Happy November 1st. With a new month comes a new series that will be happening on Thursdays. In the last few months you may have heard me talk about CRAFTED. This great space in San Pedro where local artisans come to showcase their work on a weekly basis Friday through Sunday.
Because the Holiday’s are officially right around the corner I thought id’ be a GREAT time to showcase some of the Vendors at CRAFTED with a series of Interview questions:
First up: Delia Marsellos-Traister from Phoenix Magyk and Clay Magyk located at booths A113 and A114 in CRAFTED.
Copyright: Phoenix Magyk and Clay Magyk
Explain your business to me: In the Phoenix Magyk store: I create wearable jewelry art and small sculptural pieces, like wish Boxes/trinket boxes . . . in, primarily fine silver. Much of my work is about adornment with meaning; for example I create Chinese Chop Character pendants and Rune pendants. These pieces are a companion to one’s path/journey.
I use gemstones in my pieces, and create mixed-media with glass, ceramic, bisque, wood and sometimes polymer clay.
Fine silver is .999 silver vs. sterling which is .925. Fine silver has no companion alloy whereas sterling has copper or nickel or sometime both.
The medium I start out with is called “metal clay”. This is a material of fine silver particles combined with an organic binder. The material is handled similarly to modeling clay – formed as I choose and when completely dry, it is fired with a torch or in a kiln. During the firing process, the binder burns off, the molecules of silver bond and I am left with just the silver creation I desire. The metal can be treated as any other metal eg; soldered, enameled, or given a coloring with liver of sulfur and many other options.
In the Clay Magyk store: I curate the work of new/newer/emerging/shy metal clay artists. Currently there are 4 artists sharing work in that space; Robin Foley, Imprecious/Myriad Design; Pam Raymer-Lea, Editor Jewelry; Laura Moore, Billy’s A Bad Kitty and Shannon Abler, Inspiration 513. I am so excited to share the work of these artists that for various reasons don’t get the exposure their work deserves and are not ready for a commitment as big as Crafted. This space is also where I usually do demonstrations and teach small classes.
At CRAFTED, in the past, I have seen live demonstrations. Will this continue to happen?
Starting in November, I will be doing metal clay demonstrations again, on Sundays and as long as folks sign-up, I’ll be back to doing classes at Crafted.
The demo takes about 20 mins. Watchers can then sit and play with a bit o’ clay and make a small object for $25.
Classes are $70 and will be from 3 to 6pm. Artists have use of all necessary tools to use for the class, a pack of clay and a small gemstone. They will walk away with a finished piece and any unused clay and all former students can contact me for free tutoring.
How did you get involved in Clay Making? [metal clay arts]
I’ve been in the gem and jewelry industry since ’94. I have always wanted to fabricate my own designs. When I looked into traditional metalsmith classes and equipment, I felt locked out of the field due to the cost. I actually don’t remember how I heard of metal clay, but I did and researched it for almost a year. I finally bought a book, a kit, some clay, and haven’t looked back since.
Beyond creating pretties for people to have, I love teaching. For me, there is no greater satisfaction than the expression on an artists face, as they fire their first piece and marvel at what they have created.
Do you have a favorite piece you enjoy creating?
Oh this is tough. I really enjoy custom work, particularly original design work. I love making a personalized Rune, Chinese Chop Character, Tarot or Loteria piece. And I suppose my absolute fave thing to make and share, would be a whimsical rings. Right now, in the store, you can find Alejandro the mouse, racing in his VW bug, content to do so on a ring, and you can meet Max the Mouse and Cadwell the Cat: having grown weary of the chase, Max built a cage and trapped Caldwell… in an “Reversal of Fortune” ring.
Is there a way we can connect with you on facebook, etsy, twitter, website, etc?
My etsy site is rather sparse right now, but I’ll be getting it updated by early November.
You guys also do classes, correct?
I talked about above at Crafted. I also teach at Glendale Community College, Santa Monica College and Otis College of Art and Design – all in the CE departments.
And for any of my Minnesota Girl in LA readers, if you stop into CRAFTED and love what you see at Phoenix Magyk and Clay Magyk Delia is giving out this offer: For anyone that visits the store and tells me they read about me in your blog AND tries on a Phoenix Original, I’d be happy to share a “Magyk” charm. That’s a $30 value gift in fine silver with patina, ready to place on a chain. Allow 1 week for creation. From press time until December 1.
And a few pictures of what she creates pulled from the Phoenix Magyk Facebook page:
Titanium Druzy on fine silver … Silk and leather necklace
Isn’t the jewelry beautiful??? I have my eyes on a few of the rings. Make sure to stop by CRAFTED and say hi to Delia the next time you’re there.
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