The Solution
In February, I received the class catalog for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. That is one of my favorite days for mail delivery. I love to peruse all the offerings and imagine what I can learn. This year's choice could not have been a more perfect fit. The week was filled with learning how to add movement to your art. Yep, right up my alley! Our instructor was very knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy working with all the students.
All was going great, enjoying shop time, meeting new people, lunch each day by the creek...until Thursday. On Wednesday, we visited the lathe shop to see their work and while there those interested were given bowls that were destined for the trash. Of course I grabbed one and started planning.
I wanted my bowl to be the water and have the fisherman standing still while the fish swam around him. Sounded pleasant and reasonably easy enough, or so I thought. To make the bowl and man independent of each other meant that the mechanism had to be on the top of the box. Thursday morning the instructor and I discussed possible avenues to make this happen. Without going into a vast array of details, the top picture shows the last desperate attempt at a solution to create the movement I saw in my mind. I reverted back to what I manipulate best, my wire. I used it as a
catch for the cogs (which I have never made before and after a horribly failed attempt at gears) and low and behold the fish starting swimming. It was literally 6:00pm before I was able to get any type of consistent movement and even that was wonky at best, but I was thrilled and I believe the instructor was as well. He had tried throughout the day to help but the piece was putting up a good fight. After a full night of sleep (apparently, I was exhausted) and a bit of tinkering with the wire, Friday morning saw a fully functioning piece of art. The piece will never have a smooth spin but I am proud that I stuck with it and am very happy with the results.
Once again I have to thank my BFF for putting me up and getting me to class on time. It is wonderful to get to spend time with her as well as spend time at Arrowmont. I can't wait for next year's catalog to come out!!
Peace,
Hilari
#arrowmont #craftexperience
