crafthaus2024-03-29T01:58:20ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazihttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/357656169?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://crafthaus.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=seven-days-at-arrowmont-oh-and-nights-too&user=1gt05qdmlhqa9&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDay 7, the last day...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-06:2104389:Topic:5529702016-08-06T22:50:18.243ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
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<p><span>My last choice of morning coffee mug and water cup is...</span><br></br><br></br><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773635?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773635?profile=original" width="640"></img></a> <br></br><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773776?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773776?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a></span></p>
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<p><span>My shuttle ride was not until 10 am so I got a chance to walk through the galleries again. Arrowmont has this clever…</span></p>
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<p><span>My last choice of morning coffee mug and water cup is...</span><br/><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773635?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773635?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773776?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773776?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span>My shuttle ride was not until 10 am so I got a chance to walk through the galleries again. Arrowmont has this clever set up where the instructor's work on display is tagged with a QR reader (see photo below). As you're walking through the gallery and you have a QR reader on your phone, you'd point your phone on to it and it'll take you to a YouTube video clip of the instructor in the classroom with the students.</span><br/><br/><br/></p>
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<p><span>The video below is one of those instructor videos that Arrowmont published on YouTube. There is a lot more, just search Arrowmont on YouTube and you'll find their channel.</span><br/><br/><a href="https://youtu.be/wK63nTh8HJg"></a><br/><br/></p>
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<p><span><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wK63nTh8HJg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p><span>Since I arrived to Aarrowmont a week ago, I have not left campus until today heading back to the airport. because there was so much to do on campus that I did not want to miss. As the shuttle pulled out of campus, I got this nudge that reminded me that there is a world out there. Leaving Gatlinburg is a five miles drive through wild nature.</span><br/><br/><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pVjTpS7NZPo?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/><span>Just a few minutes later, you're going through miles of a man built wonderland in the town of Pigeon Forge.</span><br/><br/><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IhgmyECmvEg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/><span>The contrast is striking and many people find it gaudy. I personally like it all; I like the nature and I like the wonderland. When my kids were young, a vacations in places like Pigeon Ford would have left many beautiful memories, laughs and good times hopping from amusement to another. I also appreciate the many jobs and economic opportunities that this development brought to the area. Besides where else would you go to see a flipped up building?</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773979?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773979?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><br/><span>The art and craft is so entrenched in this area, even the airport had a gallery with some wonderful objects at exhibit. Here is a carved and oil painted gourd by Mart McConnaughey on the left and two turned wood vases by Brian Horais.</span><br/><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772735?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772735?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span>And the charm of this area continued right up to the end. I go to wait for my plane while rocking on a wooden rocker and reflecting on all the fun I had on this trip.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772597?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772597?profile=original" width="632" class="align-center"/></a><span>Thank you Arrowmont and thank you Crafthaus, with this scholarship you have enriched my life with knowledge, friendships and lasting memories.</span></p> Day 6...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-05:2104389:Topic:5529532016-08-05T21:41:40.106ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
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<p><span>Today is the last day at the studio. As usual it started with choosing another special handmade mug for my morning coffee and a cup for my water...</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775790?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775790?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p><br></br><span>At the studio, everyone was putting the final touches on the work they've been doing this week. There was six of us in Ana's class. This is…</span></p>
