Collage Pendants Created by Kirsten


We have had fun creating these beauties at out Wednesday night sessions. These were created by Kirsten Lavelle.
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This Just In


Once I etched this copper I had a vision for combining it with silver and rivets. I was very excited as it came alive just as planned. I have been showing it off all day.
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Fine Silver Ring by Katy Boynton


This is a simple and fun ring created by PMC Design Studio student, Katy Boynton. To purchase her creations go to www.outoftheashesdesigns.com

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Riveted Photo Pendant by Linda Cullen


This fun piece was created by Linda Cullen who participates in the Wednesday Night PMC Studio. It is PMC rivited with copper tube rivets. The photo is of her adorable chilcren sealed with resin. She topped it off with a fun chain and sterling heart. Isn't it sweet!?
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Wine, Women and PMC Focus: Mould Making Mar 27

Wine, Women and PMC

Focus: Mould Making for PMC

Start making moulds for your PMC designs out of vintage buttons, unique textures and found objects. Bring in items you have been wanting to transform into PMC. Virginia will have lots of her treasures to make moulds of as well. Projects will be fired and tumbled and available a week after class.

Date: March 27th 6-9pm

Level: All

Cost: $45

Materials Fee: $20 materials fee for moulding materials.

What to bring to class: Your favorite beverage to share. PMC as you will be making at least one item from your moulds.

Wine, Women and PMC Focus: Earrings April 17

Wine, Women and PMC

Focus: Earrings

Have fun creating earrings from projects you have already fired or make new designs. Many samples and design ideas will be available to get you started.

Date: Friday April 17th 6-9pm

Level: Any. Basic knowledge of wire wrapping & working with jumprings will be helpful.

Cost: $45

What to bring to class: Your favorite beverage to share, PMC, moulds, silver wire, jumprings, gemstones.

Wine, Women and PMC Focus: Stamping Apr, 24

Wine, Women and PMC

Focus: Stamping Words on PMC

Nametags are the rage. Now you can learn to make them with PMC. With this special text stamping tool names, words, or will make a statement in your handcrafted jewelry.

Date: Friday April 24th 6-9pm

Level: Any

Cost: $45

Materials Fee: $30 for stamping tool which will be yours to take home. Materials to Bring: Your favorite beverage to share & PMC

Intro to PMC Saturday February 21 10am-3pm

Get hooked on Precious Metal Clay! Learn to make fine silver jewelry with PMC. This revolutionary medium is an easy entrée to metal work as well as a new addition to your metalsmithing repertoire. In this class you will learn the basics of PMC (forming, firing, and finishing). Student projects include pendants & charms. There will be a 45 minute lunch break. Bring a sack lunch.

Date; Saturday February 21 10am-3pm

Level: Beginner

Cost: $80

Materials Fee: $40. Tools provided.

PMC Hollow Links DATE TBA

Create magnificent, organic looking hollow links. Length of PMC links will depend on each student’s design.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Date: Saturday March 28th 10-4

Cost: $95

Materials Fee: $10

Materials to Bring to Class: Two or more packages of PMC 3 depending on the size and number of links you make. You can also purchase PMC from Virginia. PMC price varies depending on the silver market.

PMC Rings -- Saturday April 25th 10am-4pm

Two ring styles in one class! In this class we will start with the stirrup ring which will be topped off with your favorite bead or stone. After that we will make a ring with fine silver wire imbedded into PMC to create a perfect fitting ring.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Must have at least taken Intro to PMC

Date: Saturday April 25th 10am-4pm

Cost: $95

Materials fee: $10 materials fee for fine silver wire.

Materials to Bring to Class: One 25 gram package PMC 3. A stone or glass bead that can fit at least 20 gauge wire. You may also purchase PMC and stones or beads from Virginia. PMC price varies depending on the silver market.

PMC Hinged Box Pendant (Postponed)

Learn to make hinges and a box structure with this fun class. Box structure may be transformed into a pendant or left as a small box for tiny treasures or small photo.

Date and time: Saturday May 30th 10-4

Level: Advanced to Intermediate

Cost: $95

Materials Fee: $10

Materials to bring: Makins clay extruder and small adapter to make holes in the tubes. Items available at www. Cooltools.us Also bring One to two 25 gram packs of PMC 3 or buy some at class. Price varies depending on the silver market.

Private, Group Sessions & PMC Firing


Private Sessions. Can’t make a class? Want some one-on-one time specific to your learning interests? Schedule some time at PMC Design Studio with Virginia. Cost is $45 per person per hour with a three hour minimum plus materials. Bring a friend and the cost is $35 per person per hour (3 hour minimum) Materials fee depends on the projects you select.

Group Sessions. Coordinate a class for you and three friends and your class fee is FREE! All you pay for is your materials. A minimum of 3 hours is required. Cost per student is $25 per hour plus materials.

Metal Clay Firing. Metal Clay firing service is available at PMC Design Studio. Please call ahead to reserve space. Free firing is available during classes and for Open Studio participants.

Cost: $15 per shelf

Bird and Labradorite Earrings


Wow! Gotta Love these!! And of course the labradorite stone is marvelous.
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Peacock band with Labradorite Stone


A nice everyday, showy ring that gets noticed!!
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Peacock Earrings and Amazonite Stones


Lots of favorites to show off. LOVE, LOVE the peacock design! I make a ring with the same design in the band.
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Tree of Life Pendant with Amazonite Stones

This is such a fun neclace. Very versatile.
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Chunky Chain Necklace


Ok so this is the coolest creation I have made lately. I wear it all the time -- and get lots of compliments.
I'm taking orders and looking to create bracelets and earrings to go with it.
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Jewelry Open Houses


THURS. December 11 5pm- 9pm Jewelry Wonderland
66 Los Altos Ave. Los Altos, CA

Join us as we celebrate the holidays. 6 creative local jewelry designers will be selling their beautiful creations. There's bound to be something for all jewelry lovers on your list. Maybe even something special for you!

