I'm designing for Ornamentea!

Gold Glam Earrings 

These earrings were designed for Ornamentea. The tutorial for them appear in the 2012 issue of 101 Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings on newsstands now.  All materials can be found at Ornamentea.com.

Hello all, I have some really exciting news to share! I'm pleased and very, very proud to announce I'm now a contributing designer for Ornamentea.com. Ornamentea is a shop and online store known for unique, high-quality jewelry and craft supplies, cool classes, awesome Elaine Ray ceramic beads and hip, chic jewelry projects and tutorials. I am just bursting-at-the-seams giddy about this amazing opportunity that owner, Cynthia Deis has bestowed upon me. There isn't a person or business that I would want to be associated with more than Cynthia and her fabulous Ornamentea. We are a perfect match and I couldn't be happier with this partnership! I hope she will want me to design for her forever and ever and ever.

So what will my role be as an Ornamentea designer? Every month, I will be creating a jewelry project and step-by-step photo tutorial with supplies and materials all from Ornamentea.com. My jewelry tutorials will be available for free download on their website, located on the Free Tutorials and project ideas page and the tutorials will also go out in Ornamentea's project newsletter, the Dispatch. If you don't get the Dispatch newsletter, you'll want to sign up. It will keep you up-to-date with all the new free tutorials and projects! My finished projects will be on display at the physical store location in Raleigh, NC as well.

In the coming days, my first project will be available online. I. can. not. wait. to share it with you! I hope you will enjoy my projects and creations from goodies you can find at Ornamentea...Stay tuned.

Macrame Flower Bracelet Class @ ArtBLISS!

 The artBLISS retreat is coming up soon! I'm really super excited to be going to this event and to be teaching. I'm debuting my new class, Macrame Flower Bracelet. In my class, you'll be knotting up a stylish bracelet, while learning all the ins and outs of my favorite material, Irish waxed linen cord. If you've been looking to add knotting and macrame techniques to your jewelry-making repertoire, this class is for you. OR if you want to try Irish waxed linen in your jewelry, this class is for you. Or if you just want to have some fun and make a cute bracelet, this class is for you, too!  

I'm gearing up now and starting to get ready for my class. While I was at Bead Fest a few weeks ago, I picked up some awesome Hill Tribe pure copper findings specially for my bracelet class kits. I've always been a huge fan of Hill Tribe silver, so I'm thrilled I can enjoy the same quality beads and findings in pure copper! I'm in love with them. The hook clasp is perfect in size and great for making the bracelet adjustable. I love adjustable bracelets. I snagged the cute little lotus charms, too. How adorable are these? And they are the perfect finishing touch at the end of the bracelet. I love dangles a lot, too. :) When I got my new findings home, I was so excited I had to make up a new bracelet sample for the class, Here's just an idea of what you can make...

 Macrame Flower Bracelet Class - $60

Date: Saturday, September 22nd

Time: 6:00pm- 9:00pm (Evening Workshop)
Instructor: Erin Siegel
Level: All
Kit Fee: $15 (includes all materials needed to make one bracelet)

Class Description:
Macrame is once again chic for jewelry! Learn classic macrame techniques to make this unique flower motif bracelet. Knotting techniques covered in class will include: Lark's head knot, square knot, overhand knot and slip knot. Using Irish waxed linen cord, you will learn how to tie colorful gemstone rounds and accent beads into a pretty flower pattern. You will also learn how to connect your cord to a metal clasp using a slip knot. Finish your bracelet off with an adjustable chain extender, wire-wrapped bead dangles and a sweet flower charm. Color choices for beads will include: red, orange, chartreuse, green, turquoise and blue. You will also have a choice of waxed linen cord colors for your bracelet as well. Variations of the design made in class will also be shown and discussed, so you will be able to expand on what you've learned.

Tool List: Students should bring the following tools to class:
ruler
scissors
macrame board and T-pin or office clipboard
round nose pliers
pair of chain nose pliers
wire cutters 

 Click Here to Registrar

So, what do you say? Come join me. Here's a little sneak peak at the kits I'm preparing for you... 

 

This is just a small sampling of what I will have available for your kits. You will be able to fully customize your bracelet. You'll have your choice of gemstone bead colors as well as your choice of Irish waxed linen cord colors, too! Each kit will also include the pure copper Hill Tribe accent beads and findings.

Looking forward to seeing you at artBLISS and hope to have you in my class!

Bohemian Knotted Earrings TUTORIAL and KIT

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings 

PDF TUTORIAL

$29.95 

now available in my Etsy Shop.

I know not everyone can get the opportunity to attend a show, let alone take a class or workshop. There are a multitude of reasons that might be the case for many people. So, I've decided to turn my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop into a downloadable PDF TUTORIAL! I've heard from quite a few that expressed interest in my class, but could not travel to attend it in person.  I'm so very excited to offer my workshop in this way. Now, you can purchase my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial along with my Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit in my Etsy shop. I hope many more will enjoy making these earring designs as much as I do.They are so much fun to make!

Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial

$29.95

Learn simple knotting techniques to make a trio of bohemian chic earrings! You will learn 3 unique ways to attach colorful beads to a ring component. This tutorial contains full materials lists, clear instructions, color step-by-step photos and resources. You will learn basic knotting and macrame techniques to make all THREE pairs of stylish earrings shown. "Sun Earrings, "Fringe Earrings and "Chandelier Earrings". Knotting techniques covered in this tutorial included: lark's head knot, half-hitch knot and overhand knot.
You will receive a PDF file containing 20 full-color pages of instructions via email to the email-address specified. You must have some type of PDF reader to open and read the tutorial. The PDF will be emailed to you within 24 hours upon receipt of your payment. Please make sure to include the email address you would like your tutorial sent to.

 CLICK HERE to purchase.

Also available...

Bohemian Knotted Earrings Kit

$30
Now available in my Etsy Shop.
 

This kit is designed to be a companion for my Bohemian Knotted Earrings TUTORIAL.
Earring kit includes all beads, findings and materials to make all 3 pairs of stylish earrings in my Bohemian Knotted Earrings tutorial. 1 pair of "Sun Earrings", 1 pair of "Fringe Earrings" and 1 pair of "Chandelier Earrings". Each kit contains artisan metal components handmade by Miss Fickle Media on Etsy.

Each kit includes the following materials:
6 antiqued and hammered 25mm artisan copper links
3 pairs of antiqued copper artisan ear wires
2 antiqued copper 4mm jump rings
52 round 4mm beads (assorted colors)
24 round 6mm beads (assorted colors)
5 yards of dark chocolate 4ply Irish waxed linen cord

In your kit, you will receive a random assortment of beads and not necessarily the colors shown in the photos. If you have any specific requests for bead colors, you may indicated your color preferences to me at the time of purchase or you can leave me comments on this post. Please be advised that bead colors for the kits are subject to availability.

* PLEASE NOTE * Instructions are NOT included in this kit. The tutorial may be purchased separately.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Art Bead Swap at Bead Fest

A few of the attendees at the Art Bead Swap held at Bead Fest Summer 2012. Thanks to Amy's husband for the great group shot! Photo Credit: Amy Freeland

A fun time was had by all last weekend at Bead Fest Summer in Philadelphia! Check out my special post for the Art Bead Scene blog...

Bead Fest Philadelphia!

Bohemian-Knotted Earrings Workshop

Saturday, August 18th

I'll be at Bead Fest Philadelphia this weekend! WHO'S WITH ME? If you are going, I'd love to meet up with you. I'm there all weekend long this year. Friday, August 17th - Sunday, August 19th. 

Here's a list of events where you can find me:
 

Friday, August 17th

Meet The Teachers Event

11:30 am -1:00pm

I have a table at the 'Meet the Teachers' Event. I'll be promoting my workshop, Bohemian Knotted Earrings and I'll have samples, kits and handouts for the class on display. I'll have a few of my bohemian knotted earrings available for purchase as well as, books, kits, tools and Irish waxed linen cord! Come see me and see my earrings in person. There's still spaces left in my class and still time to sign-up at the event!

Friday, August 17th
Knotting Demonstration at the Demo area on the show floor
3:15 pm

I'll be demonstrating some of my knotting techniques to make my earrings. Come see how it's done in person.

Saturday, August 18th
Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop
Room #20
8:00 am - 11:00 am

Students will learn basic knotting techniques to make three pairs of stylish earrings. Techniques covered in class will included: lark's head knot, half-hitch knot, overhand knot and how to use knotting tweezers for precise knotting.

Online registration for classes is now closed BUT, you can still registrar at the event. There's still time and a few spaces left! 

Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry BOOK SIGNING! Saturday, August 18th

Primitive Earth Beads Booth #528, 530, 532

1:00 pm -2:00pm

Meet me and Lorelei! Get your copy of our book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry signed by BOTH of us. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the Primitive Earth Beads booth #528-532 all weekend long.

Please come and join us! See you there this weekend.

Ornamentea: Part 2 - My Class!

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings

On Saturday, July 28th, I taught my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop at Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC. It went incredibly well. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better. I'm kind of giddy about it, really. Everyone that took the class felt very satisfied and happy with their earrings and that is the most important part.  I did have some help to make it go so smoothly, though. First, Ornamentea is a fabulous establishment to hold a class. They have fantastic classroom space and worktables. They did a great job filling up my workshop in a short period of time, too. I was thrilled to learn 9 folks had signed up! Ornamentea had all the tools I needed for my students. That was ideal for me because I was traveling and it would have been difficult bring all that stuff with me. Plus, it's nice for those taking the class not to have to worry about bringing tools with them.  Also, I had my mother-in-law, Nancy Siegel with me. She was my class assistant during the workshop. She came in quite handy! She helped me set out all the class supplies, hand-outs and tools, took these pictures during class, fetched Cynthia when I needed her for something, alerted me when a student needed assistance with something and helped me clean up after class lickety-split.

