Metal Clay Arts Conservatory is pleased to announce it's official opening with our first participant, Tracy Menz of Tracy Menz Designs from Annapolis, Maryland, in our week long Full Immersion Experience. Here are a few highlights of our inspirational time together. In addition to some beautiful sustainable jewelry creations, new friends were made for life!
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| Tracy Menz and Wanaree in front of the new Conservatory Studio. |
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| The Conservatory Studio Workspace |
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| Tracy learning to cut and polish at the Sustainable Stones Studio |
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| Steve cutting a custom petrified wood cab for Tracy's first ever metal clay ring. |
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| Wanaree cutting and polishing a Sustainable Stone for Tracy's Animal Legal Defense Fund auction piece. |
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| Tracy finishing the metal work for her sea glass cabochon. |
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| Tracy's finished pieces! The sea glass pendant is reversible, with a hand carved bezel and open back featuring Wanaree's signature Koi texture stamp. Tracy's first ever metal clay ring featuring Wanaree's signature Celtic texture designs and a custom cut Sustainable Stone cabochon by Steve Tieken. |
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| Tracy wanted to design a piece incorporating paw prints to be auctioned off for Animal Legal Defense Fund we choose a very special Sustainable Stone to highlight the Silhouette cut suspension gallery bezel wire. This is the first time Wanaree ever attempted to execute a backplate free setting, which freely allows light to pass through the entire stone. Steve named the piece "Rainbow Bridge" to honor all the beloved pets and animals that have crossed over. |
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| Steve teaching Tracy how to identify and collect Sustainable Stones. |
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| Tracy was a natural, even finding her first ancient artifact, a local LaMoine Chert scraper. |
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| Wanaree discussing a local clay deposit during an outdoor excursion. |
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| The Conservatory Studio's large kitchen and onsite accommodations has all the comforts of home! |
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| The Full Immersion Experience includes Wanaree's delicious Asian inspired vegetarian meals. |
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| The combined expertise of Wanaree Tanner and Steve Tieken provides a visceral and educational experience for a full immersion creative adventure. |
