between. We have had artists working along- side people who have always believed that they had no artistic abilities, all making incredible jewelry.
To make the business as affordable and attrac- tive to a new buyer as possible, we will be eliminating inventory that is not selling and adding more space for additional classes. We will not be changing anything that is at the soul of what our mission is here at Pouncing Rain, teaching people to make beautiful jewelry and the tools and supplies people want to buy.
This is a special place, and it needs a new leader at the helm. I want to retire and spend time with my family and friends. I want to be a member of Pouncing Rain and take some of these very wonderful classes. So, it is with mixed emotions that I announce that Pouncing Rain is for Sale.
-Kathleen
Judi was the original founder and matriarch of Pouncing Rain. In 2006 she sold the business to me, and I became the caretaker and leader of this wonderful community treasure.
I have spent the last five years building a busi- ness that speaks to the creative needs of thou- sands of people in the community. Our commu- nity is huge; we have customers and students that have come from all over the world to at- tend classes at Pouncing Rain, from near and far... as far away and Europe and Tahiti. Our community is varied; we have had Doctors, Lawyers, teachers, as well as students and con- struction workers and every vocation in- between. We have had artists working along- side people who have always believed that they had no artistic abilities, all making incredible jewelry.
To make the business as affordable and attrac- tive to a new buyer as possible, we will be eliminating inventory that is not selling and adding more space for additional classes. We will not be changing anything that is at the soul of what our mission is here at Pouncing Rain, teaching people to make beautiful jewelry and the tools and supplies people want to buy.
This is a special place, and it needs a new leader at the helm. I want to retire and spend time with my family and friends. I want to be a member of Pouncing Rain and take some of these very wonderful classes. So, it is with mixed emotions that I announce that Pouncing Rain is for Sale.
-Kathleen
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Silversmith Summer Camp is back!
Silversmith Summer Camp is back!
The words "summer camp" fill our minds with childhood memories of paddling a canoe, horseback rides, and bonfires. While Pouncing Rain’s Silversmith Summer Camp has fire (in the form of torches) that is about as close as we get. First of all our Silversmith Camp is for adult learners. There are two sessions left this summer for you to choose from:
July 11th – 15th
August 8th – 12th
We find it exciting to be surrounded by mature, creative, individuals who are seeking new ways to express their creativity and that is what the Silversmith Summer Camp is all about.
So, what will you be doing and what will you learn during the Silversmith Summer Camp? The weeklong camp will focus on providing beginners, with no experience, an introduction to jewelry making by teaching you the skills to make many beautiful and fun jewelry items. If you have taken a beginning class with us in the past, this is a great way to brush up on the skills you’ve learned while getting more ideas and practice!
Tuition will include all of your materials, copper, brass and sterling silver as well as the use of all the tools you will need. We will be having a "Camp Cookout" (pizza party) at the end of day five for everyone to show and tell about the treasures they made at camp.
Click for more info or to sign-up online
Friday, June 24, 2011
2 Day Beginning "Introduction to Metalworking Class"
This is a 2 day introduction to metalworking, especially as it applies to jewelry making. You will be introduced to non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass, nickel silver and sterling silver. You learn to cut using a jeweler’s saw, texture, solder with a jewelry torch, file, and polish metals. You are also taught the safe use of tools and materials. You will make a multi layer pendant or pin of your own design using the provided materials and our tools. There is nothing extra for you to buy!
For More Info or to signup online:
Cost: $180.00
Instructor: Judi Gauthier
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Scheduled Dates:
July 1st - 2nd
Friday - Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$180.00
July 20th - 21st
Wednesday - Thursday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$180.00
July 30th - 31st
Saturday - Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$180.00
August 18th - 19th
Thursday - Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$180.00
Friday, June 17, 2011
Fathers Day Workshop Make A "Square Knot Bracelet"
Square Knot Cuff Workshop
Cost: $45.00
Instructor: Judi Gauthier
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Are you looking for a great class to do with your father? Join us this Father’s Day and learn to make a cuff bracelet out of copper (with a touch of sterling silver) in just four hours. This cuff is perfect for either a man or woman. You will take heavy gauge copper wire and form it into the traditional square knot design and then learn the basic soldering skills needed to use a jeweler’s torch to finish your design. This is a beginner’s class, so no experience is required.