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<p><span>Today is the last day at the studio. As usual it started with choosing another special handmade mug for my morning coffee and a cup for my water...</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775790?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775790?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/><span>At the studio, everyone was putting the final touches on the work they've been doing this week. There was six of us in Ana's class. This is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/keslar_10/" target="_blank">Haley Kesler</a> working on little silver pendant using the granulation technique. She also finished a copper flask with a texture made by etching.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776117?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776117?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span>This is Anna Brittingham. She combined the etching techniques we learned with enameling. My picture does not do it justice but those domes are gorgeous.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776155?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776155?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><br/><br/><span>This is the work of <a href="http://www.stacylynnemotte.net/" target="_blank">Stacy Lynn Motte</a>. She was not feeling too well the past two days, nonetheless she managed to practice much of what we learned.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776177?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776177?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/><span>This is the work of Richard Vanstrum. He is a photographer so he actually went around campus and captured these beautiful images with his camera and then converted them into texture using the various techniques that Ana taught. isn't that clever?</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772690?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772690?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773400?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773400?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"/></a></span></p>
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<p>Richard is also a wood turner. On the first day of class he offered each one of us a bottle stopper which he carved on his very own rose engine lathe. This is the one I choose. I will treasure it, thank you Richard!</p>
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<p>And finally, this is Vicki Osowiecki wearing one of her beautiful pendants.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772730?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772730?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-center"/></a><br/></p>
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<p>Even Ana was working on her latest project for her upcoming show at the <a href="http://www.georgetownartcentertx.org/calendar/exhibit-texas-metalsmiths/" target="_blank">Georgetown Art Center</a>. Ana's most recent inspiration comes from her travels. The bracelet she is working on in the picture below is from an image she took of a water waste vent in a cobblestone road in Paris. The vent had these rocks caught in the grids that made her think of "stone setting". She plans to set rough cut diamonds in the grid to emulate the effect. We got to follow along to see how she used various textures to replicate the cobblestone effect. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776169?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776169?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776433?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776433?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>I met Naomi Noel Snortum during the shuttle drive from the airport. We did not talk much then as we were all tired. I got to have lunch with her today and learned that she traveled 24 hours by bus to get to Arrowmont. Naomi came all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attend the enameling workshop. You can see some of her beautiful work <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naominoeldesign/?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">here</a>.</span> <br/><br/><span>I am posting this much earlier than usual because the library (where I use the computers to post) will close by six pm on the last day. So before I head to dinner, I will leave you with a video clip I took from a special screening that Jason Mitcham put together of his student's finalized project. Enjoy!</span></p>
<p><span><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IL87Ksyc15g?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</span></p> Day 5...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-05:2104389:Topic:5529332016-08-05T01:35:26.572ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
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<p><span>I went for the minimalist black and white simple lines today in my choice of coffee mug and water cup.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773977?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773977?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p><br></br><span>You may have gathered from reading my posts that our day is full packed with activities. Our daily schedule starts with breakfast 7:30-8:30 am. We are in the studio full blast by 9 am. In no time, we find our selves at 12 noon…</span></p>
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<p><span>I went for the minimalist black and white simple lines today in my choice of coffee mug and water cup.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773977?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773977?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/><span>You may have gathered from reading my posts that our day is full packed with activities. Our daily schedule starts with breakfast 7:30-8:30 am. We are in the studio full blast by 9 am. In no time, we find our selves at 12 noon heading to lunch. We are back in the studio by 1:30 pm for more learning until dinner time at 5:30 pm. After dinner we are treated to artist stalks by the teachers, residents and teaching assistants. It is really a tight but today I decided to take time out to walk around and explore the other studios. Here is fiber artist Adrienne Sloane with her students in action.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772868?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772868?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>And artist <span>Zeke Leonard with his students</span></p>
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<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776115?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776115?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span>Arrowmont has different gallery and exhibition spaces in their buildings showcasing their permanent collection as well as the works of the teachers and students. I've been passing through them as I walk in and out of the studio. Today I decided to take my time admiring all that is on exhibition. Here is a selection of the pieces that spoke to me.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773045?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773045?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/><span>In the studio we got to learn enameling. As promised, Kat Cole gave us a demo in exchange for Ana our instructor giving her students a demo in metal etching.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058774284?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058774284?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a><br/><br/></p>
