All Discussions Tagged 'the' - crafthaus2024-03-29T06:45:36Zhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?groupUrl=snag-conference-2012-phoenix&tag=the&feed=yes&xn_auth=noLots of Lovetag:crafthaus.ning.com,2012-06-06:2104389:Topic:3498592012-06-06T14:40:24.932ZLiz Steinerhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/LizSteiner
<p>Like Jillian, I find that my head too, is still spinning, post conference. I came back to Peter's Valley and immediately launched into prepping the studio for our first 5 day workshop, which was amazingly successful and ended yesterday. From this point, the conference is feeling very far away, like a dream. In fact I did have a dream about the conference last night, likely induced by the lateness of my posting.…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Like Jillian, I find that my head too, is still spinning, post conference. I came back to Peter's Valley and immediately launched into prepping the studio for our first 5 day workshop, which was amazingly successful and ended yesterday. From this point, the conference is feeling very far away, like a dream. In fact I did have a dream about the conference last night, likely induced by the lateness of my posting.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058233379?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058233379?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Betsy Douglas's Swap Pins 1998-2011</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>I'd like to use this post to focus on the things I loved about this conference, because there was a lot to love. Most of these things were small, though. I felt that there wasn't really a stand out lecture this year (maybe Bettina's but I missed most of it because of the Trunk Show), the Trunk Show wasn't quite as successful for myself, as I had hoped, and it was difficult to get out and experience anything beyond the Westin Kierland. Which as Jillian pointed out, had both it's advantages and disadvantages.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242334?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242334?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Fancy Schmancy</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>However, I loved setting this year. I thought the resort was beautiful and I loved the heat and the desert. In fact I was a little disappointed that it wasn't hotter. I was not so thrilled with the expense and dining options of the resort, but I loved this patio. I did finally make it to the pool, but missed out on the fire pit. Sad.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I loved seeing Betsy Douglas's Pin Swap pins from the past 20+ years. I loved looking at the collections from the other past conferences I've been to and finding pins that I have in my collection. The only thing is, I'm almost positive I swapped with her in Houston, and I didn't see my pin. Bummer. I made sure to swap with her this year though.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242804?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242804?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Kathleen Browne's work in</em> Heat Exchange</p>
<p></p>
<p>I loved, loved, loved all the exhibitions. No the layout wasn't super great, but that's not a SNAG thing, that's a City of Phoenix thing. I had insider information from someone on the Exhibitions Committee that the plan was to have everyone end up at Mesa Arts center, so I did manage to do things in order and see everything Friday night. I do think that they should have made it more clear to everyone else though. I know several people that got mixed up. I went and saw <em>Heat Exchange</em> first, and it-was -<em>phenomenal</em>. This was my favorite show. I even loved it more than <em>Hot Under the Collar</em>, and boy did I love <em>Hot Under the Collar.</em> I also enjoyed Jan Arthur Harrell's enamels, the Past President's show and <em>finally</em> seeing Lynette Andreason's work in person. (I've been blog stalking her for a long while.) I would have loved to have been in any of the exhibitions this year, and I thought the organizers did a fantastic job.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242968?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058242968?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Why are there water birds in the middle of Arizona?</em></p>
<p>But I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this conference is the fact that I knew so many people and got to reconnect with so many old friends. I remember my first conference, Cleveland in 2005 where I only knew the couple of people from Kent I was with. My first full day in Phoenix, I couldn't cross the lobby with out waving to someone or stopping to talk for a minute (or 5, or 10) or coo over someone's adorable baby. It makes me feel good, like I actually have a place in this field, like I am actually someone worth knowing, or the simple fact that my introvert self has actually managed to put myself out there enough to meet people. I think my favorite moments of the whole conference were the long talks I had with Jillian (she had my in hysterics over her obnoxious cat), and catching up with my undergraduate professor, Kathleen Browne. I realized that for me, this conference was less about meeting new people (which I did still do) but more about reaffirming those existing connections I already have. I love this field, despite the pitfalls and the difficulty. I love the work that we make and the people that I somehow, almost miraculously find myself included in.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I also loved the band. I totally danced my ass off.</p> Day 3tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2012-05-26:2104389:Topic:3473172012-05-26T07:23:13.770ZLiz Steinerhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/LizSteiner
<p></p>
