Naja Art Gallery: Featuring Candace Newlove

The Naja Tool & Supply, Inc. is pleased to announce that artist Candace Newlove will be featured as the second artist in our 2016-gallery lineup. Candace’s work will be on exhibit from March 7 through April 30, 2016 at the Naja Tool & Supply. We are thrilled to share her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces with our community.

Candace Newlove lives in the mountains west of Boulder. She has worked in the arts for over 30 years in various mediums including metal, fiber and ceramics. Her custom designed and hand fabricated jewelry is made from reclaimed sterling silver accented with gold or gold alloy and combined with precious and semi-precious stones. Her work is designed to be comfortable and to go from a casual to a sophisticated look.

“Jewelry matters. It makes a subtle statement of who you are. It can be either a gift of love from someone or to yourself. When wearing it, it can be a unique representation of what is important to you.”

Candace Newlove

Artist interview with Candace and the Naja Tool & Supply, Inc.

Feb. 14, 2016

Naja: What got you into working with metal?
Candace: I was very influenced by my family and being raised in the 60’s and 70’ s when a lot of people were creative and very hands on. As a young girl I tagged along with my father to a friends workshop and helped repair old wooden boats and tuning my own skis for races. I took pride in how sharp I could get the edges and loved the smell and feel of the metal. I was fortunate that I learned how to work with a lot of power tools and run big machinery. My mother on the other hand had an amazing collection of silver jewelry made by amazing silversmiths and artisans and I was gifted much of it through out my life. I recall wondering how these pieces were made and wondered then if I could learn metalsmithing.

Naja: How long have you been making jewelry?

Candace: I have only been working in silver for 2 years and just began dabbling in combining gold about 8 months ago…I really love the combination of the two metals for contrast. I like the idea of embellishing a piece with a surprise/splash of gold. My background in making has been for 40+ years as I began with a small ski hat and sweater business. At the age of 13 I bought my first knitting machine and worked during the summers producing custom items for ski shops and teams. This lasted for about 12 years and is how I put myself through college and grad school. Upon graduation I worked in another field completely and really missed working with my hands. I started working in clay on the side and then made this my fulltime job for several years. But I always had the thought of working in metal in the back of my mind.

Naja: What techniques or process do you prefer? Why?
Candace: I really love the look and the idea of combining metals and texture just like I’ve done with my clay and fiber work. Combining unusual finishes /colors/and textures for a very unique look and feel, I was hopeful I could accomplish these techniques in metalwork. I am just at the tip of the iceberg with these techniques. To accomplish this I am playing with fusing and layering the metal trying to get a bit of a constructed look and yet a bit of a natural look by fusing and reticulation.

Naja: How would you describe your style/makings?
Candace: Hmmm…Well I know what I like and what I am drawn to and hopefully convey this in my work. I personally like contemporary designs that feature the simplicity of handcrafted work. I want people to know that the work was made with my hands and my heart. My hope at the end of the day is that a person who wears one of my pieces grasps the motivation behind the maker’s message.

Naja: Do you have a new skill or technique you would like to learn or implement?
Candace: So many design and technique ideas are brewing in my mind. I am hoping to work more with stone on stone. I’d also like to work with leather. My son in law is an amazing leather worker and maybe he and I can combine efforts in some way. That would be a lot of fun.

Naja: What is your favorite or most used tool?

Candace: I think it is probably the torch. Having built my own soda/wood kilns in the past I have a tremendous respect for fire and its ability to recreate a material into something completely new. It seems to almost have a life of its own and there are a lot of very subtle ways to work with fire.

Naja: What is your current/next project?
Candace: I want to make a belt out of old saddle parts and refinish the leather and embellish it with silver rivets and make an awesome buckle out of silver and turquoise. I have some bracelet ideas to go along with this idea too.

Naja: If there were any part of your craft that you could share with others, what would it be?
Candace: Oh that is easy! Community. Sharing the pure sense of joy in an elated state of creativity with a group of others that absolutely understand you without the slightest effort – that is the ultimate. What comes out of this collaboration is a spontaneous whirlwind of Art at its best.