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<p><span>I love the collaborative feel of Arrowmont. Not only did Ana and Kat collaborate as teachers, they also made a piece together with Kat's assistant, Samantha Clarke, and donated it to Arrowmont for sale. It is not yet decided wether it will be sold by auction or at the shop but I made sure they let me know because I'm certainly eyeing this piece! Here you can see the piece worn by Kat in the middle with Ana to her left and Samantha to her right.</span><br/><br/></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772953?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772953?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span>At dinner I got to chat with Bill May the executive director of Arrowmont. He told me about the long history of this place. I did not realize that Arrowmont was here before there was even a town called Gatlinberg. Apparently, the first electrical hookup in this area was to Arrowmont. The first movie ever shown was at the red barn.</span><br/><br/><span>After dinner we enjoyed talks by the teacher assistants. Here is a clip from Elisha Harteis' talk who has finished her BFA just last year.</span></p>
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<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dWWz9v30YZU?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/><span>After the talks we had "studio tour" where we got to walk into all the classroom studios and see what everyone has been doing for the past five days. In this video clip, notice the oooohs and aaaahs as people walk up to the works.</span></p>
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<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q7T0IUzd7Fo?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/><span>It is storming bad out so I hope that by the time I finish posting this, the rain will have stopped and I can go back to my room and not get too wet.</span></p> Day 4...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-04:2104389:Topic:5529222016-08-04T01:26:50.453ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<div id="AppleMailSignature">Another fresh and serene morning at Arrowmont. Today's choice of coffee mug spoke to me, see for yourself. I also chose a cup for my water...…</div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775657?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775657?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">Another fresh and serene morning at Arrowmont. Today's choice of coffee mug spoke to me, see for yourself. I also chose a cup for my water...</div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775657?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775657?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775885?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775885?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-right"/></a></div>
<div>Here is one of the new friends I made today. Her name is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaity.asimos" target="_blank">Kaity Asimos.</a> She will be graduating from the University of North Florida with a ceramics degree this upcoming semester. I was surprised to meet so many University art students here at Arrowmont. Since they already have access to college level education in the arts, I wondered why they would come here. I guess this speaks to the quality of what is offered at Arrowmont.</div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">Did you notice her cup of choice?</div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773628?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773628?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a></div>
<div>In the studio we learned granulation today. For that, you'd ball up many tiny silver spheres and attach them by heat in clusters or a pattern. Here you see Ana arranged them as an arrow, a tribute to Arrowmont</div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">One of the challenges of this technique is sorting the different sizes of tiny silver spheres. Ana came up with such a clever method to do that. She made all these little sieves that stack in gradually in a pipe with the largest on top. You'd poor the mixture of tiny spheres in and they'll pass through only if they are small enough. Eventually they'll sort with the larger on top. So clever!</div>
<div><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773860?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773860?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">In between the learning I tried to apply some of what I learned. Here is the result of my silver etching using nitric oxide.</div>
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<div><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776080?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776080?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">I also went shopping today. Wednesdays is open studio day at Arrowmont. We get to go into the artists-in-residence studios, talk to them, learn about their process and buy from them. Here are the treasures I nabbed: ceramics from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/austin.riddle.71" target="_blank">Austin Riddle</a></div>
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<div><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058774987?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058774987?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
<div id="AppleMailSignature">and a necklace and earrings from <a href="http://www.maialeppo.com/" target="_blank">Maia Leppo</a></div>
<div><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775468?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775468?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">Dinner was a cookout. Yummmmm</div>
<div><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775795?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775795?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></div>
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<div id="AppleMailSignature">I leave you with a clip of one of the evening talks (my kind of entertainment :) by <a href="http://zekeleonard.com/home.html" target="_blank">Zeke Leonard</a>.</div>
