feet first

"she was meek"

The name given my newest Heart Strings, 

which by the way, is the necklace I just completed 

and is used as the class example for the online class I will be teaching this summer 
at Artful Gathering.

Teaching an online class is something I have wanted to do for quite some time, 

but really didn't have the time or the know how.

So, I thought the best way to accomplish both these goals was to just go ahead and do it.

Yes, that's me.  Commit and then learn.

You could say I learn by fire...quite the concept, don't you think?

"Heart Strings"

So, as I look at the word meek, 

added over a week ago to the tiny book designed during the taping of my newest 

Heart Strings,

I feel humbled as I reflect upon what I've learned so far...  

1. I am part of a group of ladies who are incredibly giving and supportive. 
2. I could not have chosen a better group to help me begin learning the ins and outs of teaching an online class, than the group I am a part of at Artful Gathering.
3. I am so glad that I have completed the first of my two classes today, and am now half way through my commitment. 
4. I really enjoy the videoing part of the class, but the editing is just about as much fun for me.  (I know this is where my creative side begins to kick in, even though I have only tipped the iceberg...this time around =)
5. I still have much to learn about what all goes into teaching online classes. 
6. I love learning new things, once I get past the actual part of beginning to learn new things. 
7. I can hardly stop myself from thinking ahead, into future classes I would like to offer...online.
8. I am thankful for other artists who love to share Information as much as I do.
9. I love teaching and sharing what I know about the little that I know =)
10. I am glad I have a supportive husband, because if I didn't have him, none of this would mean a thing to me.

much to be thankful for...

As we prepare for family to begin arriving today for our annual

Christmas Eve Party,

Allen and I would like to wish you a blessed

Christmas 

with your own family 

and/or friends.

I'd like to share the last scene from one of my favorite 

Christmas movies of all time.

i'm .....

I've found that once I return from a trip, I need a little down time.

This trip proved no different,

after traveling through seven states and back, on our way 

to and from ArtBLISS.

The name is self explanatory. 

Jeanette Blix and Cindy Wimmer have created an art retreat to remember.

If you have the opportunity to attend in 2012, start thinking about it now.

You won't regret it.

The intimate setting makes for a wonderful retreat.  And, if there ever were the perfect hostess', these two ladies definitely fit the bill.

Here's what they had waiting for me at the front desk!

How sweet is that?

Lori, =), Cindy

I finally had the opportunity to meet Cindy Wimmer face to face, 

after talking to her online for over two years.

And, meet Lori Anderson, who is the master mind behind the Bead Soup Blog Party!

I also met this round's soup partner, Kerry Bogert, 

who taught a couple of classes herself.

Kerry, =), Deryn

I had an opportunity set up shop next to Deryn Mentock at the Friday night's Meet and Greet, before the first round of classes that started the next day.

And, what a whirlwind it was....as I taught two classes and was in the classroom from way before 8 am to way after 9 pm. 

A long day for a short girl from Texas!  LOL.

But, as I began this post....

I am now standing on the other side, and it feels good.

Last Saturday was the seventh time I've taught my 

Etched and Layered cuff class.  

Here were the first set of cuffs waiting to be dipped into the etching bath.

Just as it was for me the first time, my students were thrilled

when their cuffs came out of the bath looking beautifully etched!

Luckily I had some help from my dh, as always; and my friend,
Ronnie~who helped keep me on task.

 I believe you'll agree, the cuffs are gorgeous!

That evening I taught the tassel part of my Heart Strings,

and had another great group of ladies.

 Adrianne and Andi kept me in stitches, 

as they built their tiny books and added the strings to their tassels.

Here is Andi's finished piece.  Layer upon layer of recycled sari silk, vintage ribbon, chains of all kinds, pearls, vintage rhinestones, mother of pearl buttons,
brass bits and numerous baubles.
I just love it!

We laughed most about the text she cut out of my vintage book of Shakespeare, 

and placed on the front of her tiny etched book. 

The next day was my largest class of the three,

Believe Soldered Pendant ... where many super stars

showed up!

