"Meet the Artist Kim Fields" on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014

Join us and Meet Kim Fields.  Kim will be teaching a 2 -day class on "Bird Sculptures," in soft-glass at Graceful Customs Studio on Sat & Sun, Sept 13 & 14, 2014.  You can come meet her for an informal social and demonstration event at the studio on Friday, Sept 12, from 3-6:00 pm!  Refreshments will be served!  Other lampworkers will also do some glass bead demos!  We are in Gilroy, CA, e-mail me for directions, we do not post the address on-line!

JC Herrell Lampworking class 2 one day classes Oct. 11 & 12, 2014

JC Herrel will be teaching two one day classes at Graceful Customs Studio in Gilroy, 1st day is Joy of Enamels, “This class is designed for intermediate beadmakers with the intention of expanding the student’s arsenal of design techniques into the wonderful world of enamels. We’ll explore how to apply enamels to create vivid backgrounds, gentle color fades, faux surfaces and streaky lines, among other effects. As you become comfortable with the properties of enamels and learn how to avoid some common pit falls, you’ll also become familiar with wide variety of colors available from vivid to natural.” 
The second day is: Joy of Stringer, one day class “Students will focus on building straight line stringer control and heat control skills through a process of observation and repetition. Demonstrations will focus on the micro-details of drawing rings, end caps, horizontal line, and other techniques!  See her work at: JC Herrell
e-mail Grace@GracefulCustoms.com for details.  You can take one or both days of class.  One extra bedroom available very inexpensive!

Kim Fields at Graceful Customs, Sept 13, 14, 2014

Kim Fields - Sculptural Bird Bead Workshop

Description: This two day workshop focuses on creating beautiful, sculptural bird beads.

Demonstrations include forming simple birds and moving to more complex realistic forms.

Techniques will include assembling canes, color mixing and overlays, temperature control, precision stringer and dot placement. This class is intermediate to advanced level.

 $475.00 email Grace  OPEN HOUSE ON FRIDAY, SEPT 12, MEET KIM!

Silver-smithing, soldering Class, Sun., April 25, 2015, Sat.

This is a beginning soldering class, no experience needed, a material fee will be determined, (usually about $20-$25 )  Class fee is $125.00.  You will learn from Carmen Martinez, the basics of soldering different types of metals.  You will make and take home a silver bezeled stone of your choice from our collection or your own.  You will learn to use an oxygen and propane torch and hand-held torches.  grace@gracefulcutoms.com for more info! See our blog for pics! www.Gracefulstudios.blogspot.com, e-mail Carmen for more details: cram67@yahoo.com, www.visionsbyron.com is the website (her husband Ron is a gem carver and will also be here working on his stones, he loves to share his work!

silver-solder and metal workshop Sunday, May 25, 2014

Open house, 3 to 6:00 pm, come see demos in silver-soldering and metal working. Gem carving also happening today!  grace@gracefulcustoms.com

Meet the Artist: Kristen Franz Orr

Open house to meet Kristen Franz Orr this Friday, March 7, 2014 - 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, e mail Grace@gracefulcustoms.com for more info!

Silver Clay Class, Sat., March 22, 20114 at Graceful Customs Studio

Pat Accorinti, instructor for over 30 yrs, will teach us how to master Art Clay Silver as you learn how to texture, set gems, roll coils, form custom balls, set a fire-in-place stone, rehydrate dry material, and other techniques.  We will use our kiln to fire your creations!  You will take home silver charms!  e-mail grace@gracefulcustoms.com for more info.  No experience needed!