September already...

Wow...time sure does fly...the last week has gone by in a blur!  My son started middle school, then Thursday, he had the audacity to turn 11! Imagine that!

Here he is with his cake...don't laugh at my decorating "skilz"...at least it is not a Wreck!  He always asks for lemon!

Then it was Labor Day weekend, and my birthday (I'm proudly 54), and now I am back at my 9-5 (blah)!


The cool thing is, in just a couple of weeks, ArtBliss is here!  Sadly, the class I was going to take with Diane Cook had to be cancelled, but I replaced it with Stacie Florer's Ranch Hand Earring class...I was already signed up for her Heavy Metal bead class.  I can't wait to see all my buddies I know will be there!!

Oh, it is my day over on Earrings Everyday...go check out Sea Flowers.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope your September is a great one!

Woohoo! ArtBLISS Registration is Open!!

Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix have done it again!  Oh, my...so many great classes and teachers!  How do I decide?  I am still jumping up and down about getting to take 2 of these classes from Richard Salley in a month, then ArtBLISS goes and announces...

3 full days of workshops and activities.

Dates and Location:

Sept. 21-23, 2012

Sterling, VA

Classes offered by:

Diane Cook

Stacie Florer

Kerry Bogert

Christine Damm

Erin Seigel

Beth Taylor

April Bowles-Olin

For more information, go to the ArtBLISS site and read all about it!

What about you?  Are you signing up for ArtBLISS?  If so, what classes?  Decisions,  decisions!

Edited to add...there is a giveaway involved on Cindy's and Jeanette's blogs!!!

Stopping in to say hello...

Have been catching up on  family time/home life lately, so haven't been online much!  I missed you!

I've been recovering from a crappy jewelry show on the 1st...it was a cold and rainy day which pretty much killed my hopes of making any real profit that day. Bummer! But, onward and upward!  That was our first blast of Autumn here in Maryland...the leaves are changing colors, and you can just smell it in the air!  This past weekend, we enjoyed absolutely gorgeous weather and spent it outside almost the whole time.  While the boys worked on painting/waterproofing the back deck,  I planted some pretty garden mums and a few pansies in our front beds.

The rest of the week has been taken up by "old lady" medical tests...not fun, by any stretch of the imagination, but they are all out of the way (for a while) and so far, aside from cholesterol levels, and the need to lose a few more pounds, have been declared healthy!

On the jewelry front, I am caught up with custom orders, and am trying to get all the new stuff I didn't sell at the crappy show into my websites.  Other than that, I have only been playing when time allows.  I do have a couple of things that I would like to show you though, that I am pretty pleased with :)

This little birdy began at ArtBliss in Deryn's Wax On class...I cut the copper shape out, but put it away for later!  I decided to flood it with solder and add some texture, but decided it needed wings!  The malachite eye is a result of my Richard Salley class!



I have had this yellow calcite (I think) cab forever...I bought it ages ago and was going to do a woven wire bezel on it, but after playing with creating bezels for resin and embedding filigree into the flooded solder, I decided to try and set the stone.  Obviously, this is an untraditional bezel setting, and it has flaws...I didn't realize how soft the stone was - nicked it and scratched it!  Thought I had a great fit with the bezel wire, but forgot that this type of soldering will take up more space...ruh, roh! However...I love it!  It is mine! :)

Stay tuned for my "Virtual Book Tour" post on Monday, 10/17, where I extol my love and admiration for all things Barbara Lewis!  Who knows, I might even show up here before then and surprise you...that is, if stinkin' Google lets me post images....anyone else having issues with that?

I'm suffering from PBS!

No, I am not addicted to public television!  P.B.S....Post. Bliss. Syndrome. ArtBliss, that is! 

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• complete lack of motivation to accomplish anything unless it involves metal, fire, a hammer, ferric chloride, solder and wire...
• daily thoughts of "calling-in sick" just so you can try that elusive technique just one more time...
• dizzy, headachy stupor from breathing too much flux smoke...
• black, grimy residue underneath fingernails...
• financial difficulty can arise suddenly, due to a seemingly "life or death" need for new tools, stone cabochons of all sizes, sheet metal, hammers
• hearing voices...usually these are just your family members begging you to make them dinner or wash their clothes

There is no known cure for PBS, but there is hope...those who suffer with this rampant, fictitious condition can find solace and comfort by blogging about their experiences, throwing themselves into new activities like an impending show they are not ready for, and daydreaming of future ArtBliss workshops and learning more new, fun stuff.