<p>Today started off with a lecture by Kevin O'Dwyer, on a specific reliquary in the Hiberno-Norse (Irish and Norse) style from 11th and 12th centuries. I really enjoyed this lecture, even though it go a little dry in places. The images were inspiring and I fee that every conference should have at least one historical lecture.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Andrew Hayes and Allyson Bone both gave fantastic talks. I never would have guess Allyson was a CAD person, but it totally makes sense looking at…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Today started off with a lecture by Kevin O'Dwyer, on a specific reliquary in the Hiberno-Norse (Irish and Norse) style from 11th and 12th centuries. I really enjoyed this lecture, even though it go a little dry in places. The images were inspiring and I fee that every conference should have at least one historical lecture.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Andrew Hayes and Allyson Bone both gave fantastic talks. I never would have guess Allyson was a CAD person, but it totally makes sense looking at her work. Her talk gave me a deeper appreciation for her work. I wasn't familiar with Andrew's work, but enjoyed the brief introduction, and his sense of humor.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I missed Megan Auman's lecture, which is a pity, since everyone who saw it said it was fantastic, and the panel discussion that I was so looking forward to was so awful I walked out before we even reached the question and answer section. Another pity, since I think the topic was so great. The Student Digital Presentation was kind of a clusterfuck in my opinion. I walked in a couple minutes late, so missed most of the opening remarks about how the show was run this year and didn't realize until after it was over that they did things completely differently this year. I don't think it worked. I might talk more about this later, since it annoys me. I'd love the opportunity to run the student slide show some day. I might not do as good a job as Arthur Hash, but I bet I could come close.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058235112?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058235112?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><em>Heat Exchange</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>Speaking of exhibitions, general consensus on "Heat Exchange was": "Oh. My. God." This was an AMAZING show. ALL of the shows were simply fantastic and I loved that there were so many group shows. This was seriously the <em>best</em> conference for exhibitions and I'm not just saying that because of "Hot Under the Collar". It was a HUGE privlege to be part of such a spectacular line up and I'm proud that "Hot Under the Collar" was able to hold it's own.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226176?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226176?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><em>Kathleen Browne, Heat Exchange</em></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226513?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226513?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><em>Scottsdale Center for the Preforming Arts, Humor in Metal and Hot Under the Collar</em></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226882?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058226882?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><em>Lynette Andreasen Spoons</em>, <em>eleMEnTAL</em></p>
<p>So one last big hurdle tomorrow with the trunk show. I feel completely unprepared and anxious about the whole thing. I'm kinda glad I won't have time to shop, since I don't have money to shop, but I am hoping to maybe make a few trades afterwards. And I'm bummed because Bettina Speckner's lecture begins at 2:30, right when the trunk show ends. I'm hoping I can just toss all my leftover's in a box and dash off to at least see some of her presentation.</p>
<p></p>
<p>One more big day! See you tomorrow!</p> Day 1tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2012-05-24:2104389:Topic:3466952012-05-24T06:38:18.228ZLiz Steinerhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/LizSteiner
<p></p>
<p>Oh my gosh, I love the desert!</p>
<p>I started the day by setting up the Hot Under the Collar Show at the Scottsdale Center of Performing Arts. It was a pretty focused few hours, but by the time it was all said and done, the show looked fantastic. I'm really pleased, and I hope everyone else is too. I have no concept of dimension, unless I'm looking at a thing, so it was really cool to see the work in person. Some was bigger than I expected, some smaller. Oh, and the cases we're…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Oh my gosh, I love the desert!</p>
<p>I started the day by setting up the Hot Under the Collar Show at the Scottsdale Center of Performing Arts. It was a pretty focused few hours, but by the time it was all said and done, the show looked fantastic. I'm really pleased, and I hope everyone else is too. I have no concept of dimension, unless I'm looking at a thing, so it was really cool to see the work in person. Some was bigger than I expected, some smaller. Oh, and the cases we're using were just used in the Kiki Smith show at SMOCA. How cool is that!?</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058225861?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058225861?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><em>Set up for Hot Under the Collar</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>The rest of the afternoon was devoted to completing a few simple tasks, made difficult by stopping every few minutes to chat with another friend. I finally managed to pick up a few groceries, obtain a toothbrush from the front desk, locate my show post cards and turn in my work for the auction. These things took HOURS so, before I knew it, it was time for the pin swap.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058231441?