Solamente

Beautiful Knots

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One class that my students really like is the Knot Bead Pendant. What is it about this mysterious bead – a chameleon, it is exactly what everyone wants it to be. I have heard people say I must have been angry to make such a tangle, that is is technical, playful, un-solvable. People are intrigued with the complexity and no two are ever the same. I always get comments whenever I wear one – what fun to make evocative jewelry. What’s not to like? (sorry couldn’t resist)

I am teaching the Knot Bead Pendant at Creative Castle on Sunday January 17th. This is one of my favorite places, a lovely, local bead store (LBS) in Newbury Park, California. The owner has a keen sense of color and her staff is really helpful, offering their expertise and knowledge generously. “The Castle” has a great selection of vintage beads, pearls and their semi-precious is remarkable. They are also have extensive seed beads and crystals if that is your medium and they have all the other important stuff: books, tools, wire, chain, and probably most anything bead related you might be looking for. Join us for class and “tie” your own knot.

The class is offered again at Adorn Me! on March 4th. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this retreat, offered in Houston, TX. It is new, exclusively Art Jewelry and the organizer has assembled a really exciting line up of workshops and instructors. She has an impressive track record with Art retreats, check out Art Unraveled. Lots of the classes are still available. In my experience these are classes and instructors who can be hard to schedule because of their popularity. I am taking advantage of the opportunity to take a class or two and add a few more skills to my repertoire. You can use the link or there’s button for Adorn Me! see the top right side of the blog.

Where do I take it from here? For more than a pendant, add other big wire links and build your self a necklace. If you need to learn more about big wire, watch for Whimsical Wire Links and Design, a class that will teach you a library of big wire links. The only limit is your imagination.

“It takes TWO” Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads

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Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads, the magazine, has arrived in your local bead store and it is gorgeous. There are a great variety of projects. These are not just any projects, but collaborations between bead artists and jewelry artists. All the pieces included were juried into the Convergence Show that was displayed at Bead & Button last June and at the ISGB Gathering in July. Want to know how they did that? What goes into making an award winning piece, this magazine is a great resource, not to mention the usual eye candy of great beadwork.

I am proud to have my entry, Fire and Ice Reversible Cuirass included in the magazine. This is a complex, colorful, two-sided wire and glass necklace inspired by a piece of amour called a cuirass. The beads were made by Florida glass artist Holly Young.

Adorn Me! Art Jewelry Retreat

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There’s something new on my calendar for 2010, a retreat just for Art Jewelry. Since my design preference falls somewhere between more is more and just plain over the top, I am really excited to be participating in a retreat where those qualities are valued. Check out Adorn Me! – classes, events, instructor line up and venue – wow! There is so much exciting on the schedule and it will be held at a brand new hotel with off season rates (read more money for jewelry supplies).

I am teaching four classes: Berry Leafy Bracelet; Knot Bead Pendant; Capture the Dragon: Engineering Sculptural Lampwork; and Fantasy Flower Pendant (or pin). The kits are optional, so if you have a burgeoning closet of wire, beads, and findings, you can bring your own. For classes with specialized beads or findings, the unique items will be available for purchase; in other words, you bring the basics and you can buy the hard-to-find items at class. A retreat should be just that, a place to relax, be inspired, add skills to your repetoire and enjoy. With a broad selection of classes both day and evening, an expo for shopping and time to visit and show off your creations, Adorn Me! is something to look forward to.