New Year Challenge

Two of my favorite people have a challenge in the works! Check out Coast 2 Coast Creative
Artists and friends Jenny Davies-Reazor and Cooky Schock plan to follow along and do each lab in my book Jewelry Lab in the coming year. What FUN! Wanna come along for the journey????
I can't guarantee your safety... but I can guarantee you won't be the same! ;-)
(In fact, I believe it takes Bilbo almost 52 weeks to get to the Lonely Mountain and deal with Smaug!)

The Hobbit!

My family and I have been preparing for the local premiere of The Hobbit for the last month. We both made and purchased costumes. I admit I was slightly worried about being the only nerds dressed up, but that was not the case! Here's some pictures from the premiere last night. I made the crown for my daughter out of Nugold a type of jeweler's bronze.  It was pierced with a jeweler's saw, chased and cold connected. And I studded my belt with etched cinquefoils (I'm the gray old lady on the end in navy), and I repousse'd (is that a word?) and enameled the leaf pin that my daughter's boyfriend, 'xcuse me that Frodo, is wearing. Gee whiz, it was fun!

New Stuff for Cyber Monday!

Lots of fun new stuff in my Etsy shop go take a look!

Wedding!

So, my goddaughter is married! I was honored to make her wedding jewelry. The wreath of Swarovski crystals and pearls was the most fun! Her are some images taken by her wedding photographer Nancy Ray. Visit the link for more gorgeous wedding photography.

New Pieces on Etsy

Put some new work up in my Etsy shop! have a look!

Unbuckled in San Miguel de Allende

Do you have an itch to travel? I do! And I so wish I could attend this workshop taught by my pal Jesse Bert in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In grad school our benches were separated by pegboard. I grew to greatly admire Jesse's masterful craftsmanship and quiet diligence. This will be such a fabulous adventure! You can learn more here.
Here is more of Jesse's work:

Sail Away!

Wow, I want this sign! You can have one too if you go to SignsofVintage on etsy.
You'll be glad you did.

Art Unraveled

Hi Folks! There's still time left to register for Art Unraveled in Phoenix AZ. AND you 're in luck! There's still room left in two of my classes!
Silhouette Pendants on Tuesday July 31st  We'll be making these pretty silhouette pendants. I will teach you how to saw and then rivet so you can trap fabric or felt in the opening for color and texture.
and  Flower Power on Wednesday Aug 1. There you will learn how to torch fire enamel! This is SO addictive and fun. You'll also learn some fun forming techniques to make your own blossoms. We'll assemble flower necklaces with pre-made flowers stampings, rivets and funky mismatched chain. Click the links for class info.
If you're worried about the heat, never fear! You'll be inside the lovely cool Embassy Suites in Paradise Valley making fabulous treasures, blissfully unaware of the temperature outside. Then you can join everybody on the misted patio or in the lobby for the evening manager's reception! There is also a fab pool, so you can take a late night dip to cool off and relax. Seriously, Art Unraveled is a great event and you will LOVE it! Sign up now before they fill!

Summer Doin's

I've been back from Bead & Button, recovering for the last week and working at the Golden Gallery. I worked in the yard yesterday, reconnecting with my kitty and my plants and yard, as they've been sorely neglected for the last month. Bead & Button eclipses everything from early May until mid June. I'm slightly relieved I won't be able to attend next year as my daughter's graduation will be the same week though I will miss the lusciousness that is the bead show! The above pics are from one of my favorite booths. It'll be a nice break for me but never fear! I have lots of new ideas for future classes at Bead & Button, so stay tuned!

I have a book signing here in Wilmington June 30th from 12-3pm at Tickled Pink near Wrightsville Beach in Lumina Station. I will have some jewelry for sale as well.


And I will be teaching at Art Unraveled in Phoenix, AZ next month. So if you're even thinking of attending, don't hesitate! It's a blast! I always enjoy this event. The hotel is wonderfully accommodating as comfortable. And though mega hot, the hotel pool is delish! Phoenix is gorgeous and anyway you're inside makin' stuff all day. Great sunsets! Be sure to check out close by Scottsdale. Last year a friend took me to the Mission Restaurant there in old Scottsdale. FABULOUS!

