All Things Metal Clay
An Expert Guide

by Elaine Luther

I’ve been thinking about the trend of ‘green’ jewelry. I’m seeing two different incarnations of this — one is the use of recycle/reused/repurposed materials by indie crafts of the type you’ll see in Craft magazine.

The other type of ‘green’ jewelry has to do with the sourcing of mined materials including gems and precious metals.

You’ve probably heard about “conflict diamonds.” But you might not have heard as much about gold mining issues.

Susan Kingsley, and other metalsmiths have come together to create a group, Ethical Metalsmiths to raise awareness and try to bring about change on mining issues. Check out their website here.

Ethical Metalsmiths got the Madison Dialogue Ethical Jewelry Summit started, which was held last October in Washington D.C. You can read more about it, and see a full list of participants at MadisonDialogue.org.

The participants at the Dialogue agreed to this final declaration:

“We believe there is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives and communities of artisanal/small-scale minors and other margninalized workers worldwide, by develeoping and implementing robust standards for the production of ethical and fair trade metals, diamonds, gems and jewelry. We also encourage governments, where needed, to develope policies and regulations that protect these miners, workers and their communities.”

Bounce! Failure, Resiliency, and Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success by Barry J. Moltz

by Elaine Luther

While I enjoyed reading this book, I’ve had a hard time reviewing it because I don’t like to think about failure. But the author knows that and that’s part of what the book is about. He addresses cultural views about failure and how that influences how we each see success and failure personally.

Barry is a popular speaker and his book reads like an entertaining speech, with lots of anecdotes to draw you in and persuade you.

This book will help anyone in business think more effectively about their business failures and how to well, bounce back from them.

His thoughts on fear are also useful. I especially recommend this book to those who don’t like business books, as it’s an entertaining easy read that nonetheless manages to make excellent points and make you think.

For more from Barry, check out his blog here.

My first how to article has been published at the Art Jewelry Magazine website. It’s one of this month’s Subscriber Exclusives — a free download if you’re a subscriber.

Take a peak over at Art Jewelry.

Thanks!

or, do you ask for what you need?

by Elaine Luther

A good friend of mine is opening a retail store (non-jewelry related). And she’s been amazed at all the offers of help — people wanted to help paint the store, bake cookies for the grand opening party, stock the shelves. It was a job in itself to manage all the helpers!

Which reminded me of something Barbara Sher said in her book, Wishcraft, How to Get What You Really Want.

Sher says, “Once you get your show on the road, everyone wants a part.” My friend has certainly found this to be true.

Luckily, she has a background in managing people, and she handled all her helpers with aplomb, giving everyone jobs they were good at and would enjoy, while also genuinely helping her.

All this made me think, am I easy to help? Do people know how to help me? Do I ask for what I need?

What does your business need? Have you asked for it? Is your mission clear? Do other people know what you do, well enough to explain it to others?

Now I’ll ask for help.

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Thank you! I appreciate your help!

Your turn now. What will you ask for?

Or, how to over pack

by Elaine Luther

I finally got a good shot of what I take with me when I teach. Sometimes I also take my Paragon SC2 (kiln) with me.

Yes, I take too much, I know that.

I’m working on whittling it down, but I took everything just one more time so I could take a picture of it.

Part of the reason my stuff is so bulky is that I pack so that there is minimal unpacking once I get to class.

The large green duffle (which has wheels, by the way) contains plastic bins sorted by type of tool, so I just take out the plastic containers, set them on the table, and we’re ready. One bin is all ring making, for example.

I have a new packing plan that involves cutting down on the books and getting everything into just the green duffle, plus the kiln, if that’s necessary.

Do you teach? What do you take with you?

Has the time come for art centers to offer fully stocked metal clay classrooms?

What would we stock our dream classroom with?