<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RAlJP2raJTk?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div> Day 3...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-03:2104389:Topic:5527382016-08-03T01:23:16.781ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p>Before I came here I imagined that I would wake up to the sound of the birds. Well I do for real, take a listen to the video I shot walking to breakfast.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/41-zUL32jvQ?wmode=opaque" width="560"></iframe>
<br></br><br></br>And my coffee mug of choice today...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776043?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776043?profile=original" width="558"></img></a></p>
<p><br></br>In the…</p>
<p>Before I came here I imagined that I would wake up to the sound of the birds. Well I do for real, take a listen to the video I shot walking to breakfast.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/41-zUL32jvQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/>And my coffee mug of choice today...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776043?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776043?profile=original" width="558" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/>In the studio we learned silver reticulation. Because reticulation requires making silver with at least 18% copper, we also learned how to melt in the copper, make an ingot and then stretch it to a sheet.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775524?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775524?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/>We had time today to practice what we learned yesterday. It was so much fun my day literally sparkled, just take a look...</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BTPezwwT5qk?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/>I made a friend today. Please meet Karen Yost. Karen is taking a painting class with Jason Mitcham whose amazing work is in the video at the end of this post.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775313?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775313?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p><br/>I actually made more than one friend every single day. This is one of the perks of Arrowmont. You're hanging out with like minded people who are here to have a good time and enjoy art. It's hard not to make friends. <br/><br/>What is the evening entertainment you ask?<br/><br/>More art! We are treated in the evening to a slide show of artwork and talks by the artist residents and the teachers. This is part of Kat Cole's talk. She is an enamelist teaching liquid enamel in the studio next door to our studio class.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8jgMfa3Gm9M?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/><br/>We are lucky cause she and Ana made an exchange where Ana demoed electro etching to her students and Kat will demo liquid enameling to us on Thursday morning. Bonus learning!<br/><br/>It's Karoke night so I'm off to do some singing. I will leave you with Jason's amazing animation paintings.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hUe2KqRS24k?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p></p> Day 2...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-02:2104389:Topic:5527122016-08-02T00:57:32.167ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p>Check out my breakfast! Those blueberries are the size of my head! I told you yesterday the food was good but I did not want to say more until I've tried a few meals to confirm ;) As of this writing, I've had four meals now and they were ALL deeeelicious. There was always a variety to suit different tastes and diets.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773600?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773600?profile=original" width="640"></img></a></p>
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<p>The best part is that every time we…</p>
<p>Check out my breakfast! Those blueberries are the size of my head! I told you yesterday the food was good but I did not want to say more until I've tried a few meals to confirm ;) As of this writing, I've had four meals now and they were ALL deeeelicious. There was always a variety to suit different tastes and diets.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773600?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773600?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>The best part is that every time we can pick a different hand thrown art mug to drink the coffee with. What a pleasure it is to drink from those cups and connect with the hands that made them.<br/><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776572?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776572?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/>This was the first full day at the studio and boy did we learn a LOT! Here is a recap: we learned how to engrave a hammer with a texture that can be hammered into the metal.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773848?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773848?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><br/></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778360?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778360?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a></p>
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<p>We also learned how to etch metal using a variety of materials as resist such as sharpie, spray paint and PnP blue paper.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776832?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058776832?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>We learned electrical etching using a lawn mower battery or even an old phone charger.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778631?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778631?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><br/>And finally three different alternative cast methods. Here is Ana taking on some serious heat! It was full day indeed!</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778714?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778714?profile=original" width="484" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p> Travel Day...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-08-01:2104389:Topic:5522912016-08-01T02:20:46.839ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p><span>While walking to my gate at Dulles airport I came across this wall installation by sculptor <a href="https://yurikoyamaguchi.com" target="_blank">Yuriko Yamaguchi</a> titled "Wonder of Wonders".</span></p>
