My Inspiration!

Two years ago today, part of my inspiration left this world, but he will always be in my heart. Two years ago, he closed his eyes and crossed over to his eternal reward. He died of complications of being old, that being one of the major causes of death for elderly people.

Born in 1921, he lived through the depression, World War II, serving with honor in the European theater during World War II. He came home to his child bride, started a family, and spent the next 65 or so years setting the best example a parent could possibly set. He worked hard, played hard, worshiped fervently, and loved his wife and family unconditionally.

From my earliest memories, I saw him as a benevolent patron of the arts, from the beginning bragging on my little artistic endeavors - making me want to do better and better. He was a extraordinary doodler and I still have in my possession some of his absentminded doodles. They are, to me, reminders of the great love he had for us all. He was never idle for a minute (the idle mind is the devil's workshop). He always had at least a pen and even the tiniest scrap of paper to fill with his doodles.

Leslie Wade Tyler

July 25, 1921-September 27, 2009

PMC is my new love - and my old love. I have loved PMC since 2004 when I first read an ad inThe Memphis Flyer for PMC classes. I signed up right away and attended with 2 other ladies that knew very little about the product or the process.

My instructor was knowledgeable and inspiring. She had lots of samples of things she had made. I knew when that class ended that I would take another and another and another until I was sure of my proficiency with the craft. spent two hours, one night a week for 4 weeks immersing myself

That was 7 years ago. Little did I know at that time, that PMC was in it's infancy - with new variations and new products coming quickly on the heels of the original. When I first laid eyes on the product, I that PMC3 was new. Now there is PMC Pro. There is gold PMC, copper PMC, bronze PMC, steel PMC. Add to that, glass clay - yes, glass that can be formed as a clay, fired and become colorful pieces of glass. Think of the possibilities.

I took one more class and delved deeper into the most fascinating medium that I had ever worked with. Being an art major in college (eons ago) the only classes taught were

drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, design, and printmaking. I had independently taken a copper jewelry class and loved it. PMC brought together so many of the things I have loved to do over the years.

Unfortunately, before I could take another class, my instructor was killed in an automobile accident. I didn't know that at the time, so I kept emailing her and trying to call her to arrange to pick up a couple of pieces of mine that she had kept to fire and to arrange for that next class. I finally gave up and started looking on the internet for classes. I learned that I could take a 3 day certification class and be qualified to teach. Obviously a teacher was needed in my community.

Since I couldn't find an instructor locally, I signed up for the certification class in Chattanooga Tennessee - three days of classes that would take me to the level that I would be able to teach classes. At the last minute, the class was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Back to square 2.

I found an instructor outside of Nashville Tennessee, signed up, and showed up at Mudpuddle Pottery for my 3 day certification class. The rest, as they say, is history. I was (and still am) hooked.

The great thing about PMC is that it can compliment any other art or craft that one is interested in - especially jewelry. Enameling can be done on the PMC as well as mixing of the metals. This is something that I haven't tried yet, but cannot wait to dig in.

I will be, over the next couple of weeks, finalizing my first lesson plan for an introduction to PMC. I will start with an informative demonstration and set up a basic class from the interested parties in attendance. The class will be small (4 or 5 people) and, at the end, everyone will take home a piece of fine silver jewelry.

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