Carol and Robbie look on as Deryn starts our "Wax On" class



Sandi, Sally, Carol and Deryn



Me, experimenting with texture!



almost finished!



The Man - Richard Salley!



My "Lasting Impressions" pieces

 I had such a wonderful experience....it is always so fun to see and hang out with online friends in person, and make new friends!  Thanks to Cindy and Jeanette for organizing and hosting another successful, fabulous workshop!  Every aspect was a blast, even having to evacuate the building when the smoke alarm went off!

Cindy has lots more photos on her blog...go check them out!

Time Flies...

source: Pinterest

Wow, I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since I have stopped by to say "How-dy-doo!"  Time sure does fly!  A lot has been happening behind the scenes during that 2 weeks...my baby boy turned 10, he started 5th grade, I turned 53, uh, 29 ; yard work, house work, new den furniture, lots and lots and lots of rain, dr's appts (lots of preventative stuff that I have put off), and on, and on! Family wise, those are the things I have been focusing on. 

On the creative front, there are deadlines that are approaching...the Bead Soup Blog Party reveal is this Saturday, the 17th.  Yikes - that sure got here fast!  In other words, I am not done and am stressing a bit! My piece(s) will get finished, though, never fear!  Art Bliss is fast approaching as well and though I am totally excited about that, I signed up to participate in the charm swap and the name tag challenge.  The charms are started, at least...coming up with the design was the biggest hurdle.  The name tag is another story!  It's not too late to sign up, by the way!  Online registration closes on September 20 but I believe you can register at the venue, unless the class is full!  I will be taking Deryn Mentock's "Wax On"  and Richard Salley's "Lasting Impressions" classes!



Source: ArtBliss Workshops - Deryn Mentock & Richard Salley class photos

Then, there are the upcoming jewelry shows!  October 1 is a pretty big one for me - the East Street/Shab Row Jewelry and Wearables Show in Frederick.  I did this one last year and it was pretty much a success - my 1st real "outdoor, using my tent" show.  The weather was gorgeous and I had no tent issues, so am hoping this year goes as well.  Needless to say, I have been cranking out some new items for that, as well as some other shows on the horizon later this fall.
So, there you have it!  My current life in a nutshell!  I'm glad you stopped by :)

Spring Fever!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Going to go home after work and make some fun Irish food...Dublin Coddle with bacon, sausage, potatoes and cabbage; Irish Soda Bread, and some yummy "black and tans" made with Guinness Stout and Bass Ale!

I don't like keeping you posted only once a week, but sometimes that is the trend.  A lot has happened since I posted last week!

This,

this,

this,

this :)

B getting his Webelos markings :)

this,

my 1st attempts at etching...projects to come!

and wow, this!

Results from Sunday's Pipe Dreams workshop

I signed up for Stephanie Lee's Homesteading Metalsmithing class this past fall...watched all the videos and read the blog.  Never. made. anything.  Well, I did make a mess!  Flooded - oops, tried to flood one base piece and could not handle the truth!  Plus, it was close to the holidays and there was just too much going on with the fam..remember, I have a 9-year old honeyface to love/support/ raise!

Fast forward to 2011, Jeanette and Cindy at Artbliss announce Stephanie Lee and Metal Magic as their Spring Act!! Hello, my name is written all over it, but alas, the 4-day workshop just wasn't in my budget or schedule.  Thursday and Friday was the Handbook of Elements class which looked scrumptious, but I knew that wasn't in my cards.  Saturday and Sunday might be more doable with Pipe Dreams - a class Stephanie had never taught before.  Hmm, still a bit steep for a working girl!  Yay, Artbliss announces that there will be 2 weekend classes!  Junk Drawer Metalsmithing (similar to what was offered during Homesteading) and Pipe Dreams for 1 day on Sunday!  Hallelujah, a solution!  So, with my schedule already filled with my boy's Blue and Gold CubScouts Banquet on Saturday, I signed up for Pipe Dreams!  It was great!  I absolutely loved it!  Stephanie was a totally gracious teacher who made you feel like you had known each other forever!  Not only did I succeed in creating 3 cool soldered/embellished pieces, when I got home, I tried some of the Homesteading techniques that I had previously bombed at and was pleasantly surprised how much more I actually took home with me!


funky soldered-tip headpins, a length of chain, and my 1st soldered bezel

As a bonus, I got to put faces to some new blogging friends Erin and Sandi and see old friends Jeanette, Cindy and Lori.  I was totally into my art and didn't take a single photo of anything or anybody, but please go to these folks blogs that I have linked and take a look!


the beginnings of a necklace!



feeling better...bead soup and pipe dreams excitement!

