My Week With Robert Dancik

This past week has been an amazing experience. I spent the past 5 days with 6 terrific ladies plus a gracious gentleman and our instructor - Robert Dancik. Robert taught the eight of us how to use old (or not so old in some cases) materials in a new way and learn techniques to apply these materials to jewellery.

We spent the week exploring alternative materials and cold connections at the beautiful  Hacienda Mosaico, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Our hostess, Sam Leonard, took very good care of all of us. After devouring the tasty meals she served, with Robert's instruction and help, we experimented, designed and created some tremendous jewellery and components.

We also had time to leave Hacienda Mosaico and visit a local hardware store and a second-hand shop, where we collected some interesting "stuff" (rusty nails and rusty faces of the sun, moon, flowers and leaves made out of cast iron), which we put to good use during the week.

Day One, began with an explanation of what we needed to learn about using concrete as well as making solderless boxes.



concrete in a solderless box

natural concrete / dyed with shoe polish

Day Two, we worked with paper mache, epoxy putty and did some form folding of copper, but the techniques will work with any metal.

paper mache with epoxy putty

paper mache wrapped in polymer clay then faceted

Day Three, we focused on epoxy resin and faux bone. I used a torch that heated the faux bone which allowed me to change the white colour to various shades of brown.

faux bone

real bone in solderless copper half-box

Day Four, we used plexi-glass to make beads by doming 2 halves and then joining them together to fashion the bead. Even bike reflector pieces were incorporated into making lentil beads that actually would remind you of little flying saucers. (sorry no photos)

Day Five, was our chance to make creations using the materials and techniques that Robert shared with all of us! We set stones with tabs, worked with polymer clay and silver clay, learned how to do tube settings and how to create silicon molds. I did not complete any jewellery, but I am working on even more components. So, I will have finished pieces to show you in a few weeks. The beginning of three choices.... (Any suggestions?)

one

two

three

I want to thank Robert for his willingness to share so much info. I could not have asked for more. The best part of this amazing week, for me, was that we laughed, a lot, until our faces hurt. And for this I will be forever grateful. Next year can't come soon enough. I want to do it all again!