Thank You!

It's December 22, 2010 and before you all go into limbo  (in a good way) because of the holidays I want to thank all the students who took my classes, all the establishments who had the trust and confidence in me to provide space to teach this past year and all those wonderful patrons who supported my social networks and blogs and creative habits and bought my stuff.

Although I have taught for many years, it's just been in the last 3 years that it's been full time and I have made so many friends along the way.  To all the establishments, I want to thank owner Irene Sanchez at Garden of Beaden for her warmth, friendship, creativity and enthusiasm....it's contagious.... and to her clientele that love her enough to trust her when she says "you need to take this class"!    To Nancy Jamar of the ever so lovely Gilding the Lily.   She's had a vision from the time she opened to provide an atmosphere of a by gone era when art and craftsmanship mingled.  She continues to inspire with her amazing selection of the vintage and the unusual and attract all us artsy glitter girls who want it.  She's also attracted top of the line instructors and I am proud to be apart that.    To Piecemakers ability to organize and provide students and their teachers with the utmost comfort and selection of classes and merchandise with the wisdom of over 30 years of being in business.   The Shepherdess in San
Diego was a dream come true, Harmony Works in Redondo Beach is my new local and wonderful place (thanks to Joann Doxakis) and newest to the group is Sheryl Simpsons' Whimzy in Irvine (Glitterfest originator!) which I am so grateful to be apart of!   AND all the other places that invited me to teach as a one time guest especially Jan Ballagh who invited me to teach in Las Vegas this year and last year and Kim at Bead Haven,THANK YOU!

New Etsy listings

Whew!  Listing stuff is time consuming!  These next few weeks I am concentrating on my Etsy store selling wonderful supplies that we arty folks love along with tutorials in my signature style and jewelry.  Here are some new pieces just listed in my store.  Take a look see here:  shades of akasha

Thanks for coming by!

more new eye candy

Tomorrow night, Friday Dec.17, will be the last boutique/trunk show of the year.  I wanted to share some of the new items I have concocted.  I especially LOVE the new charms with the rhinestones.....not sure what to call them or charge for them.  That's always hard.   Each oval charm was cut from nickel sheet metal by hand, patina ed, hand stamped and distressed and filed.   I added a double row of rhinestones and tiny eyelets.  I made 5 in all and wanted to make them all into necklaces but only had time to make two.  I'll add them to my etsy if they don't sell tomarrow.

New work, new Etsy listings.....

I had a great time at the Garden of Beaden last night and I wanted to share a few pictures of some new things I have been working on before they are gone.  We had lots of food and wine and a musical treat!  One of Melanie Doermans friends came to sing and play guitar for us!!!  SHE WAS AWESOME!!  If you missed last nights trunk show I have one more next week in Redondo Beach.  If you are interested let me know I will send the address (it's a private residence). 

$5 rhinestone charm

Also, my Etsy store has some new supplies for sale!  The crown charms almost sold out last night so act fast!

$4 crown charm

 

 

Thanks for stopping by during this busy season!

catch up..VEGAS, CANADA and more!

So it's that time of the year.....lots of preparation for holidays and family.  First up was t-day...that was fun and I'm looking forward to Christmas.  I love my family and being with them.  The San Diego mountains are a haven of pure air and solitude.  The icing on the cake was how wonderfully cold it was.  i love the cold!!   I took my daughter and her friend on a hike....it was one I do every time I go down except we had a little detour and had to go another way....long story short a 1 hour hike turned into a 2 hour hike.  Also went ice skating which is soooo much fun.  Saw old friends, went to a swap meet with my parents.  I'm so lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful family, honest to God. 

Since my lively hood relies on how many classes I teach every week, I have to say I am a little nervous to be heading into holding little if any classes until mid-January.  In the mean time I am lucky to have two trunk shows Dec.10 and Dec.17.    In case you are so inclined here are the details:

Friday Dec. 10, 6-9p Garden of Beadin Upland,Ca- Me selling my wares, lots of new and eclectic gifts,cards and jewels.  Wine and appies too.

Friday Dec.17, 6:30-8:30p Redondo Beach,CA- Private residence wine and appies.  There will be several independent artist's selling their wares.  Details to follow.

Part of being an independent entrepreneur involves 24/7 pro active thinking and doing.  Thinking about my schedule 3-6 months out, setting deadlines, making samples and proposals, contacting new establishments, making things to sell at shows and my store and it's all fun and I love it but it it's not for everyone.  You have to have faith that everything will work out even if you don't know how it will.  You become creative in other ways ...its called survival.  Part of this dry spell I will be having for the next few weeks made me think creatively.  Watch my etsy store in the coming weeks for some GREAT deals on hard to find supplies for all you crafty people.  Rhinestone chain, crown charms, crystals, bead caps, soldered charms, more kits and tutorials.  I will slowly start adding items this week and next week and will update you on my blog.   I have been adding items but I never let my blog people know....I forget.    I might even have a give away!