<p><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775940?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="640"></img></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777764?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777764?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a></p>
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<p><span>There is such an intrigue to these objects, not only be</span>cause they invite you to decipher…</p>
<p><span>While walking to my gate at Dulles airport I came across this wall installation by sculptor <a href="https://yurikoyamaguchi.com" target="_blank">Yuriko Yamaguchi</a> titled "Wonder of Wonders".</span></p>
<p><img width="640" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058775940?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="640" class="align-full"/></p>
<p><a width="300" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777764?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777764?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-right"/></a></p>
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<p><span>There is such an intrigue to these objects, not only be</span>cause they invite you to decipher them but they also invite you to touch them. I think they are cast bronze but because of their surface texture they seem so soft. I guess surface texture is on my mind since I'm heading to Arrowmont to learn about all that from <a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AnaMLopez" target="_self">Ana</a>.</p>
<p>I got to my gate and boy oh boy...that was one small plane! I'm not afraid of flying but small spaces do a thing on me. Most of the men had to bend their heads while walking through the plane in order not to hit the ceiling. I managed to take my mind off of the cramped space with an episode of the Outlander. That is an awesome show by the way, one episode and you'll be addicted.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772876?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="640" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772876?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/></p>
<p>Thanks to a tip from <a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/LeisaRich" target="_self">Leisa Rich</a>, I found out that there is a shuttle by Rocky Top Tours that picks up attendees at the airport. I should have contacted them in advance to make arrangements, but it turned out others have requested for the same time as my arrival time. So it all worked out and I found the shuttle driver right by the baggage claim area holding an "Arrowmont" sign. The car ride was longer than the flight but it was lovely looking out the window to the beautiful landscape and the mountains in the horizon.</p>
<p><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772813?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772813?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span>At Arrowmont I checked-in and YES! I </span>was given accommodation at the red barn, the most charming of all the buildings. Turns out though that there are no air conditions in the red barn rooms but honestly it is not bad at all. I prefer a breeze from a fan than an air condition. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772860?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058772860?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span>I had just enough time to unpack and settle in before dinner started. The food is awesome and I'll tell you more about it in later posts. Immediately after dinner we had an orientation where they warned us not to interact with the bears or other critters we may encounter in the woods (as if I would? Lol). I was surprised that the workshop started right after that. I thought everyone would be tired from travel ( I certainly was), but Ana was full of enthusiasm and energy up till 9 pm! Here is a glimpse of something she demoed: using brass shapes to imprint a design on copper using the press.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773254?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058773254?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><span>I am off to sleep now and looking forward to tomorrow...</span></p> About the workshop...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-07-30:2104389:Topic:5525412016-07-30T15:29:30.384ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p><span>The more you know about a craft the more you'll appreciate those crafted objects. Few people ponder deeply about how an object is made because they would not know where to start. For those of us who "make", the wonderment of how an object is made makes us pause...pause...and then pause some more. This workshop is going to give me the opportunity to add even more wonderment to the objects I make. Here is the description of the workshop</span><br></br><br></br><span>COURSE…</span></p>
<p><span>The more you know about a craft the more you'll appreciate those crafted objects. Few people ponder deeply about how an object is made because they would not know where to start. For those of us who "make", the wonderment of how an object is made makes us pause...pause...and then pause some more. This workshop is going to give me the opportunity to add even more wonderment to the objects I make. Here is the description of the workshop</span><br/><br/><span>COURSE DESCRIPTION</span><br/><br/><span>Explore the exciting world of plastic, chemical, heat-based and fabricated textures in metal. Students will learn a variety of surface-altering techniques.</span><br/><span>Plastic deformation: Using hammers and stamps, making custom texturing hammers, hydraulic die embossing, roller printing, custom electro-etching steel plates for embossing and roller printing</span><br/><span>Surface removal: chemical etching (including the use of PNP Blue resist), physical grinding</span><br/><span>Molten metal: alternative casting (ice, straw, cuttlefish), fusing (granulation and filings), reticulation</span><br/><span>Additive practices: Soldered elements, decorative rivets </span><br/><span>The emphasis for the above techniques will be surface effects. We will also discuss the challenges associated with their inclusion in finished work. This workshop will enable participants to create a range of surface finishes for application in many metalworking and jewelry scenarios. All levels.