June 19th, Sunday, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Bill Dawson returns to Pouncing Rain in July
We are excited that Bill Dawson is returning in July for 3 full days of fun workshops. Since we missed the newsletter, I wanted to send a special email with all the details! Here are descriptions of the 3 different workshops and links for pictures and sign up. All of these workshops are limited to 6 students, so be sure to sign up early to avoid being disappointed.
Forging
July 22nd – Friday 10:00-5:00 Cost: $130.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Learn to express yourself in metal while letting the metal express its nature through your work. This is the true art of the smith, working with the fundamental plasticity of metal, shaping it under the hammer without grinding or other stock removal. This one day workshop is your chance to begin to explore the possibilities of the hammer. We will also cover the basics of twist and roll wire, chisel piercing, and swedge work.
Fold Forming
July 23rd – Saturday 10:00-5:00 Cost: $120.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Fold forming is an exciting method for shaping metal quickly, and without the need for many repeated annealing. The metal is worked near to the limit of its malleability making it possible to create forged forms from remarkably thin sheet metal. The natural properties of the metal come through in this process to give these forms an almost organic look; quite different from traditional hammered forms.
In this workshop we will use copper sheet to create a variety of sample fold forms, which may be adapted for use in jewelry designs. We will also have an experimentation, "play with the metal," session in which we can develop new variations of the standard fold forms.
Hollow Fold Forms and Decking
July 24th – Sunday 10:00 – 5:00 Cost: $130.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: Fold Forming Workshop or Equivalent
All materials are included.
Expand on your basic knowledge of fold forming with more complex patterns including wire scoring and hollow fold-forms. Fold forming can create incredibly beautiful shapes but hollow folded forms can be too flexible for practical purposes. Learn to "deck" your forms to create rigidity, turning these fantastic organic shapes into more functional vessels. Like the deck of a large ship deck, "decking" makes open forms stronger and can be used to fortify any hollow metal shape making it a very transferable skill. Some advanced soldering techniques will be demonstrated as soldering a deck onto a hollow form is no easy task. Basic fold forming and soldering skills required.
Forging
July 22nd – Friday 10:00-5:00 Cost: $130.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Learn to express yourself in metal while letting the metal express its nature through your work. This is the true art of the smith, working with the fundamental plasticity of metal, shaping it under the hammer without grinding or other stock removal. This one day workshop is your chance to begin to explore the possibilities of the hammer. We will also cover the basics of twist and roll wire, chisel piercing, and swedge work.
Fold Forming
July 23rd – Saturday 10:00-5:00 Cost: $120.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Fold forming is an exciting method for shaping metal quickly, and without the need for many repeated annealing. The metal is worked near to the limit of its malleability making it possible to create forged forms from remarkably thin sheet metal. The natural properties of the metal come through in this process to give these forms an almost organic look; quite different from traditional hammered forms.
In this workshop we will use copper sheet to create a variety of sample fold forms, which may be adapted for use in jewelry designs. We will also have an experimentation, "play with the metal," session in which we can develop new variations of the standard fold forms.
Hollow Fold Forms and Decking
July 24th – Sunday 10:00 – 5:00 Cost: $130.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: Fold Forming Workshop or Equivalent
All materials are included.
Expand on your basic knowledge of fold forming with more complex patterns including wire scoring and hollow fold-forms. Fold forming can create incredibly beautiful shapes but hollow folded forms can be too flexible for practical purposes. Learn to "deck" your forms to create rigidity, turning these fantastic organic shapes into more functional vessels. Like the deck of a large ship deck, "decking" makes open forms stronger and can be used to fortify any hollow metal shape making it a very transferable skill. Some advanced soldering techniques will be demonstrated as soldering a deck onto a hollow form is no easy task. Basic fold forming and soldering skills required.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Prong/Tube Setting Workshop
Prong Setting Workshop, this Saturday. This will be a small class with lots of personal instruction!