LAS VEGAS, FEB.5,6
One more thing...I have been asked to come back to Las Vegas in 2011!  Two great workshops....if you are in Vegas or live in Vegas Feb.5,6 treat yourself to a fun creative weekend.  Space is limited.  The picture  gives you an idea what the projects will be.  Here is a blurb and more updates as it approaches:

TWO DAY WORKSHOP WITH ROBIN DUDLEY-HOWES
                                February 5th & 6th   2011
                                  las  VEGAS
                  $90 per day or $160 for both days ($20 savings!)
                                  optional   kits available for$20 each
                   
Saturday Feb.5th-  ALTERED ART BOTTLES 10-4p
Have you seen those beautiful antique bottles with soldered sea shells, crosses and other mixed media at Anthropologie and other hip establishments?  Wondered how they were made?  I'll show you!!  No experience necessary!  Bring your soldering iron and solder and make at least one or two gorgeous bottles with your choice of rhinestones, crystals, doll parts, beveled glass, shells, more rhinestones.  These are SO much fun to make!   Kits will be available to purchase or bring your own stash.  Material list provided at registration.


Sunday Feb.6th-    TREASURE CUFF    10-4p
~Exclusive Class to this event!!  Learn how to make a beautiful show stopping cuff!  Techniques include how to make a sturdy wire base to attach and wire wrap beads, findings and mixed media.   Everyone should leave with a finished cuff, each one as individual as you are!  Kits provided if you prefer not to bring materials.  A small supply list will be given at registration for basic tool requirements.

Class size is limited so register early.  Payment plans available .  First payment due Dec.15 with balance due by Jan.10, 2011.    No refunds unless the class is canceled.   Send check or money order to:
Robin Dudley-Howes
1321 Engracia Ave
Torrance,CA 90501
Address for this event is at a private residence and will be given at time of registration.  Please contact me for more information by email:  robin@powerline6.com  OR leave a  phone message 310-787-8704

CANADA, BOWEN ISLAND B.C

Yes!  I have been asked by the talented fiber artist, Ellen White, to teach a 3 day workshop series March 25,26 & 27 2011in Canada!   I will be teaching my most popular classes: 
Friday 3/25-Tube bead earrings
Saturday 3/26- Mermaid Cuff
Sunday 3/27- Treasure Neclace and Soldered glass charms

Details are still being worked out.  Stay tuned!

Classes before turkey day

My class this past Saturday was a hit at the Garden of Beaden!  It is the first in a year long series for wire shaping and we had a full house (10 sign ups!).  Thanks to all of you who came from near and far!!!  Next class will be Jan.22,2011 on earrings so sign up early!!  This weekend I will be back at the Garden of Beaden in Upland teaching a new soldering class with a less hectic approach, in other words you'll be able to finish the necklace.  It's similar to my treasure necklace except we will focus on only 3 charms:  the flat back marble, chandelier pendant and shadow box. 

3-s a Charm-Soldering 101

All supplies are included the the cost $65 except equipment and a few other items.   Class is Sunday Nov.21, 10:30-3pm,  Call 909-949-7101

For this Saturday, Nov.20 come learn how to make a beautiful arched ornament with solder and hand stamped metal back.  Location:  Harmony Works, Redondo Beach CA  $60 includes most supplies 10-3p call 310-791-7104

Brand new wire shaping class series

I am happy to present a brand new series of wire shaping classes for a full year at the Garden of Beaden in Upland!  Class is from 10-5, $65.  Call 909-949-7107 for your seat.   Working with wire is an integral part of my jewelry designs and I am so pleased that I will have a chance to immerse and share my vast knowledge to students and that GOB has given me the creative license to do so.    The first series starts this Saturday Nov.13 "Find it and link it".  All the classes will be geared toward the novice however even experienced wire benders will probably learn a new trick or ten.  This class is a must to learn the basic foundations of making all types of jewelry connections.  You will learn a TON of techniques!  Here are some pics of what to expect:

The aim is not to make a particular project but to gain the skills needed to utilize the knowledge and make it your own.

Next class will be earrings!  TONS of styles!!!!! Check back early next year!



About a month ago one of my former belly dance students requested me to make a full jewelry ensemble for a brand new costume she just bought.  The color palette was turquoise, bronze, gold and brown.  Here are the results:

 Happy Creating!

Class Nov.6 and this past weekend

Boy it was a fun weekend, starting with a fortune telling gig for the Nestle Corporation's annual Halloween Party:

Akasha the Fortune Teller, Halloween 2010

 A  fantastic class on Saturday at Gilding the Lily.  BTW ALL my classes are fantastic w/fantastic students!

Carol, Tara, Jo, Marie, Colleen, me.   Riki took the picture

Me and Riki Schumacher hamming it up

And then a sleep over for my daughter and her freinds for Halloween and of course trick or treating! 

Halloween breakfast

with green witch hat pancakes and all the fixin's

 

 

 

 

 

skull and devil pizza

carmel apples

hubby & brother in law as British rockers, complete w/black eyeliner,YIKES!

my daughter and friend ready to trick or treat

Okay, one more thing .......I will be teaching the Treasured Charm Bracelet class this Saturday in Costa Mesa, 10-4p, $65 includes lunch.  Learn how to punch, drill and solder mixed media into a cool chunky bracelet.  Call Piecemakers 714-641-3112 for your seat!