TUES. December 16th 6pm-9:30pm at
Vine Design Studio

Come on over for some holiday cheer!

This Holiday Open House is an opportunity to enjoy some bubbly and treats with your friends, and shop for some sparkling jewelry for your holiday gifts, or, to treat yourself.

The corks will start popping on December 16th at 6pm and go until 9:30pm. Drop by when you can. Stay for a little while, or use this event as an excuse to get away for the entire evening.

Bring a friend and receive 10% off your purchases!!

Hope to see you on the 16th.

Virginia

Personalized Tags


These tags are a great gift for any mom -- or grandma. You can also add birthdates on the back!!
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Fine Silver and Jasper Bracelet Side 2


This is side two of my Jasper and Fine Silver Bracelet. I LOVE how the textures turned out. By far my favorite piece!
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Fine Silver and Picasso Jasper Stone

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My Studio is READY!!





I am so excited that my studio is ready! I have been working on it since August and I am thrilled to show you the latest with these pics. Classes will start this month!! WHEW!!

CLASSES at PMC Design Studio

Hi All -- being that the Bead Shop closed down I decided to open PMC Design Studio at my home, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Attached is a picture of my recently remodeled studio. There’s lots of room and many tools ready for your creative ideas. If you look closely you can tell there are a few reminders of the old Bead Shop Classroom -- i.e. tables, tools, kiln etc. I also have all my jewelry design books available to peruse and as well as a treasure trove of textures to make your fabulous PMC pieces.

Current Classes are as follows:

OPEN Studio Time*
Wednesday nights:
6pm-9pm Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3 & 10
Bring your new ideas or unfinished projects and we will work on them. While there will be no formal class instruction, you will receive help/input on your project. Firing is included and all tools available to finish. Cost: $25 per session $45 for two sessions and $60 for three sessions. Materials: Bring your own PMC or purchase additionally from me.

* A note on OPEN STUDIO TIME
-- this is a time to work on skills or techniques you are somewhat familiar with -- if you have a specific idea or project you want to work on, please contact me to see if one-on-one time would be a better way for you to accomplish your vision for your project - I want to give each participant the attention they need.

OPEN Studio Time*.
Friday mornings: Nov. 14 & 21, Dec.
5 9pm-12pm

Bring your new ideas or unfinished projects and we will work on them. While there will be no formal class instruction, you will receive help/input on your project. Firing is included and all tools available to finish. Cost: $25 per session $45 for two sessions and $60 for three sessions. Materials: Bring your own PMC or purchase additionally from me.

Photopolymer Plates
Friday afternoons: Nov. 14 & 21, Dec.
5 1pm-4pm

Make unique fine silver (PMC) pieces with this new skill under your belt. Photopolymer plates lets you be in charge of design elements for your PMC creations. Use your favorite quote or sentiment, a line drawing or fine art work and make one of a kind jewelry. PPP's are traditionally used in printmaking but with PMC can be used like a rubber stamp. On the following Friday you can use your newly acquired skills to make beautiful PMC work the following week with some PMC Studio time where you can consult with me to make whatever you desire – or simply make more Photopolymer Plates. Cost: $75 includes plates& use of tools. Other Materials: Bring your own PMC or purchase additionally from me.
.

PMC & Resin
SATURDAY Nov. 15th
10am-4pm
Make a textured PMC bezel in any shape you desire. Add a picture or simply color with Resin and Voila! A beautiful PMC piece with added interest. Cost: $95 Bring your own PMCPlus or PMC3. Resin & a variety of images will be provided. If you like, bring your own small images or inclusions.

PMC Rings
Wednesday Nights: Dec. 3 & 10th
6pm-9pm
In this class you will learn two ring styles: PMC with an imbedded fine silver band and a stirrup band which enables you to add a stone of your choice. These techniques take the mystery out of ring sizing. You will also learn how to set and fire cubic zirconias with PMC. Intermediate to Advanced Class


COMING IN JANUARY

PMC & Gold

PMC Hollow Forms

More PMC Open Studio

Intro to PMC Classes – currently available in one-on-one classes. Also available in January



THE FIRST SIX PEOPLE TO SIGN UP

WILL RECEIVE THEIR SESSION(s)

FOR 1/2 off

If there are any classes you are interested in please let me know and if there is enough interest I can add them -- or you can request private one-on one instruction. If you would like a comprehensive list of classes I teach, please contact me at virginiahuffman@gmail.com



Hope to hear from you soon!
Virginia

Maintaining Creative Community

I am disappoined to report that The Bead Shop in Palo Alto closed in August 2008 after years of leading people down the beading path. I remember when it was just a small shop dazzling people with fabulous gems and inspiring jewelry designs. Over the years it grew into a Palo Alto institution.

A year and a half ago I had been invited to teach Precious Metal Clay classes at The Bead Shop by Frances Manfrey, one of their Education Directors. Teaching was a blast and pushed my creativity to a new level. I enjoy teaching as I meet so many great people and am inspired by other designers. More than anything I miss the creative community I found there.

I try and stay in touch with Bead Shop people as much as possible. One way I am doing that is through an online community Janice Parsons created called Bay Area Beaders. It's a place where we share photos, tips, review websites, gem shows and bead stores. Everyone is welcome to join! http://beadshop.ning.com/?xgsi=1

Another way I am trying to maintain creative community is by upgrading my studio. I now have 20x20 space to make jewelry and teach!! I am grateful for the new space. I will post pics of my haven of creativity when I get a chance. Class dates are also coming. Check back or ask to be added to the list by e-mailing me at virginia@vine-design.com