Stephanie Lee is soooo down-to-earth! And part saint.

I had an amazing time at Art Is You in Petaluma, CA.  Stephanie Lee's class "Pipe Dreams" did not disappoint.

The class was packed.  Stephanie and her husband Vinnie constantly circulated about the room, instructing & encouraging.

Stephanie is so very hands-on!

And she's such a darling gal.  She signed my book, and posed for two pics of us together.  Just like BFFs!  Oh yeah.

I'm still such an amateur at soldering, but I sure felt better when most of the people at my table had a challenging time to create the "barrel component" of the pipe dream piece.  I discovered that no one just jumps out of bed one day, a master torch worker and solderer!    My finished product is wonky and a bit of a mess, but I'm so proud of it.  This old dog worked on a new trick and enjoyed expanding her skills and comfort level a bit. 

Caroline, my Christmas doll, is currently wearing my necklace.  I think it looks nice on her!

May you all have a full good week~~~Thank you for dropping by!

Stephanie Lee is So Cool...and I'm not!

First off, let me say that I LOVE this book. I bought "Semiprecious Salvage" by Stephanie Lee in March of 2008.  Over three years ago.  Her "rustic" style of jewelry gave me more courage to play & try my own crazy ideas.  I dog-eared this book. The sure sign of book-love.  And I'm going to take a class with Stephanie this Sunday in Petaluma!!! Art Is You~~Yay!

Here is a page from Stephanie's book.  For 3 and 1/2 years, I've wanted to make these cool solder bezel charms.  It took forever to find copper tape (in the garden department in Home Depot!!) and even after I found the tape, I was just chicken to attempt it.  Today I decided that I had to "woman up" and try.  Just try. 

So here I am, modeling the latest attractive facewear.  Bifocal glasses, magnifying reader glasses and respirator mask.  I know I'm hot!  Oh yeah.  I set up my soldering station and began the experiment.  And.....I sucked!!! Seriously, pardon my vulgarity, but I was sooooo clumsy and awkward and hilarious...The Three Stooges all rolled into one person.  Solder dripping everywhere, jump rings falling over and sticking where they shouldn't....I had to laugh.  And say a few naughty words.

Here's my soldering station after I made a mess.

Here's what I did.  First one far left.  Total fail!  The jump ring simply would NOT stand up.   It's soldered to the side looking dumb.  Middle and right ones are so goofily amateurish but I'm wearing them!

Got a little more comfortable with my little torch.  Yay!

And here's me without my gorgeous facewear and extra glasses.  I'm pretty proud of my funkily soldered stones and ready to have an amazing time at Stephanie Lee's class.

I wish all my jewelry friends could be there too~~would THAT be fun.

Anyway, may you all have a blessed week and may creative moments light up your days.  Love you!

Stephanie Lee Class!!!!

Next Sunday, one week from today, I'll take a class with one of my very favorite artists, Stephanie Lee !
 Art Is You West Coast will be held only 45 minutes from my home.  When I heard that Stephanie was going to be teaching, I asked my DH for my birthday/Christmas present in this one class:  Pipe Dreams .  It's something totally different than I ever create, which I hope will expand my skills a bit and make me more comfortable with my little torch.  The biggest part is getting to meet Stephanie!  I've been following her blog for a few years and I've dog-eared her book, "Semiprecious Salvage".  I'm so excited, so jazzed~~Trying to gather all of the necessary items for the class.  Making sure I pack gluten-free-sugar-free snacks (walnuts and organic raisins, anyone? lol)
In between I'm trying to clear off my workbench~~it's out of control!

So,  Monday's coming.  May you all have a blessed week.  May all challenges be met calmly and all joys treasured deep in your heart.

Wooo Hoooo!! Published in Belle Armoire Jewelry Autumn 2011!!!!!

"Tokens of Encouragement"

Resin, Paper, Copper & Brass Pendants

The directions for these pieces and lovely pictures were published in the Autumn 2011 Belle Armoire Jewelry!!  I'm sooooo excited!! The article looks so wonderful and I'm so proud to have my "babies" published.  BAJ is an amazing magazine, and I'm so very honored to be included.  

 Here's a link to their website:  ( I hope I linked this correctly)

http://www.stampington.com/html/ba_jewelry_autumn11.html
Look in the table of contents~~page 26.  My article!  My name!  I'm hyperventilating!  I made all of my coworkers read the article~lol~and I'm taking it to my nephew's birthday party to make my Mom and other relatives enjoy it too.  Heck, I'll tie 'em down!  :-)
Yes, there are other artists' work in the magazine too.  Lots of amazing artists, amazing jewelry.  So the honor is real and my smile is wide.  Thank you Belle Armoire Jewelry!!!