PMC Earrings

I was born and raised in Ecuador and came to the United States to go to college. I graduated from the University of New Mexico. Immediately after graduation I accepted a position teaching Spanish in the Peace Corps/College Degree Program at SUNY Brockport, in Brockport, NY, where I live with my husband Herb.

In June of 1999, I retired from teaching after twenty-eight years at Hilton High School. My love for teaching Spanish and my admiration for art led me to cooperative teaching with the Art Department in the High School. I co-authored one book on contemporary women poets of Ecuador and several guides for teaching communicative competence in foreign languages.

Soon after retirement, I discovered Precious Metal Clay and have been working with it ever since. Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is a product from Japan. It consists of microscopic particles of silver or gold suspended in an organic binder to create a pliable material with a consistency similar to modeling clay. After shaping, drying and firing, the binder completely burns away so what remains can be hallmarked as .999 silver or gold. I have been certified by the Precious Metal Clay Guild and by PMC Connection. I have taken workshops under Celie Fago, an outstanding Senior Teacher for the PMC Guild. I teach PMC jewelry making in the area Continuing Education Programs, at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery and in my studio.

My family background includes a long line of recognized artists and musicians. Much of my artistic inspiration comes from my South American background as well as the Native and Hispanic cultures I discovered, admire, and often visit in New Mexico.

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Studio34 jewelry arts learning center was founded in 1998 as a public access studio. It is owned by Marilynne Lipshutz - a psychotherapist by day and bead maker every other waking minute. Marilynne is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) and founder of the Upstate New York Glass Bead and Jewelry Guild.

Part of Studio 34 Bead Mercantile, the studio gallery, and the learning center is cooperatively managed by 16+ instructors . This diverse and highly talented group of people are the unique ingredients of the learning environment.

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