I had a great group of 9 gals who came to class! Everyone was so friendly and nice. In the picture above, we are doing some introductions at the beginning of class. I stood at the head of the table and introduced myself. Then, we went around the table and I asked each person to tell me and the rest of the class a little bit about themselves and why they wanted to be here.

I was well prepared for class. Each student received a Bohemian Knotted Earrings Kit. The kits included all the materials to make each of the 3 styles of earrings in the workshop. (See top picture in this post) Sun Earrings, Fringe Earrings and Chandelier Earrings. Each student also received a photo step-by-step instruction book hand-out to take home. For me, a thorough hand-out is a vital part of teaching a successful class. I find it makes teaching a large group of people so much easier. It may be more work up front, but on class day, it makes my job a breeze!

The other strategy that I employed for this class, was each student was only required to finish one earring before moving onto the next earring style. This worked well for a few reasons. It ensured that we would have ample time to spend with the techniques for each of the earring styles without being pressed for time at the end for the last pair of earrings. Also, everyone works at a different pace in class. All in the group could finish their one earring without feeling too rushed, yet the pace of the class was not too slow for the faster workers either. We did end up having extra time, so most were able to go back and make the second earring to finish off their pairs. Even if they didn't, I was completely confident that each person would be able to finish the earrings at home, if need be, with the hand-out I provided.

An extra special treat for me was having fellow jewelry friend and blogger, Marcie Abney Carroll of La Bella Joya in my class! Marcie and I have been online friends for years. I think we discovered each other back in 2009. We have been following one another ever since then. I'm glad I was able to come around her neck of the woods so we could finally meet in person. It was a pleasure to have her in class and I'm honored she signed up for my workshop. Marcie happens to be an extremely talented jewelry artist and beader. She creates stunning beadwork and metalwork as well, so for her to want to come to my class says a lot. A lot indeed and I'm not taking the significance of that lightly.

I loved meeting Marcie and all the ladies that took my class and everyone who came to the book signing. That is one of the things I enjoy most about jewelry-making: Meeting creative like-minded people, hanging out with them and having fun! I'm just thrilled with my class and my whole experience at Ornamentea in general. I would love to come back and do it all over again.

And just a reminder, I'll be teaching this same class again at Bead Fest in Philadelphia in just a few weeks. There's still time to registrar and a few spaces left! So, bring a friend and sign up!

Ornamentea: Part 1-Book Signing & Make n' Take

I'm back from my whirlwind trip to Raleigh, NC to visit Ornamentea! Last Friday, Ornamentea hosted a book signing for our book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry. Then, on Saturday, I taught my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop. What a great time. First of all, shop owner, Cynthia Deis was the most amazing, gracious host. I'm so thrilled she wanted to have Lorelei and I there. She runs an incredible bead shop and after chatting with Cynthia and seeing her shop for myself in person, I have a much deeper appreciation for her and her business. I was blown away. What a gem of a store. I really don't know how she gets customers to leave when it's time to close up and go home. It must be difficult because Ornamentea has a wonderful inventory of anything a beader or crafter could possibly want and everything is displayed so beautifully from ceiling to floor! Plus, helpful, friendly staff, great bead events and truck shows and cool classes. I can't say enough about how wonderful this shop is. You must visit.

This table is in the middle of the shop when you walk in. It is brimming with all kinds of treasures. Beads, buttons, crepe cord, spools of linen, silk ribbons, jewelry and even chocolate! Yum. Copies of our book are on display here along with a fun box of fibers and beads to go with it. One lucky person who came to our book signing on Friday night won this stash of goodies.

Along with the book signing event on Friday night, Ornamentea hosted a Make n' Take project from the book. The chosen project was my Leather Ruffle Hoops. Most of the supplies I used in the original earrings came from the store. I helped some of the staff set up the work table for the make n' take before the evening got started. Above, I am showing Jordan how to make the earrings. I was lucky enough to have her as my assistant for the project that night.

Here I am helping Lil with her make n' take earrings. Lil was actually the lucky winner of the fun box of fibers Ornamentea gave away at the book signing later that evening! Lucky girl.

Here's Jordan running the second round of the make n' take project. She did a fantastic job of making sure everything went smoothly. I'm so thrilled with how it all went. Everyone seemed to really be enjoying making the earrings. It was busy the entire night, but I did get to chat with a few after they finished their earrings. They loved them and most everyone I saw wore their earrings out the door.

Here's Lorelei and me at our signing table. On the table, we have a few of the original jewelry pieces from the book. We're talking to Amy, one of the lovely gals who came that night. She was really sweet and cute. It was so nice chatting with her and absolutely everyone who stopped by. And speaking of some others, Lori and I got to meet some special friends we know from the bead blogging community. The amazing LeAnn of Summers Studio. We have 3 of LeAnn's handmade components incorporated into projects throughout the book. We also got to meet the lovely Marcie of La Bella Joya! It was such a pleasure to meet both of these ladies in person. I've admired each of them for years now. Marcie actually came the following day on Saturday for my Bohemian Knotted Earrings class. I'll be talking more about that in another upcoming post. Stay tuned for Ornamentea: Part 2-My Class!

Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry

now available at Ornamentea.com!