artful gathering and art retreat by the beach

Much of my inspiration is not premeditated, 

(I suppose inspiration always most often comes that way)

so when IT happens I still get all tingly inside & out.

Right now I am joyfully involved in my first ever online class that began 

last Wednesday at Artful Gathering.

I am beginning to answer questions, learn more about the students as they introduce themselves....all very, very exciting!

But with all that to keep me busy, yesterday I began to focus on my little trip to California, which is coming up quicker than I can imagine.

In a little less than 2 weeks, I will be teaching  three classes at 

Art Retreat by the Beach.

One of which, is Heart Strings,

which is the very class going on right now at AG.

So, as I feed my students tidbits of inspiration, 

maybe with the latest stash of recycled sari silk I have come in the mail...

 I magically find some myself.  What a bonus....

  I had no idea when I found these gorgeous vintage rhinestone watch bezels in an Etsy dealer's shop, that I might be using them in my next Heart Strings piece.

All three of them are more than gorgeous to me, and so very imperfect...one missing a rhinestone baguette, and its crystal.

But, then I remembered a watch I've had tucked away since my step-mother's passing quite a few years ago.

It was the watch she always wore.  A lovely Bulova, with a sprinkle of tiny diamonds on each side of the face.

It has been safely tucked away with many other pieces of vintage jewelry I have bought.

This one is more important to me though, as it was Jewel's.

Just this last January, I had a small group of ladies come to my house to design their very own Heart Strings.

One, which has become a wonderful new friend, Bridget, used watch bezels in her Heart Strings, along with a vintage ID bracelet.  The watch bezel was from her father's watch.

I blogged about the class here, and then just a week (or so) later we got together and she had her finished necklace along to show me.

It really touched my heart.

I do hope to see a few of you (in person) in just a couple of weeks in Coronado.

The venue is gorgeous, and no doubt, Barb will have goodies for everyone.

The classes are small.

I have begun to love small classes.  

So much more intimate, 

and so much more time for talking and spending time with you....

 (goodies found at a local antique shop in downtown Katy)