Beads, Baubles & Jewels on DVD

I really love filming tutorials for TV. The lights, camera, makeup artists and of course the craft services food table all make it fun and interesting.

One of my best on-air experiences is filming for the PBS show Beads, Baubles and Jewels. Host Katie Hacker is just super in every way. It's amazing how she keeps everything organized in the midst of filming segment after segment.

Katie and I posting on set.

I go back in a couple of weeks to film the next season, but for now the entire current season is available on DVD.

The theme is "Thinking Like a Designer" and it is full of great ideas and projects that are sure to keep you inspired.

You can watch the episodes on the Beads, Baubles and Jewels website or better yet grab a copy on DVD. Buy it on the Interweave website at this link. The DVD has over 6-hours of skills, techniques and trends to keep you entertained. As a bonus it also has exclusive footage that features a special design from me!

And one last thing, you can see some segments right now on the BB&J YouTube channel if you have some time to spare. Great job, everybody! Enjoy!

Kickin' It Oldschool

In between getting ready for my teaching studio launch, I have been doing some reading.

I got these old jewelry making books from my mom a while back. They date from the '20's to the '60's and are chock full of great information. I am experimenting with vintage jewelry designs and I think a couple of great classes are starting to shape up.

 I wish I could share all of the books in their entirety. They're really interesting.

Coincidentally though, yesterday in my Facebook news feed I saw a link from Ganoksin.com, the great online resource for metal and jewelry designers. Did you know that they have acquired a collection of over 40 old and rare jewelry design books and have made them available for $5.00 each as a digital download on their website? You can view all of them here.

I bought two and downloaded them into my Kindle. I am working my way through Copper Work by Augustus F. Rose 1908.  Reading a book from 1908 really makes me appreciate modern conveniences in the jewelry studio. Here is an excerpt from the book about preparing pickle:

"Pickle is a trade name given to solutions used in cleaning work. Different proportions of acid are used according to the work to be cleaned. For copper and silver a dilute bath of sulphuric acid is used of 1 part acid to 15 parts of water. The solution may be used cold but when used hot it becomes much more effective. When used hot a copper dish is necessary. The object being placed in the dish with enough pickle to cover it, it is then placed over a gas plate and allowed to come to a boiling heat. The pickle is then poured off and the object rinsed in clean water. A dilute solution of nitric acid is used for brass."

Umm, a copper dish? Placed over a gas plate? BOILED??? My goodness, give me the simplicity of a plug-in pickle pot any day. These books are a great peek at the past, however. I am really enjoying reading them.

Stay tuned for some vintage-inspired projects and don't forget to mark your calendars for December 8th. I'd love to see you at the studio and book launch party!

Classes & Party at My New Studio

It's almost ready!

The hammers are hung.

The metal is sorted.

The kitchenette is stocked.

So here are the details. Some of you may remember the days of my former bead store in San Francisco. It was fun. I hosted cool events, great classes and gathered the most interesting and fun students.

Well, that is what's happening here. Nope, don't get too excited. This is NOT a retail bead store. What it IS is, a place for people to gather and learn. A place for my classes. A place that will host terrific Truck Shows from special vendors that sell high-quality jewelry supplies at great prices. A place that will host guest instructors and special events (remember Bead Brunch?)

I have a page on this blog dedicated to the happenings at the studio that is updated frequently with the latest happenings. (Click this link) The address, directions and details are all on that page. Bookmark it so you'll always see the latest classes and events. Better yet sign up for my newsletter and get the news delivered right to your email box.

My classes are listed on the page above and are on my Etsy store for purchase.

Now all that is missing is you! This is an open invitation to join me at my kickoff event on December 8, 1-4 PM. I'll have my new book available for purchase, a FREE Make & Take sponsored by Tierra Cast and a TRUNK SHOW with beautiful semi-precious strands at great prices. Refreshments are served and the party is going to be GREAT! 

BONUS!!!!! All class sign ups are 20% off when you enroll at the Studio on the 8th. BUT if you want to make sure you get a spot in an upcoming class, you can take 20% off right now by using code OPENINGPARTY upon checkout at the Etsy store. (PSST...the code is good on everything in the shop... not just classes, but you didn't hear it from me.)

I hope you can join me and thanks so much for your continued support!