Naja: Who or what has inspired your work?
Candace: Ah inspiration – that is a multifaceted concept. Many people and experiences have allowed me the opportunity to grow as a person and to explore possibilities. I am most at home and at peace in the mountains and woods, along with my horses and critters. This gives me the solitude and grounding to allow myself to ponder ideas. And then there is my family and friends that support me in my crazy ways to just get out there and do it. I have to say when I walked in to the Naja and met Travis and his crew and to DSMA and met Darlene with hers I knew I was home. The welcoming of like-mindedness and willingness to support and encourage has meant the world to me and for that I am so grateful.

    

Naja Art Gallery Featuring Cheyenne Hughes

The Naja is pleased to announce that our first artist to be showcased in 2016 is local Denver artist, Cheyenne Hughes. Not only is Cheyenne an amazing jewelry artist – he is currently working at the Naja where we can all share his enthusiasm for jewelry making. Next time you are in please introduce yourself to Cheyenne if you don’t already know him.

When looking for artists to showcase in the Naja Art Gallery we are constantly looking for new and innovative artists to show their wares. Cheyenne was an easy pick once we checked out his web page Beast of Burden Jewelry.

“Beast of Burden Jewelry was founded in 2009 on the idea that what we wear should be more than just faceless pieces of jewelry. It should tell a story of who we are who we want to be, it should empower us to be bold and stand for what we believe in. Jewelry should last many lifetimes and carry our story on long after we are gone. Reflected in it should be the passion and soul of the artist so that it may inspire and motivate us to reach our dreams and keep dreaming. It shouldn’t be about a logo or a brand, nor should it be made from suffering and sold in mass. Beast of Burden is for the rebels, the seekers, the protectors, the lovers, the artists, and most of all the dreamers.”

Cheyenne’s work is edgy, daring, aesthetically pleasing and very much one of a kind. The term Uniquely Unruly comes to mind.

Follows is an interview between Cheyenne and the Naja regarding his current work and what direction he is going design wise.

1. What got you into working with metal?

As a young boy, between the ages of 8 and 9, my mom worked next door to a bead shop. I used to love hanging out in the bead shop and took a few classes. I quickly found out that I wanted to make all the pieces and not just assemble pieces together. I was fascinated by how the pieces were made and put together. Sometimes I’d trade cleaning for lessons. Not a bad trade for a kid!

2. How long have you been making jewelry?

I stopped making pieces as I grew older and started to work professionally in non-profit groups. After nearly a decade I realized I was over-worked, stressed out and worst of all – dissilusied with the work world. I decided to reenergize my jewelry making. I interned with Ira Sherman and worked for John Sholl at JF Sholl Fine Jewelry as a bench jeweler.

3. What techniques or process do you prefer? Why?

I like casting, but fabricating is my favorite. If I have the time I even enjoy making my own sterling or metal sheet. I like to make hinges and I enjoy having motion or things that move in my pieces.

4. How would you describe your style/makings?

At this point my style is all over the place. I haven’t 100% nailed down a “style” as my work, design astictics, etc. is still evolving. I think you could call my work edgy, with an almost dangerous look.

5. Do you have a new skill or technique you would like to learn/implement?

I’m looking into incorporating Damascus into my pieces.

6. What is your favorite or most used tool?

Hands Down – the torch! I use the same torch for everything. It’s an old welding torch I’ve had for a long time.

7. What is your current/next project?

I’ve been thinking about a Damascus bracelet with flush sets stones. I plan on using up to 5 – 6 ounces of metals.

8. If there is any part of your craft that you could share with others, what would it be?

Flush setting. I had a hard time in the beginning with this skill and feel good when I can help others learn it. It isn’t quite as hard as you think. When I was working at JF Sholl Fine Jewelry as a bench jeweler, owner John Sholl showed me how to flush set stones and he tested me on it. It was a good lesson and I like to share the knowledge.

9. Who and/or what have inspired your work?

Who: I have been very fortunate to learn under two amazing metalsmiths, they are without a doubt my biggest inspirations. I’ve spent the majority of my time as a metalsmith interning under internationally known metalsmith, Ira Sherman. I was also lucky enough to work for master jeweler, John Sholl as a bench jeweler for a period of time. Between the two of them I’ve learned everything I know from design/aesthetics to technique/craftsmanship. I hope my pieces reflects these things and my drive to do my best work is always in an effort to honor them.

What: I love stories – all kinds of stories. I like folk tales, astrology, mythology and anima. Stories teach us how to be.

