artBLISS 2013 in Latergrams

Oh dear, I'm woefully behind on updates around here. These pics are supposed to be Instagrams. Latergrams will have to do...

On the weekend of September 27th, 28th and 29th, I traveled to the Washington D.C. area's jewelry retreat, artBLISS. When I arrived, I was greeted by the artbliss mascot. She is pretty, classy and perfectly patriotic. I'm bad with names but, I think her name is Eleanor? Excuse me, if that's not right.

Friday night was the 'Meet and Greet' event. Here I am with my friend and fellow artist, Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati Jewelry. I'm happy to have spent some quality time with her over the weekend!

On Saturday, I took Stacie Florer's Thin Gauge Metals class. These are the earrings I made during class. I'm thrilled with them! It was so much fun. Stacie's class was everything I knew it would be and more. I really connect with Stacie on a deep personal level and a creative one. Her class was inspiring in more ways than one. I learned a lot, got tons of personal attention from Stacie even though her class was full to the max and I just enjoyed creating in the environment that she facilitates. Oh, and laughed a lot, too!  I do hope our paths continue to cross and I get to work with her again in the future. Before I took the class, I said I was participating for the experience and had no specific intention of adding metalwork to my jewelry. Now, I could actually see myself playing with the techniques I learned. Working with the thin gauge metal is beginner-friendly, forgiving and very approachable. There's lots of potential. I'm excited about the possibilities!

Saturday evening was the 'Soiree' event of shopping and socializing! Here I am at my vendor table. I sold copies of my book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry, kits, and an array of my favorite jewelry-making materials, beads and findings from Ornamentea.com. I also demonstrated one of my favorite projects from Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry, my Leather Ruffle Hoop earrings.

Another treat was getting to see my friend, Tracy Statler of Make Bracelets! She also had a table at the soiree selling some of her stash. And oh, how I loved her stash! I did some shopping with her but, I would have loved to take that whole table home! Too bad my suitcase was already overweight. Tracy makes the coolest jewelry and she contributed some of her awesome designs to Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry. Tracy is a sot-after designer. She recently added Cindy Wimmer's new book, The Missing Link to her book contributions.

Speaking of The Missing Link book, here it is! ArtBLISS co-creator, Cindy Wimmer just authored her own wire jewelry book called The Missing Link: From Basic to Beautiful Wirework Jewelry. Fortunately, her author copies arrived just in time for her artBLISS retreat and she was able to have a book signing! WhooHoo! It just wouldn't have been the same without it. Having Cindy's book there and being able to get a signed copy straight from her was a highlight for me and it made artBLISS this year that much more exciting.

Here's Cindy signing copies surrounded by the fabulous jewelry from the book. Well, it's about time this talented jewelry artist authored her own book showcasing her incredible work. I've thought this for some time. I have to say it was well worth the wait. This is one of the best wire technique books I've seen in a long time.The wire links themselves are the stars here. The link designs are beautiful, original and highly adaptable. The step-by-step photos and instructions are thorough, detailed and well-executed. Even a beginner could follow along and make the wire links with these excellent photos and directions. One of the things I love the most is the gorgeous photography and styling. The photos do justice to Cindy's exquisite work and that of her contributing designers. The style of the photos shine with Cindy's personal touch and aesthetic with her own vintage props used for backgrounds. It's a gorgeous book and I'm thrilled I came home from artBLISS with my own author-signed copy!
 

ArtBLISS 2013

www.artblissworkshops.com

Oh my, the artBLISS retreat is next weekend! Hard to believe it's already that time. I will be attending and vending the event again this year and I can't wait. It's hosted by fellow jewelry artists and friends, Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix. It's one of my favorite social gatherings of the year. You can read about my time there last year here. Since I missed out on all the fun and camaraderie at Bead Fest in August, I'm anticipating artBLISS with intensity. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time chatting with my creative friends in attendance.

Thin Gauge Metal Workshop with Stacie Florer

Last year, I was one of the five instructors. I taught my Macrame Flower Bracelet class and I demonstrated how to do some macrame knotting. This year, I'm a student. I'm taking Stacie Florer's Thin Gauge Metal Workshop just for fun! Stacie is such a beautiful, inspiring soul and a very talented metal jewelry artist. I jumped at the chance to take a class from her. I want to just be there in the presence of her lovely energy and connect with her. I also have a feeling that being in her creative teaching environment will be an amazing experience all on it's own. Metalworking is outside of what I normally do and I don't plan on adding it to my existing work. I'm not taking the class with the intention to add techniques to my jewelry-making repertoire. Rather, for me, this class is all about enjoying the experience and having a little fun tinkering around with different materials. Who knows what I may discover from that. I am, however, looking forward to taking home some awesome, handmade metal earrings I learned to make from Stacie Florer.

See me demo my Leather Ruffle Hoops at artBLISS 2013.

Speaking of earrings, even though I won't be teaching a formal class this year, I will be demonstrating my Leather Ruffle Hoops on Saturday evening. A version of these earrings can be found in my book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry. At Saturday night's soiree, I will be showing how to make a pair of these and I will have kits for sale so that my fellow artBLISSers can make'em, too. Leather embellishments like in these earrings are really hot and trending right now, so I'm hoping they will be popular with the attendees.

Leather Ruffle Hoops in action. Follow me on Instagram.

