BICAS and ART, yea!

This week was yet again full of BICAS fun. On Tuesday I had the chance to meet with Casey and ask her some very pertinent questions about the jewelry workshop (which was today) and the first mall workshop (which will be on Tuesday). This was very helpful and it was great to see/hear that Casey was excited about all the work we’re doing. This was especially inspiring because I was getting a little concerned that we might be creating more work for her. She reassured me that this was not the fact and had some great ideas for both workshops (the image is taken from Casey’s notebook). She also met with our group before the workshop to show us how the make the inner tube wallets for the mall workshop. These seem very fun...

The jewelry workshop today was WONDERFUL. In preparation, I created a binder that had bike jewelry from the BICAS website and another website that Jamie found. Additionally, it had some “how to” info on basic wire skills, which are necessary when working with the bike parts. I felt hopeful that the visual and written directions that this binder contained would help people during the workshop.

Michelle and Jessie created some wonderful samples that we displayed along with the binder, and Michelle gave a helpful demo on how to do some basic wire/jewelry techniques. All together, I think that we had options for all kinds of learners for the workshop. I also fulfilled my desire for organization by separating all the jewelry parts and labeling them in different bowls. Erin, Jessie, Sarah, Michelle and Jamie helped and did not laugh at my uber organization.

We had almost 20 people in total create jewelry (about half from outside the class/university) and most donated it for the auction (yea!). Personally, I felt that the workshop was a success but I felt frustrated artistically. I wanted to make jewelry but was also dedicated to helping people make their own art. I spent some time with some cute 13 year old girls helping them with their jewelry as well as preparing the paperwork for them to donate their creations. I should have realized that I would not have as much time to create while helping and facilitating. I did manage to make a pair of earrings and a necklace, but am VERY excited for the jewelry workshop facilitated by the outreach/workshop committee as I will get to create more!




Tuesday is our next challenge…inner tube wallets…very exciting.