Superbly Sintered 2024 Helen Drye

Juror – Michael David Sturlin, USA

Michael David Sturlin is a renowned educator, writer, and Master Goldsmith, celebrating his 50th year at the bench in 2023.

Michael’s award winning jewelry received recognition from the World Gold Council, the American Jewelry Design Council, and Jewelers of America New Designers Gallery.

His work is included in the book Masters Gold, and has been featured in more than a dozen national and international jewelry magazines.

An acclaimed instructor in our craft, Michael is a past faculty member of the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, Mesa Arts Center, and Metalwerx.

Michael authored Metalsmithing 101 – a seven year column in Art Jewelry magazine, and Studio Insights – a five year column in Metal Clay Artist Magazine along with feature articles in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, MJSA Journal, Metal Arts Guild of Canada, and Art Jewelry magazine.

Through the In Depth Retreat Sessions at his private studio in Scottsdale Arizona along with an international program of visiting artist workshops, Michael shares five decades of goldsmithing experience and professional insight with students at all levels from enthusiastic beginner to accomplished professionals.

www.michaelsturlinstudio.com
Instagram: michaelsturlinstudio
Facebook: MichaelSturlinStudio
Facebook: michael.david.sturlin

Juror – Noortje Meijerink, Netherlands

Noortje has been a ceramicist and teacher for more than 30 years. Her work was and can be seen at exhibitions and international ceramics fairs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, China, and the USA.

She prefers the craftsmanship of the throwing wheel and the precision of the sgraffito technique. Her most recognized work are birds and shapes carved in relief on the porcelain pots and vases, colored with a wash.

Combining different forms of ‘clay’ is a technical challenge which is more than worth the effort. The combination of shiny silver and delicate porcelain shows to full advantage in her jewelry.

Her work appeared in many publications including: PMC Decade 2006, PMC Technic 2007, PMC Guild Annual 3 & 5, KLEI keramisch magazine, (article about Speedy in Bronze clay), Art Jewelry magazine and Contemporary Metal Clay Rings by Hattie Sanderson.

www.noortjemeijerink.nl
Instagram: noortje.meijerink
Facebook: noortje.meijerink
Facebook: KeramiekNoortjeMeijerink

Juror – Christopher C. Darway, USA

Christopher Darway has been working in metals for over 45 years as a designer, teacher and artisan. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in New Jersey, he received a BFA in craft design from the Philadelphia College of Art. Over the years he has sold and exhibited work through galleries, shops and craft shows, including ACC and Smithsonian Craft Shows.

He is a two-time recipient of the New Jersey State Council of the Arts Award. Work has been exhibited in Germany, Japan (International Pearl Design Contest, prize winner) and England. He has taught at the University of the Arts, University of Delaware, and Montclair State University, NJ. He’s been a senior PMC instructor for Rio Grande, past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths, and writer for Art Jewelry Magazine.

He currently teaches at the Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA and the University of the Arts, Master Lecturer, Continuing Studies Program, Philadelphia, PA.

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The mission of this Committee is to support and engage members of the world-wide metal clay community by developing and implementing practical, hands-on educational programs, welcoming makers of all skill levels and perspectives, and providing guidance as they pursue a higher level of personal excellence.

Three Hares

Helen Drye

Superbly Sintered Exhibition, Bradford, UK 2024

Back to Exhibition page

Pendant
35mm x 35mm

Inspiration
The three hare’s motif is one which is seen in diverse cultures, appearing in sacred sites and from the Middle and Far East to the churches of Devon.

Hares are symbolic for a number of reasons. We associate them with spring, ‘the Mad March Hare’ and phenomenon of the boxing hares!

These mystical creatures are often associated with the moon – possibly due to their strength, beauty, elusive nature, and nocturnal habits.

They have been associated with moon deities and may signify rebirth or resurrection. They may also be symbols of fertility or sensuality, and they appear in depictions of hunting and spring scenes.

Personally, I love seeing them running in the fields near my studio. It’s amazing how fast they are, and it makes me feel so excited and special when they allow me to see them!

Techniques
I layered fine snakes onto a back plate to create a woodland a mystical pattern, which forms the backdrop to my mystical Three Hares. These hares are running around the moonstone ‘moon’.

I created the bezel setting using fine silver wire, soldered it on a platform and set the moonstone as the centrepiece of the pendant.

Materials

PMC flex
Fine silver bezel wire
Moonstone

Photographer: Karen Young

Juror’s Comments:

This pendant has a solid compact form telling a mystical story. The high polished design elements floating above the 3-D textural background enhance the beautiful design.

About the Artist – Helen Drye, United Kingdom

Helen has been teaching silver clay for over 10 years. She teaches a range of classes both online and in her studio based in North Yorkshire, UK. She teaches the Silver Clay Certification Programme (formerly PMC Certification) and the Camp MC Programme.

Much of her jewellery design inspiration is from the woodland around her studio. She features the woodland in her designs, particularly focusing on the hares. She loves adding some mystical references into her work with the moon and moonstone, featuring in many of her designs. She has taken part in both York Open Studios and North Yorkshire Open Studios.

silver-stonejewellery.co.uk

Back to Exhibition page

Superbly Sintered 2024: Masterful Designs in Metal Clay celebrating the very best designs from metal clay artists around the world.

22 pieces of exceptional work were chosen by a distinguished jury. The exhibition will be shown at SINTER 24 in Bradford, UK, May 2024

Jurors

Michael David Sturlin

Michael is a renowned educator, writer, and Master Goldsmith, celebrating his 50th year at the bench in 2023.

Noortje Meijerink

Noortje, is a Dutch ceramist working with porcelain and metal clay.

Christopher C. Darway

Christopher has been working in metals for over 45 years as a designer, teacher and artisan.

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Three Hares

Helen Drye

Juror’s Comments:

Jurors

Michael David Sturlin

Noortje Meijerink

Christopher C. Darway