My Book-a-versary and a Giveaway

Unwrapping my first shipment.

Comments are closed! A Winner to be announced shortly.

November 27, 2012. It was official. My first book with DVD included, Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelrymaking was released.

What a year it has been.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who purchased the book. I love reading your emails and Amazon reviews! (Seriously, if I am ever feeling down, I click over to my review page. Thank you for all the love.)

WOW! There it is!

People have asked me how long it took to write and my ready answer is "20 years." My whole career moved me to the publication of my book. It was a labor of love and I still get excited to think that I have my very own ISBN number. 978-1596685505 to be exact.

It was the most amazing process. Scary. Easy. Hard. Exhilarating. Fun. Challenging. All at the same time. I could not have done it without the help of my family, friends and students. They propped me up, gave good advice and tested and tested and tested the projects.

Acknowledgements from the book.

There were some really fun parts of the process, but the most fun was when I traveled to the offices of Interweave Press to shoot the video and photos for my book. 

Me and my wonderful editor, Erica.

My dear friend Mary went with me to keep everything in line. (Seriously, everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like Mary. She seriously kept me on task and organized.)

Kate & Mary on set.

Mary put her theater skills to use and raided the prop room
at Interweave to decorate the set.

We shot the book video and all of the photos in four whirlwind days. It was such fun. And I learned a lot. That's the talented Joe Coca behind the camera.

Smile for the camera, torch!

It takes a village. Seriously.

So how to celebrate such a momentous occasion?? With a giveaway, of course. I have THREE autographed copies of my book to give away to my readers.

All you need to do to win is to leave a comment below. I will pick three winners at random next Wednesday, December 4. If you already have a copy of my book, then you can choose between a book OR instead I'll send you a link to take my Metalsmithing at Home class on Craftsy.com for FREE! Just let me know which one you'd like to win. This giveaway is open to everyone, not just USA readers.

Want extra entries? Repost the giveaway on your social media (Twitter, blog, FB) and come back here and let me know in the comments. Comment once for each extra social media posting so I can count each as an entry. Make sure I have a way to reach you in case you win. If you are an anonymous poster, just leave your email in the post (cryptically, like this... name (at) provider (dot) com.)

This...

..or this!

Leave your comment below and good luck!! And of course Happy Thanksgiving to all of my USA readers. Have a happy and safe holiday!

Upcoming classes! Online and in the studio.

Exciting news! I have THREE classes scheduled at my studio in South San Francisco. (It's about time I know, and more are coming soon.) Plus one online at Craftcast.com!

First up in the studio, on December 7, "The Art of the Bangle." Bangle bracelets are all the rage right now and they are so fun and easy to make. $95 for the day includes all materials and tool use in class. Everything is provided, all you need to do is show up. We are going to make a bunch of bangles and cuffs, and other components that use a simple round link (like hoops, rings and chain links). This is a brand new class based on a technique that my friend Bob Burkett generously shared with me.

I only have 5 spots available in class so sign up early as it's going to fill fast. The enrollment link in my Etsy Shop is here.

The Art of the Bangle

An speaking of Bob Burkett. Next in the studio is a special guest artist class with one of my favorite bead artists. "Zen and the Art of Waxworking" with Bob. He is just starting to teach his techniques and is really excited to share his knowledge with you.

Bob at work.

It's coming up on Saturday and Sunday, March 2 & 3, 2014. 10-5 both days. Cost is $225.00 and all materials are included. There are only eight spots available so sign up soon at this link. A complete description and details are listed there too. This class is sure to fill up quickly. It's a great opportunity to learn from a master. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Next up another newish class, Tube Set Pendants and Stack Rings. I am teaching it for the first time this weekend at the BABE show in Oakland, CA. It's full (as are all of my classes there, yay!) but I really wanted to teach it at my studio, so here it is! Saturday, March 15, 2014, 10-5. Cost is $150 for the day with all materials (sterling silver!!!!) and tool use in class included. Complete description and enrollment at this link on my Etsy store.

And just to give you class overload, I have a LIVE ONLINE class coming up next week on Wednesday, November 20th for CraftCast.com. Sign up here for Getting Loopy: Simple Chain Making and Beyond. It's all about chain making and the art of the metal link. How it works is you watch the live class presentation, ask questions, watch video tutorials and listen to me talk. Can't make the specified time? Want to watch the class over again? The enrollment fee includes a link to the video class so you can watch again and again, whenever you want! It's gonna be fun and super informative.

I am really excited to be a part of CraftCast and hope you can join me on Wednesday!

Getting Loopy!

Okay, gang. That's it from the class front. Check you calendars and hope to see you in class, soon!