Venetian teasures

As previously mentioned in our first post, we had visited a Murano glass factory in Venice and purchased some beads. We were able to peruse the collection and hand-pick the beads to our liking. Here a couple of photos to show what we did and what we acquired.

Silversmithing Classes

http://www.nanopod.tv/nano_classes.html

Workshops + Classes at nanopod• Extra studio time is available to nanopod students at $15/hr, this fee includes use of bench tools and equipment.• Students create any where from 3 to 5 pieces per class- 5 tends to be the average however somestudents have walked away with 10 pieces from just a beginning class.• Students receive a resource list of suppliers in Toronto on the first evening of class.• Silver for the ring bands and other projects is available in class at $1per gram. Ring bands generally run anywhere from $5.00 to $15.00 depending on ring size, and width.Students should purchase or bring in a 'CABOCHON' cut stone(s) to learn bezel setting. This is discussed further during class. Stones are available at the studio for purchase as well. Please email or phone me with any further questions concerning the classes.Make secure payments using any of these cards without a PayPal account!

Beginning Jewelry
1 Monday August 21st or Thursday September 14th 2006 3 student min., 5 max8 weeks, 6:30-9:30pm
1 evening per week$250 + materials (approx. $35) complete a minimum of 4 pieces, Pre-registration of $100 deposit required. Learn to hand fabricate your own jewelry out of Sterling Silver! You will make a band ring, learn one of the oldest casting techniques, set stones, and much more...
week #1: working with copper- introduction safety, drilling, sawing, soldering
week #2: making a band ring out of silver (stamp, hammer finish, roller print, etc.)
week #3: finishing your ring, patinas, polishing- adding a stone (tube settings, bezel settings)
week #4: working with wax create pieces w/the lost wax technique
week #5: cleaning up castings> cuttlebone casting
week #6: findings (ear wires, pin backs, pendants), married metal>create beautiful silver beads,etc.
week #7: riveting, make another piece!week #8: finish up projects No experience necessary!

Murano magic

One of our goals to visit Europe this year was to take a trip to Venice, - home of Murano glass. Michael had previously contacted a company to book an appointment for purchasing some glass beads. Reaching Murano island from Venice was not a difficult task as there were water buses you could take and which ran frequently.

When we got to Murano, we began our search for the company location. Several wrong turns, buckets of sweat and one Morrocan man later, we found our place - Tommasi. Arriving there alone was exciting. We were greeted by a blond-hairerd teenage boy who went to fetch an adult. It turned out that she did not speak an English and so had to request him to stay with her to translate our conversations.

http://www.tommasi-store.com/catalogue/jewelry/index.htm

After a few minutes, we were led to the back, the store room, where all the beads and other things were kept. We could not contain our excitement as each box was opened to reveal the range in size and colours. About an hour later, we had a tray with many beads sizes and all square or cube shaped chosen out.

As the lady counted and bagged our choiced beads, we talked to the teenage boy, and it turns out, that is the owner's son. Ricardo was very pleasant to talk to and he was very keen in translating our inquiries. As well, he stayed back with the factory workers to help out, packaging pieces of jewelry that had been assembled by the other ladies.

We parted with about 2 lbs of precious glass beads and went on our way. We are very excited to create new pieces with these beads.