Cheyenne’s work will be on display January 11, 2016 – February 7, 2016

Make sure to join us for the Artist Reception & Demonstration Saturday, January 16, 2016

Demo: 1:30 – 2:30 Reception: 2:30 – 3:30

Naja Art Gallery Featuring Pam Caidin

The Naja Art Gallery is pleased to close the year with jewelry artist Pam Caidin. A former Coloradian now living in Montana, Caidin bases her designs off patters she in inspired by both in nature as well as in mad made objects such as ceramics. She first etches her design through either copper nickel or silver, then solders it on to silver and rolls it through the mill. This overlay piece is then used as an element in a handcrafted hollow form. Her skillfully crafted pieces and unique style give the impression of nature held in a metal form.

When did you start to make jewelry?

I was living in the gold mining town of Silverton, Colorado, from 1978 to 1982. I had a degree in Forestry

and Land Surveying, and eventually got a job in the mine as the head surveyor. Back then, gold had

reached $800 an ounce, which was remarkably high. Miners were stealing highgrade ore. Some were

smelting the ore in their garages, selling the gold and buying cars and houses. But some were having the

particularly nice pieces cut into cabochons and set into jewelry. My boyfriend at the time was a lapidary,

and I learned to make jewelry setting this stolen ore!

Why did you pick working with metals as your art form verses another medium?

It just fell in my lap, and I found that I had a connection to metal. I was not even thinking about being an

artist. In 1983, I walked into a gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe. There was a one woman show of

work by Carolyn Morris Bach. I was floored; I had never seen jewelry as art! I went back a week later to

see it again, as I was already hooked, but it had all sold!

Do you have formal training in making jewelry? If so – where did you get it?

I got a BFA at CSU. I studied with Nilda Getty, graduated in 1987. I also took a few classes at the New

School in NYC, and did an apprenticeship in granulation with Jean Stark.

Do you have an all time favorite piece that you’ve made? Where is it now?

I think I do! It’s a brooch, part of my current body of work. It went into my case for the first time at the

Des Moines Arts Festival last year, and sold in the first 2 hours to a woman who said she doesn’t even

wear brooches!

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

I rarely ever draw; instead, I get some general ideas in my head. In my current work, I’m etching

patterns into copper, nickel or silver, and then soldering those patterns onto silver. Once that’s done, I

sit with that patterned overlaid metal, let it suggest pieces to me. Once I figure out what I want to do, I

cut a shape out of the patterned piece, having the right composition of pattern in the shape. Then I

committed, and the piece starts to take form. This is by far my favorite part; the rest is technical.

What does a perfect day in your studio look like?

Getting to start a new batch of work, with etchings already done and ready to go, no rapidly

approaching show or deadline. Freedom, endless possibilities, no pressure!

Who or what has inspired your work?

Oh my, so much! Pattern of all kind; growth and decay. The veins of a leaf, rust, diatoms, broken glass,

the underside of a mushroom. The sculpture of Brancusi, Ruth Duckworth, Isamu Noguchi, Louise

Nevelson. Beach rocks. The jewelry of Talya Baharal and Jessica Turrell. Ceramics, especially Japanese

ceramics, like Mihara Ken, but also Hans Coper and Ani Kasten. The architecture of plants. I could keep

going.

What’s on your bench now?

Not much! Hitting to road tomorrow for my last show of the year, so everything that could be finished is

finished. But there are some new ideas, perhaps a complete departure from my current work. Excited!

To see more work by Pam Caidin vist her website www.pamcaidin.com

Boulder Metalsmithing Association Open House

I visited the Bolder Metalsmithing Associations Open House for their new studio on the north side of Boulder, Friday, April, 4th. BoMA has recently located at a space that has been equipped with a wide range of tools for members to use. From forging tools to Flex Shafts as well as larger equipment that is accessible to members whenever they need it. BoMA even opens their doors once a month and offers a Community Open Studio for non-members to come and create with like minded individuals. Not to mention all the workshops and classes that are held at their location. However, for the Opening all tools and equipment were tucked away to make room for Members to display their pieces. There was a wide variety of styles and techniques represented by all the artists showing their work.

My favorite part of the night (besides the live Bluegrass band) was the table of live demos that included processes such as Enameling, Fold Forming as well as Chasing and Repousse. All of the craftspeople working at the demo table were open to questions and very welcoming to everyone’s inquiries. All in all it was a wonderful evening that was filled with an excited energy. I was sent home with that encouraging feeling that makes me go straight to work on my own projects.

