enrique’s news

The Marsi Chandelier Part 3

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 21:05:37 -0500

It's been over a year since I last posted on the progress of the Marsi Chandelier. Wait no more! For those of you desiring to see more on how I made this hand crafted chandelier, I give you a 10 minute high quality video on the fabrication and assembly of the main body of the chandelier. It's not easy to cram several months worth of hand crafted metal art work into a ten minute video, but I did it. It's action packed and fast moving. Head on over to the video section of my site and take a look. Enjoy!

The chandelier has been finished for quite some time. And I will actually be driving it to Arizona at the end of this month to help in the installation of it in Marsi's home. I'm excited about finally putting it in its ceiling perch and seeing it light up with all of its LED multi color lighting effects.
VIEW THE VIDEO

3-Day 3-Week 3-Cities Blacksmith Workshops in Peru

Thu, 6 Dec 2007 18:49:46 -0500

I spent the month of November giving blacksmithing workshops in Huancayo, Lima, and Piura, Peru. Aceros Arequipa, a manufacturer of Peruvian steel products has been giving seminars, workshops, and demonstrations to the local Peruvian metalworkers for several years and has now expanded their program to include hands-on training with the addition of 16 anvils and 8 coal forges.

The blacksmith workshops are held in different cities throughout Peru at different times of the year. I was fortunate and honored to be the instructor for this series. The workshop included a design I created specifically for the students. It is a hand forged wrought iron book-end with hot-cut Nazca Lines and includes the hummingbird glyph. The main purpose for this design is to give the local smiths the ability to create a sellable product to the tourist industry. Something small enough to fit in a suitcase and carry some of the mysticism found in this wonderful and sacred country.

Creative Metalsmithing 01 Workshop

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 00:05:24 -0400

The first workshop I have given in my studio has come to an end. I have to say that it was a true pleasure giving this workshop, not for the money, but because of the students, their individual projects, and their enthusiasm. The course, which was held on Saturdays at my studio and lasted seven weeks, brought friendship, understanding, and learning in the form of hands-on metalworking and camaraderie.

The "Creative Metalsmithing" workshop specifications required each student to design a table top within a 16" diameter area and to include a "penny scroll" and hand forged leaf in their design. They also had material size specifications which they could choose from. Everything else including design and the table legs was left up to the individual. I demonstrated the specified techniques and then worked with the individual on techniques which would allow them to realize their project. I believe this approach to training is the best way for everyone to receive individual instruction and for the group to learn from each other.

There is so much that these students learned. I want to share with you a photo album of some of the techniques they used and the resulting hand forged wrought iron tables they made. Please take a few moments to view the photo album. Note that the best way to view the photos is by following the link on the photo album page to “start slideshow.”

I want to send a heartfelt “thank you” to Tamara, Chris, Donald, Lucas, and Wayne. It was a true pleasure having you guys in this workshop!

Note: If you are interested in taking future 3-day weekend workshops contact me so that I can put you on a mailing list for future workshops. The reason for the three day weekend workshops is to allow interested students from various parts of the country to attend. Please include your email, contact information, and your desires for accommodations. Each workshop will be limited to six students.

Creative Metalsmithing at E. Vega Studios

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:29:43 -0400

"Creative Metalsmithing" Hands on workshop through the Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) Occupational Self Supporting Program Class # C2719

Limit 10 students 7 week course on Saturdays from 10am - 6:30pm starting May 19th through June 30 at E. Vega Studios Apex, NC US. Registration starts on April 25. call 542-6495 ext 223 to enroll and pay via credit card. Also call Kimberli, my assistant, to confirm enrollment (919) 542-6886. Call now to reserve space.

Cost: $126.25 paid to the school. An additional $140 fee for supplies ($20 per day) will be due on the first day of class.

About the Course:

This workshop is intended for beginners and intermediate metalsmiths. We will be going over basic techniques for creative direct metal processes including hot forging, mig welding, oxyacetylene torch work, and plasma cutting. The course is geared towards creativity and design aesthetics. Students will be creating functional and sculptural metal art including candelabras, tables, coat hangers, and “Sculptural Habitats In Terrains.”

My intent is to share the knowledge I have gained over the last 25 years to help students understand how to transcend their own creativity into physical reality via direct metal processes. The key is in seeing and allowing the Creator to create through us and knowing which metalworking processes are best suited for communicating that which we desire to bring into this reality.