Mermaid Cuff class this Saturday Aug.21

Riki's cuff

Chelseas' Cuff

Student cuff(not finished)

my cuff

For those of you who have wanted to take this class here is your chance.  It's a fun class, easy to make and you will definitely go home with a finished cuff.  No experience necessary.   The class will be held at Garden of Beaden in Upland Ca. THIS SATURDAY AUG.21 from 11-3p, $55.  Call 909-949-7107 to reserve your seat.  Irene has made some cute kits if you don't have any supplies.   Here are pictures of my cuff along with some students.  Some still needed a few more details but you get the picture.  Hope to see you!

my cuff

Kims cuff(not finished)

church finds for flea market Friday.......well Sunday

I don't do these things often but I have a tad bit of time before I get to work in my studio and as I was surfing blogs and such I came across the lovely Kecia's blog of Lemoncholy Studio.   She does this blog hop to get new people to visit others' blogs.  Great idea.  I just so happen to come across my local Catholic churchs' bargain basement thrift store today on my morning walk and here is what I picked up:

 The next set of pictures were taken and never downloaded from my last trip to the flea in downtown Torrance:

Click the pictures to get a bigger view.  Have a great Sunday!

catch up

I often make my treasure necklaces and never get a chance to take a picture of them before they sell.    Here is one that I did take a picture of before I sold it (today) to a new student of mine also named Robin.  She wanted misty sea foam greens and aqua's with lots of bling, sea theme, spirititual, birds.  If you would like your very own treasure necklace please contact me.  I can make it to your specifications with your own personal ephemera and pictures.  They start at $100.  If you want to learn how to make your own, I teach it often all over S.Cal.  The next one is in Redondo Beach, Sept.18.  See the side bar for a direct link.

This coming Saturday August 14 I will be teaching a brand new class and I hope you can join me.  I will teach you how to make a glass ornament and hammer metal with words or phrases, sandwiching  the two  by soldering a frame to the glass and metal.  You will also get a small lesson on wire wrapping to make a very cool hanger along with my velvet connector technique.   You will receive a kit with pre-cut custom glass and everything else to make the ornament.  Location:  Piecemakers, 1720 Adams Ave, Costa Mesa.  10-2, $45 plus $17 kit fee.  Call 714-641-3112 to reserve your seat.  No soldering experience necessary!  Picture of ornament below:

From now until October 2,   I will be talking up the much anticipated GLITTERFEST, a mixed media art show like no other.  Won't you join me?  Mark you calendar.  You will not regret it.

GLITTERFEST.COM

SALE! & Earring Class.....

Here is a heads up on my favorite place to buy sterling silver wire.  From July 29th-Aug.1 Thunderbirdsupply.com is having their quarterly super sale!!!  You get the 500 oz price on any amount of forged metal supplies plus lots of other sale stuff.   And their shipping options won't send you to the poor house.  

On another note,  Whimzy in Irvine is having me teach for the first time at their lovely establishment Sunday Aug.8.  It's my tube earring class and they only have 2 sign ups meaning if we can't get at least 6-8 students the class will be dropped so if you have been wanting to take this class  sign up now!   All materials included (sterling wire, real garnets & pearls, findings, class handout) $55, 1-4pm.  Go HERE to register.

New Class!

I have been requested by a private party to teach this class, Friday July 30, 9-3p Rancho Palos Verdes.  Seating is limited.  Reserve your spot asap: 310-787-8704.  Details below:

Price: $60 (no materials) or $100 (all materials included)prepaid by 7/29

Limited seating

Over 100 years ago in a doll factory located in Thuringia,Germany, “Frozen Charlottes” dolls were manufactured.  These hard to find treasures, broken and not, have become trophies when found and highly collectable among mixed media artists.  It is the resurrection and collection of these enigmatic figures that guided me to make this necklace and share my techniques.  You will learn Robins signature wire wraping techniques , soldering and miniature embellishment….making a tiny tiara for  Charlotte, preserving her in a miniature vial and attaching it to a beautiful sterling silver & vintage finding necklace that you will learn how to make!  Class fee is structured two ways:  $60 for class only, material list below or $100 includes sterling silver wire, chain, vial, antique charlotte, vintage rhinestone findings and ephemera  and everything else to make the necklace.  All students will need to bring their own jewelry pliers and soldering equipment (list as follows).  If you do not or can not bring your own soldering equipment, Robin charges a studio fee of $8 to use hers, first come first serve.  Questions? 

Petite Soldered Box this weekend

Nests & Bottles

Two back to back fabulous classes!!!!!!

 Come join me for a last minute class this Friday July 9 at the GARDEN OF BEADEN in Upland Ca.  11-1p.  Learn how to make the cutest wire nests to add to earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, mixed media and more!  No experience or fancy equipment necessary. Bring your wire cutters and jewelry pliers if you have them.   $45 includes enough material for 3 nests!!!  Contact them ASAP (909) 949-7107

ALSO this Saturday July 10, Piecemakers Costa Mesa CA.  11-3:30. $50 fee includes LUNCH (yummy) and a good amount of supplies.    Call 714-641-3112 to pay for class.......there's only a few seats left!   Turn a plain bottle into a doll, necklace or vessel for keepsakes.   Robin will show you fun and creative applications using wax, wire, assemblage, collage, solder, fibers, buttons, rusted metal, broken ceramic and doll parts .  We will cover your bottle with salvaged, repurposed and new ephemera and turn it into a unique conversation piece.  You should be able to finish 1-3 bottles.   If time allows, we will learn how to paint a simple rose onto your chosen surface.   Robin will supply one small bottle for each student, beeswax, wire, soldering iron, paint, melting pot, cheesecloth and expendables.  




Supplies:
1 or more small and medium size  (2-8 inches) old or new perfume and medicine bottles

Ephemera to personalize your bottles.   This can include: chain, charms, vintage lace, buttons, broken jewelry, doll parts, toy pieces, millinery, keys,  pearls, vintage text  and patterns etc. 

Optional:  Hakko Soldering Iron, 40 Watt, Model 455 and equipment, beeswax, glitter, mica,  small paint brush, annealed steal wire, pliers and wire  cutters

An angel in my basil.....

It's been too long since the last post.  Isn't that a typical line for the beginning of a post?  My child will no longer be in elementary school....September she'll be in middle school.  Last week was the celebration of that plus family stays, cleaning, food prep, entertaining, workshop prep, workshops and filling orders for clients.  Sometimes I wonder how I do it all and I know I'm not alone out there.  Here are some pictures of new pieces and my newest angel.  Making jewelry from unusual items has become a passion for me and I am constantly experimenting.  If you need some instructional inspiration and eye candy for soldered glass charms and mixed media check out these books:  Pretty Little Things by Sally Jean Alexander and Collage Lost and Found by Josie Cirincione.  Oh, I WILL do that little tutorial on the waxed tp pouches from the last post.  I just wanted to photograph the process before I posted. 

Kits!

The lastest issue of Somerset Life has oodles of quick/easy projects to make which is where I got  the inspiration to make these pouches.  I didn't actually buy the magazine so if any one knows the name of the gal who made these let me know.    I made these gift pouches with toilet paper roles, old ledger paper and images plus a layer of wax.  They are SO addicting.  If I didn't have a full weekend teaching I would have made more but instead will have to wait till I get home.  I filled them with goodies for my treasure necklace kits and attached them to paper bags that have even more stuff in them.   When I get back I will try to do a little tut on them. 

Here is a necklace I just sold with old keys:

talk to you soon!