Inside Jokes

1) While wandering the aisles at Bead Fest with one Round Rabbit, we came upon a bowl of beads which looked like the beads below. I said to Miss Rabbit, "this can't be real." Turns out the bowl of beads belong to a shopper. She heard my comment about its authenticity and proceed to insist is was a naturally occurring gemstone. Calling it something-site. In a fit of giggles later in the day, that same Miss Rabbit and I, along with our owl loving friend, took to calling it "kissmyasssite". You are more than welcome to call any obviously man made bead which someone insists on calling a naturally occurring gemstone by this name.



2) Doorklace Defined: It is amazing some of the things you'll find a big bead shows. We found a strand of beads that were wooden and the size of baseballs. They were quite literally, a show of BIG BEADS. When wondering what to do with such over sized beads, I said "you could make a necklace for your house, and put it around a door... you could call it a doorklace."

Twisted Tuesdays - Demos

Kinda a late post here today. Time seems to be completely running away with me. I don't know where the day went. And every moment that slips away, Bead Fest is seems like more of a dream. I hope the memories don't fade too fast!!


For today's Twisted Tuesdays, I wanted to tell you more about demos! I remember back to the first time I was ever asked to demo, it was at JOOLZ a couple years ago during a trunk show. I remember being very nervous about it and spending some time chatting on the phone before hand with my beady friend and demo expert, Nancy Puffer Sells. With Nancy's advice ringing in my ears, I think I had a pretty successful demo and I breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was over. Since then, I have done demos at The Fine Craft Show, and Bead Fest Wire. I think it is my experience as a jewelry instructor that really helps me when I do a demo, because basically, I am teaching a mini class. Yeah, that's it... demos are mini classes!


My past two demos, the one at Bead Fest Wire and then the one I did this past Friday at Bead Fest, have really been the easiest for me. I imagine that, as it is with most things, the more you do it, the easier it gets. I basically spend 30-45mins showing a project from start to finish, give pointers as I am creating the piece (ex: quick one liners that hopefully stick with the passers by), and answer any questions that come up along the way. It was recommended by my friends at Interweave the what ever I demo relate to Totally Twisted. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it? I find the project that packs the most bang for it's buck is definitely Bang Gals! It is a project that works up quickly, is bold and colorful, plus lends itself to those quick one line pointers.


Ha, it is funny, I wasn't sure where this post would go exactly when I started it. It would seem I should re-title it "Tips For Successful Demos!" Hey, why not?

~*Tips For Successful Demos*~

1) Seek sound advice from friends that have done similar demos.
2) Pick a project that has good bang for the buck. It should work up quickly, be bold and colorful, and teach a thing or two.
3) Give your crowd quick one liners to help remember what they saw. (ex: "Always cut in the direction the wire is traveling." or "1ft of wire = 1in of coil")
4) Relax, smile, and remember you are there to have some fun!

I think that last bit is the most important part. I notice I kinda take a deep breath and sigh just a bit before diving into the start of a demo. I try to remember that people are watching because they want to. They are interested in what I have to say and what I am showing them. Thankfully, I have yet to have a person get bored and wander off. (At least, not that I have noticed.) If you haven't done a demo, you should seriously consider giving it a try at your next show. What? You think the kind of shows you do aren't like big huge Bead Fest? Don't be silly! You could demo at your booth during a craft fair. Put a sign up and say "Demo @ 1pm". I am guessing you'll draw a crowd and increase sales!! Try it, I dare you... heck, I triple dog dare you.

If you have had experiences with doing demonstrations, I would love to hear about your tips and tricks! Feel free to leave comments.

And a special THANK YOU to Elisabeth, my marketing manager, for snapping these photos for me! You ROCK, Elisabeth!

Here In An Instant, Gone In A Flash

:: Just a few pics today from my adventures to Bead Fest Philly. More tales to come as this week goes by.
:: Who knew that four days could pass in a blink of an eye?
:: Note to self: triple check reservations next time, because double checking isn't enough. (insert eye roll here)
:: Even when it feels like everything is going wrong, it ends up working out for the best. So roll with it.
:: Thankful for opportunities like Bead Fest to remind me just how much I love to teach.


:: Bead shows are even better with friends.
:: Hi Lorelei, Kelley, Nancy, and Cass!!
:: Note to self: Do NOT wear high heels to demos or book signings or bead shows.
:: There is a newly discovered naturally occurring gemstone called kissmyassite that we all had a good laugh about.
:: Remind me to tell you some time what a doorklace is.


:: Wouldn't this blanket make beautiful beads? (it was hanging in one of the vendor booths)
:: What did I buy at Bead Fest? I'll tell ya another day.
:: I love driving through tunnels.
:: Drives feel twice as long when you finish listening to a book on cd and don't have a second book to listen to in place of the first.
:: There really is nothing like sleeping in your own bed after being in a hotel for almost a week. *sigh* I love being home.

... And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'

... And More Beads

Over the past few days, as I have been working on the kit beads, I had made sets here and there of other beads too. One of the things I didn't take advantage of at the last bead show was my very eager-to-buy-beads students. Part of me feels like I shouldn't be selling extra in the classroom because I am there to teach not sell. But the business part of me knows that this is a HUGE part of the teaching biz. Students like to buy from their instructors. Now that my kits are done, I will be able to spend the next 5 days working on these bonus beads!