Thank you all so very much for your kind words, thoughts and positive beams of light through the wires and universe!  My crud is still there, but lessening everyday and I do indeed feel loads better!  I ended up taking 2.5 days sick leave from my day job, although I did work from home during that time to meet some deadlines - yay, technology!

Now I am trying to catch up on a bit of blog reading and posting...hope to finish up a couple pieces I've started...my bead soup is all but finished and I am very excited at the prospect of showing it to you.  I don't have any sneak peeks, though, sorry ;)

This is also getting close!



I am signed up the Sunday Pipe Dreams session.  I would have loved to register for the whole shebang, but had to keep my feet on the ground this time.  I took Stephanie's Homesteading class this last go round and was able to watch the videos and read the posts, but never had the time to actually do the work, so am extra happy to be able to reinforce some of the things I learned by working with her in person.  I know of a few friends that will be there, Erin, Lori, and of course our beloved organizers Cindy and Jeanette!  For more information, go check out Artbliss Workshops.  I believe there might be a couple spots still open. 

necklace by Stephanie Lee

Any one else out there coming?  I hope so...let me know so I can look for you :)

Hard Candy...

It has been 2 weeks since ArtBliss, and I still have that post-workshop, 'I'm going to perfect all my newly acquired techniques, create something no-one has ever dreamed of, and change the world with my jewelry!' sort of mindset going on...just overlook that last whiny, pity-party post!  Although, thanks to my sweet bloggy friends for the virtual hugs and kind words :)

I was downloading some photos of new creations and found the photos I finally got around to shooting of my  "Hard Candy" beads I created in Melissa Manley's fabulous class.  We cut copper discs, punched holes, domed them, enameled them, fit them together with a center disc and tube riveted them together into actual beads! 

Even though mine are pretty danged wonky (and yes, that gorgeous red one has a big, stinkin' chip in it) I am still pretty tickled with them!  Aren't they cool?  They look like miniature planets :)

I followed my bliss...

at ArtBliss, this past Saturday!  If you read lots of jewelry blogs, you have probably been inundated with posts about how fabulous it was.  Well, it was!!!

Kudos to Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix for organizing this retreat!  My only complaint was that I was too broke to take advantage of more classes!  I took Melissa Manley's Hard Candy class which really expanded my jewelry "horizons" immensely!



Saturday evening, I took Deryn Mentock's Musical Earrings class, which was very fun!  I got to use Ice Resin, and am now all psyched to jump into her Towers and Turrets on-line workshop!

One of the best things about Saturday was getting together with old bloggy friends, and making new ones! During Hard Candy, I was lucky to share a table with sweet Christine Brandel and during Musical Earrings, I sat next to the talented Sue Kennedy!   So much fun, crammed into 1 day for me :)   



Leslie, Shelby, Christine, Maureen and Melissa -the afterglow of Hard Candy Bliss!

I don't have many photos from the day..I forgot my camera in the car, then went and got it and took a couple shots and the battery died...go figure.   Go check out Cindy's and Jeanette's blog for more cool photos of the event...Cindy even took several videos! 



Some of us in the Yahoo group exchanged leaf charms as a keepsake of the workshop...I haven't put mine together into a cohesive piece of jewelry yet...I keep taking them out and fondling them though!  Here are the ones I made...little pressed czech glass leaves in lovely autumn colors.  I formed a leaf shape around them with copper wire.  Simple and fun!



I can't wait for the next one!!!

Thank you, Barbara Lewis and ArtBliss...

I am having so much fun playing with enamels and incorporating it into my style. 

Here are some new earrings featuring enamel!

enameled filigree, copper caps, sterling and copper earwires

enameled copper disks, carnelian, copper flower charms, sterling earwires

  

enameled filigree cones, czech glass, and sterling

  

enameled brass disks, unakite, sterling silver

Want to know more about torch-fired enameling?  Check out Barbara's Painting with Fire Ning group or her blog.

I took Barbara's workshop at ArtBliss, back in the spring.  ArtBliss' September workshop featuring classes by several other great artists still has space available...go take a look!

Off to the beach!!

Hope you all have a good week...we are off to Ocean City, Maryland for some sun, sand, sea, blue crabs, relaxation and fun...not necessarily in that order!

If you didn't go register for the Inaugural Event Artbliss yesterday, shame on you!  I think there is still time, so go!  I am signed up for Melissa Manley's "Hard Candy" class, and Deryn Mentock's "Musical Note" earring class...so excited, I wish I could take all the classes!!!

See you in a week :)