Women Who Make Beautiful Things: Spotlight On Tammy Randolph

 

Saturday here was a dreary overcast day. One you normally wouldn't want to get out of bed for. But this Saturday was different.  It was one to jump out of bed for. I got one of 12 seats in Amy Howard's workshop in Memphis on antiquing mirror and eglomise. I would even go so far as saying it was a life changing day. Why?  Because the class was taught by Tammy Randolph.  Glass expert.

When I saw this notice in my email, I immediately called to grab a seat and I was the first one to sign up.  [Sigh of relief].  This was my third workshop at Amy Howard's and I say the last is always the best, like husbands. Amy and I married our last and best husbands a week apart 20 years ago.

Tammy has worked at Artisan Studios for five years.  If you see any mirroring work on furniture in the Amy Howard Collection, Tammy did it.

From the Amy Howard Collection HERE.

Mr. Swede has a saying about getting people to do a project like a brick patio.  He says there are technicians and there are artists.  Most people could lay brick with instruction, but a brick in the hands of an artist with talent and vision becomes a masterpiece.  Tammy is an artist.  I can't express how fortunate I feel to be taught by her.  Some artists can't teach.  Tammy can teach and is passionate about her work and thoroughly knowledgeable.  Those are the kind of people you want to take classes from.  If you follow my blog, you know I've been to a few classes in my day.

This class was on taking purchased mirrors, new or old, and antiquing the mirror.  But the real thrill was learning how to do eglomise.  Her examples mounted on the wall were stunning. 

Here are the two products we used. They are $104 through Amy Howard at Home. You will  also need a few other items like mica powder, shellac, spray lacquer, old newspaper, paper towels, black paint, a mylar stencil, etc.  My first project, you ask?

I'm going to start on a few small projects first.  I have several antique mirror frames where the original mirror broke and someone replaced it with new clear mirror.  Well, they just don't look right. On the one above, after I fix the mirror, I am going to antique the metal frame itself that someone has painted solid gold. It needs some history.  Basically, you remove the black paint on the backside with bottle #1 to expose the silvering.  If you are familiar with or have used Franmar Soy Gel paint remover made out of soybeans, this is very similar. Then you manipulate the silver layer with bottle #2.  Amy Howard at Home has a You Tube video of Tammy with the product, but it is really just a teaser, not instruction of all the steps.  The class was a busy full three hours. I highly recommend taking a class even if you are the adventuresome kind as there are so many hints and information that only a master can teach.

And, eglomise?  Holy Cow that was exciting.  I can't wait to try it.

Have you ever wondered how this was done?  I sure did.  The reason this class was what I call life changing is because on Friday I couldn't do antique mirrors [process failed in a former class I took] or do eglomise.  On Saturday I did.  The way I can tell if I attended a great class is if there are so many creative ideas that come to my head that I can't get them all written down fast enough.  And by the time I am driving out of the parking lot, I have already designed products like clock faces, jewelry boxes, framed miniature silhouettes on glass, lamp bases, etc., etc.   Thank you, Tammy.  Such a thrill.

I also want to say one more thing.  Those who know me have heard me talk about what I think the number one characteristic is that makes a leader.  Courage.  Courage to share your talents and teach others what you are skilled at. I said the same thing when I took a class from designer Tobi Fairley in Little Rock.  Good businesswomen understand this.  Thank you Amy Howard for letting Tammy's talents be known by 12 new people.

Summer

Photos: Swede except Amy Howard Collection

 

Comments

[Al Vignolini]

Summer, you a very talented person! I have seen some of your work, it's amazing!! And so are you!!

[maureen]

How exciting! I hope you show the finished product.