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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

artBLISS 2012

Today ArtBLISS 2012 registration opens!
And, yes, I will once again be traveling up East to be a part of it, 
along with some other fantastic instructors:
I will be teaching one of my new classes
on Saturday, September 22, 2012.
A brand spankin' new cuff class!
Then, I have once again been asked to teach
on Sunday, September 23, 2012.
This time we will be adding a tiny etched book and soldered bottle
to our soldered necklace.
So much FUN.
AND,
I want to share a giveaway happening on one of the artBLISS hostess' blog,
Cindy Wimmer
that begins today with the registration kick-off.
The giveaway will be open for a week
and there will not be just 1, but 4 winners.  
Two will be selected from comments on Cindy's blog, and two will be chosen from those that register for a workshop within the first week (through May 2nd).  
Each of the 4 winners will  receive a tote bag filled with lots of goodies seen below.
I do hope I get to see you while I'm in Sterling, Virginia 
later this year.
It just might be my last trip up East...
for some time....=)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

my class raffle prizes and the end of the hop...






 
~ Heart Strings Raffle Prize  ~
A luscious mound of recycled sari silk, a gorgeous vintage rhinestone button & faceted glass heart, vintage chandelier crystals, baroque pearls, 
and my favorite design staple, 
oxidized crystal rondells.
Heart Strings will be offered in 
June 6th-July 17th

~ Etched & Layered Cuffs Raffle Prize ~
One flat brass cuff, a favorite Brass Bouquet component, several screws & nuts we will be using in class, 
and a super gorgeous vintage rhinestone brooch to add to your cuff!
Etched & Layered Cuffs will be offered in 
July 15th-August 25th
~~~
Don't forget that sign up for
is just around the corner
on
May 3rd!
On that day you'll have access to all of the classes offered in both sessions,
as well as the Supply KITS and Supply LISTS for our classes.
(Many of the kits are WSL...while supplies last).
So, if you've been anxiously awaiting, 
the time is drawing very near!
~~~~
AND, without further adieu,
the end of the hop is finally here!







Final Destination Blog Visit!


Our last and final blog destination belongs to and this is the final location where you'll find the last TWO words left in our secret word collection.


Pick up the last two words here.
Bring ALL your secret words here.

All Entries will Close May 5
Winners will be Announced May 7 at : ArtfulGathering.com


Winners will be drawn at random through random.org. One winner will be chosen to win the $200 e-card gift certificate to Jerry's Artarama, and two winners will be chosen at random to win a $25 e-gift card to Jerry's Artarama.
Please leave all the necessary contact info with your secret words in the moderated comment section of Artful Gathering's Hop Page.

Thank you so much for hopping with us and we look forward to seeing you at Artful Gathering 2012. Special thanks to Jerry's Artarama, Artful Gathering's prize sponsor of the blog hop event.
Good Luck, and thank you for playing!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

more prairie goodness and artful gathering news

:Josie:
This cuff softly whispers of of the many techniques we will be exploring in 
my premier two day class at The Prairie,
called
Etching base metals, laying down of solder with our torches, 
stamping, adding texture,
various cold-join techniques,
and exploring some exciting new patina options. 
 Is is just a bit over a week away before we begin this new journey!

AND....we are so close to the end of the hop!  
AND...early registration begins for  
on
May 3rd,
where I will be teaching two great online classes!

So, without further adieu...

Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!



Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!
Blog Hop your way for chance to win!


From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.


Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!
Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.
You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerry's.
Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:
  1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
  2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerry's.
Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!
Please HOP over and visit the Amazing
Cristina Zinnia Galliher



(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)



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Monday, April 09, 2012

sisters and the blog hop

I am constantly on the hunt for vintage cabinet cards of sisters, 
such as this one.
Probably because I remember all the pics we took as children,
my two sisters and I,
and the memories I attach to each....
Carrie, =) and Debbie

*****
Next on the hop is beautiful
Monica Zuniga.


 Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!



 
Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,

Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!



 From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.


Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!


Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.