What an honor and a blast to have Jeanette, Cindy and Lori,
there to spend the whole day with me.
Thanks so much ladies....for humbling me to my knees.

 Where is Jeanette?  Oh, I know...running around trying to fill every one's "needs".

She must have had a "store" in her room!

I am amazed at how the ladies spent the morning making beautiful original art to tuck inside their pendants, charms and bubbles.

Then, that very afternoon,
pick up a soldering iron and take off like they had been soldering for years!
I was impressed.

Without further ado, here are some of their beautiful soldered charms....

 Aren't they gorgeous?

Thanks to all my students who made me feel like a million bucks.

Thanks to Jeanette and Cindy for allowing me to come to the East Coast and share my passion for sharing.

 And, thank you Allen for helping all along the way.

It made getting to the other side easier than you know.....xo

amazing friends

I still have a few California stories to share.  

This one is that of a friendship

that has spanned just over three years ~ thru blogland.

I met Chris thru our love for designing jewelry.

Don't remember just how, but it was while blogging that we crossed paths.

So, when I knew I was going to teach in southern California, 

I had to go a little further north to meet her.

And, that I did.

The best part about our visit, besides finally seeing each other face to face, 

was that our husbands had such a great time together.

We started out early the next morning, after we arrived, 

by eating at a favorite restaurant in their town.

Then, onto Sonoma Valley...

where we went winery hopping.

 Which included a little tasting

and a little buying.

 Then off to the quaint town of Sonoma.

Stopping on the square for a little shopping.

 Snacking, of course.

Then off to Bodega Bay for dinner.  

Remember the movie The Birds?

Didn't see THE birds, but did see a pretty funny fisherman.

And quite a few fishing boats.

Chris and Rich took us to a beautiful restaurant on the bay, 

where we ended the day doing what?  

You guessed it.

Eating!

We had a great two days with our California friends.

And, before we left, Chris gifted me with one of her beautiful creations.  

She can stamp the most beautiful charms.  

Mine was a resin filled bezel, tab set onto a stamped heart...

then hung from a ribbon filled chain.

See what I mean?  Look at all her stamping.  It's so perfect.  

Simply beautiful!

And, lookie at the little tag she attached to the felt jewelry holder it was placed in.

Chris had it featured, along with  her beautiful jewelry, in the Spring issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry under the Art of Presentation!

 Thank you Chris & Rich for all you shared with us.

You are truly...two amazing friends!

castle in the air

Who was I to miss seeing Hearst Castle, the iconic west coast castle that sits high on a mountain top above the Pacific Ocean outside of San Simeon?

We braved the packed tour bus as it traveled up the long winding road, where I began to take in the details of how this landmark came into being, and most notably, how long it took to build.

 Reality is, the castle never was completed.
William Randolph Hearst, and his architect,
Julia Morgan worked on the entire estate for over 28 years.

What I enjoyed most about the two tours we took were the manicured grounds and the three houses that were built surrounding the castle.  Especially the second one he and his family lived in while the castle was being built, Casa del Mar.

 At double the size of the first house that was built (Casa del Monte), Casa del Mar was the second family residence. They moved in to Casa del Mar (House of the Sea) in 1924. It overlooked ocean views to the south that stretch one hundred miles on clear days. The most formal and most elaborately decorated of the cottages, Casa del Mar featured a different gold-leafed plaster ceiling in every room. Mr. Hearst moved to the the castle in 1928, but Casa del Mar still remained dear to him. At age eighty-two in the late 1940s, he returned there to live for his last two years on the hilltop--

before retiring to Beverly Hills, where he died in 1951.

 After taking in all of this beauty, we meandered back down the hill, leaving the "castle in the air" to return to Pismo Beach.  

That night we were invited back to Diana's for a 

potluck dinner!  My dh and I love potlucks!!

  How could she have planned a better send off than this?

We ate taco soup, homemade cornbread, scrumptious salads and sipped a little

fine wine.

Later we girls huddled in Diana's studio, which is beautiful by the way!
Susan, Stephani, =) and Diana

Thanks so much Diana for the treasure chest of goodies you sent home with me.
Sure do miss those girls!