</span><br/><br/><span>Here is an image that Ana sent me as examples of some of those surface techniques we'll be learning in the course.</span><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778546?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058778546?profile=original" width="640" class="align-full"/></a><br/><br/><span>Here is an image of the items I prepared to bring with me as described in the materials list.</span><br/><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777439?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058777439?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a><span>MATERIALS LIST</span><br/><br/><span>12 or more 1/0 jewelers saw blades</span> <br/><span>Borax-based flux for nonferrous metals</span><br/><span>x-acto knife</span> <br/><span>Hard, *medium, easy silver solder (a few inches each)</span><br/><span>1 inexpensive ball-peen hammer to alter</span> <br/><span>Jeweler’s saw</span><br/><span>12x12” copper foil (28 -30 gauge)</span> <br/><span>Beeswax or other saw lubricant</span><br/><span>3 oz sterling silver casting grain</span> <br/><span>Set of 5 needle files</span><br/><span>20 gauge sterling sheet 3x3”</span> <br/><span>Half round hand file #0 or #2 cut</span><br/><span>10 gauge wire (*brass, *copper or sterling) 1foot</span> <br/><span>Padlock for your studio locker, if desired (for rent in the Supply Store).</span><br/><br/><span>I forgot to bring saw blades but fortunately we were told that we can purchase many of these items from the supply store.</span><br/><br/><span>As you all know by now, I live in Abu Dhabi, UAE but I come back to my home State of Virginia every summer. I am now in Virginia staying with my daughter who is going to College here. I will be taking a flight tomorrow morning from Dulles airport to McGhee Tyson airport in Knoxville, TN. I have't yet made arrangement for how I will get from the airport to Gatlinburg where Arrowmont is but I will tell you all about tomorrow since from now on, I'll be posting daily at the end of the day.</span><br/><br/><span>I am off to pack now. I'll talk to you tomorrow from the wonderful Arrowmont campus, I can't wait!!!</span></p> Here's what happened...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-07-26:2104389:Topic:5521092016-07-26T02:16:16.773ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p><span>A short time after I joined Crafthaus, I noticed a post announcing the Crafthaus/Arrowmont scholarship to attend a summer workshop. Not thinking that I would be selected at all, I went ahead and started browsing the catalogue offerings to see what some lucky artist out there could possibly attend when selected for the scholarship. As I flipped through the many pages full of offerings and day dreaming myself attending the workshops instead of some lucky artist out there, I noticed that…</span></p>
<p><span>A short time after I joined Crafthaus, I noticed a post announcing the Crafthaus/Arrowmont scholarship to attend a summer workshop. Not thinking that I would be selected at all, I went ahead and started browsing the catalogue offerings to see what some lucky artist out there could possibly attend when selected for the scholarship. As I flipped through the many pages full of offerings and day dreaming myself attending the workshops instead of some lucky artist out there, I noticed that my heart started to beat faster with excitement. By the time I got to the month of July offerings and I saw the image of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arrowmont.org/workshops-classes/workshop-details/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=79" target="_blank">Ana Lopez's workshop</a>, my heart honestly skipped a beat. I said to myself, if I don't try then I will most certainly not be selected. You can imagine what a delightful surprise it was to me when I received the email from the program director Nick DeFord congratulating me on receiving the scholarship!</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058770995?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="180" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058770995?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="180" class="align-right"/></a> </span></p>
<p><span>Hello, my name is Heba Barazi. This picture is me, feeling so blessed for being part of this.</span></p>
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<p><span>With this blog, I'm going to take you with me on this awesome craft immersion experience, spending seven whole days attending the workshop while living at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arrowmont.org/" target="_blank">Arrowmont</a>. I will start my first blog a week before the July 31st start of the workshop and tell you a bit about myself. Until the start of the workshop, I'll tell you about what I had to do to prepare and what I'm expecting at the workshop. When my week starts at Arrowmont, I'll give you a recap every evening of all the happenings during the day. Throughout the blog, I will be sure to post as many images as I can so you guys can take the journey with me and I will certainly look forward to your comments and feedback.</span></p>
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<p><span>Before the blogs start coming in I want to leave you with some thoughts on why I want to attend Arrowmont and why I choose Ana's workshop.</span></p>
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<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771093?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771093?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"/></a></span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771212?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771212?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right"/></a>A one week summer trip that includes making art is a vacation many people dream of. Arrowmont with its picturesque site and historical buildings, attracting teachers who are masters in their field, is MY dream vacation.</p>
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<p><span>I can just picture myself after a day of learning, strolling down these quiet paths or sitting on the porch of the red barn, listening to the birds and winding down my day. In the morning I can just imagine waking up to the refreshed sounds of those birds and walking into my workshop to spend my day doing what I love with people who share my passion.</span></p>
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<p><span>Oh my Goodness, it's going to be awesome!</span></p>