Naja Employee Carolyn Plummer Rocks her Hometown of Big Horn Montana

Recently, Naja employee Carolyn Plummer went to her hometown, Big Horn, Montana for a trunk show during Little Bighorn Days. The event takes place over four days and consists of festivities that celebrate the sights and sounds of the past, with legends that surround it woven into various events. There are reenactments of the past and attendees are encouraged to attend the Grand Ball of 1876, dance lessons are even provided the night before! Local quilters display their work in the local library and art exhibits are held in the local Jail House as well as the Historic Train Depot.

During this weekend long event Carolyn’s jewelry was featured in the first ever trunk show hosted in the gift shop of the Big Horn County Historical Museum! Her work was featured Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. The gift shop of the museum normally hosts a wide range of high quality jewelry pieces made by local Western artisans, which Carolyn’s work will now accompany on an ongoing basis due to the success of her show. She had on display, and for sale, over 100 handmade pieces that she has fabricated over the years, the majority of which were her Montana Agate collection. The Montana Agate used in her jewelry was accumulated on her uncle’s property years before and she has been getting it cut and using it ever since. The stones she has had cut are set in various jewelry pieces including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and belts. All of the beautiful pieces are incredibly unique with a Western feeling. When talking to Carolyn it was obvious she had a great time going back to her home town and letting everyone see the amazing things she has been creating and from the turnout it seemed like everyone in Bighorn loved having her back! 

June Open House & Design Competition

This past weekend The Naja had its annual Open House with ongoing demonstrations throughout the day, door prizes, snacks and lots of fun! There were several different demonstrations with something for everyone. The owner of the Naja, Travis Ogden, did a demonstration on Foredom products, including the flexshaft and several of the attachments such as the drill press, belt sander, hand piece holder, & several different hand pieces. Shannon Talian did a demonstration on crushed stone inlay, showing people how to add color to their pieces. Traditionally this method is done with a lapidary arbor, but Shannon showed customers how to accomplish it using the foredom flaxshaft. A big hit at this years open house was Alyssa Edmunds’ Casting Alternatives, where she showed people how to do broom casting, water casting, and bean casting. This quick and easy casting method produces unique, organic shapes that are a great addition to any piece. Another demo we had over at the Denver School of Metal Arts was Soldering Tips & Tricks with school teacher & director Darlene Armstrong.There is always something new you can learn when it comes to soldering and any sort of trick helps. The last, and maybe most important demonstration held that day was the Ergonomics demonstration done by Occupational Therapist Diane Carter. Diane has been an OT for over twenty years and prior to that got her degree in art education. A former Denver School of Metal Arts student, Diane knows her way around the jeweler’s bench. In her demonstration she discussed carpel tunnel, the most common injury for jewelers, along with cubital tunnel and other issues that might arise from repetitive work at your bench. Not only did Diane go over what to do about these injuries, but she talked about multiple ways to prevent them. She said that prevention is key and went over several stretches and habits you should form while working at the bench. The right type of tools were also discussed like wider handles for your hammers, especially the heavier ones, along with padded handles for pliers, hammers and other tools. You can see Diane’s demonstration on The Naja’s Youtube channel!

 

Another one of the more exciting events at The Naja’s Open house was the announcement of the winner of the 8th annual Design Competition, this year the theme was buckles! There were so many amazing entries both in the student and pro/amateur categories, the quality of work was truly amazing. For the past few years Mary Eckles from Gusterman’s Silversmiths has been coming up to the Naja to judge the competition, and she is one tough judge. I saw her looking at all the entries with a loupe! It took Mary a while to choose the winners, but she did it. In the student category the 1st place winner was Amy Mower, a student from Arapahoe Community College, the 2nd place winner was Emily Carlson, a student from Standley Lake High School, and the 3rd place winner was Bonnie Mattox, a student from the Denver School of Metal Arts. In the Pro/Am category the 1st place winner was Lee Westover, the 2nd place winner was Tim Burnham, and there was a tie for 3rd place between Judy Brown and Tyler Johnson. Visit our website http://www.najatools.com/jewelry-competition-winners-2014/ to see pictures of the winners pieces.

 

We really appreciate everyone who came out and participated in the festivities of our open house on Saturday and a special thank you to everyone who entered work into our design competition. Your work was truly exceptional and inspired many people. We can’t wait for this time to come around again next year and for YOU to participate in our design competition and our Open House events.

