recycled silk sari ribbon-now on cards- 3 feet for $2.

Hello spring!  How I've missed you!!!

I've finally landed from a show-packed late winter and it is good to be home for more than a week!  Tucson was amazing in all kinds of crazy & biz-related ways, I had wonderful students in my workshops in San Francisco/Concord, and I have a great line-up of trunk shows and teaching gigs coming up in May.  I am feeling totally overwhelmed, but in an amazing way!  As draining as owning your own business can be, it can be weirdly invigorating-that my be the sleep deprivation talking, but as long as I remember where I'm supposed to be and wear pants, I think I'm doing ok.

We've been having a great time with all the new Tucson and California finds-new gemstones, pearls and pewter, as well as a great find of vintage and antique Venetian seed beads...white hearts, onion skins, opals and more!  New samples every day and we're adding some new workshops both here at the shop and at teaching gigs around the counrty.  Check out our calendar for more info on where we'll be and when.

Thanks for all your patience while I've been away and for keeping Penny, Jen & Kisha company-see you soon!

Told you I was lampworking today

Ok, here are some of the new goodies I've been creating at the torch lately. You can tell winter is coming on because all I want to do is add color, to anything, as often as possible. Lampwork is a great way to do just that-and add some heat to your very cold studio!

I am gearing up for an enameling run as well (any excuse to play with fire!). I'm trying out some new filigree pieces with enamel...will share pics as soon as I see how they survived the tumble and clean.

Check out our website and facebook page for more info on workshops this winter and join our mailing list and twitter feeds for specials, coupons and deals at the shop & online.

Artfest goodies

Yes, I know I am quite behind on getting pictures of my Artfest creations out here in the wide world, but I wanted to get a bit more of the journal finished so I could show off...

This is a metal journal made with resin pages and rivet embellishments. The workshop I took was Textured Text Jewelry with Susan Lenart Kazmer. Nest year, I am signing up for the 3-day shebang...there was much more fun to be had!!!

while I've been away...

Ok, that title sounds like the beginnings of a bad country song, but I have been away...at least from blogging.

I do have reasons, although, I realize there really is no excuse for not posting in such a long time, but I promise to make it up to all of you.

First, here is a picture of one of the things I have been working on during my "absence":

These are new samples for the color on metal workshop to be held this fall...I have lots more samples to share, and I promise to get caught up soon ( I don't really need sleep). We'll also have a new workshop series on making a business with your arts & crafts. Topics for the first few are, making money with your craft, picture taking tips for crafters, and retail & wholesale marketing strategies. Check out the website and this here blog for more info in the next few weeks.

UFOs spotted!

Yup, lots of UFOs have been spotted and they will be here tonight! Join us from 4ish until whenever we call it a day for our Un-Finished Object Night at echo artworks! We'll supply the food, tables, chairs, tools and design assistance all you need to bring are those pesky projects that just aren't getting done. Come early (we ran out of chairs last time!) and settle in for a night of fun and more important, finished projects!!! Beth will also show and tell the new Copper Metal Clay and preview some new workshops for summer and fall. See you tonight!

School's Out for summer...

School is coming to a close for many children & adults alike. Graduations are plentiful and many of us are wondering if it is too late for summer plans...I think not!

We have just updated our workshop schedule online and are looking for a few good men (& women) to teach workshops. Do you have a skill or talent that is unrealized? Have something to share, but nowhere to teach? Come teach here!!!!

Your workshop does not need to be bead related (although we'd love that too). Anything that you think others might be interested in learning about is fair game. Digital photography-absolutely (I still don't know how to use my camera to its full potential). Encaustic painting-yes, please! Polymer clay, fabric & fiber, writing, drawing, silk painting, knitting-the sky is the limit! We will have workshop proposals here at the shop outlining what tools & supplies are needed, space considerations, class size and payment info. Talk to Beth anytime with questions about your proposal.

We'll also be rolling out some new drop in workshops for summer on the business of design, pricing your work and beyond basic jewelry design. Look for the first meeting of a new metal clay chapter too.

Thanks for all creativity you share with us and let us share with you!

New copper metal clay

Finally!!! I have been waiting for this for almost a year. What have I been waiting for? The new copper metal clay!!!

New COPPR CLAY has just been released and our first order is on the way. We expect the new clay next week, but I have some firing information and workbooks already if you want to get a jump start.

We'll be testing the new clay as soon as it arrives. Hopefully it will work as well as the bronze clay in our rigorous tests, and will perform better in hollow forms. Firing needs to be done in a kiln with charcoal just like the bronze clay, but does not require the persnickety ramping up and holding times like the bronze.

Our first workshop with the new clay will be on June 27th.

Sidenote: Is anyone out there interested in starting a metal clay guild here in Kitsap? I have all the info from the PMC Guild about starting a chapter, but one member is just a little sad. Let me know!

lazy days

Summer is officially here. Lazy days, cool nights and lots of iced tea.

Well, I have been lazy long enough! I am woerfully behind in making samples and the book...I think I've only written about 2 pages and taken 3 pictures so far...can we say procrastination?!?

So here it is, the clean, clear workspace. The only problem is that I work very poorly in a vacuum. I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Come, work at the table with me...bring friends! I'll bring the iced tea.

UFO NIGHT May 29th

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick reminder that our next UFO (un-finished object) Night is coming up on May 29th. Bring all your works in progress and we'll design, create, laugh and eat the night away. Beth will also demo a new workshop for June...Color on Metal!

Join us the last Friday of every month for our bead night out and remember, our work space is open anytime for you to stop by. We'll help you work through those design challenges and tools are available for use in store.

As always, Pixie is waiting for you!

my favorite new project

CABBAGE ROSE with VINTAGE STAMENS This Saturday we had a ribbon flower workshop with Cathy Mitchell & Jo Whalen from Mud Bay. We had a great time, and I made this fabulous flower that I wore to the Bremerton Symphony that night. As usual, I forgot to take pictures of all of us at work, but I have some more pictures of what we all assembled that I will post throughout the week.

Don't forget our next UFO Night coming up on May 29th. We'll have food and fun...all you need to bring is your un-finished objects. See you then!

Spring has sprung!

Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest. Today we are celebrating the third day in a row of sun & temperatures in the 60's. I have gardened as much as possible in these three days, and I have enjoyed every minute. However, as I write this post, the clouds are starting to close overhead and if the weather folks are right, it will be back to clouds & rain (maybe even snow?!?!) for the rest of the week. So I am going to be proactive and make flowers this Sunday if Mother Nature has decided to be disagreeable. I'll be in the studio for a metalsmithing workshop from 10 am to 5 pm if anyone cares to join. Yes, I know it is Easter Sunday, but trust me when I tell you I pray a lot at the torch.

Happy Easter everyone!

What I’ve been doing these past two weeks

I have been a bit busy these last two weeks, but I finally managed to get the new workshops updated on our website. I've added a few new links and pages and I'll be working on getting the calendar updated today & tomorrow. In the mean time, I thought I'd show you a set of bangle bracelets I finished in a metal fusing workshop last week. The bangle is brass with fused fine (pure) silver and copper hearts dangling around your wrist. I was inspired by a Himalayan legend that says that all Himalayan women wear a slender brass bracelet at all times to keep their soul inside their bodies. And, yes, I wear 2 brass bracelets and they never come off! (thought I could use the extra so my soul doesn't get any bright ideas about moonlighting somewhere without me)