The 3rd MCWC Mystery Bag Contest was held during the 2011 Metal Clay World Conference.
For details go to: www.metalclayworldconference.com

We want to welcome Cindy Pankopf, of Fullerton, California, as our newest Master Instructor. Cindy is a published author, has written numerous articles, and teaches regularly in her studio as well as at shows and events such as the Pasadena Bead and Design Show. You can read her bio by clicking here.

The 2011 Silver Accessories Contest received a total of 634 submissions from around the world. Of the entries, 32 were selected to receive awards at the final judging on March 23, 2011. We would like to thank everyone that participated in this competition and congratulate all of the winners. To view the complete results, please go to: http://www.artclayclub.com/gallery/2011

Art Clay World USA, along with 88 other contributors, were part of a movement to send aid to the ravaged country of Japan. After the earthquake and tsunami, many in the global metal clay community wanted to contribute to the relief effort. Using Art Clay World USA’s Paypal account, donations for the ShelterBox organization poured in for nearly a week. The result? Five Shelterboxes, each worth $1000, were funded and will be shipped to needy families in Japan to assist in their recovery. For more information on ShelterBox, please go to their website: http://www.shelterboxusa.org To watch a CNN video on ShelterBox, go to: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/17/cnnheroes.henderson.japan.cnn
 

Art Clay Silver Master Instructors, Jackie Truty and Katie Baum, will be attending the Southern Women’s Show in Nashville, Tennessee as representatives of Art Clay™ for Jewelry Television from Thursday, April 14, through Sunday, April 17, 2011. Jewelry Television will have an extensive presence at booth numbers 727, 729, 731, 826, 828, & 830. Stop by their booth to learn more about Art Clay Silver™ and to see demonstrations by Jackie Truty and Katie Baum. For more information on the Southern Women’s Show in Nashville, Tennessee, please go to http://www.southernshows.com/wna/

In addition, representatives from Art Clay World USA, Inc. will be attending the Southern Women’s Show in Orlando, Florida from Thursday, October 13, through Sunday, October 16, 2011. Our knowledgable staff will be on hand to answer your questions and provide a full line of products for purchase. For more information on the Southern Women’s Show in Orlando, please go to http://www.southernshows.com/wor/

Click here to download the complete rules, guidelines and entry form!
Art Clay World USA, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2011 North American Design Competition, an opportunity for North American Art Clay artisans to be recognized for their passion and talent in design and workmanship with Art Clay Silver, Gold and Copper products. This year there will be an OPEN THEME. Let your creativity reign. The rules are simple ~ our challenge is not. Prizes will be awarded based on creativity and craftsmanship. There is the additional reward in being recognized by the judges and your peers as among the best Art Clay artisans in North America and having your pieces featured in an exhibition catalog available in print and on–line.

Judging will be conducted on Friday, July 15, 2011 at the 2011 Metal Clay World Conference by an independent panel of experts in the design, jewelry and metals community. Works will have all identifying information removed and replaced with a blind numbering system. Results will be announced at the final luncheon to be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011 and prizes awarded. Artists do not need to attend the 2011 MCWC to qualify, enter, or win.

Artists Barbara McGuire and Ellen Prophater welcome you to celebrate the opening of Woman Creative – Art and Jewelry Design Center located in the quaint town of Buford, just north of Atlanta GA. An Artist’s Reception will take place on Friday March 4th from 6–9pm and an open house will be held Saturday March 5 from 1–7pm.

Woman Creative is an engagingly ambient arts center hosting 5 artist studios, a gallery, an exhibit and two classrooms. Studio artists and resident faculty include Barbara McGuire, Ellen Prophater, Jan Stevens and Patricia DiBona. Sue Sutherland is the facility manager and houses Filigree & More! in her studio. Each of these women brings unique skills to the center and product lines with supplies relevant to their craft. The women are experts in their respective fields of polymer, metal clay, jewelry design, photography, wire wrapping, digital design and altered arts.

The Gallery at Woman Creative features artwork and contemporary art jewelry from the residents as well as celebrity and nationally renowned artisans. Adjacent to the gallery is an exhibit presenting outstanding work in polymer clay, past and present. This study collection, titled "Polymer, From the Beginning", represents the contributions of notable polymer artists to this art medium over the past 30 years. As the popularity of polymer is beginning to go ‘viral’, Ellen and Barbara encourage everyone to come and discover what polymer and art jewelry are all about.

