Private Teaching

As some of you know I teach at Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, WA gem tree design, well as DH and I were supposed to be in Arizona for Jan.-Mar. I didn't schedule any classes until April. Unfortunately, when DH had his surgery and complications that put the cabaush on leaving which left me lots of time. So what's a person to do, well if you are asked you teach private lessons. I really didn't think I would ever teach privately in other people's homes but it has been a rewarding experience for them and me. They get 1 on 1 teaching and I get more time to discover who they are and their goals.

What did I teach? Well gem trees for one and the other was a request for wire wrap techniques. I teach gem trees all the time so this wasn't a problem but I have never taught any of my wire wrap. So I made up a few samples to figure out all the supplies needed. Normally when I do a wire wrap cabachon like this one,

I use square wire and half round wire but knowing my student to be a beginner, she wouldn't have square wire so I had to improvise and use round. Not my favorite as it doesn't lay against the stone well but it is what it is, Here are the samples that I taught that day.

She really wanted to learn how to wrap crystal pointers but to get to that point you need to have more of the basics down so we did several different stones including beads. The abalone with crystals is my favorite along with the coil wrapped bottle, humm okay I like the beach glass wrap also. Well they are all so different but once you have the process down, you can wrap just about anything.

She did a great job on all her pieces except her first try and that was fully expected. I imagine she has now taken that one apart and re-wrapped it by now with her new found skills.

If you are interested in a private class, I am available otherwise you can check out all my classes that will be starting on April 7th at Shipwreck Beads.

Simply Amazing

I had the best time last night teaching 10 wonderful people how to make gem trees. Everyone finished their tree (although it wasn't dry from gluing it on the base) and I think they all enjoyed themselves. Here is a picture of all their wonderful creations.

So, if you want to learn how to make these wonderful trees, you might just get your chance at the Bellevue Bead Show in November. I'll let you know how that turns out.

I did have a chance to visit the bead show yesterday before class and was able to find the focal bead for the necklace I designed for the July ABS Challenge. It's the orange disk if you couldn't tell. Isn't it great?

These great disk beads are made out of recycled art glass that would have landed in the land fill. Now you want to know where you can get your own LOOT?  Okay, okay I'll tell you. The name of the company is called LOOT. Genevieve Church is the artist that reclaims all the broken art glass and uses it to create these great little treasures. If you are interested here is here e-mail: info@recycledloot.com.

Aren't all these beads yummy! That's all for now peeps. Have a great rest of your weekend.

Teachers Showcase

Well the Teachers Showcase turned out to be quite fun after I cooled off. It was really hot yesterday and I don't think I drank enough water. I'll drink more to make up for it today. Here are a few pics I took with my cell phone, not the best quality.

My table set up

Attendees

Teacher Lynn Krestel who teaches Creating Memento Resin Charms and her sister Jill (seated)

Lynn has some very cool charms made with old photos and bits and pieces of old letters. Anything that you might want to keep as a memento. If you want to check out Lynn's blog visit her HERE or her Etsy shop HERE.

Lots of great classes being offered this weekend. My class is tonight and it sold out yesterday (I had one last spot to fill). It's going to be a hectic 3 hours with 12 students.  I'll be sure to take my camera today and get some shots of the great art bead vendors for all you ABS enthusiasts and some of my class of students. What fun!

Gem Tree Gone Wild

Today was just one of those days. I don't feel that I accomplished anything. I do have everything organized for the class I'm teaching later this week, but it isn't packed yet. I still have time. Oh wait, I think I said that yesterday. Okay tomorrow everything will get packed.

In my quest to get all the gem tree supplies and kits ready for the class I went to a major fabric store today....yes it is a bit of an obsession and I do go there more than once a week, but I just couldn't help myself. So, while I was waiting on my number to be called to get some interfacing cut, I wandered the store. 30 minutes later and my number wasn't even close to being called but I found myself in the scrapbook area. I love looking for unusual items to use in my jewelry or on my gem trees or in this case you could call it a wire tree sculpture. So to give my students a look at what they can create with something not a gemstone, I used these little metal tags. They were even on sale for .99 a pack so I bought several. It definitely makes a different little tree. A little black wire and some crystals and it has a little bling, just my kind of tree.

I've really started thinking about joining in on the monthly ABS (Art Bead Scene) Challenge. This month the challenge is to create a piece based on a sculpture by Alexander Calder called Blue Feather circa 1948.

Humm, do you see a resemblance between the swing arm and my tree branches? I'm thinking some beautiful teardrop briolettes dangling from one side and dark pearls or maybe some black onyx rondells at the top. Now I just have to figure out how to bring in the other elements of the structure into a necklace design. It's very futuristic with hard edges and geometric shapes.

Check out the ABS blog for some of the prizes that could be won and rules to joining.

Have a great week.

Woo Hoo I Was Selected

Yes, that's right, I was selected as one of the instructors at the Puget Sound Bead Festival this Summer. I will be teaching Gem Tree Sculptures. All in all it was a good day yesterday as I received this notice, plus I was asked by the Tenino Gem and Mineral Club to put on a Gem Tree presentation and demo in February and I sold 2 items off my 1000 Markets site. It was a good day.

So, if you are wondering about the Bead Festival thing, here is a link to the Bead Festival web site that explains a little bit more about it although they don't have this Summer's list of instructors or classes up yet. I think they indicated it would be the first of March before that gets updated.



So, now you are wondering what is a Gem Tree presentation and demo...well, I have no idea yet on the presentation, but I do demo's all the time, so the presentation part will be just explaining the various types of trees I make and techniques involved. If you want to know a little bit more about gem trees, I have a book and tutorials available for sale or you could check out my gem tree blog.

And what were the items that sold yesterday, two pair of charm earrings. These are my most popular and my favorite to wear almost daily. I have several friends that would also swear by them. They come with multiple gemstone or pearl charms that you can mix or match. Fun earrings that go with most everything. Pictured is a set that is still available. Charms include 2 sets of freshwater pearls, turquoise, black onyx, lapis and apatite. Click the word "Pictured" link above to take you to the product page.

Here is hoping that we all have a great weekend.