Trinity Site April 2, 2010

Open to the public: http://www.vivanewmexico.com/sw.trinity.html

The 2010 Etsy Metal Clay Team Charm Bracelet

The Etsy Metal Clay Team will be auctioning off this fantastic handcrafted sterling silver charm bracelet loaded with pure fine silver, bronze and copper charms individually handcrafted and donated by members of the Etsy Metal Clay Team. All proceeds -- that's 100% of the proceeds from the auction -- will benefit Autism Speaks. The charms are loaded with detail and some include colored resins, enamels, gemstone beads, etc. A unique and beautiful collector's item. I will post again when the auction goes live. Please help us help Autism Speaks!

Participate in this auction of a charm bracelet made by members of the Etsy MetalClay Team. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks.Thank You for helping us raise money for this wonderful organization.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320612944730&ru=http://shop.ebay.com:80/%3F_from%3DR40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=320612944730&_sacat=See-All-Categories&_fvi=1&_rdc=1#ht_915wt_978

Ooh La La Christmas Home Tour - New Mexico

Ooh La La Christmas Home Tour in New Mexico, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, started by a group of New Mexicans who wanted to make a difference in the lives of severely injured service men and women. In 2009 and 2010 they chose to support the Wounded Warrior Project. On December 12, 2009 at the Army/Navy game, Ooh La La Christmas was proud to present a check to Wounded Warrior Project for $352,000.

Friday, November 12, 2010 is the date for this years Benefit Dinner & Dance. There will also be a live auction of items donated by local businesses and artists. I have donated two of my jewelry items.

For more information:

OOH LA LA CHRISTMAS
8500 SNAKEDANCE COURT NE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87111
505-856-8582
505-821-4351 FAX

info@oohlalachristmas.org

Water Etching

On Saturday, September 25 - I was fortunate enough to have the time to take a new Metal Clay Class. Water Etching is a technique traditionally used by potters, and is now used by metal clay artist.

I had seen some information on this technique on another artists blog, and thought it would be a intriguing new way to create texture to metal clay. So when I saw the class offered I was thrilled. Our group consisted of only eight artists in the class, all of which have been working with metal clay for several years.

The easiest way to describe this process is that you paint a design on to dry (unfired) clay; using a damp sponge, gently wipe the clay so that the unpainted section is slightly lower than the design; allow the piece to dry again, and then fire. After the piece is fired you can finish it in which ever style you desire.

For my bracelet, it was tumbled for 20 minutes, brass brushed, and a patina added using liver of sulfur. For more information on local classes visit the PMC Guild (www.pmcguild.com) or New Mexico Clay (www.nmclay.com)

The Road to Trinitiy

Earlier this summer we were fortunate enough to have some time available to partake in an exclusive tour of the Trinity Site. Hosted by the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (in Albuquerque, NM) the tour was limited to two bus loads of adventurers.

The Trinity Site is the place where the first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945 at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain Time. Located within the White Sands Missile Range the site was declared a historic landmark in 1975. The 51,500 acre area includes the spot where the bomb was exploded – Ground Zero, the Schmidt/McDonald House – where the plutonium core for the bomb was assembled, and Base Camp – where the scientists and support personnel lived.

Twice a year the site is open to the public – once in the spring and once in the fall.
But our tour took place on June 24, 2010 – and was very different in regards to the volume of people attending the event.

The advantages of going on the tour are that the museums docents provide great information along the way, you don’t have to do the driving, you’re in a comfortable air-conditioned environment, and lunch is included. Did I mention you don’t have to do the driving – you’ll really appreciate this on the way back home.

While there be on the look out for Trinitite – the name given to the green glass that formed on the desert floor from the explosion. Please do not remove any of the Trinitite you might find. Not only is it strictly prohibited, but so much of it has already been removed that there are only a few pieces left to be discovered and enjoyed by the next group of visitors. The piece in the photo was returned to the ground – maybe you can find it again on your adventure to Ground Zero.

BTW: The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will be hosting another Trinity Tour in October 2010. For more information you can visit the museum at 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, or call 505-245-2137. Plus don’t forget to check out their web site: http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/

Trinitite

Ground Zero

For a 360 view of Ground Zero go to:
http://www.uraniumcafe.com/video/Trinity%20Ground%20Zero.mov