Two comfortable and fully stocked classroom areas encourage students to ‘stay and play’ during facilitated hours. The goal of the Woman Creative faculty is to offer quality design instruction coupled with technical skills, delivered in a hospitable and creative environment. Classes cover all areas of progressive art media, including polymer, wire, cold connections, paper, kiln glass, metal clay, oil, acrylic, encaustic, fiber and altered arts. For those wishing to market their art the center offers classes in digital photography, internet marketing and product development. A growing roster of celebrity guest instructors will be offering classes in cold connections, fiber art, metal clay and polymer. In addition to classes, the center will host various fundraising events in support of the arts and select causes.

Woman Creative occupies a 3000 sq. ft. suite on the main floor of the Bona Allen Building, a 125 year old historic warehouse and former leather harness factory located in the authentically quaint town of Buford GA, at 115 East Main Street. The center is rich with the history of a town that was built on the backbone of the leather goods industry and offers an inspiring location for creativity. The center’s artist studios and the entrance gallery are filled with light from huge 7 ft. wide, paned industrial windows. The gleaming wood floors are 10 inch heart of pine planks and reflect the character of days gone by. Plenty of parking is available just outside the door! Main St. also offers a variety of award winning restaurants, salon services and arts, including the Tannery Row Artist Colony, home to 18 fine artists’ studios. Slotin Folk Art Auctions are an event held twice a year in the town hall directly across from the center. Lanier Islands Resort, Chateau Elan Golf Course and Winery and the Mall of Georgia are nearby, making Woman Creative Art and Jewelry Design Center a destination worth considering as a vacation, a day trip or a visit after lunch.

The Grand opening Celebration will be held March 4–5th and include a reception to meet the artists is planned on Friday night March 4th from 6–9pm and an open house on Saturday March 5th from 1–7pm. The opening will be hosted by the resident artists and feature presentation of the artist’s studios and their works. Press, friends, family, students, colleagues and those in support of the arts are invited to attend. Reservations are suggested. The official exhibit opening "Polymer, From the Beginning", will be held Friday and Saturday April 8–9 and follow with class presentations on Sunday April 10. A future press release will disclose details and guest appearances related to the exhibit.

Ellen and Barbara wish to thank the artists and friends that have given support and encouragement. They welcome those with a passion for creativity and learning, and appreciate the help in spreading the word that Atlanta has a new resource for art and jewelry design. Patrons of the arts and discriminating collectors are encouraged to visit Woman Creative Gallery to discover inspiring art and jewelry to enjoy wearing or presenting as unique gifts.

For more information contact: Barbara McGuire,
Phone: 687–654–7055
E–mail:barbara@barbaramcguire.com

Woman Creative Art and Jewelry Design Center, 115 East Main St. A1B, Buford, GA 30518

or Ellen Prophater
Phone: 404-314-5767
womancreativeartcenter@gmail.com
www.womancreative.com

We are sad to announce that Master Instructor Jane Levy has decided to resign her position as an Art Clay Master Instructor. Jane has been an Art Clay Master since the program was begun and had been the Director of Education for the Eastern U.S. before that position was replaced by the Master Instructor program. Jane has been a dedicated ambassador for Art Clay during her years of dedicated Instructorship, contributing to the metal clay community as an enthusiastic teacher and mentor. Jane will remain a Certifying Senior Instructor and Master Instructor Emeritus (retired). We wish Jane the absolute best and are grateful for the time she has given us as an Art Clay representative.

Metal clay artists from around the EU are gathering in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, from March 25th to 27th, 2011 for a truly inspirational and un–missable event. The venue takes place in the modern and well–known venue, the Moevenpick hotel, famous for its food and Swiss service.

The event consists of an optional one–day master class in delicate filigree work by acclaimed Japanese artist Etsuko Nakayama who is flying in from Japan especially for this event, followed by two conference days packed full with hands–on classes and demonstrations, metal clay and jewellery making vendors, stunning Art Clay jewellery on display, with plenty of time to network and meet old and new friends.