In addition to the earrings, I will also have lots of other goodies for sale at my demoing table. I've teamed up with my dear friends at Ornamentea.com to bring their quality products to artBLISS. I'm talking some gorgeous materials here! I'll be toting along my very favorite fibers and beads from their selection. Here's just a smattering of the yummy bits and baubles I'll have at my table:

 Fibers and beads courtesy of Ornamentea.com will be available for sale at artBLISS workshops 2013.

Plan to stop by if you are in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Hope to see you there!

ArtBLISS 2012

 Last weekend I had one of the best weekends of the year. I got the opportunity to attend and teach at artBLISS Workshops hosted by creators, Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix. I've wanted to be apart of this event ever since Cindy and Jeanette founded it back in 2010. I had only experienced it through blog posts and pictures of past years and even then, I had felt it was a special place I wanted to be. A community of creatives I was drawn to and I felt a strong urge to be apart of it somehow. There are people there that I greatly admire. Ladies I wanted to connect with. And it sure did look like a ton of fun!

Reading those blog posts and looking at the photos of years past, I would daydream about attending the next future event. Early this year, I even seriously considered mustering up enough courage to apply to teach a class there. Then, something truly amazing happened...I received an email from Cindy Wimmer inviting me to come down and be apart of artBLISS! I was just over-the-moon. I couldn't believe this was happening. I would have been happy to just attend, but the fact that I was on Cindy and Jeanette's radar and they wanted me to be apart of their fantastic line-up of authors and instructors, made me so happy and grateful. I am truly so grateful when things like this come my way. I don't have much in the way of photos, but I'll share what I have with you.

Me and my Mother-in-Law, Nancy Siegel. She is my travel companion and assistant. I don't know what I would do without her! Photo credit: Cindy Wimmer.

On Saturday, I had a table set up next to the artBLISS Annex, where I demonstrated macrame knotting. I also had supplies, tools, kits, tutorials, books and jewelry for sale. In the photo, I'm demonstrating a macrame square knot, as used in my Macrame Flower Bracelet. I use a macrame board and T-pins to hold my work as I knot.

Lori Anderson tying the knot in class! :)

 Macrame flower bracelet project made in class. 

It's now available as a PDF digital tutorial in my Etsy Shop.

Saturday night, I held my Macrame Flower Bracelet class. I felt completely at ease with a class full of friendly familiar faces! I'm honored I had Lori Anderson, Cindy Wimmer, Jeanette Blix, Kelly Fogle and Nancy Siegel in my class. These ladies handled the square knot very well. They made my job pretty easy, even though they were working with fine waxed linen cord and making the tiniest knots!

I'm thrilled to say artBLISS was everything I imagined it would be and so much more. What impressed me the most was the loving and supportive atmosphere and vibe. It seems to be the smaller, more intimate event that helps facilitate that experience for everyone. The sense of camaraderie is incredible. I met some of the sweetest ladies and I was excited to see some familiar faces as well. Everyone is warm, friendly, inviting and genuine. I was shown lots of love and generousness both emotionally and financially. I am thankful to all the lovely ladies at artBLISS for their kindness and support! Also, a gigantic THANK YOU to Cindy and Jeanette for having me there. I feel so BLISSED and I just hope they will want to have me back again next year.

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!

Announcing ArtBliss Workshops 2012!

 

Join Us for ArtBliss Weekend - September 21st - 23rd

I'm super excited to tell you I will be teaching at ArtBliss Workshops this year! I can't express how flattered I was when ArtBliss creators, Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix invited me to their event. To be there along side artists and instructors like Kerry Bogert, Diane Cook, Christine Damm, Stacie Florer and Beth Taylor is an honor and a privilege. The ArtBliss retreat will be taking place in the Washington, D.C. area Friday - Sunday, September 21st-23rd, 2012. Visit www.artblissworkshops.com for all the details and to registrar for classes.

Speaking of the classes, here's what I'll be teaching there:

  Macrame Flower Bracelet - $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 popular 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. Color choices for beads will include: red, orange, green, turquoise and blue. 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 and wire-wrapped bead dangles. 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

 

 Meet & Greet Reception Friday night!

In addition to the classes offered, there are also some exciting events planned throughout the weekend. First up, the Meet & Greet/Author Signing on Friday night. At the meet and greet reception, you will get a chance to mingle with all the other ArtBliss attendees, including the class instructors. I will be there demonstrating some macrame knotting techniques and I will have some jewelry, kits and supplies for sale as well. Come meet me and we'll socialize over good food and drink!

Picture from the ArtBliss Workshops website. Click here to go to the Meet & Greet page!

 

Also, Kerry Bogert and I will have copies of our new books there that evening. Kerry will be signing copies of her new book, Rustic Wrappings and I will be signing copies of the book I wrote with Lorelei Eurto called, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry.

 

 Bead Swap Social Saturday night!

Then, on Saturday evening, there will be a bead swap social. Bring your destash beads, swap and go home with a new stash.

 Picture from ArtBliss Workshops website. Click here to go to the Bead Swap page.

 Giveaway Alert!

 Pop on over to Cindy Wimmer's blog, today. She's hosting a great giveaway to celebrate the opening and kick-off of ArtBliss this year. There will be 4 chances to win a tote bag filled with jewelry-making goodies! Visit Cindy's blog for all the details and to enter.

 Hope to see you at ArtBliss 2012!