The Collected Works of Darlene Armstrong

The Naja Tool & Supply, Inc. is pleased to announce we will be kicking off our 2014 Jewelry Exhibition with Denver jewelry artist and Denver School of Metal Arts teacher & director Darlene Armstrong. The collected works of Darlene Armstrong will be on display at the Naja from January 27, 2014 through March 31, 2014. This showing will feature 32 jewelry pieces created by the artist. This diverse grouping of pieces includes work in sterling silver, gold, fused glass, PMC and other mixed media all handmade by Darlene.

Darlene Armstrong started creating jewelry in the 80’s, but had known she wanted to be a metalsmith her entire life. Armstrong states, “I am Cherokee and Scottish, making jewelry is in my blood.” Since the age of 5 Darlene dreamed of creating beautiful silver jewelry. Spending a vast amount of time in her grandmother’s garden, young Darlene developed a creative imagination. She would spend hours in the garden, inspecting flowers, counting petals, examining the seeds and studying the detail of colors. Darlene’s Metalsmithing career began with beading and sewing. She would sew deer skin flute pouches and attach metal findings and turtles that she had beaded. Darlene also created beadwork jewelry both on and off the loom. Wanting to expand into metalwork, Darlene enrolled in an adult education class. After taking two beginning Metalsmithing classes Darlene found that she learned better through trial and error rather than in a classroom setting. She began to collect materials and experiment, starting out with basic stamping projects, drilling holes, and wrapping beads. After years of experimentation Darlene built up a vast repertoire of beautiful, inspiring work. The immense amount of time she has put into learning her craft has led her to become not only a successful jewelry artist, but an extremely dedicated teacher, determined to share everything she knows with her students.

Darlene has an incredibly unique style that is easily distinguishable throughout her bodies of work. The time she has put into her craft is well reflected through her jewelry and her teaching. Between teaching at the Denver School of Metal Arts, running the school, and doing her own personal jewelry work, Darlene’s life is consumed by the craft that she loves so much

 

Naja Interview with Darlene Armstrong

 

Naja: Why did you pick working with metals as your art form versus another medium?

DA: Jewelry is something that has always fascinated me. I have dreamed of making jewelry since a young age, at about 5 years old I knew it was what I wanted to do. In a way I guess I always knew I wanted to be a metalsmith, it wasn’t deciding to work with metal over another medium, it was just obtaining the skills to do so.

Naja: Do you have an all time favorite piece you have made? Where is it now?

DA: My favorite piece of all time would have to be a cuff that I just recently made. This wire cuff bracelet with pearls down the front has become my favorite piece due to all of the challenges that arose while I was creating it. It was definitely one of the most challenging pieces I have ever made, which is why it is my favorite. I love to figure out the complexities of how things are put together. The piece is currently at home in my personal collection.

Naja: What is your favorite part of the creative process?

DA: Taking a design out of my imagination, creating it and bringing it into reality for everyone to see would definitely have to be my favorite part of the creative process. The course of actually fabricating my design is a long progression in which many challenges arise, that is why it is my favorite part. When it comes to constructing a piece I love to assess the challenges that occur, I love the process of figuring out how things are put together, step by step.

Naja: What does a perfect day in your studio look like?

DA: A perfect day in my studio would be a solid 8 hour day, working in my shop like crazy the entire time. In the morning I would listen to some music with no vocals, something like Joe Satriani, and just get er’ done. After lunch, lots of green tea and snacks, I would go back into the studio for some uninterrupted time by myself, where I could unplug from the world around me, feeding my soul and spirit in an inspirational, creative place. 

Naja: What is on your bench right now?

DA: Currently, nothing is on my bench. I tend to work in bodies, creating multiple pieces that flow together cohesively. I am excited to say I just recently finished my latest body of work and cannot wait to start my creative process all over again. (Author note- We are very excited to see Darlene’s newest body of work, which will be on display at the Naja from January 27, 2014 through March 31, 2014.)

Naja: How has teaching affected your jewelry career?

DA: I think that my jewelry career has affected my teaching more than my teaching has affected my jewelry career. Being a metalsmith for 25 years has really set me up to run a school. I love teaching; I get a kick out of it. I really enjoy teaching people how to do things, I enjoy people in general, meeting and getting to know them. We have a lot to offer at the school and I really love making jewelry. I am always making jewelry, even while I am teaching I make the projects with the students. Although I do not have as much time as I used to for my own personal work, I find the time to work on what I love. 