Cost: $99.00 Instructor: Jim Jenkins Prerequisites: BASIC SOLDERING EXPERIENCE All materials are included. In this class you will learn the basic skills to effectively set round faceted stones in 4 prong or 6 prong settings as well as an introduction demo to tube setting. You will be supplied with the copper ring blanks, sterling silver prongs, and CZs to practice your stone setting. Working with the flex shaft and various other hand tools, you will leave with new skills in stone setting.
June 11th, Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Friday, June 3, 2011
Silversmith Summer Camp Starting Again
Join us for this "Grown-Up Camp" where you will learn basic silversmithing in a week! This is a beginning course that will teach you basic skills including; sawing, soldering, riveting, bezel setting, and roll printing. You will get to finish three or more pieces of jewelry! All tools, equipment, and metals are included. Join us for a week of fun with metal. Even includes a Pizza Friday! One hour is given for lunch each day.
June 6th - 10th
Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$560.00
July 11th - 15th
Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$560.00
August 8th - 12th
Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$560.00
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wave Bracelet Workshop Saturday 11:00-3:00
Wave Bracelet Workshop
Cost: $55.00
Instructor: Nanci LaHatt
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Have fun learning to shape 16 gauge copper wire into a wave that you will then wire wrap 8mm round beads to. This is a fun and unique bracelet that can be adapted to make it all your own. Go home and try this new project with square, triangular, or even natural tumbled beads!
June 4th, Saturday, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Instructed Studio For June
Remember, Instructed Studio with Judi starts again on Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 to 12:30. This month we will skip Wednesday June 8th, as we have Silversmith Summer Camp All Day. All four meetings are $125.00 or drop in for $48.00 each meeting.
no good works: upcoming show
no good works: upcoming show
This should be a really good show... one of my personal favorite artists.
Kathleen
Friday, May 20, 2011
HUGE SALE MAY 21st and May 22nd
We just wanted to remind you that Tomorrow and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd, Pouncing Rain is having a really BIG SALE. Pouncing Rain has never offered such a big discount before, but Saturday and Sunday we are selling our Beads (not metal beads) Cabs and Pearls at 40% OFF their regular price. WHY you ask? Because we really want to bring in more cool things and cannot until we sell the stock that we already have.
There will be refreshments, daily door prizes, and on the hour, we will also have demos. We invite you to stop by and say hello, and stock up on those beads, pearls and cabs you have had you eye on.
Hope to see you this weekend,
Kathleen
Friday, May 13, 2011
Lark Books Call To Artists
Hey everyone, I just found this "Call to Artist" from Lark Books" and thought some of you would be interested.
500 Beaded Jewelry
Lark Jewelry & Beading seeks excellent photographs of excellent, original beaded jewelry pieces to publish in a new collection, 500 Beaded Jewelry, that will be juried by Ray Hemachandra. All jewelry forms, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings, etc., will be considered, and we hope to capture a diversity of forms. The book will publish in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013. Download the PDF entry form from this site.
http://www.larkcrafts.com/submit/calls-for-submissions/
Kathleen
500 Beaded Jewelry
Lark Jewelry & Beading seeks excellent photographs of excellent, original beaded jewelry pieces to publish in a new collection, 500 Beaded Jewelry, that will be juried by Ray Hemachandra. All jewelry forms, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings, etc., will be considered, and we hope to capture a diversity of forms. The book will publish in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013. Download the PDF entry form from this site.
http://www.larkcrafts.com/submit/calls-for-submissions/
Kathleen
Beginning Jewelry 3 Day Intensive is starting on the 28th of May. It will be a small class, so it is such a great time to come to Bellingham and learn to saw, texture, solder and polish metal to make beautiful jewelry! Learn all the basics of metalworking and jewelry making in one long weekend! This class will introduce you to this va......st and wonderful world in three short days. You will learn about materials, equipment, and safety in the jewelry lab. Through a series of demonstrations, you will also learn how to saw, pierce, file, texture, solder, rivet, and polish metal. You will leave with the basic skills and knowledge you will need to start creating on your own! This hands on class will give you time to finish several pieces.
