ya gotta luv friends....

Every year at this time I stop by the Monmouth Festival of the Arts to see the fantastic handmade juried art (which is also for sale). The show also hold demos and lectures.

I popped in last night on a demo given by Pat Surina, a jewelry designer.

Pats specialty is soldering, but definitely not the type we're used to seeing in the craft world. Pat works with a torch. Here is an example of her stunning, detailed filigree work.

She uses minuscule pieces of solder in her work . She even apologized that these, below for the demo,  were much bigger than she usually prefers ! Oh my !

Even the bracelets she was wearing are ones she's made with sterling silver wire and soldered and she showed us a good soldered join and a not so good one so we could learn to tell the difference.

Pat used silver solder in her demo but worked it on small copper pieces...less expensive than using real silver for demo purposes. She is meticulous in her detailed work. She got her first taste of this by taking classes at Brookdale College, but, for those who don't live in the central NJ area, you should obviously look into your local colleges for some good classes.

She explained how the metal must be completely clean. She usually 'pickles' it, but for this demo she sanded it thoroughly.

she added the 'Flux'.

FLUX sounds so intimidating, but the purpose of this product is simply to clean the two surfaces that will be joined together. She brushes it on.

she also showed what happens if you overheat silver solder...you don't want that molten orange flame color...unless you're like me who loves that burnt look !!

and she graciously allowed me to keep 3 of the demo pieces...which I hope to use in some type of altered project. I LOVE how the copper turned rusty !

her thin line of silver solder is barely visible. That's how precise she is.

then Pat demonstrated how to make your own head pins using silver and a torch

Fascinating !

************

Then today....well...today was a blast . Some of the Art Opera 'girls' got together for lunch at the Raspberry Cafe in Ocean Grove for a laugh a minute afternoon.

Jenny Heid, Cheryl Figliola, Sandy Koterba, me, Lisa Kettell &Joan Kettell.

 

the weather started out great

then...the skies opened up and we got rain ! But.... we walked around historic Ocean Grove despite it.

 

and, we had cupcakes...because Jenny and Lisa wouldn't have it any other way !

Lisa came out of the rain looking like a nun...more good laughs. As she says....I'm Lisa Kettell and I approved this picture !

 
then we moved on to Point Pleasant Beach where we rummaged around an antique store and laughed our asses off...me, especially, when I found a good face statue and remembered I had mold n pour with me....

 

do I not say carry it with you at all times cause ya never know....??!! I'm praying the security cameras were not working or they'll be coming after me !!!

and Lisa shuffled through a few things

and found...old cards

and then...because we are all just a little nuts....we had this thing with 'the hat'

not to mention our little foray into the novelty store across the street

 

where they had these Japanese erasers...cool

6 grown ARTISTIC women all about 6 years old today !!!

what could possibly be better !!!

Comments

[Linda Cain]

I always wish I was there! You guys are a hoot!

[Dani Larcom]

What I wouldn't have given to have been there with you all! It looks like so much fun!

[Hailey Mann]

ahhh nothing could be better!

[pamela huntington]

Suze,
The jewelry demonstration was amazing...!!!
It must have been wonderful to watch her work!
Also, love you in the pink veil...

[peggy forma]

oh what glorious fun!!!! call me next time!!! LOL...........
hugs and more
peggy

[Jann Neiers]

Girls will be girls...giggling and having plain and simple fun....how wonderful for you all. I LOVE the hats...looks like those photo's need attention to me....maybe the "fairer four"....I love that you share your adventures and antics with us all Suze....we truly enjoy them and the photos of where your steps lead you and where we can follow along...maybe not in them....but closer to them...:o)
You might just be "film at eleven" however with that blob of mold n pour....I'll start asking for donations for "bail" money soon....lol
Smiles from the fresh, wet, softened skies of Idaho...:o)

[Paula]

Love sharing in all your fun Suze, what a great day out & all of you the same age. Are you sure you're all six... REALLY loving the mold 'n' pour incident, still laughing; i'm sure if you were caught there would have been smiles & laughter. I am packing mine now... My lesson for today, always be ready as you never know when you need your mold 'n' pour!
Thank you as always for inspiration & smiles, cyber hugs on the way :-) x

[Marilyn]

Suze there are such beatutiful colors where you live. Every thing is beige here in Kansas

[Gill Parker]

Hi Suze

What a perfect girlie day. You always always find such lovely places to visit - thank you again for sharing.

Gill in Scotland.

[Kathy Gledsdale]

Oh Suze how funny, you look like a strawberry in that hat! Thanks for sharing.

[Jen Crossley]

Looks like you had a awesome time Suze wish I was there too

[Carmi]

A grand day out...as they should all be!

[Grace P]

Oh my Goodness I nearly busted a gut cracking up! What a perfect day you girlies had. So awesome!! I love the mold and pour hahaha if the security man did see you he is still frozen staring at the tape saying and "she mixed these 2 things together and then rubbed it on the face and held tight, some weird fetish ritual" hahah You girls look great in the hat and masks. Thanks so much for the funniest 6 year old post! Girlfriends are the best xoxox Grace

[Sandy L]

Wish I had been there. Looks like you had a total blast!