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058231441?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Bryan Peterson donating a pin for the Silent Auction collections.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>I was real excited for the pool party pin swap, but no one seemed interested in actually getting in the pool. The whole space seemed not quite right for the swap. It was too clustered and too crowed with deck chairs, and then it got dark, so you couldn't tell who had pins, and if they were any good. I spent a fruitless hour or so trying to track down someone with folded paper pyramid pins, and never did find them. I know I missed some other good pins as well. I didn't even try to get near the food or the bar. I feel like there should have been a section for people who were swapping and people who weren't.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058227894?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058227894?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Pins!!!</em></p>
<p><em><br/></em></p>
<p>I think I had about 70 or so pins and wound up with 45. I gave a bunch away to awesome people. I believe in good pin karma, which is why I won't really say no to someone. I got a bunch that I'm not excited about, but I got some cool ones too. These are a few of my faves, including a tin ukulele by Bryan Peterson, a ceramic packing peanut by Lisa Johnson and the lovely copper oval in the lower left is by Zac Lopez-Ibanez. If you're wondering why you didn't see those, it's because I got the only one. (Thank you Zac!) I was surprised and a little appalled about the lack of business cards accompanying pins. So for many of mine, I don't know who the artist is.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I hope my pins all went to good homes with good people. I'm a little sad that they're all gone; I'd carried them around with me for so long. But now to bed. If today was tiring, tomorrow is sure to be more so.</p>
<p></p>
<p>See you in the morning!</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Looking Forwardtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2012-05-19:2104389:Topic:3463532012-05-19T01:56:44.556ZLiz Steinerhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/LizSteiner
<p>I've been looking forward to this conference for quite some time now, but at the moment the thing I'm looking forward to the most is being able to blog from my nice posh hotel room, with actual WiFi, instead of the floor of the office at Peter's Valley and their psuedo-WiFi. Don't get me wrong, I love it here. But five days without having to worry about ticks sounds like heaven about now.</p>
<p></p>
<p>What I'm looking forward to most in terms of programming, are:</p>
<p></p>
<p>- The pin…</p>
<p>I've been looking forward to this conference for quite some time now, but at the moment the thing I'm looking forward to the most is being able to blog from my nice posh hotel room, with actual WiFi, instead of the floor of the office at Peter's Valley and their psuedo-WiFi. Don't get me wrong, I love it here. But five days without having to worry about ticks sounds like heaven about now.</p>
<p></p>
<p>What I'm looking forward to most in terms of programming, are:</p>
<p></p>
<p>- The pin swap. Always a good time. I always wind up with some fantastic pins (and a few duds). I only have about 60 or so, so catch me early. Plus, the earlier I'm done swapping the sooner I can hit the pool.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- The Emerging Artists talks, particularly Loring Taoka and Allyson Bone. I've been a fan of Allyson's work since I saw it at the Student Exhibition at the Savannah Conference (2008), and I've been a fan of Loring since I met him on the dance floor in Houston.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Seeing Hot Under the Collar come together. This is a great source of pride and anxiety for me right now, and I'm just praying that it all goes smooth. I have an incredible group of artists in this exhibition, and I'm hoping that it gets a good response. And that nothing goes terribly, terribly wrong. Like, gas explosions, no work showed up, you'll-never-curate-in-this-town-again kind of wrong.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058228496?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058228496?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Swap Pins</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>- Bettina Speckner's lecture on her work, for obvious reasons. Her work is stunning. End of story.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- The SNAG Lifetime Achievement award. Always love seeing this presented. It's a great little history lesson and a sobering reminder of what it takes to succeed in this field.</p>
<p></p>
<p>- The Student Exhibition and the CU:29 show. I'm nosy in that I want to know what the students are up too, in all the programs across the country. I submitted to CU:29, and wasn't selected, so I'm curious to see the pieces that made it in. I'm betting it's going to be a great show.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058229721?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058229721?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><em>Trunk Show Work</em></p>
<p><em><br/></em></p>
<p>- Getting rid of this box of work so I won't have as much stuff to haul around.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And last but not least, the panel discussion on how to start independent cooperatives, private/non-profit instructional studios, and schools. This, this is what I need to see. I've got a big, devote my entire life to, will take years to achieve goal in mind, and this just might tell me how to take the first steps.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So much to look forward to! What are you most excited about?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>