And we enjoyed nearby Consanti immensely! Consanti is in Paradise Valley (near Art Unraveled) and is the home and sculpture studio of Italian designer of Paolo Soleri and his staff. In the mid 1950's Soleri began work on the experimental buildings that would be ecological human habitats. He dubbed his theory "Arcology".  Now designated as an Arizona Historic Site, Cosanti presents a unique bio-climatic architectural environment. There is a gift shop there where you can purchase Soleri's books, DVD's, as well as gorgeous ceramic and bronze bells created onsite. I hope to go back this year. Believe me, it is a rare treat!!!!

La Chingona

I stumbled on this great print on Etsy by aymujer. I was curious. I did not know what it meant but I loved the poem in the description. So I looked it up. According to San Antonia author Sandra Cisneros “Chingona" means a woman who has finally come full speed, screeching towards point in which she discovers her own power. It is a feeling of self-assertion, self-recognition, and peace and compassion for others as well as oneself. She says: Our only true possessions are our actions. Transform darkness into light. Be of service to mankind and to yourself. Live for your own approval. Center yourself. Be alone. Create your own space. Discover your own powers. What floods you with joy? Find true humility and practice it. Keep your palabra, your word. Live in the present moment. Depression has a purpose if you use it before it uses you. Listen to your body. In the last few weeks I I have made a new friend. She is a Spanish professor. We spent last night hanging out and when I found this today I thought of her. I think she is La Chingona. Starting today I will be La Chingona. I think many women could stand to allow themselves to be La Chingona

Bead & Button Show

Hey there! If you've missed me at other events, I'm teaching at Bead & Button in Milwaukee the first week of June. Now's your chance! You can go here to see the line up. These images are for some of the classes I'll be offering. Milwaukee is a GREAT city to visit and the Bead & Button Show is phenomenal. If you love beads and jewelry and have never been, then you need to sign up now! Beading, lampworking and metalsmithing classes and the largest bead show in the world???? What more could you ask for!

Encore Cabochon Trunk Show

Funny, I didn't realize how long it'd been since I posted and I am now posting again about the same thing! Anne Kennedy is making an encore visit with her stones this Saturday the 14th from 10-3pm at my home. If you read the post below you'll know that she has wonderful material, I personally love her Ocean jasper, Sonoran Jasper, Deschutes Jasper, Fossilized coral , Fossil Treefern, Meteorite, Ladradorite... the list goes on! She also has a great bargain bin if you're a starving artist. So message me to get more info!

Cabochons at my house!

My stone dealer friend, Anne Kennedy, will be at my house Saturday the 21st from 10-2:30 selling her wonderful cabochon stones! She has polished stones such as Carnelian, Labradorite, Jaspers of all kinds, Petrified Sequoia,carved Mammoth Ivory, Druzy, Amazonite, Banded Agate, Kunzite, Meteorite from Russia, Dendritic Limestone... the list goes on and on! Her prices run from around $5 up to $100 or so. There should be a little something for everyone. And if you just want to come drool over stones, chit chat and munch on tidbits then join us!

More New Things

After being inspired by cool polymer clay beads by Shipwreckdandy on Etsy (see post below to view some of her work) I made some polymer clay beads of my own last night. Check em out! They look like bones.

I'm REALLY excited about making clay beads now... can't stop.
And thought I'd share that I will be teaching at Valley Ridge next October. I made this Steampunk Santos as an inspiration pieces for a class there. She's kind of a work in progress there's a lot still I'd like to do with her.

New Etsy Items

Go see the new work I put up on Etsy here's some samples:

Inspirations

Winter is a time of reflection and creativity for me. I adore winter. Maybe its the mature woman in me that loves the temperature, but I adore cold these days. You can see a great collection of snowflake images here. With a break from the community college I get to rest up and rejuice. I have done a lot of surfing Etsy this season and have fallen in love with these artist's artwork! I just can't get enough of the ingenuity with materials they exhibit. Very refreshing to see people play with materials and come up with such cool pieces.

First up we have Shipwreckdandy

I purchased some of these beads from her and Oh! am I in love with them!

Next we have Nusquam.

And next we have Sparrowsalvage.

And finally for today I will share some of Fancifuldevices work with you. Enjoy!