Jewelry Making Course...Day 1

NOVA artlab http://www.nova-collection.com/

Another incredible day! Took a few days off from my Thai Massage Training and went to a jewelry making course. I am taking two days in this shift of experience. What a wonderful way to express and explore my creativity! Actually I am quite amazed at the results.

Class started at 10:30am so had the chance to take it a little slow this morning, boy did I need it after the first 30 hours of Thai Massage courses. I met my instructor Nugoon who is a master silver smith and jeweler. A remarkable man who is talented beyond measure. I am appreciative to work with him. What made it even more special is that I was the only student today so I received his direct attention and guidance.

So I popped into class not knowing what to expect. What I had in mind was to do something with the polar bear but when he said I had to do the drawing and design I was lost. I remembered what my dear friend and mentor Rick reminds me.....Breathe and Experience! So I did!!!
Once I did the creative juices started to flow. Of course there had to be a HEART to represent my big heart and my love for people and the planet. It took a few drawings to get to where my heart was taking me. Even once my design was done I did modify it as I worked with the material (silver).

I had to flow and trust in the process because when my head tried to understand how it possibly was going to happen the creative juice faucet was closing, so to let the flow happen I had to release the stories, self-evaluations, and self-criticism. When I was in the zone there was no limit.

I learned the basics in preparing the metal, working with a vast array of tools, and the soldering.
My instructor was absolutely incredible and very knowledgeable working with the tools and materials. His patience with me and my process was comforting and supportive. The course end up being about 6 hours and the cost was 1100baht course/just over 300baht for material ($33/$10). What is really cool is that they offer a week long course where you learn a variety of techniques or you can just take one class. To do gem setting you need at least 3 days and my time is so precious, that it will not work on this trip.

It was a pleasure to use a variety of techniques to create my piece. I could have made it simpler but why? More complex I would have to go another day just to complete it. I am taking another class tomorrow and I want to learn how to make a ring. I will be more prepared for I will work on my design tonight.
NOVA has a Contemporary Jewelry Store on Thapae Rd and the lab is a few blocks away. You can find many nice pieces at the shop and this is where I signed up for the course. During my lunch break I went in to say hello and what a great time I was having in the class. They asked me to bring my piece in for them to see when I was done. After the course I did do so and I appreciate their reactions.

Something about my piece. On the bottom where you see the indentations represents the challenges and limitations (self-imposed or otherwise) that I've experienced in my life. The cut out represents a river and by crossing it leaving behind the baggage allows me to be who I really am with the abundance of LOVE in my heart and to expand that love unto the world which the dome shape symbolizes. Now, my interpretation of this piece may expand as I am present to it!