You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

  1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
  2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerry's.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Monica Zuniga
 
http://monicazuniga.blogspot.com
Pick Up the Next Secret Word)



Thursday, April 05, 2012

Art Retreat at The Prairie

This is the dining room located in The Ranger Lounge
(above picture courtesy Rachel Ashwell)
at 
Rachel Ashwell's The Prairie B&B.
We will be having breakfast here each morning 
before we begin our classes 
each day.
Today it is EXACTLY three weeks, before we begin an incredible journey together,
and I can hardly believe it.
The very first of many
Barb has put together a groovy little get-together 
for Wednesday,
April 25th from 7-8,
where we will be having a little desert & drinks.
We will be able to mingle and meet each other,
as well as visit with the instructors 
before the next FULL day of classes.
AND,
you'll also be able to tour 
The Prairie.
It is truly an amazing venue, 
one you will not want to leave once you arrive.
Just this past Monday, Barb & I got together to discuss last minute details, 
and I don't know about Barb, but I got all fluttery inside 
thinking about how close it was to the day we begin classes.
 Barb is a one of a kind lady, and I feel so blessed to be a part of her team.
Sometimes I just want to pinch myself.
And, I promise you my friends,
you will not be disappointed....
with the classes,
with the instructors,
with the venue,
AND 
most of all...with Barb Solem.
Here's a fun little tour of The Prairie, but this is just a peak.
There really is so much more.
Enjoy!

Sunday, April 01, 2012




Artful Gathering Event Registration is Open!


I am very happy to announce that this week I'm
the Spotlight Artist for The Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Follow along with me for fun, creativity, and a chance to win a
$200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!


I will be teaching two fabulous premiere video workshops at

The Artful Gathering Online Art Retreat 2012


Heart Strings


Session One
June 6 - July 17 





A vintage brass thimble is the beginning component, and my inspiration, for a necklace I call “Heart Strings”, which I first shared in the Spring 2011 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

Made using layers of luscious strips of recycled sari silk, Dupoini silk, vintage lace and/or tulle, along with multiple lengths of various pieces and types of chain, you will enjoy exploring the possibilities of perhaps using baroque pearls, semi-precious beads, vintage bits and baubles, buttons and charms, or perhaps favorite pieces of brass filigree.

In this class I will guide you through your very own creative process, as you begin to creatively transform these tassels into beautiful works of art.
I will show you how to add various lengths of chain, bits from a gorgeous piece of  vintage rhinestone earring or bracelet, rosary chain; as well as how to wire wrap your beads, pearls and crystal rondells. Two more techniques that I will share in class, is how to design one of my "tiny etched books", and the other will be my  wire nests I call “nesties”. There are actually endless uses for these two pieces way beyond the Heart Strings class.

If that isn’t enough, you will have the option to adorn your thimble and tiny book with vintage text. I will show you how! And, if you choose to add one of my favorite brass lockets, I will show you how to use mica to cover your image or special words that will be tucked inside.

Finally, I will show you how to create a simple necklace, using a combination of either recycled sari silk or vintage lace and chain. You may want to add a sprinkle of wire wrapped beads, pearls or crystals…finishing with a choice of simple hook closures.

This is a class full of techniques, and GREAT fun!



Etched and Layered Cuffs


Session Two
July 15 - August 25


Etched and Layered Cuffs made their debut in the Summer of 2010, when they were published in Stampington and Company’s, Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine. Since then I have designed more than I can count. I have taught a total of seven classes at national retreats, as well as locally, and continue to have requests for more!

In this class, I will share my experience and special tips and tricks for preparing and stamping several styles and sizes of pre-made brass metal cuffs. I will walk you through the steps for successful etching, which will include important safety measures you should observe, including how to dispose of your enchant once finished. We will cover the different patina options, including a very special surprise patina not shared with any other of my Etched & Layered classes!

Once we cover the etching technique, we will move on to the all important next step…layering! This is the part of the project where you will really be able to soar with creative energy. I will share many ways to layer your cuff, and will pack in as many examples as I can during our time together. Layering elements are endless, and can include vintage brooches, ear bobs, and shoe or dress clips, brass filigree, vintage tulle, recycled sari silk…the possibilities continue to surprise me!
The attachment method will be done with a cold join technique I find useful and easy, and will transfer over to many projects far beyond your Etched and Layered Cuffs.

Having taught close to 100 students, I have seen countless examples of creativity that exists designing these timeless cuffs. So, come join me, as we Etch and Layer. You won’t be disappointed!



Come Hop With US!

Hop Rules:

If you would like to hop with us and meet all the super awesome Artful Gathering 2012 Art Instructors, and have a chance to win a random drawing prize in our random drawing, then hop with us! Each week, I will announce the blog for you to visit, and off you go to meet them, and to pick up the newest secret word. Your chance to win prizes....
  1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
  2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerry's!
  3. This weeks word is .....Dips

    Next week, I'll announce the next person to hop to. Good luck!!!

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