I'm teaching at JSI in July!

Okay gang... I KNOW that I am in the midst of Bead&Button prep, but I have another upcoming exciting event to share with you.

Some of you are familiar with Jewel School On JTV. I periodically join them on-air to demonstrate my favorite soldering tools. But now they are taking educating jewelry makers one step further with classes.

Fast forward to the Jewel School Institute!

From the website... "The Jewel School Institute is the classroom learning department of Jewelry Television^® and Jewel School. It is our dream come true to extend learning opportunities to our customers beyond our live television shows. Education is an important part of JTV’s commitment to the customer. Introducing new jewelry making venues and offering the latest in jewelry making supplies are important elements in our mission of empowering women and men to stretch the boundaries of their creativity.  Jewelry Television uses the medium of live television to educate the shopper about gemstones and jewelry and the beauty they can bring into her life."

Cool, huh?

I am so excited that they asked me to do a three-day workshop for them coming up on July 19-21. Here is the class description...

"This 3-day workshop is definitely "metal-immersion".

In fast-paced day one, students will complete an instructional sampler based on the unique sampler section in my book, "Simple Soldering". You will learn to saw, solder, rivet and set stones and really hone your technique without fear of “messing up”. We’ll have plenty of 1 x 1 copper squares and materials to use and experiment with in this section. We will use a simple and portable soldering station featuring butane micro torches, which is safe and easy to replicate at home. 

Next we move to day two devoted to the wonderful world of ring making and stone setting! Taping on the skills learned in day one, students will learn how to size, shape, design, and set stones to make rings for every finger (almost!).

On day three we will put the torches away and work on cold connections and patinas. Students will explore a variety of patinas on metal and create unique pieces featuring colored metal mixed with riveting techniques. (I can’t wait to share these great techniques with you.) These three days are going to be jam-packed, but promise to be educational, interesting and most of all, fun!

Three days of all the metal techniques you can imagine! Class runs from 8-5 each day and by then end you'll have a great understanding of a variety of metal working techniques. Plus you'll leave with beautiful jewelry. This is a perfect class for students who want to get started working with metal. You will have to bring some tools, but I will have a bunch of specialty tools and the soldering stations all set up for you. Materials? No problem. They are all included in the kit fee.

Find the link to enroll here.  I hope you'll join me. I can't wait to share these techniques with you.
JTV is located in the friendly town of Knoxville, Tennessee. The folks at JTV are so nice, and accommodating. I know we will have a great time

Psst... Beaducation is having a sale!

Just got this notification in my email box from Beaducation.com

"We are blowing out our inventory, putting over 500 items on sale. The savings start at 25% and a few closeout items are an incredible 60% off! There's something for everyone -- stamping materials, blanks, chain, Swarovski crystals, and tools. 

Sale prices are valid through Thursday May 30. Then we rearrange our warehouse to make room for NEW product! Now is a great time to stock up on your favorites, as well as try something new while the prices are this low!"

Now that sounds like a great thing to do this Memorial Day... There are lots of tools, materials and metal blanks at great prices. Find the sale link here.

I'm off to do a little online shopping!

Solder with Me on Saturday

Hey local jewelry-minded-people!

Just a quick note to let you know that I have ONE spot left in my Introduction to Soldering class this coming Saturday, May 25.

Never wielded a torch and want to make your own soldered jewelry? This is the class for you!

I've got you covered. The tools and materials are all included in the price. All you need to do is show up!  Hop on over to my Etsy store to enroll. Hope to see you there.

Thinking...

It's that time again.

You know, when I wrote my first book it seemed easy. Almost too easy. I had something to say. I had the CALLING for something to say. To teach, to spread the soldering love to those who wanted to pick up a torch and create something of their very own out of metal. Book one told a story. A story through basic techniques and lots of love for my students.

Project notes from book one.

Now it seems a little different. How do I move beyond the simple joy of soldering simple things?  I still have a story to tell. My hope is that people will want to continue down the jewelry making path. Make new stuff, learn new skills, build on what they learned.

Right now I am finding the voice of the book. Fleshing out the projects. Trying to be witty and entertaining and thoughtful all at the same time. I know it is in there. Putting pen to paper and fingers to the keyboard is exciting.

I think the journey has begun.

Feel free to leave any comments, thoughts or encouragement in the comments. This is the time that I need to hear from you.

Hand Me a Pen

It's that time of year...
BEAD AND BUTTON starts in like, 15 days and I am packing and planning... (Still room in a few of my classes BTW, check 'em here.)

If you are attending, I'd love to meet you at my book signing on Friday afternoon at the Beaducation booth.

I'll be there, pen in hand, ready to sign your book and have a chat. Looking forward to spending some time with the best gals in the business. If you are not attending the show, check out the Beaducation website. They have classes, supplies and the BEST customer service around. (Plus their entire stock of gold filled blanks are 25% off through May 20.)

Have a great weekend everyone. I am off to decide how many shoes I can fit in my suitcase.

Everything Old is New Again

This past Sunday I went to the Alameda Flea Market with two of my favorite people, Jess and Lisa. I haven't been in such a long time and it's such fun.

First off, the location is lovely!

Right on Alameda Point. It's a great view of the city. It's hard to pay attention when that view is right in front of you.

We started out at 7 AM. Everything there is supposed to be at least 20 years old... and it is...mostly. It's funny, since I grew up with my grandparents it's like taking a walk down memory lane for me. It seems that everything I saw reminded me of my childhood.

For my local Gilroy friends. You'll remember Ford's department store.

There was a lot of stuff that reminded me of my Grampy.

Wood planers.

Oil cans.

And there were things that reminded me of my Gran.

 Accordions. 

Datebooks.

There were life lessons...(HA!)

 How to wash clothes.

How to cook.

There were things I wanted to buy and didn't.

Movie soundtracks.

 Velvet dresses.

Red tap shoes.

Old boxes with old radio stickers.

There were some things I did buy...

Okay, Jess bought them for me. I kind of love them. These are the salt and pepper shakers we had when I was growing up. I also bought a hand mirror, some vintage pins and a hammer. What a great day. We ran into old friends, had good snacks and walked and walked.

If you are in the SF Bay Area on the first Sunday of the month, don't miss it.

You won't be disappointed!

Time for a Refill

You know, sometimes things get hectic. This has been a crazy year for me. Lots of travel. Lots of writing. Lots of TV appearances. Lots of classes.

Don't get me wrong, though. It's great. Really great. I am so very, very lucky to be doing the things that I love every single day. But things can get stressful. Sometimes I get mired down in the details of everyday living and my tunnel vision kicks in.

But lately I have been finding a balance. Making time for fun. Making time for me. Today is one of those days.

It started with this...

A non-jewelry related project. Some quiet time and coffee. And it's gonna end with this...

A day at my studio filled with friends and fiber and chatting and laughing and food. I am filling my creative well so I can keep doing this...

Sometimes you just need to mix it up. I am so ready! Now go out and have a great weekend. Find some fodder for your creative self. And smile. It's gonna be a great day.