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!
Jan Coussens has always had an interest in jewelry. In fact, she began creating jewelry at the age of twelve. Her journey into metal clay started when her boss at Baton Rouge Bead Company, Carolyn Haley, introduced her to metal clay about 15 years ago, and she has been working in it ever since. Now an instructor, her favorite metal clay class was her Rio certification class with Patrik Kusek.
Jan teaches both jewelry and metal clay classes, and prefers to teach only one or two students at a time. She once taught pearl knotting to a friend, but had to learn how to knot right-handed before teaching her student as she is naturally left-handed!
Having travelled to all seven continents, Jan says she can never see too much of the world. When she travels, Jan likes to bring back some local products to use in jewelry. For example, she brought home nuummite from Greenland, and faience scarabs from Egypt. She claims she is a magpie: if one shiny thing is good – twelve shiny things are better!
Paula McDowell played a role in Jan becoming an AMCAW volunteer, as they played with metal clay together in Louisiana and at MCAS. Jan volunteered for the Fundraising team as soon as she heard about the opportunity.
The best thing about volunteering at AMCAW, she says, is getting to know the other members and volunteers as you work together.
Jan lives in Louisiana (U.S.) and can be found at 4 to 5 local art shows each year.
