Deadline: June 29th
Time to show off your skill! We are proud to announce the first annual SilverWorks student show at Glen Echo Park. For the month of July, a select collection of student work will be featured in the Popcorn Gallery along side the feature show of SilverWorks' director, Blair Anderson. Let's Let this show tell the worls how furn the craft of Siversmithing is! Start working on that masterpiece! Submission deadline and delivery of work to the SilverWorks studio: June 29th.

Having an inspirational space to work, is cool. Having all the tools and goodies available is cool. And having others around you that you can bounce creative ideas off of is cool too. These are things the studio has to offer. How can you maximize an already "good thing"?

1. Come with a plan.
Having a couple of design ideas in mind when you walk in the door will help you launch into a positive and productive mode.

2. Have a default task ready. Sometimes the muse refuses to show up to your big creative idea. You may be making a little progress on that huge pierced project, but when things start to lag, shift gears with a default task. Making earwire, jump rings, or even chain components are all good choices.

3. Have an easy project ready.Maybe the masterpiece is taking too long. Indulge in some instant gratification with an easy project that takes less time but gives big results. Examples might include a pair of earrings using the disc cutter, or a quick set of bangles. These things sprinkled in with a project that is more ambitious allows you to wear something home while improving your skills as a silversmith when you can finally unveil that masterpiece.

4. Do "non-studio" stuff at home. A few tasks are perfect while sitting in front of the tv. Take your filing, hand sanding, assembling, and other home-tool tasks and do them at home. You will save some time and be prepped for your next studio session. Sketched designs are also a must. Bring your ideas while letting the studio be your playground.

Beginning Silversmithing 5 Week Course
June 17 thru July 15
Thursday evenings 6:30pm-9:30pm
register here.

Discover Silversmithing 1 2-Day Workshop
July 14 & 15 (Wed & Thursday)
10:30am-1:30pm
register here.

or continue your skills with...
Discover Silversmithing 2 2-Day Workshop
June 16 & 17 (Wed & Thursday)
10:30am-1:30pm
register here.

Glen Echo Park's newest Artist-in-residence, Blair Anderson presents "The Silver Speaks; Stories in Wearable Art. Multiple works by Blair will unveil stories like, "Haul Water, Carry Sticks", (seen above). The show runs from July 3-31 in the Popcorn Gallery.

Take advantage of the simple technique of rolling mill imprinting to make a pair is earrings.
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or magazines!

There are many options available in choices for periodicals that can populate your shelves. One that I think is well suited for a beginner is Art Jewelry. Each issue has step by step projects, as well as techniques shared by nationally known craftspeople. Its friendly approach to the art form makes it very accessible to anyone new to the craft and is a good source of inspiration.

Word-of-the-Month
Work-hardened:
The tempering that occurs when silver is hammered, bent, or otherwise manipulated causing the molecules to compact creating resistance.
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Blalir Anderson is an artist in residence at Glen Echo Park, MD.
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