Celebrating 13 years of Christmas shows, Roger Filippelli and Lorrene Baum–Davis will be back at Chrissie and Roger’s home/studio in Placerville, California. In addition to Roger’s coveted and collectible wooden cooking/kitchen utensils, Lorrene Baum–Davis, a highly acclaimed and award winning jewelry artist and teacher, will show her fine multi–media art jewelry. Paula Joy Welter will also be here playing her cello and guitar. She will be showing a selection of her handmade greeting cards.

We warmly invite all friends and customers to our Open House/Studio Show to celebrate another year for which we are thankful. All festivities will take place December 4th and 5th from 10:00 - 4:00. In addition to your shopping list, we hope you bring a healthy appetite as we will be serving Chrissie's famous vegetarian chili, other holiday goodies, hot brandied (or not) spiced apple cider and Lorrene’s cookie surprise using organic frosting she got at the Crocker Museum Holiday show this past weekend.

We send our best holiday wishes and we hope to celebrate with you.

Call 530.622.9696 for more information.

Art Clay World USA, Inc., the North American distributor of Art Clay™ Silver and Copper clays, located in Oak Lawn, Illinois, has been chosen by Jewelry Television (JTV) to add its products to their current line of gemstones, jewelry and findings.

Premiering on the JTV Station on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 9 am EST, Jackie Truty, Art Clay World’s President and owner, will introduce a specialty beginner kit created especially for JTV. The kit will include everything needed for the average person to create their own fine silver jewelry. In addition to the kits, Jewelry Television will add a number of Art Clay World’s products to their "Jewel School" website, including replacement silver clay, textures, molds, books and findings.

Art Clay World USA will work with JTV in the future to add project kits, DVDs and tutorials on various aspects of metal clay jewelry making.

JTV is the largest importer and retailer of gem quality gemstones in the United States, and has long planned to expand their online "Jewel School." They have an approximate viewing audience of 72 million.

Art Clay World USA, Inc. has been in business since 2002, and is located at 4535 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, IL. 60453. Their 9200 square foot Headquarters houses a showroom, classroom, workrooms, shipping and offices.

JTV will be offering a beginner Art Clay™ kit for only $199.00! Tune in on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 9 am EST!

JTV can be found on Direct TV, Dish Network, Cox Communications, Time Warner, ATT, Charter, Comcast and many others. Contact your cable provider for station numbers and information.

We are pleased to announce that the 2011 Silver Accessories Contest details are now available. This competition is open to all Art Clay artists, hobbyists, students, etc. Entries must use Art Clay Silver as the main material, but it is acceptable to use other items in conjunction. All contest entries must arrive at the Art Clay World USA, Inc. main office by January 31, 2011. Entries will not be accepted for any reason after the deadline.

We are pleased and proud to announce the appointment of our latest Master Instructor, Katie Baum. Katie is the current Director of the Art Clay Society. In addition, she functions as the Marketing Director and a Distributorship Manager for Art Clay World, USA.  She Certifies Instructors and teaches across the U.S. and internationally, at such venues as Pasadena Bead and Design show, Bead and Button Show, at the Art Clay World UK Guild Conference, and at various societies around the country. She has had articles published in industry magazines and is co–author of the metal clay book, "Silver Clay Keepsakes," and has been responsible for rewriting and strengthening the Art Clay World, USA curriculum.

Katie joins the ranks of Art Clay World, USA’s other Master Instructors: Lorrene Baum Davis, Louise Duhamel, Pam East, Jane Levy, Maria Martinez, Arlene Mornick, Dana Peters and Jackie Truty. Each maintains the highest standards in education, creativity, craftsmanship and involvement.

Welcome, Katie!!

Aida Chemical Industries has announced that the 10 gram packages of Art Clay Silver will no longer come with a resealable zip lock. Only the 10 gram packages will be affected. The 20 and 50 grame packages will retain the resealable packaging. The new packaging will go into effect once the current stock is depleted. Remember, there are several different methods for storing leftover clay. One method is to wrap the clay in plastic wrap, then a damp piece of paper towel, and sealing it in an airtight container. Please Note: a plastic re–sealable baggie is not a good choice for a long–term airtight container.

We are sad to announce that Master Instructor, Carol Babineau, is stepping down. Carol’s contributions to the world of metal clay have been vast. She has been an active and enthusiastic Art Clay teacher, presenter, representative, mentor, and more. Carol will remain a Senior Instructor and Master Instructor Emeritus (retired). We wish Carol the absolute best and thank her for all she’s done to support Art Clay.