Nona (Voss) Bushman received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education (emphasis: Jewelry) from Western Michigan University in 1973. She has also taken courses at Calvin College and Grand Valley State University. Her first job was teaching Art classes to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Lowell Middle School.
Nona has been in Art Education for 34 years. By 1974 she began teaching at East Kentwood High School, and stayed there for 33 years. At EKHS, Nona taught all different kinds of Art for grades 9 -12. She specialized, however, in the three-dimensional areas of Jewelry, Sculpture and Ceramics.
Nona retired from EKHS in 2006 and is currently working from home on her custom jewelry business. She is also teaching a Jewelry Workshop course from her home studio on Wednesday evenings from October through December, 2008.
Nona has established many life-long friendships with former students, and even claims to have adopted a former student, David Huang, as her son 23 years ago. David is now a nationally-acclaimed artist specializing in sculptural vessels. David is still an integral member of Nona's extended family.
She has only one biological daughter, Carla McClenathan. Carlie has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Master of Arts in Family Life Science, both from Western Michigan University. She lives in Royal Oak, Michigan with her miniature dachshund, Gideon. Currently, she is a “Family and Consumer Science” teacher at Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, near Detroit.
Nona now resides in Wyoming, Michigan, near Grand Rapids, with her husband, Joe, and their two dachshund “children,” Hansel and Gretel.
Nona enjoys making jewelry, talking, teaching, shopping, traveling, rock hunting, going to art shows, festivals, and museums, as well as visiting with family and friends. She collects artwork, books, ceramic mugs, and gemstones.
.
Jewelry Class
We will meet Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m., Febraury 10- March 31, 2010 ( I will also keep one class open, if we need another class).Would like 6(min) - 8(max) students..
Details:
At my house; 1549 Mulligan Dr S.W., Wyoming MI, 49509 (off Burlingame) $25 a class or $120 for entire 6 week course if paid in full, plus cost of supplies
Techniques we will work with in Jewerly class include: sheet metal fabrication, bezel set stone settings and csting.
Extra:
It is also possible that we can take a rock hunting field trip, or go to an art show, if students are interested and schedules work out.
Please call (616 538-8158 or 616 250-0277) or email (nonajewelry@gmail.com) as soon as possible, if you are seriously interested in being in this class. I would especially appreciate a check for $120 in the mail, prior to the start of the class, however, you may pay on October 14, if you prefer.Thank you so much for your interest in creating custom jewelry. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon. If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions, please let me know. I believe we will have a fun, exciting time together and I promise you will be pleased with the jewelry you create..
Suggested Tools and Supplies:
Please organize the following in a small toolbox, shoebox, backpack or totebag:
1. sketchbook - 9" x 12" white drawing paper (any size would be fine)
2. pencil w/ eraser (optional: dark colored pen and/or fine tipped, permanent marker)
3. ruler - 6" to 12" (shape templates - handy, but optional)
4. scissors
5. rubber cement glue or glue stick and/or super glue gel (optional)
6. small pliers (smooth, not serrated) and/or with wire cutters.
* available at Michael's and/or Hobby Lobby - use 40% off coupon from G.R. Press
7. wet/dry finishing or emery paper (usually dk. gray or black) in the following grits: 220 or 240, 320, 400, 600, 1500, 1 sheet 8" x 11" of each grit is plenty.
8. small, organizing containers (optional)
9. tracing paper ( only, if available)
10. jeweler's sawblades ( I will have them available for purchase)
Jewelry materials, supplies and tools can be found in hardware & plumbing stores, also dollar stores, arts & crafts places, some drug stores & hobby shops. Especially good local sources are Michael's, Hobby Lobby, & Rider's Hobby Shop ( 616 247-9933).
* If you have any jewelry supplies or tools, please bring them in to class. Please DO NOT go out and buy silver, gold and expensive, specialized tools. I will have all necessary tools & equipment available. I will supply copper and brass scraps for practice. I have solder, flux, oxidizer, etc. for class use. I have also purchased sterling silver sheet & wire, sawblades, polishing cloths, gem stones,
bezel wire, copper, brass & silver tubing, etc. and I will sell it to you, for as reasonable a price, as possible.
