looking forward to Coronado

Time has really been flying faster than a speeding bullet for me...

as in just 4 short days I will have already landed in

Coronado, California,

getting ready to teach three days of some of my favorite classes.

I have already packed up and shipped two boxes of supplies,

sending them off with many prayers that they'll land there safely on Tuesday!

I have enjoyed much family time this past week, but have also been happily enjoying my 

first of two summer online classes which began on June 6th.  The one that's going on now, 

Heart Strings, is the one I'll be teaching on Sunday (in person),
at Art Retreat by the Beach.

This past week I designed a Heart Strings I'll be wearing this next weekend,

called "My Grandmothers".

Another thankful nod to two ladies that gave birth to my parents, 

and taught me more than they probably ever realized.

After sharing these beauties in my previous post, I knew I had to use at least one of the three beautiful rhinestone watch bezels, so indeed I did...

in my newest Heart Strings.

Oh, now this was some fun...using that wonderful picture of my grandparents as a very young couple which I shared with you, seems like eons ago.

I also decided to use a resin bezel I had of my other grandmother, Rosa,

thus giving me the name for my piece.

I used some other great vintage pieces in this necklace,

an old tiny diary key, a vintage rosary, another vintage crucifix & religious metal, a sprinkle of vintage rhinestone buttons, a heart taken from some retro earrings, some of my favorite rhinestone connectors, oxidized rhinestone crystal rondells, and some gorgeous faceted Peruvian Opals.

I really am in love with the box chain I used in this Heart Strings...wish I had more.

But, I'm sure you know how that goes.

And, of course, I added some wonderful vintage lace, trim, tulle and some of my 

current favorite colors of recycled sari silk.  Yum.

 

Oh yes, and one of my Tiny Etched Books,

which is currently shown in the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry~

along with step-out photos!

These are all fun elements we will be working on in Coronado,

in just one short week, as this class in on Sunday.

And, just so you know, you still have until the 20th to enroll in Heart Strings online,
even as we speak, at Artful Gathering.

Some great pieces are beginning to show up in the AG photo gallery...

Like this Heart Strings made by one of my students, Mary Royals.
What a great job Mary!

Maybe I'll see you in Coronado...or perhaps online.

~diane

xo

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)

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!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

recycled sari silk for Heart Strings and it's time to visit Cat

 I've been putting together Heart Strings kits that will soon be for sale in my Etsy shop.

I'll be teaching this class online in the first session of Artful Gathering 2012,

but I'll also have a bit of news to share this week.  

And, it involves Heart Strings =)

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
Cat Kerr
Http://inthelightofthemoon.blogspot.com;
(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

close to my heart.....

"Heart Strings"

I believe the more that I design, the more I ♥ them!

This piece has almost all of the techniques I will be teaching this summer online at

Artful Gathering.

Yep, I tried to squeeze them all into this last necklace I made as a class sample for the one I'll be teaching in Katy this next weekend.

If you haven't heard, and you would like to be a part of it,

I still have some available spots.

All the details are here.

Won't you join me?

xo

using what i have

"Heart Strings"

I have the tendency to buy way more than I need ~ of anything.

I sometimes sit in my little design space and think I feel the walls literally closing in on me.

Seems once a new idea flies into view, I go all out!

Delving into a new assignment this past week, 

I have tried to turn over a new leaf.   Don't laugh.

I told myself, use what you have.

You have much....just look...you will find all you need.

And more.

I did. I have.  I am happy.

 Other news is that my dear friend, Barb Solem and I visited 

The Prairie 

 this past Wednesday to begin work on her new venture, 

an art retreat (to begin the Spring of 2012)

in Round Top.

Beautiful and inspiring...the day was.

An unusual (for Texas) 

cool breeze was gently blowing.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture Shop

I literally wanted to jump into every bed Rachel had dressed in each of the 

quaint little cottages on site.

 This picture was actually taken in the downstairs bedroom of the big house, 

the

Liliput Lodge.

 There are two more additional bedrooms upstairs.

Then onto the 

Bluebonnet Barn.

I don't know what to say about this darling cottage, 

once a barn...except...

I want one!

 Every bed, including this day bed in the barn, 

is full of Rachel's pillows.

Next, we stepped into the Cornflower Cottage, 

where Barb had stayed the night.

 And, lastly...

The Meadow Manor.

Reserved for The Prairie event next Spring by Barb, 

for she and the instructors.

Then it was back to the 

Ranger Lounge.

 Once a horse barn, creatively redesigned into a communal meeting/eating space by the previous owner, Lenore Prudhomme. 

The classes will be held here, with plenty of space to spread out back.

And, of course, 

Rachel had angel wings everywhere.

Simply divine.