Did you know that AMCAW is managed and run by a large team of volunteers? All metal clay artists, they share their professional skills and energy to help AMCAW create and bring you more programs, tutorials, and fun. We thought you’d enjoy meeting some of these fabulous volunteers – and perhaps become a volunteer yourself!
Annemarie Klappe comes from a creative family with lots of different skills but her interest has always been jewelry. She also made dolls from clay, sewed her own costumes and painted. As long as she can remember she has always created jewelry with beads, rubber, weaving, polymer clay, felt… but silver was always an unfulfilled dream. The idea of silversmithing was daunting, but finally she became brave enough to google “creating silver jewelry.”
The search yielded creating with silver clay. She was immediately on the edge of her seat and had to know everything about this magical material. In her search, she found classes and instructor training. She had a gut feeling that she wanted to become an instructor. An instructor course started two weeks later, and she dove right in.
Annemarie lives and works in an historic Amsterdam building built in 1640. She has a great passion for old craftmanship and flowers. Almost all of the walls are covered in wallpaper with flowers, birds and giant still-life paintings of Dutch masters from the 17th century. It looks modern but has a vintage feel, just like her jewelry.
From each class Annemarie takes, she learns new skills, and she finds it hard to have a favorite class. She is inspired by teachers like Anna Mazon, who taught her how to work symmetrically and to sculpt tiny things by hand. Tracey Spurgin has given her so much technical knowledge on constructing and Etsuko Nakayama’s delicate and clean work is inspirational.
Annemarie is always working on several projects at the same time, but is currently practicing syringe work after a masterclass with Etsuko Nakayama. This creates beautiful delicate lacework, but is very strong even though it is only syringe. She is also working on getting new classes online.
Annemarie attended YCMI in 2018 when Lis-el Crowley spoke about AMCAW and the importance of uniting metal clay artists worldwide in a brand-neutral and non-profit organization. She firmly believed in that mission and volunteered.
She has learned so many things, and has done things she didn’t think she would be capable of. As a member of the Advanced Studies team, she helped develop the Mastery Modules. She is also very honored to be a mentor for the Mastery Modules, hoping she can motivate other artists who want to push their skills to the next level.
As a member of the Member Engagement team, she helps manage the Metal Clay Fun with AMCAW Facebook group. She is looking forward to Metal Clay Live and is currently working on her application to teach and present. Annemarie is also working on a new tutorial for members.
As an AMCAW volunteer she never works alone; everything is achieved as a team effort. When talented people join forces, the sky is the limit!
Annemarie Klappe is a metal clay teacher & artist from the Netherlands. She is inspired by nature and loves to sculpt flowers, curls as well as birds and insects. She can spend hours patiently sculpting tiny elements ‘building’ a piece with high attention to detail.
