Blog Hop: Inspired by...Shells on the beach

A few weeks ago, I shared a photo from my Captiva Island vacation. Show us what you created using this photo as an inspiration. If you haven't finished (or even started....and yes, I fall into that category) you can join this blog hop up through Sunday June 24th. 

How to join this blog hop:

1. Create something inspired by the photo and blog about it.

2. Copy the direct link to your blog post.

3. Come back to this post and scroll to the bottom where it says "This is a Blog Hop" below that is says: "You are next...Click here to enter." Click on it.

4. Follow the instructions to add your blog post.

5. To add the blog hop to your post, click on the "get the code here" below the thumbnails and below "what is a blog hop". Click it and copy the link provided to add the blog hop to your blog (this is in lieu of placing a list of blogs on your blog post and it updates itself automatically).

6. Add the link to your blog post in html mode and republish. 

Lark Call for Entries

Lark Jewelry and Beading is seeking images to publish in a new 500 series book titled Showcase 500 Necklaces to be published in 2013. Entries are due by August 1, 2012. For more details, visit the website and scroll to the bottom.

Book review: Metal Magic

Kalmbach Publishing frequently sends me jewelry/beading related books to review. Yesterday it was like Christmas in June when I opened a package to discover 3 brand new books to review. The one I was most excited about is Metal Magic by Kim St. Jean because her previous book, Mixed Metal Mania, is in my top 10 list of jewelry related books.

Anyway, the last few days have been very hectic. I am exhausted, but I open the package, see the book, and sit down to read it the first free moment I had...about 12:30am. The effect was like drinking a pot of coffee. I had to refrain from heading down to the studio to try some of the techniques immediately (knowing what my schedule was like the next day).

What's included? About 105 pages jam packed with info written in a very fun, chatting with your girlfriend style. It's not stuffy, not boring, includes lots of quirky tips for the "how in the world does she...." moments so we don't have to reinvent the wheel.

The specifics:

Intro: We learn about St. Jean's theory for who "They" are. It's rather enlightening. She also takes a moment to explain how the book is organized into projects easiest to more difficult.

Tools and Techniques: The first section is organized by "toolboxes". In addition to the toolbox, St. Jean  does a brief intro and explanation to the techniques that go with each toolbox. The first toolbox is called  Base Tool Toolbox. It is as the name suggests...a toolbox of the basic tools you will need for every project. St. Jean recommends keeping these tools in a portable container to move from station to station or bead show to bead show.

The 2nd toolbox is for sawing and piercing. As part of this toolbox, you are not only given a list of tools and supplies, but 4 pages of tips for sawing metal, loading a saw blade, how not to break a blade, practice projects, and more.

The 3rd toolbox is for etching on metal, and includes 3 pages of tips and techniques.

The 4th toolbox is enameling basics and contains 5 pages packed with info on torch or kiln firing enamel onto metal.

There are also a soldering toolbox with 3 pages of info, setting basics and cold connections toolbox with 5 pages of info, texture and stamping toolbox, fold forming toolbox, and a patina toolbox.

Next up is one of my favorite parts...Kim's Unconventional Tools, Tips, and Tricks. LOVE it! You will have to read it to understand why.

And in case all that other stuff wasn't enough, there's even a 2 page spread on how Kim finds inspiration! All that info and we're only on page 39.

On page 40 we get to the projects, of which there are 30 total projects. Each one starts out by listing what techniques are used, which toolbox(es) are used, and any additional materials you need. Very specific step by step instructions are included along with clear and plentiful photos demonstrating the steps.

If you love organic shapes, lots of texture, manipulating metal, etc, this book is for you. If you have never done any type of jewelry making, wire or metal work, you might want to learn a few basic skills first. However, copper and brass are cheap metals. If you're adventurous, go for it. I personally love this book and am so glad St Jean wrote it. It easily joins Mixed Metal Mania in my top 10 list of favorite jewelry related books.

Bead and Button Show, 2012

I just got back from the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I had never been ... and to tell you the truth ... I really didn't quite understand what all the excitement was about.  I mean, bead people were bordering on lunacy, or so I thought!

Now I get it! I had a wonderful week of inspiration, physical hugs that were followed by cyber-hugs.  I absolutely LOVE to teach and I got my chance to teach four workshops!  I joke about having an unfair advantage because I teach the Painting with Fire Method of torch-firing! The technique eliminates several of the tedious steps that discourage people from even trying enameling.

Tim McCreight, who was teaching a Masters Workshop in Forging down the hall, wandered into my room.  I said, "Hi Tim. I took my PMC certification with you in 2001!" We both smiled.  He started looking around and expressed an interest in what I was teaching.  I said, "Let me show." Well, after my demonstration, he said, "I'll never look at enameling the same way!"  He continued to say that he had been been discouraged from pursuing enameling because of all of the tedious cleaning of metal, sifting of enamel, pickling, etc.  What a mind blowing experience!  I signed a book for him and glowed for the rest of the day ... and maybe week ... but he had a lot of competition.  Giggles and hugs, giggles and hugs for the many days that followed!

I got to meet some PWF Ning friends, met some new friends ... and just had an all around blast!  So did my husband, Jim, who was with me!  Chris Connolly, a Painting with Fire Team Member, was with us every step of the way ... and many times was steps ahead of us.  He's younger!

This is what greets you when you walk into the convention center ...  Gorgeous, gorgeous work!

Breathtaking aren't they?

My workshops were at the Milwaukee Area Technical Center ... a school where they teach wonderful things like the culinary arts!  Between the aroma coming from the students in the program and the "Feed My Sheep" caterers, we were all looking forward to breakfast and lunch ... which were free btw! My classroom was the chemistry lab and was perfect for what we were doing.

Here's my photo of the Soar project.  It was challenging, but fun.  Everyone's pieces seemed to come together at the 11th hour!  Whew!  Talk about pressure!

Julie's great project!

 From the Forging Ahead workshop ... 

We had a great time.  Unfortunately, we couldn't stay as long as we had originally planned because of the opening of our St. Petersburg gallery/studio.   But next year, we'll be in for the whole deal ... assuming my workshops are accepted ... forgot about that little part!!! :-)