More classes at Star's Beads

Because I have requested Saturday classes so that many of you working folks can join me, my next class will not be until April 3, when I'll be teaching Fabulous Fabric Beads (see the picture).  This, too, is an all day class (10-4) and a $60 fee plus $25 for materials.  It is so much fun making and teaching how to construct these colorful beads.  Feel like I'm in grade school art class with glue, paint and scissors making a huge mess.  In the class we'll be using batik fabrics as well as silk, paints, glue, rubber stamps and rotary cutters to make an eye catching pendant or earrings (earrings are smaller versions of the pendant but are not pictured).  Call 703-938-7018 to register.

My very most favorite thing to do recently is making my new design, which I've named Artifact.  It takes several days to construct due to the number of steps involved:  etching the copper or brass which has been stamped with a design, in an acid bath; cutting the shape with a jeweler's saw, drilling the holes for the rivets, applying a patina and antiquing the metal, riveting the piece together, making the chain links and finally, applying a fixative.  ARTIFACT is shown here and I will be teaching all these techniques in Metalworks II on Saturday, April 24, 10-4pm. Again, the class will be at Star's with $60 fee and $25 materials fee.  The ladies who took this class which I taught for the first time in October, loved it. Call 703-938-7018 to register.

Back by popular request is FROTH AND GLITZ (pictured below).  I teach it on Friday, April 30, 10-4pm.  It is another fun class and is for all levels.  The necklace pictured appeared in the Washington Post.  We'll combine funky fibers (I used to own a yarn shop so I have lots of them) and colorful beads to make this great looking necklace.  It is amazing to see the variety of creations that come out of this class.  Every piece is truly unique.  Come join us! Call 703-938-7018 to register.

First class of the year, Jan. 16

My class schedule for this winter at Star's Beads in Vienna is set.

My first class is VERY SOON:  Saturday, January 16, 10-4pm ($60 plus $25 class materials fee).  The class is Metalworks I, for beginners or others who want to learn the techniques.  We will be cutting copper and brass sheet metal with sheers to fashion a pendant and earrings.  We'll use a dapping block to shape or dome the metal, a disc cutter to make discs out of it, texture it with metal stamps, hammers and other materials, rivet it and finally color and antique it using a torch and liver of sulfur.  This is a fun, noisy and tension relieving class!  Come join the party.  Call Star's at 703-938-7018 to sign up.

Happy New Year!

What a relief to have December and 2009 behind us!  I hope the next year and the next decade will be so much better for everyone. 

My New Year's Resolution is to work harder, learn and teach.  In this new year I will be delving more into the coloring of metals that I incorporate in my jewelry, using micas, enamels and colored pencils as well as patinas, torches and oxidizers. 

On my work bench right now are three projects, all using brass, copper and silver chains with a variety of links, which I'll mix with some great stones, artisan glass and artifacts I've collected from my travels.  More in a few weeks!

 

Fantasy Fiber Necklace

I have been having so much fun making and  teaching how to construct these colorful beads.  Feels like I'm in grade school art class with the glue, paint and scissors making a huge mess.  

I taught an overflow class in October at Star's Beads in Vienna, and will do it again on Saturday, April 3.  Contact Star's at 703 938 7018 for information and to register.  Meanwhile, check out my finished pieces at The Artisans in Mclean (Langley Shopping Center, 703 506 0158). 

There are several necklaces and as of 10 days ago, a dynamite pair of earrings with a half dozen handmade beads dangling on a chain for each earring.  I use beautiful batik fabric as well as starting from scratch with white silk, paints and fantastico rubber stamps.  My newer pieces have funky handmade findings from MyElements (www.myelements.com).

Artifact

My very most favorite thing to do recently is this, making my new design, Artifact. 

It takes several days to construct due to the number of steps involved:  etching the copper or brass which has been stamped with a design, in an acid bath; cutting the shape with a jeweler's saw, drilling the holes for the rivets, applying a patina and antiquing the metal, riveting the piece together, making the chain links and finally, applying a fixative.

The necklace, or pendant version, which I've called Ancient is very special, too.  I have acquired rare and unusual-looking stones and fossils from a stone cutter (lapidarian) in Tucson. 

For each I have custom cut an underpinning with prongs which I attach to a metal base.  The prongs fasten the stone to the underpinning, which I then rivet to the metal base.  There is one on display at The Artisans and I have two more on my work bench in progress:  one is a lovely fossil sand dollar and the second is a very unusual stone called Ribbon Turquoise.  It actually has a strand of turquoise cutting through it like a narrow river.  Quite beautiful.

I will be teaching Artifact, the bracelet, for the second time on Saturday, April 24 at Star's Beads in Vienna.