Give Away Opportunity!!!

So last week I was playing around with some bezel wire and pre-made bezel cups and made this cuff which, I thought looked rather "scrappy". 

I knew I was going to remake it, but I got so much positive feed back on the original, that I decided to give it away. If you still like version 1 (on the left), leave a comment between now and 9 PM tomorrow, Sunday Sept. 1 and I will use a random generator to select a winner. 

And yes I like version 2 better, and yes it is for sale...
:-)

Teaching in Alaska!

In about a week and a half, I will be teaching classes at the Alaska Bead Co located in Anchorage, AK. Still some seats open if you would like to join us!
:-)

September 6 - 8, 2013

Rosette Bangle & Cuff

Fold Forming 101

Crystal Cornucopia

Margarita Cuff

Cool Copper Cuffs 101

Year of Jewelry Project - Weeks 35

Basically, I hate this piece, and plan to re-do it this week...stay tuned....

Year of Jewelry Project - Weeks 33 & 34

There is a very pretty piece of raw lapis in  there but it got a bit overwhelmed by the wire. Note to self; try a lighter gauge...

And this one was a commissioned piece...

Year of Jewelry Project - Weeks 31 & 32

Couple of quickies...just trying to keep up....

Lake Chautauqua....

....home of so many wonderful memories from my childhood. My parents used to rent a place here summers when we were kids and it's still one of my favorite places to visit 40+ years later. So when a friend mentioned there might be an opportunity to teach at the Institute, I jumped on it, and here I am!

Serendipitously, my nephews in-laws own a beautiful lakefront home minutes from the Institute, which they graciously allowed me to use for the week. Checking morning emails while listening to gently lapping waves....watching sunsets from the dock....sigh....I could get used to this....

Then let me just say that the Chautauqua Institute is a wonderful place! The grounds are fabulously well maintained with beautiful gardens and lovely well preserved historic homes. There are many places to rent during the 9 week season, including the iconic Athenaeum Hotel.

 

 
There are also lots of activities for adults and kids; including daily lectures, enrichment programs, kids clubs and many special programs where guest instructors are bought in to teach on the arts. That's the program I was part of; I taught a week long metalsmithing class called "Cool Copper Cuffs". Eight students signed up for the entire week, and a few misc. students dropped in for daily projects, none of which had ever touched metal before. I'm pleased to say by the end of the week they were all officially fully initiated "metal heads". But I have to give the "student of the week" award to my new buddy Merle; hands down the most enthusiastic of the bunch.

Here's our classroom, and some of our daily projects....

And as a bonus, I met up with friends from the old days, including my childhood sweetheart....ahhh, how young we were.....

Year of Jewelry Project - Week 30

I do seem to be in somewhat of a cuff rut...

Thirty Years and Counting....

Thirty years ago on a Thursday afternoon I finally convinced the love of my life that we should get married. I'm sure my family and friends had their doubts but I did not hesitate for one second.... I was knock me over with a feather, helplessly and hopelessly in L O V E!!!

We've been thru a lot since those early years, some better, some worse, some sickness, some health, some richer, and some poorer days, but if I could go back, I would not change one. single. thing. Neither of us is any where near perfect, but somehow our weaknesses and strengths balance out and we make a great team. Together we've found faith, raised 2 wonderful girls, worked a lot, traveled a little, renovated a house, and made it into a home sweet home. Most recently we've both retired from our professional careers and become full time artists, he as a musician, me as a jewelry designer.

Not sure if we have another 30 years in us, but I'm game if if he is....

:-)

Year of Jewelry Project - Week 29

Keep 'em comin'....

Year of Jewelry Project - Week 28

and another one....

Year of Jewelry Project - Week 27

yep...more cuffs.... :-)

California Dreamin'

Two weeks ago I was just getting ready to head out to the west coast to spend a few days in San Diego before heading up to the mountains at Idylwild for Metals Week. My plan was to arrive into LAX at 4 pm, pick up a rental car, and have a leisurely drive down the picturesque Coastal Highway...

What in the world was I thinking!!!

It took 2 hours just to get out of LA! And by the time I was able to swing over to the coastal highway, the sun was already setting, but at least I had a chance to get this great shot of a west coast sunset....

But the rest of the trip was absolute perfection! I spent a couple of days with my friend Susan, who has a beautiful place in Del Mar, right near the beach. First thing next morning she took me for a hike along the Pacific coast and Oh. My. Goodness. What breathtaking sights! I'm not sure these pix do it justice, but I can still smell the salt air and feel the ocean breezes just looking at them...

 

Then we spent the rest of the afternoon lunching and shopping in Solana Beach, a lovely little coastal town, where I also got to meet talented jewelry artist Lynn Merchant....

Saturday I was invited to give a presentation about my work to the San Diego Bead Society. Surprisingly, I was not very nervous and I always enjoy meeting like minded jewelry artisans....

Then it was off to the mountains! :-)

First let me just say that the venue is beyond fabulous! Clean mountain air, gorgeous vista, wonderful food (well, maybe a little too wonderful), and great people, including Deb Jemmott, who has been the organizer of this event for 6 years. It was like art camp for grownups;  5 days of  learning and creating.

This was my daily view as I walked back and forth between classes, and yes those are the mountains in the background....

 My dorm and the "mess hall"....

And here's the fabulous Connie Fox, my instructor for the week, her work, and our studio....

As an added bonus, I made some new friends... :-)

Buh bye Cali, I had a an absolutely lovely, fabulous, wonderful time!!!

I'll be back (in my best Arnold voice).... :-)

But in case you want to see what I did all the week, here's a wrap.....