Keith love from Adorn Me!

If I were inclined to be one,
I would now be an official groupie of Keith Lo Bue.

He is such an inspiring, talented, and gifted teacher. I had the privilege of taking one evening class AND one full day class with him. What an incredibly talented guy, AND just a genuinely great person!

He taught some great techniques and tips in both classes~
Getting Attached: Rivet Making Revealed and Papering Over It: Collaging the Found Object.

And yes, Riki and I were together in these classes too.
Think we planned this? Yes.

I will leave you with the back of one of Keith's unique pieces,
His Inner Life.

Adorn Me! 2010 Days 2 & 3

"Cotton Tops"

After one day of teaching under my belt, the next few days were spent with one of my best friends, Riki Schumacher. We actually took three classes together, and the first was a 2-day class, Found Object Sandwich, with the master, Thomas Mann. Who by the way, had just celebrated his 40th Anniversary as a Metal Artist. I must say, indeed he is! Not only did I FINALLY learn to use my jeweler's saw with ease, but I learned the dynamics behind many of my bench tools.
I came home with a new flex shaft, and a head full of ideas. I believe a 2-day class is the way to go, and I know that for sure, especially after taking a 2-1/2 day class with Stephanie Lee last Spring, in California.
However, the best part of this class, REALLY was getting to hang out with Riki. She is such a great friend, and teacher, as I am sure many of her students came to know in her classes.
We had waited almost a year for this day.
We had much fun, and didn't waste one minute of it!
Here are a few pictures of my Found Object Sandwich while it was a work in progress. I had etched a piece of brass at home,
knowing I wanted to use it in class.
There are actually four layers shown here, which we worked on, one at a time.
Thomas assured us that our picture was still positioned correctly under the plexi glass!
Yes, he was right~it was!
The picture I used for this project, you probably have seen before. It is a re-sized version of a cabinet card I have of some distant cousins, and is part of my sister's series.
I never tire of these little blonde haired dolls.
I had also brought a piece of filigree I wanted to use, and had found a robin's egg blue stone in one of Thomas' bins. He even drilled the hole in the stone for me in class!
But, once home, I continued to work on it.
I added another piece of brass, but I still wasn't satisfied.
On Monday I received a shipment of brass from my favorite brass supplier, Brass Bouquet.
Jill hand-patinas all her pieces in her studio, and has the most gorgeous filigree.
You can also find some of her items in her Etsy shop.
That was it. I added this piece and another smaller one.
Now....I am done!Here is Riki's FOS piece. Isn't it gorgeous?
She really added a lot of extra pieces on hers. A brass lock plate from home, and plexi glass, which I believe Thomas guided her in etching. Isn't it gorgeous? Her story can be read here.

I found out I had more friends in the class, once it started!
One I have known only by phone, for several months, Lisa Monroe, (first photo, far left) is a gifted PMC artist from Waco, as is Lorena Angulo, (first photo, far right) who lives in San Antonio, and then a new blog buddy, Marcy Antle, (third photo, in the middle) from Georgia, was also a part of the class! Marcy was in my Rhinestone Dreams class, which I will talk about later.

The back of my FOS is just as beautiful as the front. Well almost.
Always look at the back of a piece. There you will see the true mark of a master.
I met one at Adorn Me! His name is Thomas Mann.

Ever felt like the tin man?

I have been known to wear myself out! Bet you know what I mean.
Adorn Me! took a lot of time and preparation, and I enjoyed EVERY last minute of it.
I am one to not sit still, and I think you know that by now, if you have kept up with me for any length of time.
I have been working the last couple of days getting ready to list the Crystal Princess Drop tutorial in my Etsy shop. It is now there.
I am also in the process of stocking my Etsy shop with vintage bits and more to cover this project.
If you decide to buy the tutorial, and are in need of some vintage supplies right now, please contact me & I will eagerly show you some of the vintage bits & more I have for sale, and then reserve list it in my shop just for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget about the drawing for the Crystal Princess Drop. Details are here.
I will choose a winner when I return from the Antique Festival, April 4th, 2010!