May 28th - 30th
Saturday - Monday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$240.00
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Enameled Earring Class needs One More Student to Make it a GO!!!!
We need just one more student to make our "Enameled Earrings Workshop"
Cost: $75.00 Instructor: Judi Gauthier Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! All materials are included. Make three pairs of enameled earrings! You will learn how to apply powdered glass enamels to copper shapes. Make your own handcrafted ear-rings with bright colors and designs. Great workshop for making your own gifts for the holidays!
May 8th, Sunday, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Here is a link: http://pouncingrain.com/enameledearrings.html
Wire Wrapped Cabochon Workshop
Wire Wrapped Cabochon Workshop
Cost: $55.00 Instructor: Nanci LaHatt Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! All materials are included. Do you have a cabochon, beach rock, fossil, or shell you would like to make into wearable jewelry? This class will show you how to create wire wrapped pen-dants! In this class you will be provided with a cabo-chon and copper wire to make a pendant, but bring along your own pieces to make additional pendants (as time allows).
May 7th, Saturday, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Follow this link to register http://pouncingrain.com/wirewrappedcabochon.html
Monday, April 18, 2011
Learn Beginning Wire Working
Cost: $75.00
Instructor: Ryan Albachten
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Come and learn the foundational techniques of wire working. Learn how to make loops and connect multiple pieces. Add beads and dangles for a personal touch. You will get the chance to make a bracelet and a pair of earrings. Practice first with copper wire and finish your project with sterling silver wire.
Scheduled Dates
April 20th
Wednesday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
$75.00
Learn to Crochet A Bracelet From Wire
Cost: $65.00
Instructor: Nanci LaHatt
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
Make a beautiful flat knitted bracelet out of brass wire. This delicate looking bracelet is knitted with a crochet hook and fine gauge wire. Yours will be made out of Merlin’s gold (brass) but could easily be made with copper or fine silver.
Scheduled Dates
April 22nd
Friday, 10:00am - 3:00pm
$65.00
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Make A Sterling Silver Ring in a Day Workshop
Cost $120.00
Instructor: Judi Gauthier
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
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.
Scheduled Dates
April 3rd
Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$120.00
Intermediate Jewelry Making Class, 3 Day Intensive
Cost: $240.00
Instructor: Judi Gauthier
Prerequisites: Beginning Jewelry Making 3 Day Intensive OR Beginning Jewelry Making 6 Week OR EQUIVALENT
All materials are included.
This class will expand on the skills you learned in our Beginning class while adding more tools to your repertoire -- and all in one weekend! This Intermediate class is for those students who have had an introduction to metalworking or jewelry making and want to further strengthen and develop his/her skills in soldering and jewelry techniques. In this class you will learn how to use the rolling mill to form and texture metal. Fold forming and patinas will also be introduced. Explore bezel setting stones and other materials into your work. Leave with several finished pieces.
Scheduled Dates
March 26th - 28th
Saturday - Monday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$240.00
Everything You Wanted to Know About Pearls
Cost $95.00
Instructor: Jim Jenkins
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
In this 3 hour workshop you will get to know all about pearls. Learning how to determine pearl quality, how they are made and drilled, and the difference between cultured and natural pearls. Then you will learn to half drill AA+ pearls into an earring and pendant set you take home.
Scheduled Date April 2nd
Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm
$95.00
http://pouncingrain.com/pearlseverything.html
Monday, March 14, 2011
Learn Jewelry Making In A Beginning 3 Day Class
Cost: $240.00
Instructor: Judi Gauthier
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
CLICK HERE TO Sign up online with PayPal
Learn all the basics of metalworking and jewelry making in one long weekend! This class will introduce you to this vast and wonderful world in three short days. You will learn about materials, equipment, and safety in the jewelry lab. Through a series of demonstrations, you will also learn how to saw, pierce, file, texture, solder, rivet, and polish metal. You will leave with the basic skills and knowledge you will need to start creating on your own! This hands on class will give you time to finish several pieces.
