SEPTEMBER 7-13, 2026 WILDACRES - WEEK 2
Bridget Matlock - TRASH TO TREASURE
3T TRASH TO TREASURE
Come play with me, Bridget Wilson Matlock, “the queen of what if”! No prior experience is required. You will learn skills needed to cut, polish, and finish scrap metal from decorative tins (candy, cookie, etc.), scrap copper, and any other metals I (or students) have gathered. You’ll learn to safely prepare metals for use in one of a kind jewelry. Isolation of images will lead to the design of interesting shapes which will be incorporated into your unique creations. Once the metal is “finished” (edges smooth, hammered, resin, pleated, alcohol inked, etc.) we will assemble them into earrings, necklaces, or any pieces you envision.
A relaxed, informal, and enjoyable environment, with safety the only rule, should make for an exciting week of class. Work at your own pace. Take off like a sprinter with your creativity or choose to work at a snail’s
pace, as I do, thoughtful and methodical. You will leave the class with several finished pieces (can you say Christmas presents?) and the skills to continue creating at home. I will provide all necessary materials and equipment, but feel free to bring anything in your stash to share. I look forward to meeting you and sharing a creative week like no other!!!
Lab Fee: $150
Estimated Materials Cost: $0 (unless you want to purchase some of the tools we use in class)
Prerequisites: None
Bio:
Bridget Matlock
I began creating when I was very young. My mother was a creative force like no other - wood carver, knitter, quilter, enameler, marbler, and such. How could I not become a creator as well? I was designing and making clothing by the time I graduated from high school and have never looked back. Fiber (sit down work) was my passion for years and still is when I'm too tired to work with metal. Art quilting, painting/dying, shibori, wet felting, knitting and crochet, and print making (cyanotype and monotype). I I began making jewelry while incorporating fiber components, felted wool and silk beads. Today I incorporate my affinity for embellishing by adding alcohol ink, texture, resin and such to make my pieces POP! I am a juried member of the Foothills Craft Guild and Townsend Artisan Guild. My art quilts have won awards in Houston and Paducah, both international shows, and I've had pieces shown in Russia and Japan. I firmly believe that the cross over between different mediums brings opportunity and often an "outside the box" thought process that enriches the finished product. Come play with me!!