Crystal Princess Drop
~~~~~~~~~~

So, looks like Day Two of Adorn Me! (which I spent with my great friend, Riki Schumacher and Thomas Mann*wink*) will have to be posted another day....
You won't be disappointed, it was all GOOD.

Adorn Me! 2010

Day One ~ Crystal Princess Class

My first day at Adorn Me! was a teaching day, which was perfect for me. Turns out I had the most amazing group of ladies. They came to the class ready to learn, and learn they did!
Little did they know I had planned on having a load of goodies from my two favorite jewelry contacts! They were given first pick of some great vintage jewelry which they could use in class.
Class picture above:
Back row: Kathleeen (Katy, TX) & Charlene (Burleson, TX)
Middle row: Andi (Buckhannon, WV) & Kathy (Fayetteville, TN)
Front row: Carmen (Houston, TX), Kathy (Las Vegas, NV), me, Julie (Euharlee, GA)
& Deena ( Allentown, GA)
I knew they were bringing in pieces from home, which I had suggested in their supply list, but what woman can resist looking for new bits & pieces whenever possible?
Many of these vintage rhinestone earrings, rosaries & brooches showed up in their Crystal Princess designs that day!
Beautiful.....inspiring.....& what FUN!Charlene found a gorgeous rhinestone brooch to design her Princess.
Simply stunning! Great job Charlene! And, look at the rich amber colored chandelier crystal chosen by Kathy, from Las Vegas (from my stash), to design her necklace. She found a great vintage earring to use in class, and
I adore the bead colors she chose to work into her design.
Beautiful work Kathy!
And, how about Andi's Crystal Princess!
She shopped before class and found a gorgeous vintage turquoise glass bead rosary and a turquoise glass bracelet. She re-purposed them both, working in some beautiful Czech glass beads, to design a gorgeous necklace! Great job Andi! Kathleen, who owns a business called Hope & Glory, just so happens to live less than a mile from my home~in Katy. How crazy is that? She has the most infectious smile.
I love when a person's eyes turn to happy face eyes when they smile!
That is Kathleen, who you will see in a future post about my Sunday class~Rhinestone Dreams.
Here are some of the other beautiful creations.
Each one a work of art!
Thanks to each of you for a beautiful day creating and sharing.
I believe I learned as much from you as you did from me.
After our classes, Deryn met Diana, Riki & I downstairs. Deryn had just arrived to teach her first class, which was an evening class. Diana & Riki had taken a class that day with a new friend, Melissa Manley. Oh, how I wish I could have taken her Hard Candy class.
Diana & Riki loved it!
Now for some exciting news from my little shop, Rosa & Josie's!
If you were not able to make it to my sweet state of Texas, and be a part of Adorn Me!
Or maybe you were not able to make it into my Crystal Princess class....AND you would like to know just how I attached those vintage rhinestone pieces to the top of the chandelier crystals, I will have a tutorial listed in my Etsy shop beginning Saturday, March 20th.
One that day, I will post about it, and begin a drawing for one of these!
You must leave a comment to be part of the drawing on that day.
If you want two chances to win a Crystal Princess Drop,
you can subscribe to my blog on FeedBlitz. You will find the link on the right lower margin of my blog.
For a third chance, purchase a tutorial =)
And, just one more bit of news!
Beginning Thursday, April 1st, I will be selling goodies, like the ones I had in my classes,
in a new venture called Vintage Bits & More.
These wonderful vintage goodies (& more) will be listed regularly
in my Etsy shop.
Bet you thought I had gone on vacation after Adorn Me!
Stay tuned for Day Two!

{Echo} Week 8 - Juicy

I can hold out for a surprise to the very end. No peeking for me.
I can do it. No problem.
But, lets just say maybe you can't, won't, don't, or all of the above.
I am okay with that.
If you are one of those who like seeing what's coming, what's up ahead....well, I finished a few pieces this weekend.
I love to share, and this is a simple little taste of what you might see
Vendor Night,
Friday, March 5th, Adorn Me! 2010.

"juicy"
(I am constantly amazed with the beauty of a czech glass bead. This one reeks of juicy to me.
Go to Susan or Chrysti's blog for their interpretation of the prompt for Week 8).

"czech princess"

"icicles"

"hearts of carnelian"

"Vintage Bits & More"

"beginnings"

Preparing for Adorn Me! has given my mind license to float and flutter about in the most exciting ways. An idea that has been bouncing back & forth upstairs, for more than one day,
has finally showed itself.
These little packages of "vintage bits & more", will be at my table come Vendor Night.