Scheduled Dates
March 19th - 21st
Saturday - Monday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
$240.00
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday March 11th 4:00pm to 7:00 Reception For Hayley Bolstad
Pouncing Rain Jewelry and Metal Center will be holding a receptrion for our "Featured Artist of the Quarter", Hayley Bolstad. The reception will be Friday, March 11th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. This is a great time to mingle, purchase her pieces and speak with the artist herself. Hayley has a fun and unique style. Incorporating her love of etching, found objects and original themes. Join us for fun and to get to know the artis as well as our community at Pouncing Rain. Refreshments too!
Hayley's Artist Statement
Growing up on San Juan Island was a perfect place to be free from the norm and express oneself creatively. I was lucky enough to grow up with artist parents. Since I was of a young age I knew what made me happy. Art lifted my spirit and was my favorite outlet.
After High School and some break free travel I was left with the incomplete knowledge of having to find an answer to “What’s next?” Sitting in a little bookstore in LaConner browsing the net with key words of my interests I discovered pouncing rain. It was a Wednesday and there was a class in 2 hours. About 3 hours later I was in love with metalsmithing. My adventure began.
Since 2006 I have steadily dabbled in metal work. Etching has enriched my life. Being able to take my drawings and transform them into pendants has been fascinating.
As a thrift store Junkie jewelry making has enabled me to fulfill many of my wants and needs. Spending time searching for those vintage treasures to up-cycle, or finding new bits and pieces to spark projects. What’s more fun than having finished pieces made with that little something you held onto since you were 6. That little something you found on the playground then waited the two weeks till no one clamed it as there own and you could call it yours.
In this world there are many stories to be told. This is mine.
-Hayley Bolstad
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday 3/13/11, Learn to Make Soldered Chain
Cost: $85.00
Instructor: Ryan Albachten
Prerequisites: BASIC SOLDERING SKILLS
All materials are included.
Sing up online at: www.pouncingrain.com/solderedchainbracelet.html
In this class you will be creating your own handmade chain using tips and techniques for working with and soldering wire and chain. This will include "stick" soldering, solder-filled wire, soldered findings, texturing, and finishing your chain. We will be practicing these techniques with copper. Materials will be provided to finish a sterling silver bracelet.
Scheduled Dates
March 13th
Sunday, 10:00am - 3:30pm
$85.00
Friday, March 4, 2011
Learn to Make Headpins!
Headpin Making Mini Workshop
Cost: $20.00 (Take all 3 mini workshops in the series for $60.00) Instructor: Ryan Albachten Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! In this mini instructive workshop we will be working with sterling silver and copper wire to create our own headpins. Practice cutting and balling wire and then hammering the ends. Separate yourself from the crowd and enhance your earrings with unique handmade components!
Single Workshop: March 7th, Monday, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
March Mini Series: March 7th - 21st, Mondays, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Tapered Byzantine Chain Workshop
Tapered Byzantine Chain Workshop
Cost: $95.00 Instructor: Nanci LaHatt Prerequisites: No experience needed, but byzantine chain experience appreciated. Learn to work with different size rings to make tapered byzantine chain. In this workshop you will make a set of earrings with a matching pendant.
March 12th, Saturday, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Still Room In Classes This Weekend!
There is still room in this weekend 2 classes with Bill Dawson. On Saturday we have “Off the Block Engraving”. This is a one day class in beginning engraving without needing the expensive engraving block and tools. There are 3 spaces left in this class. Check all the details on our website, http://pouncingrain.com/offblockengraving.html.. Then on Sunday, Bill is teaching his “Tool Making” workshop. Learn the basics of tool design, and fabrication, from laying out and cutting, through shaping, and then on to heat treating and finish work. Here is the link for more info as well as how to registering for this class: http://pouncingrain.com/toolmaking.html
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Back From Tucson
I am back from Tucson and have returned with some very nice cabochons, pearls, chain and curious products. It was an unusual year in Tucson because they had record breaking cold weather so I was happy to be inside the different venues shopping. The truth is, although cold for Tucson, it was sunny and I was thrilled it was not raining or snowing.
