6 Torches. 3 Dresses. 2 Days. And Soldering Like a Lady.

Back at the beginning of December, I took a trip to the F&W headquarters in Ft. Collins, CO. The task at hand was filming 6 complete metalworking DVDs each one featuring a different portable torches.

Over two days. That's like 16-hours. Which leaves little room for error.

I like tight deadlines. Seriously. A cross-country jaunt involving fire, film, lots of tools, and intense prep worked for me. So I hopped on a plane and headed for the bright lights of the Interweave production studio in Colorado.

I am really excited about this project. I chose the torches specifically because they are easy to find, straightforward to use and work with small spaces. Some of them may be familiar and some may be completely new.

A few of my torches.

The projects took a little more planning. I wanted to create projects that were contemporary, interesting and adaptable. A place for viewers to have a jumping-off point. I don't want you to make cookie cutter projects...I want you to take the ideas and run! (Thank you Emily Miller and Kriss Silva... project assistants, extraordinaire! Without the two of you, these projects just would have been jumbled pieces of wire. Bathed in my tears.)

Six projects. One for each torch.

On the first day we jumped right in! I had a camera on me all day. It was a mix of behind-the-scene footage and on-camera instruction. And lots of bright lights. And red lipstick (MAC Ruby Woo.) And coffee.

Behind my bench.

I did a lot of off-the-cuff quips and the footage was used to create a couple of promo videos. Here is one where I discuss my biggest on-camera screw up...



Now you can join me and learn to "Solder Like a Lady." (Read as "like a kick-ass lady, in red lipstick and pretty dress, with a torch.") Thanks to my dear friend Mary Cravens, I was well dressed and my three frocks were comfy and camera-ready. Custom apron on and ready to fire things up. Go stylish or go home. It's a great motto for just about everything.

The Interweave/F&W gang were terrific! They made everything go super smoothly and the resulting videos are gonna be great. Here is one more promo...

They are set to release in late Feb/early March. Stay tuned to the blog for more info when they are available along with a special tie-in project coming up soon in Step-By-Step Wire magazine. 

I also just hosted a webinar about small-space jewelry soldering. Find it here. I discuss a few of the torches that I used in the DVDs and cover everything you need to solder in your home studio. It's a great companion piece. A few more webinars are coming up soon that will tie in as well. I'll keep you updated about those, too. Thanks for watching!

Bead & Button Registration Opens TODAY!!!!

Whooohooo! 140 days until the, THE (!) biggest bead event of the year.

IT'S BEAD & BUTTON REGISTRATION DAY!!!

Browse all classes and workshops here.

I am bringing two fantastic (if I do say so myself) classes to the show this year.

Tube Set Stack Rings

Simple Soldering Boot Camp

Take a look! Hope to see you there...

Hey, January...I got you.

January 1st feels good, doesn't it? Holidays over and done. New ideas brewing. Morning sun shining and post New Years revels hydrating.

2015. I got you. 

I have a couple of thingsto share that might help you ease into making 2015 a good one.

Have you heard of the Passion Planner? I hadn't either. I found out about it on Facebook when some bead-world friends posted about it. It's planner, journal, idea-keeper and motivator all in one.

I've started mine for 2015 and I already love it. I have so many random thoughts and great ideas and stuff that I want to achieve that I can't always keep track of everything that flies through my head. It's laid out for non-lineal thinkers like me. Includes space to plan life and work. Exciting!

There are a couple of new publications that I am excited about, too. First is a revamp of The Crafts Report (a favorite of mine) called Handmade Business. It looks like it's going to be full of good info. Currently they are offering a free subscription to their digital version (the free version includes the majority of the content of the paid edition) but I think it's a cool way to check it out. Looking forward to seeing what they have to share.

The second is a special edition magazine from Interweave Press and the editors of Cloth Paper Scissors called Artists & Makers. I got my hands on the debut issue along with a few extra copies. it has helpful articles, interesting profiles and general inspirational goodness. I have three copies to share. If you'd like one, leave a comment and I'll pick three at random on Monday. Leave a way for me to reach you in the comments so I can get your mailing info.

Are you on my mailing list? There are great new classes and events coming up in my studio for 2015. I have done some rearranging and added a some new tools and equipment. More information to come in a few weeks. You can also check out my website for all the latest information.

All the best to you in 2015!