Sorta Spring Cleaning...

Hi all - to consolidate my computer time I've decided to shut this 'extra' blog down and rely instead on my main blog: Stuffsmith to provide info on my workshops as well as all other pertinent matter. I'm only one guy, after all, and it's like having a double garage when only owning one car - one side seems to accumulate extra storage because it's there. And my best-laid plans to make this an oft-updated spot? Epic fail, as my 15-year-old would say.

So if you'd like to follow me over to my main blog, you won't miss a beat. Thanks for understanding!

The Times are Dead; Viva la Stuffsmith!

-Keith

Catching Air...

Lest you be curious as to why things have gone suspiciously quiet 'round these parts, the cat is now officially unbagged:  I have been deeply involved in developing all manner of mobiles - hanging, tabletop - and even wearable.

This leads me to announce that I will be premiering a brand-new online workshop via the 2013 Artful Gathering online event. It will be a seriously fascinating and rewarding journey, and I'd love it if you'd join me! Watch the video below to see these birds in action:



POETRY IN MOTION: Making Marvelous Mobiles



Discover and explore the fantastic, kinetic world of the mobile with international artist Keith Lo Bue at the wheel. His sheer joy in the medium is infectious, and his newest online workshop celebrates that excitement as he guides you through making both hanging and table-standing mobiles that spin, wobble, dart and drift, seemingly defying gravity. A minimum of tools and materials are needed to create complex mobiles of wire, metal, wood, paper - even found objects!  As always, Keith will reveal unique techniques and tricks not available anywhere else. Suitable for the rote beginner as well as the seasoned artist, you and those around you will be mesmerised as your creations spring to life before your eyes.
It's time to welcome some serious balance into your life!

Pre-registration is now open - to get on the list: http://www.artfulgathering.com


I've also started a Facebook group for those interested, where I'll keep everyone up to date on new info and developments - join up and bring along some buddies:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/makingmobiles/ 

I'm thrilled to be able to introduce a workshop like no other...

Ciao,

Keith

Happy 6th Birthday, Folio!

Here's a spiffy new video teaser to celebrate the first published catalog survey of my artwork.


Keith Lo Bue's Folio Edition documents work from each year of making, from 1989 to 2006, In 24 full-color plates. Lavishly packaged in a sleek matte-black embossed folio case. Measuring 6" x 8.25" (21 x 14.8cm), each plate has a postcard back listing information about the work.


Rounding out the publication is an eight page booklet of notes and anecdotes about the selected pieces, providing a rich perspective on the artist's creative methods and thought processes.


The folio in addition is equally at home on your shelf of art books, for giving as a gift, or for sending individually as large postcards.


On this, the sixth anniversary of the folio's publication, the price has been cut in half from $50 to $24.99. To order:


http://www.lobue-art.com/books_dvds.html


Music in this trailer generously provided by Akira Rabelais: http://www.akirarabelais.com/

STEELING BEAUTY: Chains, Clasps & Forms in Steel Wire - The New Online Workshop from Keith Lo Bue

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 1st!!!


JULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 (Class extended two extra weeks!)

CLICK HERE FOR INFO / TO JOIN

In the search for interesting materials with which to create,
the richest surprises can come from the most unexpected quarters...

Join internationally-known artist and found-object 'stuffsmith' Keith Lo Bue as he takes you joyfully and intensively into the world of steel wire. Whether you're interested in jewelry, sculpture, mixed-media, textiles or any number of other creative pursuits, STEELING BEAUTY will open your mind to the creative potential of this magic stuff.

With some simple tools and layman-ready information and skills, this mundane material comes thrillingly to life. Super-strong, versatile and - best of all - beautiful, this amazing wire can perform like no other material can.

This online workshop digs even deeper into the world of steel wire than any of his physical classes have dared to go! It's also a great value for the price, with almost EIGHT HOURS of educational, entertaining, informational – and inspirational – tuition.

The seven detailed lessons of Steeling Beauty teach you why steel wire is so special; how to forge it; make jump-rings; create decorative chain links; design and make clasps and hanging elements; develop structural forms, cages and settings; and explore creative possibilities.

Filmed in closeup detail in Lo Bue's Sydney studio, you'll feel like you have a benchside seat from the comfort of your own home.

So learn to create beautiful things with steel wire from one of the artists responsible for bringing it to a mainstream audience and making it such a popular alternative to precious metals.

This course runs over a six-week period - July 15 to September 8, 2012. You'll be able to work at your own pace over the generous eight-week period, watching the video lessons as many times as you'd like, while accessing Lo Bue, who will be available daily to answer questions and offer feedback, tips and advice. All this will make your online experience the next best thing to a live tutoring situation.

So jump online and share Keith's passion for steel wire in his newest and most exciting offering yet!

Video Workshop Length: 7 hours 49 minutes
Workshop Cost: $150

To sign up:
http://artfulgatheringfest.ning.com/page/steeling-beauty-with-keith-lo-bue

Found to Finished - with Keith Lo Bue and Thomas Mann

An exciting weekend was had by all on the 2nd and 3rd of June here at Sydney Jewellery School as Thomas and I brought 16 brilliant students on a whirlwind trip through found object and metal techniques.  I can only hope those involved had as good a time as Tom and I did presenting. 

The challenge: all were given one of these plastic vials, which were to be modified into a wearable piece that would hold a real or imaginary flower or other content. The students' results were pretty spectacular: 

It was a weekend that flew by, and was full of laughter and energy. It left me inspired to go back to my own work with renewed enthusiasm. Thank you to all the attendees. Thanks also to Roz for getting it off the ground and to Tom for his knowledge and friendship.


Keith

New Lo Bue Workshop #7: A FLARE FOR TUBING

Finally, in my list of new workshops to debut this month:


A FLARE FOR TUBING

A custom-made tube-rivet is a rare combination of aesthetic beauty and functional utility. Spend an evening with jeweler Keith Lo Bue and learn to make this simple and elegant connector that will take your work to another level!

Where and when:
 

September 23rd, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #6: SETTING A RECORD - Or, A Lesson In Entrapment.

My sixth brand-new workshop, to premiere in Danbury, CT this October:


SETTING A RECORD. Or, A Lesson In Entrapment.

Discover a myriad of ways to cage, cradle, encase, snare and otherwise set the most unlikely of gemstones: the found object. This exciting 2-day workshop takes participants on a spontaneous and thrilling journey of connecting materials of their own choosing to create utterly one-of-a-kind settings. Join artist Keith Lo Bue and learn to elevate the humblest cast-off to the status of a jewel.

Where and when:

October 7th-8th, 2011: Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here