Students work & The Shepherdess

top left to right:Diane,Lisa,Amy,Margie,Pam Nancy
bottom left to right: Kim, Valerie
Kims killer necklace
Amy's amazing necklace~love the hand made head pin hooks
Another pic of Amy's amazing necklace
Valeries vivacious soldered bottle
more vivacious valerie~mini shrine
Margies monumental creation
Margie in purple~ she's a hoot....can you tell? Amy in the background~inspecting her work
Pam's phenomenal collection of patinaed charms~ready to assemble
Amy diligently working away
Amy and Kim~2nd day of class
My sample next to Kim's ready for assembly~ The sample was worn by a couple students during the class
Lisa's lovely work space
Dynamite Diane putting it all together
Valerie
Okay, I'm back from San Diego. What a great group of gals! Cooky (the owner of the Shepherdess) is as sweet a host as they come, professional, organized and very talented herself. In fact all the Shepherdess peeps and students are talented. There were 3 instructors (Amy,Margie and Nancy) in my class who teach at the Shepherdess all talented in their own right and very humble. Their talents have no bounds and range from fiber art, PMC, jewelry design and construction, beading, fusing and metal smithing (I hope I got it all). Amy and Margie were kind enough to show me how to use my creme brule' torch which I had bought several months ago and never used because of my fear of fire! Then there was Valerie, an interior designer, who had an amazing imagination and original ideas for her soldered treasure necklace and whom I had taken a class with the Australian artist Keith Loboe. Kim...always brings treats for everyone and is such a sweetheart! She is on a mission to learn jewelry making and I am honored to be on her list of teachers. Next weekend at Gilding the Lily will be her 3rd class with me (she only started a couple months ago) and then she's off to learn w/Sally Jean. Lisa came all the way from Phoenix to learn with me...it sure is validating to have that kind of commitment. Diane didn't mess around! She won the prize for making the most charms and she had the coolest ephemera! Pam is an aspiring actress and model and had lots of questions which is always good in a class situation.

My goal was to have every student finish their necklace and most did. I hope you enjoy the photos. In the mean time stay tuned for future classes with me at the Shepherdess and their stellar line up of teachers near and far. If you go to their website you can get on the email list.

Here is a link to another student that just finished her treasure necklace: wickerpatio.
She drove down from central california to take a class with me at Gilding the Lily about 2 months ago and is such a sweet heart. She also gave me some tiny vintage velvet flowers that I love using in my art.

If any of the students from this class see this post, I would love to hear your feedback!
xxooxorobin

2 day soldering workshop

Hello everyone. For the first time ever my Treasure necklace and soldered glass charm class will be a two day workshop. Location: The Shepherdess~my home town of San Diego,California in the ultra charming Old Town. When: July 11,12.

Only 3 seats left. Click here for pics and registration:
shepherdessbeads.com

If you have never been to this charming historic part of San Diego you will love it! Not only is the Shepherdess a fantastic place to shop, right next door to it is my most favorite bead store in the world! Did I mention the fabulous Mexican food and margaritas in fish bowl size glasses, reasonable accomodations, unique boutiques, museums and a very cool haunted house and cemetery? AND all of this is within walking distance.

For pics click my class link on the right corner of the blog. I will have pictures of new projects after I come back. Hope to see you!

Say,Say oh playmate...part deux

SOLD!!!






My playmate from the last post morphed into this assemblage. It was very,very fun putting it together and I am thinking of listing in my Etsy store but not sure how much to charge. In any case I have plans and ideas for more.

My flea market friend Karen and I went to our local flea today. OMG I have to stop! There is just too many temptations! Yesterday I had my reliquary class and all my students finished their project! I did a lot of prep work ahead so that they could and it worked. One of my students took pictures so I'm hoping she'll email them.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Say,Say oh playmate...

My new play mate
Flea Market finds~ LOVE EM'


Cuff Experiment
Say say oh playmate (sing with me)
come out and play with me,
and bring your dolly 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rainbow (I can't hear you!)
into my cellar door
and we'll be jolly friends
for ever, more more more more more!

