Artist Booth Talk Schedule

Saturday, November 2, 2024

11AM- Melanie Schlossberg & Blake Smith

Booth #: 102
Speaker: Melanie Schlossberg, Co-Collaborator of Dirigible Designs
Medium: Jewelry
Topic: Journey of the Metalsmiths

Synopsis: Melanie Schlossberg and Blake Smith both began metalsmithing as teenagers; however, they have since taken very divergent journeys. Their paths converged at Dirigible Designs, where they bring unique perspectives and complementary skills together. Schlossberg will discuss how their collaboration fuels a creative synergy in the studio and how differences of opinion can lead to dynamic designs.

12PM- Jeanne Akita

Booth #: 118
Speaker: Jeanne Akita
Medium: Decorative Fiber
Topic: The Art of Sustainable Fiber Sculptures: Exploring Ancient Felting Techniques

Synopsis: Jeanne Akita will delve into the history and artistry of felting, one of the world’s oldest textile techniques, dating back thousands of years. She will share how this ancient method, which uses hand agitation, water, and soap to bond fibers together, has influenced her modern approach to sculptural fiber art. Jeanne incorporates sustainable, natural materials such as Merino wool and Tussah silk, blending traditional hand felting with contemporary techniques like shibori dyeing and brush painting. Her unique 3D sculptures fuse nature and art, reflecting her dedication to eco-friendly practices. She will also discuss her vision for future works, including larger installations and mixed media to further push the boundaries of this ancient yet evolving craft.

1PM- Cindy Cherrington

Booth #: 124
Speaker: Cindy Cherrington
Medium: Glass
Topic: Painting With Glass

Synopsis: Without the use of any paint, Cindy Cherrington creates art using only glass to paint with. She will discuss her process, which involves cutting pieces of glass, as well as using crushed and powdered glass that is layered on a base piece of glass. After firing the piece and then cooling it, she is able to layer again and fire again.

2PM- Jonathon Stopper

Booth #: 207
Speaker: Jonathon Stopper
Medium: Jewelry
Topic: A Journey in Jewelry

Synopsis: Jonathon Stopper, master jeweler, will discuss his journey from gemstone cutting, to silversmithing, to working only in gold. He will share his background and what brought the work to where he is today.

3PM- Tiffany Nesbit

Booth #: 120
Speaker: Tiffany Nesbit
Medium: Ceramics
Topic: Making Swamp Critters

Synopsis: Tiffany Nesbit will discuss how her practice is heavily influenced by childhood memories, learning how to shepherd her family’s small farm in Louisiana. The characters in the work use humor and play to memorialize the animal’s spirits that once lived there. Using reclaimed clay fired to cone 5, she uses hand-building techniques to make sculptural forms and wheel-throwing techniques to create functional ware. The carved details are embellished with underglaze, and then clear coated with a gloss mid-fire finish.

4PM- Bob Bruu

Booth #: 105
Speaker: Bob Bruu, Wood Artist, Owner of Bob Bruu Wood Carver
Topic: From a Block of Wood to Art: The Creative Process of Bob Bruu Wood Carver

Synopsis: Join wood carver Bob Bruu as he takes you through his creative process, making ordinary objects like hats and sneakers, look extraordinary from solid pieces of wood. Bob offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he conceptualizes his designs, carefully carves each piece, and applies finishing touches. Learn about the materials he prefers, the techniques he uses, and how long each step typically takes, from the initial idea to the final product. It’s an insightful glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship behind his work.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

1:00PM- Denise Fletcher

Booth #: 205
Speaker: Denise Fletcher
Medium: Jewelry
Topic: What is Custom Jewelry?

Synopsis: Trained as a jewelry artist with a technical and corporate background in the fragrance industry and retail jewelry, Denise Fletcher explores the topic of custom jewelry. She will define custom jewelry as a jeweler versus how retail jewelry stores view the topic and use it in marketing products to consumers.

2:00PM- Carol Berger

Booth #: 114
Speaker: Carol Berger
Medium: Ceramics
Topic: The Inside Scoop -- The Creative Approach Behind the Art

Synopsis: Clay instruments have spanned the ages and the continents. There is a sense of continuity between ancient and contemporary artists and with artists in different parts of the world. Carol Berger will discuss her pieces and their surface decoration which have an underlying theme of the human connectivity with each other and their environment.

3:00PM- Leslee McFerren

Booth #: 206
Speaker: Leslee McFerren
Medium: Decorative Fiber
Topic: Dimensions - Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Synopsis: Leslee McFerren will highlight the natural world as her primary influence, sharing how her memories and experiments with ribbon have shaped her unique artistic creations. She will include a brief history of silk ribbon embroidery, giving context and depth to the craft's rich heritage. Her goal is to inspire appreciation for Silk Ribbon Embroidery, urging attendees to recognize the beauty that surrounds them daily and perhaps even to preserve and practice this rare art form. She hopes to convey that every element of the natural world deserves our respect and protection. Reflecting on the rapid changes happening around us, she wishes to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and cherishing the simple yet profound beauty in our environment.

4:00PM- Suzanne Schwartz

Booth #: 404
Speaker: Suzanne Schwartz
Medium: Jewelry
Topic: Stitched Luxury: Crafting Exquisite Jewelry

Synopsis: Join Suzanne Schwartz for an exploration of her stitched jewelry, where tradition meets innovation. She’ll share the personal inspiration behind her work, rooted in the cherished knitting and sewing lessons from her grandmother. Discover how she stitches fine silver, 18k, and 22k gold into unique pieces, creating textures and patterns that add depth to her designs. You’ll witness firsthand the materials that bring Suzanne’s vision to life and enjoy a live demonstration of her distinguishing stitching process.