The selection of Cabochons was really good this year. I have brought back to Pouncing Rain very nice Charoite, which is a beautiful and rare purple, with unique swirls, needles and feathers in the stone. We also have beautiful Labradorite, Mookaite , Pietersite, Drusy and some spectacular Kyanite cabochons. I also found some great little oval abalone shells that are beautiful and very inexpensive to practice your bezel setting.
Hold on, there is more! For the first time ever, I was able to find finished solid copper chain. We now carry a good selection of finished copper chain as well as our “by the inch” unfinished copper chain. This chain is solid copper that has been plated copper so it is shinny and very pretty. It also takes a nice patina with liver of sulfur. If you tumble it for awhile, the plating comes off and you can let it patina naturally. With the price of silver so high, I was so happy to see choices in copper chain. I say, “Yippy” for more copper choices.
The number “ONE” most exciting thing I found in Tucson was…antique Steiff Teddy Bear eyes from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I have a few of these glass eyes in various sizes that I think would be great set in a bezel for a rings or pendants. I know you can think of many uses for them and I am excited to see what everyone does! Please be sure to share photos of your finished work for me to post on our blog cuz, I know you will do fabulous things with these pieces of history.
I just mentioned a few of the new things in the shop that I am excited about, but there is so much more to see. Stop by the shop to see our new “stuff” and say hello.
-Kathleen
The selection of Cabochons was really good this year. I have brought back to Pouncing Rain very nice Charoite, which is a beautiful and rare purple, with unique swirls, needles and feathers in the stone. We also have beautiful Labradorite, Mookaite , Pietersite, Drusy and some spectacular Kyanite cabochons. I also found some great little oval abalone shells that are beautiful and very inexpensive to practice your bezel setting.
Hold on, there is more! For the first time ever, I was able to find finished solid copper chain. We now carry a good selection of finished copper chain as well as our “by the inch” unfinished copper chain. This chain is solid copper that has been plated copper so it is shinny and very pretty. It also takes a nice patina with liver of sulfur. If you tumble it for awhile, the plating comes off and you can let it patina naturally. With the price of silver so high, I was so happy to see choices in copper chain. I say, “Yippy” for more copper choices.
The number “ONE” most exciting thing I found in Tucson was…antique Steiff Teddy Bear eyes from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I have a few of these glass eyes in various sizes that I think would be great set in a bezel for a rings or pendants. I know you can think of many uses for them and I am excited to see what everyone does! Please be sure to share photos of your finished work for me to post on our blog cuz, I know you will do fabulous things with these pieces of history.
I just mentioned a few of the new things in the shop that I am excited about, but there is so much more to see. Stop by the shop to see our new “stuff” and say hello.
-Kathleen
Friday, February 18, 2011
Ryan's Goodbye-Hello Party this Friday!
We will be having a "Goodbye-Welcome" party on February 25th here in the studio to celebrate Ryan Albachten's change of job here at Pouncing Rain. We will be saying goodbye to Ryan as our retail manager but will be saying hello to Ryan as she designs and teaches different classes for us. Check out her newest offering " -------", a weekend class designed to introduce students to alternative bezel settings. This class is a great class for those who have no bezel setting experience or who have taken our intermediate class and want to learn to set different sizes and shapes of cabochons or stones. Come and say hi to Ryan and celebrate this new chapter in her life and career. The social will be between 6:00 and 9:00 on Friday February 25th. Refreshments will be provided but if you would like to bring a treat to share we would love it! Everyone is invited.
Want Pouncing Rain to Retweet Your Jewelry Tweets?
