Jewellery Masterpieces virtual collection. Allan Heywood enamels

Here is another artist for my inspiration collection. I have been doing a research on enameled jewellery in last few weeks. I am interested in Ceramit, that is basically a type of cold enamel. However, many of the hot enamel techniques may be applied to working with it (as well as those that are not available for working with hot enamels). I got very enthusiastic about the opportunities that Ceramit gave and created an enameling class where I could teach my students how to use it.

I remember a few enameling artists whom I have found in Internet in last few years and who amazed me. One of them was Allan Heywood from Australia. This is his web-site.

After visiting Australia myself (just a couple of months ago) I can understand where he gets his inspiration. Australia is an amazing country! Put an inspiration and a talent together and you can get a masterpiece.

Alexei Zelya

I have found an amazing glass blowing artist. It does not look like he has a web-site. This is very unfortunate, as there are many pictures of his work in Internet any way.

The best way to see his work is just to google his name Алексей Зеля.

All his works are very inspiring... to be not afraid of spending time and make something that it is not easy to forget...

Deer necklace (sterling silver)

HONOURABLE MENTION – Technical competence

Sterling silver, labradorite, cubic zirconia, synthetic sapphire

Everything I like the best can be found in this necklace: wild deers that are so usual for British Columbia, beautiful plant kingdom, ocean waves and Vancouver spring. In order to accent my love for Vancouver nature I used my favourite jewellery making techniques, such as piercing, engraving, fine soldering and stone setting.

My new vulkanizer

Got this new jewellery making toy. I tried it and I liked it! Rubber molds work like magic. Why did I not have it before?

I will go and play with it more!

(Let me know if you need any molds. I will see, what I can do about
it ;)

July and August classes, 2011

SilverSmithing classes in Vancouver, BC

To learn more about the classes and sign up contact Mountain Gems at (604)298-5883 or Toll-free (Canada/USA) 1-888-593-1888

Basics of enameling workshop. One weekend: July 23&24, from 11 to 5. Price $150.00

Chain Making (soldering techniques) One weekend class: August 6&7, from 11 to 5. Price $150.00

Elementary jewellery making. One weekend: August 20&21, from 11 to 5. Price $150.00

Beaded Bra

We had a foto session for the bra made for the Wearable Art Award 2011 . Elise enjoyed the modeling too much, perhaps :) This is her the most serious picture that we have gotten!

Brisbane Botanical Garden

Wearable Art Award (Port Moody, February, 2011)

This has been a great opportunity to bring 9 artists (and friends) together to work on a single project. It was hard to know what to expect; each of us has our own creative process and individual style, so it seemed daunting to attempt to bring it all together into one cohesive piece. But, as it turned out, having 9 team members provided us with a vast combination of strengths as well as an excellent range of abilities. This, coupled with effective teamwork, collaboration and mutual respect, made it easy for us to draw together one collective artistic vision that culminated in our unique and creative piece of art.

My part is everything made in metal and final assembly.

Megan Parks (Vancouver, Canada) made beautiful strawberries.

Rina Stepnaya (Moscow, Russia) made grapes in a technique that she developed (ANKARS) with her partners.

Svetlana Bacileva (Belgorod, Russia) did unique knitting with beads.

Albina Polyanskaya (Kharkov, Ukraine) created the pink flowers of Vancouver cherry-tree.

Irina Astratenko is another expert in ANKARS and a winner of Bead Dreams, 2008 contest (Riga, Latvia). Her work is the green lace.

Irina Belinskaya (Moscow, Russia) made a variety of berries and leaves.






Maria Roudakova, though a high-end jeweller (Geneva, Switzerland) made strawberry flowers.

Olga Makhneva is a talented beader (Vancouver, Canada) who made grape leaves.

Sydney Zoo

Sydney Wild Life Park and Aquarium