I have plans for them far beyond the retreat, so I hope you get to come and experience this premiere jewelry affaire called Adorn Me! 2010.
Oh, yes, don't forget to look for the newest of the Stampington publications, Jewelry Affaire, also premiering~this April.
I'll see you there....
"betweens" "endings"

dwell in possibility

"rhinestone dreams"

:quote by emily dickinson:

Over yet (under)stated.
:yes,that's me:
"happy valentine's weekend"

{Echo} Week 7 : Whisper

"whisper"

As I share my interpretation of the echo prompt given to us by Chrysti and Susan for Week 7,
I am reminded of the glory of God revealed to us in the soft whispering flutter of a butterflies wings.
My shot was taken in south Texas during Thanksgiving weekend.
My prompt partner Lani, shares with us the inukshuk, which just so happens to be the emblem for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Lani says this~
"The inukshuk image was from our course. There's an ancient wall built with rocks from when white folks just arrived in the area. It's part of our morning walk. Someone had taken loose rocks and built inukshuk or inuksuit (plural) which means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of stones that are used to say "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path." I love these little figures and wonder about all the various peoples that have lived on this land.
The walls and rocks whisper to me "someone was here" and "you are on the right path."
(texture used: les brumes)
Click on photo to enlarge!

never live faster than your guardian angels can fly

"circle of love"
(earrings made to match "look up")

As I prepare for the class I'll be teaching this weekend, I am reminded of my many blessings. I type out these words, and still have to pinch myself. How did I get here? Teaching? It is said a journey begins with a single step. That is exactly how it begins.
It is just having the courage to take that step.
My one step began almost two years ago. Somewhat before that I do believe,
but not .....really.
If you have a dream. Go for it. I tell you this from experience.
There is never a better time to start than now. Today is now.
I do not have a sugar coated life.
I do have a good life.
I know at any moment that can change.
Thank you for allowing me to be here with you.
More than that....
Thank your for allowing me to be me.
One more quote (in addition to this blog post title) taken from my beautiful 2010 Heart of the Home calendar by Susan Branch.
God respects me when I work,
But He loves me when I sing~

the greatest of these is love

It's easy to love our children. Our grandchildren.
Maybe even our sister or our brother, mother or father. And, course our spouse.
But what about the broken, and the hurting? The sick and the hungry?
What about the fellow you see each morning washing his socks in one of the downtown water fountains? What about the divorced woman next door with the unruly teenagers? Or the guy driving next to you with his windows down playing his radio so loud it hurts YOUR ears and pounds on YOUR chest?

How about the person you see standing next to the sandwich shop
asking for a little change each day?

Or, what about the fellow you've seen huddled under a ragged wool blanket in the doorway of the building that stands next to where you work?

Last October I read a post written by my talented Visual Poetry and Digital Photomanipulation teacher, Susan Tuttle, recounting a recent trip to New York to visit with fellow friend and passionate artist, Susanna Gordan. Susanna had (and has) an ongoing project called, Winged Messengers. I contacted her, and within a couple of weeks a painted brown envelope was delivered to me with 2 messengers inside, AND a beautiful hand-written note explaining the idea and passion behind her pieces of winged art. I was impressed, not only by the (long) hand-written letter, but by the insight she held inside her heart for the winged messengers!
I tucked them safely away in my office till after Thanksgiving, patiently waiting for just the right moment to let them land.
Purposely, I planned to leave the first at a busy street corner of Downtown Houston. I'd put one on a building I pass by many mornings on my way to work. This particular day was December 23rd. I just knew there would be someone who needed to hear this message so lovingly designed and painted by Susanna. Perhaps this could be that unexpected glimmer of hope. Hope long gone. Much needed, especially now, so close to Christmas. So, I left it at what is called the Sweeney Building, now vacant, tenants long gone. The morning was windy, cool, with some light misty rain. I had brought my large roll of heavy duty packing tape, and with a quick hand I taped it to the front door, hoping that whoever needed it on that day would see it.

The message was loud and clear. It was strong and purposeful. It was soft, yet powerful. It was grace revealed.