I want to tell you about our Twitter retweet program. Pouncing Rain will try to retweet your jewelry related postings. All you need to do is tweet PouncingRain your info and when you tweet we will retweet your posting. This is great for those of you who are selling your wares on Etsy or other venues.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Coming Back from Tucson with Awesome Cabs
I found some great cabs this year in Tucson. I am so happy with the quality and prices too. I found really great Imperial Jasper, Pietersite (under $12.00!),
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February newsletter is available now
Check out our Pouncing Rain February Newsletter. Great deal, discounts and new classes and workshops.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Making Jewlery Tools with Bill Dawsn
Learn to make steel tools including center punches, chasing tools, pattern punches and more. We will cover the basics of tool design, and fabrication, from laying out and cutting, through shaping, on to heat treating and finish work. You need not be an experienced smith, but some experience with stock removal, punch work, and engraving will be advantageous. I recommend earplugs, safety glasses, aprons, bandanas, hair ties, and leather shoes to help keep both students and their clothes clean and safe. We will provide basic safety glasses . Cost $90.00
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Bill Dawson is coming back to teach at Pouncing Rain
Cost: $120.00
Instructor: Bill Dawson
Prerequisites: TBA
All materials are included.
Though mastering engraving is a lifetime endeavor, the basics can be learned in a fairly short time. There is a lot of embellishment that can be done with relatively little engraving experience, and engraving can add a great deal of interest to your designs. What stops most artists from getting into engraving is the expense of a single tool, the Engravers' Block. However in most parts of the world all sorts of engraving are carried out without the aid of a block. Sandbags, shellac sticks, and a wide range of simple and inexpensive schemes are used to hold the work to be engraved.
We will start with tool setup and layout and then explore hand engraving, wriggle cut, and hammer driven engraving. We will work with a variety of methods for holding the work piece and a variety of schemes for pattern transfer. Each student will take home a basic set of gravers fitted to their own hands and a whole new range of options for decorating their designs.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Follow us on Twitter and we will help you too
If you follow us on Twitter we will try to retweet all of your jewelry related tweets. Just let us know you follow us on blogspot.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
BRONZclay Workshop
Bronze Clay Workshop
Cost: $90.00 Instructor: Ryan Albachten Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! In this workshop we will be working with and getting to know the metal clay, BRONZclay, as well as learning the differences between each of the metal clays. You will have materials enough to make a pendant or pin and a pair of earrings or couple of charms. We will focus on texturing and shaping, using several different techniques, including cold-molding. Find out what everyone is talking about with this newer metal clay and how to fire and finish properly. Pieces will fire overnight and students will have their finished pieces ready the next day for pickup. We are happy to mail finished pieces for any students who are not local.
February 6th, Sunday, 10:00am - 3:30pm
Cost: $90.00 Instructor: Ryan Albachten Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! In this workshop we will be working with and getting to know the metal clay, BRONZclay, as well as learning the differences between each of the metal clays. You will have materials enough to make a pendant or pin and a pair of earrings or couple of charms. We will focus on texturing and shaping, using several different techniques, including cold-molding. Find out what everyone is talking about with this newer metal clay and how to fire and finish properly. Pieces will fire overnight and students will have their finished pieces ready the next day for pickup. We are happy to mail finished pieces for any students who are not local.
February 6th, Sunday, 10:00am - 3:30pm
Beginning Jewelry Making 3 Day Intensive Class
Beginning Jewelry Making 3 Day Intensive Class
Cost: $240.00 Instructor: Judi Gauthier Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Learn all the basics of metalworking and jewelry making in one long weekend! This class will introduce you to this vast and wonderful world in three short days. You will learn about materials, equipment, and safety in the jewelry lab. Through a series of demonstrations, you will also learn how to saw, pierce, file, texture, solder, rivet, and polish metal. You will leave with the basic skills and knowledge you will need to start creating on your own! This hands on class will give you time to finish several pieces.