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<p><span>Now, for why I choose Ana's workshop. To answer that, let me give you a moment to look at these images of her work.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058769589?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="461" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058769589?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="461" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p><span>What do you think, do I need to explain more?</span></p> A little about me...tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-07-21:2104389:Topic:5515732016-07-21T16:34:02.954ZHeba Barazihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/HebaBarazi
<p><span>My story started like most everyone else's in this field, a love for "making", using my hands to convert a bunch of raw, simple materials into something that could be functional, simply beautiful or perhaps just quirky. The journey that brought me here however was full of twists and turns and my mother was at the center of it all.</span></p>
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<p><span>I loved creating art in all its forms since I was a child, especially crafting with my hands. When the time came to go to…</span></p>
<p><span>My story started like most everyone else's in this field, a love for "making", using my hands to convert a bunch of raw, simple materials into something that could be functional, simply beautiful or perhaps just quirky. The journey that brought me here however was full of twists and turns and my mother was at the center of it all.</span></p>
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<p><span>I loved creating art in all its forms since I was a child, especially crafting with my hands. When the time came to go to college, my mother thought I should nurture my talent and go to art school. I, on the other hand, also loved science and was fascinated by the process of discovery. I foolishly felt that science is way more important than art to people's well being and I wanted to play my part in that. I decided, despite my mother's advice to take the science path and ended up going all the way through that track earning a Ph.D. and becoming a research scientist and a University academic.</span></p>
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<p><span>My twenties and thirties were a very busy time for me, establishing my science career and having my three wonderful children. But, the love of art and craft never left me. So despite how busy I was, I still dabbled with art, teaching myself and jumping from one medium to the other. One day I realized that art is just as important as science. It is true that science is what helps us be physically healthy and control our physical environment to our liking, but how useful is a healthy physical being without a soul and mind nurtured by art?</span></p>
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<p><span>Art is so fundamental to our well being that if you trace our civilization back to the cave man, you'll find that we created art before we created agriculture. How incredibly telling is that? We thought it was more important to beautify our world with art, before we figured out how to feed ourselves. So, I decided to pursue my art seriously just as my mother suggested years ago. Maybe I should have listened to mother from the beginning!</span></p>
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<p><span>I still maintain my scientific and academic career but three years ago I established a home studio and started teaching my self Metalsmithing and Polymer Art through books and online resources. I knew that if I was going to pursue my art seriously, I needed to create a cohesive body of work that represented my creative drive. So, I looked within for inspiration.</span></p>
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<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771308?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771308?profile=RESIZE_480x480" class="align-left" width="450"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #999999;" class="font-size-2">This poem verse is hand written by the author, Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani. The first line translates to "I am a ring jeweled by Damascus..."</span></p>
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<p><span>I am an American of Syrian decent. I was so saddened to realize that the many people who never heard of Syria before the war, now only know her as a war torn country. I decided to use my art to remind people that Syria is a beautiful land and her people have a long history full of culture. I created a series of work inspired by one of Syria's most famous poets, Nizar Qabbani who wrote "I am a ring jeweled by Damascus...". It is a collection of rings each is in turn inspired by other poetry verses romanticizing the beauty and nature of the Syrian land. The whole story can be seen <a href="http://hebabarazi.com/590458/syria-told-through-rings/" target="_blank">here</a></span></p>
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<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771559?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771559?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span>I moved from my home State of Virginia to Abu Dhabi five years ago. Like many Americans, I had an image of the Gulf countries as fairly conservative and somewhat intolerant to others' culture and religion. After moving here, I was surprised to find that the UAE has been so successful at creating a welcoming and tolerant culture while preserving their identity and their religious customs. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an architectural masterpiece, represents the importance of bridging the cultural and religious divide to the people of the UAE. This beautiful notion, along with the spectacular physical beauty of this mosque inspired me to create a collection of wearable art that celebrates the design aesthetics of the mosque and its beautiful message. I leave you with a few pictures, from inspiration to realization.</span></p>
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<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771745?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771745?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771738?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058771738?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>