Love not earned, but freely given.

Later that afternoon, I went outside to see if the messenger was still on the front door. It was gone. I looked frantically on the ground. Checked all neighboring street curbs and gutters. I didn't see it. The wind had been so strong that day.
I prayed it had served its purpose. That it was able to give that someone a small bit of joy and understanding. You are loved. What more is possibly needed?

"look up"
My latest necklace was made using nickel sheet metal, which I etched in the class I taught at Round Top about two weeks ago. I attached and riveted a very special vintage rhinestone brooch and vintage metal stamping to the etched metal. I used matching etched beads, cultured freshwater stick pearls, sari silk-wrapped beads, added glass crystal rondells, then wire wrapped it with oxidized sterling silver wire.
The soft dangle was made using vintage rhinestone,
tied with a small piece of matching sari silk.
On February 1, my radio station, KSBJ (yes, it is mine, along with thousands of others who joyfully support it) will dedicate a full day raising funds for Haiti.
It is called Heart for Haiti
Pairing with KSBJ,
I will auction off this piece. Bidding will begin at $75.
If you would like to participate, PLEASE leave a comment, with your bid on this post. The bidding will end on Sunday, February 7th at 12 noon CST.
I will send an invoice to the winner, and once I receive payment, will send a donation to Samaritan's Purse in your name, and the necklace will be mailed to you.
I will send a copy of the receipt for your donation back to you.

Thanks for caring.

{Echo} Week 6: Face

Lani and I are sharing our sixth bi-weekly prompt
with Susan and Chrysti -- face.

Lani explains her interpretation: Edward came down this morning with these miniature daffodils and there was never a more beautiful or welcome face as that of these little flowers in the middle of all our snow and ice! Oh, I agree.
What could be more welcoming than the bright yellow face of a daffodil?

Daffodils have their own little special place buried way down deep in my memory of memories. When I was growing up, my grandmother (Josie) had the most beautiful creamy white daffodils magically appear each Spring in her front yard. They lined up, like a row of soldiers, straight and narrow down the front of the large wooden house where my mother lived as a girl.

On occasion, I was even allowed to pick one...or maybe two!

My contribution is a photo of our beautiful grandson, who will be one in just a few short weeks.
He is growing so fast.
My husband and I travel to see him at least weekly. Grandparents are meant to be a part of their grand children's life. I do know that so very well.

Be sure and visit the Flickr group for more beautiful diptychs.
You will enjoy!
(texture used: les brumes, click on photo to enlarge =)

my heart

"my heart is full"
(sold)
In so many ways.

This is where my class, Resolutions of the Heart, was held last Saturday.
We were in the Round Top Family Library.

This beautiful building was formerly the Hope Lutheran Church, a historic Gothic building first constructed in 1925.
It was dismantled and moved in seven pieces from Milam county to Round Top, then immaculately restored.

I had so little time to take pictures. The ones I took, I now cherish.
Look at the antique German bisque storybook characters that sit atop the library shelves lined with wonderful old books. This is just four of the many.
The librarian, Barbara Smith, was such a gracious hostess. She shared with me the feeling she has had since being called here almost 10 years ago. I know why she's here. I feel it too.

Look at these special ladies. We had the most precious time together. Charlene, right behind me, is one of the most fun ladies and blog buddy, traveling all the way from Fort Worth. She was a great class helper, and now a wonderful new friend. Carrie, on the back right, lives just down the road from me in Katy. She makes the most beautiful pottery. She came into the class knowing very little (about jewelry design), but you would never had known it. She told me she was a "fast learner". I'll say! She took to it like she had done it for years. The two lovely "local" ladies, good friends who both have business' at Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities in Bellville.
Back row: Charlene, Carrie
Front row: me, Agnes and Carla

The huge hand-made pine board table, nestled in the front corner of the library, was the most magical place for us to work. It was the perfect size for four students.

......my heart is still so very full. I truly don't know what else to say.
But, thank you, all of you who were involved,
for blessing me with one of the most special days of my life.
You are the best!