Article By Casey McGovern

Fused Glass & Sterling Silver Bracelet By Darlene Armstrong

 

Sterling Silver, CZ & Pearl Cuff By Darlene Armstrong

 

Sterling Silver, Raku Face, CZ Pendant By Darlene Armstrong

An NYC Adventure!

This past holiday I went home to New York! I grew up about an hour from New York City, with easy access to many tools stores, galleries and other great places for a jeweler. This time while at home I decided to make a visit to some Metalsmithing supply stores, just to oogle some tools. Monday morning, December 23^rd, my mother and I boarded a train and ventured into NYC. Our first stop was going to be Metalliferous, on West 46^th St.

We climbed up two flights of stairs before entering the first small room; it was filled with drawers, floor to ceiling and one stack of drawers in the center. These were filled mainly with base metal findings, and there were a few scattered cabochons. After a lady came in and told us we were not supposed to be in that room (whoops!), we exited and she roped off the entry way behind us. We then stepped into the main room of the store. It was almost like a hallway, a counter on one side, behind it was several employees packaging items and doing miscellaneous busy work. On the other side was a short wall, about the size of the findings wall here at the Naja, filled with a few pliers, burr blocks and several other tools. At the end of the counter and the wall were several short hallways, probably about six feet long, also filled with drawers of base metal findings.  The last row had some base metal chain you could buy by the foot or yard. After poking around for several minutes and not finding anything I was particularly interest in I decided to ask the woman behind the counter if I could see some of their raising stakes. She pulled out a catalog and handed it to me, stating she wasn’t exactly sure what that was. After I found what I was looking for the woman informed me that they didn’t carry those tools, only shipped them in when asked. I left, slightly disappointed and moved on to the next Metalsmithing supply store, All Craft.

After walking 17 blocks to West 29^th St. we stepped into an elevator which brought us to the second floor of the building. We wandered down the hallway and came to the door number 205, we had arrived at All Craft. We stepped in the doorway, but didn’t get very far. You could probably walk about five feet into the store before hitting a counter, behind it was a very nice woman who presented us with a catalog. Again I looked through the catalog to hopefully see some tools this time. I picked out a stake I wanted to see and she walked back into the room filled with shelves floor to ceiling, piled high with ton of tools. After a brief moment the lady returned with what I had asked for. She showed me some new things that they had started to carry and suggested a few books. I left somewhat satisfied, All Craft at least had the tools I wanted to see, just no showroom.

Upon my return to Denver, I was eager to get back to the Naja. I had been missing friends and co-workers and the luxury of walking around a store where I could take my time and look around at all the tools and get the answer to almost any question I might have. I guess after having The Naja in my backyard this whole time I have been a little spoiled. Tending to take for granted the knowledge you can attain and beautiful storefront where you can look at every tool you have ever wanted, pick it up and actually touch it, you forget that there are not a lot of places like The Naja. 

Holiday Open House

We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season so far! We know there is a lot more to do between last minute shopping and gift making for all your loved ones, but we hope to see you at our holiday open house! The Holiday Open House is how the Naja gives back to our community and we can’t do it without your help! This Saturday, December 14, 2013 the Naja will be donating 10% of sales to the American Red Cross in order to help the Colorado flood victims that had their homes and belongings destroyed earlier this year. At this time the Naja will also be accepting donations that will go to the American Red Cross. Please stop by the store this Saturday to celebrate the holidays with the Naja and help us give back to our community. Happy Holidays!

CAEA

This past weekend The Naja was in Breckenridge for the Colorado Art Education Association Fall Conference. Since this was The Naja’s first time at CAEA we didn’t really know what to expect but it was a blast! We did two demos, which went amazingly well, and had a booth in the vendor hall. 

The art teachers we met were amazing! We loved you guys and can’t wait to build a better relationship with you and your schools. There were teachers that had jewelry and metals set ups in their classrooms, there were other teachers who were self taught metalsmiths and some who weren’t metalsmiths at all. It was so much fun to show you what you can do with metal and we can’t wait to show you some more in a workshop next door at the Denver School of Metal Arts, or at one of our free Saturday demos! We are even scheduling visits to go into some classrooms and check out studios and tools and do demos too! 

We had so much fun at CAEA and we hope you did too! See you next year at the CAEA Fall Conference 2014!