I bought a new book called Exhibition 36~Mixed Media Demonstrations and Explorations by Susan Tuttle. I don't buy books very often or magazines for that matter since I have so many but I liked this book because it had lots of contributors in all different mediums. My favorite artist and probably the reason I finally bought the book was JoAnnA Pierotti. I was smitten with her dolls and how free she is with her art. I couldn't wait to get into my studio and start painting on old dolls and doll heads and soldering. The Charlotte all dolled up is one of my new playmates inspired by JoAnna. Since I am teaching a reliquary class this Saturday at Piecemakers (seats still available) she will be another sample for the class.

Sirene de la mer

It has been a while since I made a crown. I had a lot of fun making this one experimenting with some new clays and and structure. I may be teaching it....stay tuned.

catch up...

I went on a womens retreat this weekend in Joshua Tree national park. I use to do these retreats years ago and it was so wonderful to re connect with all my gal pals. We saw lots of wild life (rattle snake by the out house), a desert tortoise ?, some other kind of yellow snake, strange looking lizards, coyotes...yep we were out in the boonies and it was hot to boot. But it sure was enlightening and so good to connect with like minded, strong and artistic women. Thanks RA and Anne!

These pieces are up for sale in my ETSY store, except for the cross. My cat, Magic, is such a brat. As you can see he was attacking my necklace while I was trying to shoot. The other picture is a kit I put together for Dawn in Minnesota. Thanks Dawn! Well I have to go create. Just purchased some apoxie clay and am bursting with ideas!
oxopeace

Something New

I've been wanting to make this for a long time. Up until now it's been a rendering in my sketch book and I finally whipped it up this week for a new class at Piecemakers. I will be teaching it Aug.29 from 10a-4p. Sign ups will be soon and you can contact them ahead at 714-641-3112. It's called "Bohemian Chic"~An introduction to shisha mirror embroidery. The whole purse is made from scratch and the techniques will include free form quilting, shisha mirror embroidery, tassels and pompoms. Shisha mirrors are small mirrors used in ethnic textiles and accessories. Most examples I have seen are from India, Africa and Pakistan. Let me know what you think!

Soldering-Treasure Necklace sign ups

This picture has been on my blog in several posts. The class keeps me busy and I am so pleased to announce that The Shepherdess in San Diego Ca. will be offering my Treasure Necklace and Soldered Glass charms class for two whole days!! Registration starts this Friday, May 15. The class is schedualed for JULY 11 and 12. I am thrilled to be doing this class for two days since it's impossible to finish in just one day. And it gives me more time to teach more techniques not only on soldering but simple jewelry construction. One thing you need to know about registering for the Shepherdess is it can get crazy! Phoning in is the best way to get a seat as they usually sell out the same day. Call: 619-297-4110. Click here for workshop:
shepherdessbeads.com

For those of you in Los Angeles I have 3 spots left for The Treasure Necklace this Sunday, May 17 in Costa Mesa,Ca. Call 714-641-3112. If you don't have equipment you are welcome to use mine for a small studio fee of $5. The class is $65 which includes some supplies and runs from 10a-3:30.

hippy chick

NEW ETSY EARRINGS


NEW ETSY EARRINGS-assymetric
NEW ETSY EARRINGS-assymetric
NEW ETSY EARRINGS

MY BRONZE BIRDIE W/NEST
yes, i confess I am a hippy chick...always have been and probably always will be. for God's sake I was born in 1962......my family wasn't bohemian but you can't mess with the star's and their alignment. This is my back yard in all it's chaos with died silk hanging from the lemon tree. I actually had to make my own clothes hanger from an old branch and hang it from two other branches. after I left these to dry I was inspired to dye more vintage doilies, aprons and vagrant fabric scraps. I have been dying things off and on for years, mostly experimenting and after I saw Nina Bagleys post of dyed pieces for jewelry and journals it ingnited my past. Right now I am in the frantic process of producing new samples for classes. this is the process: making your mark by creating your own reality, colors and style and hoping others will like it! So far so good. More assymetric earrings in my etsy store. the little bird will soon be part of a necklace. it was cast in bronze and i am using bronze wire to connect the dots. peace!

Demonstration this Saturday, May 9

Hi everyone

I will be doing a soldering demo this Saturday at Piecemakers, 1720 Adams Ave Costa Mesa,Ca 92626 from 11a-2p. I will also have some things for sale and other samples for upcoming classes. Come on by and say hi!