February 11th - 13th, Friday - Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Click here for more info! http://pouncingrain.com/beginning3day.html
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Still Room in our Woven Wire Workshop
Cost: $55.00
Instructor: Nanci LaHatt
Prerequisites: NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
All materials are included.
This class introduces you to a wire weaving technique for creating beautiful bracelets and necklaces. You will work with 22 gauge copper wire to weave a lovely copper bracelet. This project will give you enough practice necessary to weave silver wire in to necklaces and bracelets of your own design.
January 29th
Saturday, 10:00am - 2:00pm
$55.00
Ryan's Last Day
Ryan's last day as retail manager was this week;-(. We are sure going to miss her, but do not despair, she is going to be teaching and doing evening open studio (including tonight). Watch for her new classes. She is developing some really awesome new classes that are edgy and fun. Mark your calendar for Friday, February... 25 from 6-9 for her "Farewell- Welcome Party". members, former members, students, customers, are all invited.
Friday, January 7, 2011
News from the Shop
News from the Shop
New to the shop this year (Hey, it is 2011) is the book Stamped Metal Jewelry by Lisa Niven Kelly. This is a great book for beginners or anyone just looking for some fresh inspiration. It comes packed with fun projects, helpful photographs, and even a how-to DVD. In this book, Kelly goes step by step through each pro-ject and the tools you will need to complete them. It is amazing how much you can do with just some sheet metal and a couple of good tools.
Here at Pouncing Rain, we carry all the tools you will need to get started. From circle punches and stamps, to hole punching pliers and dapping blocks, we have got it. So come on in and check out this exciting new find as well as all the tools you will need to make personalizing your next project a snap.
NEW Featured Artist!
Of all of the changes the new year brings, the one I am most looking forward to is our new Featured Artist. Starting this month we will be showing the wonderful creations of our very own Hayley Bolstad. She has been a student and member of Pouncing Rain for years and we are overjoyed to see where her imagination has taken her. If you are as inspired by Hayley’s work as I am, you should make sure to check out her page on our website as well as the "Etching Without Acid" Workshop on January 30th.
Jess
Happy 2011
The beginning of a new year is such an optimistic time with new plans, new projects, and new resolutions. With that in mind, I hope 2011 brings you many blessings.
Our big news is; Ryan will be leaving as the retail manager at the end of January. Ryan will continue to be an important and valued instructor as well as member of the Pouncing Rain team, but will not be working as the store manager. We will sure miss her in her old role, but she is excited to spend her time creating and mar-keting her jewelry line, Umbilicus Designs. We are very excited for her. I will personally miss her around the shop as she has been invalu-able in the past 4+ years she has worked as the Retail Manager for Pouncing Rain.
I am excited to announce that Jess has been promoted to the Pouncing Rain "Assistant Manager" position. Jess will be running the day to day operations of Pouncing Rain when I am not in the shop and will be in charge in my ab-sence. I know everyone is as thrilled as I am that Jess is a part of the Pouncing Rain team and has been promoted to this position. Jess has been training with Ryan extensively and I have 100% confi-dence that she will be a great Assistant Manager. Join me in congratulating Jess.
Best Wishes,
Kathleen
Our big news is; Ryan will be leaving as the retail manager at the end of January. Ryan will continue to be an important and valued instructor as well as member of the Pouncing Rain team, but will not be working as the store manager. We will sure miss her in her old role, but she is excited to spend her time creating and mar-keting her jewelry line, Umbilicus Designs. We are very excited for her. I will personally miss her around the shop as she has been invalu-able in the past 4+ years she has worked as the Retail Manager for Pouncing Rain.
I am excited to announce that Jess has been promoted to the Pouncing Rain "Assistant Manager" position. Jess will be running the day to day operations of Pouncing Rain when I am not in the shop and will be in charge in my ab-sence. I know everyone is as thrilled as I am that Jess is a part of the Pouncing Rain team and has been promoted to this position. Jess has been training with Ryan extensively and I have 100% confi-dence that she will be a great Assistant Manager. Join me in congratulating Jess.
Best Wishes,
Kathleen
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