Some of the beads are fresh from the kiln, some are de-stash style sets built from beads on my desk. Who remembers THIS SET OF BEADS from 2007? I think my stringer skills have vestly improved in the past 3 years and I totally want to revisit a few of my older sets or only sorta oldish sets. Wow, it is fun to scroll through the ole archives. It really sparks ideas!

Anywho... if you are intested in snagging one of these sets before the show, you can zing me an email (they are $100 each). (strike that! they all sold!! THANK YOU!) Otherwise, what remains after Bead Fest will be posted on my website when I return!!

Banging Out The Bang Gal Beads

Yesterday, I finished up the beads for the Bang Gals! class kits. My stars that kit takes a lot of beads!! And it is my fullest class, too. YOO HOO. If I am totally honest, when I made these kits back in March for Bead Fest Wire, I wasn't sure I would be able to make another 20 kits, all completely unique. But, I found a way! I just tossed the colors up! I am loving these kits!!

Let The Bead Fest Countdown Begin

:: Just 10 days until Bead Fest Philly!!
:: Started the day dropping Andrew to his first ever week long overnight camp.
:: Yes, I was a bit weepy on the car ride home.
:: Can't be sad for long, there is beading to be done.
:: I made more then 200 beads this weekend.
:: Some for kits, some for jewelry, some for you.



:: It feels so good to have purpose and a deadline.
:: There may be another important deadline added to my calendar soon.
:: There really is noting better than a bowl filled with bright and colorful beads.
:: But cleaning said pretty beads is rather tedious and makes me wish I had an assistant.
:: Some beads went missing this mid-morning and I paniced until I found them.



:: Lauren has a very wiggly tooth, her 5th. It was funny to listen to her leave a voicemail to her Gee requesting she come over and "rip it out".
:: Methotically checking the Homesteaders website to see our first metalsmithing lesson. Class starts today. Hooray!
:: Listening to The Book Thief while torching and I am completely sucked into the story.
:: The buzz of heat bugs really gets on my nerves, grrrr.
:: Oh my, it is just 10 days until Bead Fest!!

Bead Fest Philly Update

Bead Fest Philadelphia is just a little over a month away and I WANT MORE STUDENTS, dang it!! I have been watching my class stats for months, seeing spots fill here and there, but there is still room for more. The workshops at this show are taking place August 18-22 with all my classes happening in one day long wire twisting marathon on August 19th.

In case you missed the post earlier, here are the class details:
(to view classes on the Bead Fest Registration page click "Thursday August 19th", then "Wire and Beads", then "Kerry Bogert")

Framed: (9am-12pm)



Timeless: (1pm-4pm)



Bang Gals: (5pm-8pm)



If you are on the fence about coming to the show and signing up for a class, let me just tell you, it is an experience you won't soon forget. I promise you, you will leave with more inspiration than you'll be able to handle. It is just impossible to describe the kind of magic that happens at these big bead shows. It is awesome.

I hope to see you there!!

Twisted Tuesdays - Bead Fest Philly Classes

Before you know it, it is going to be August. The last day of school is quickly approaching (on the 22nd for my kids) and I am sure summer is going to absolutely fly by. I have been working on figuring out which camps I will sign my kids up for and something occurred to me. Bead Fest Philly is like summer camp for jewelry makers!! So here is what I want you to do... send your little ones to an overnight camp the week of August 16th, and sign yourself up to come hang out with me on August 19th at Bead Fest!! All my classes have been packed into one day and I know we are going to have a blast.

Check out the offerings:
(to view classes on the Bead Fest Registration page click "Thursday August 19th", then "Wire and Beads", then "Kerry Bogert")

Framed: (9am-12pm)


Timeless: (1pm-4pm)


Bang Gals: (5pm-8pm)


Remember, each student gets a one of a kind set of beads to create their finished piece of jewelry. And truly, you are going to learn more than just the piece of jewelry shown, you learn techniques that will carry over to your own jewelry making. In class, we make a simple version of each piece first in copper, then in sterling silver and brightly colored copper too. I just can't tell you how much you would love these classes!!

What are you waiting for? Sign up today! There are plenty of seats still available!!

A Slow Recovery

Dang, this past weekend took more out of me than I thought it would. Yeah, ya usually need a day or two recovery time after any show, but this time I am more whipped out than I have felt in the past. I am trying not to be too hard on myself. Most of my boxes are still in my car still and I haven't stepped a foot in my studio yet. I am okay with that though. I won't be away too much longer... I got lots of ideas stirring in this head o'mine.



You know, I love reading blogs where the authors go on an adventure and then share all the details. I am sorry I haven't gotten to that soon myself. And it is funny, as soon as I was in my car on Sunday, driving home, the weekend felt eons away. Now, three days out from it, it is like the whole thing was a dream and it is fading fast. So fast, it almost feels irrelevant. I can't not tell you about it though!!



You already got the first impressions scoop with my live from Bead Fest Wire update for Interweave on Facebook and on the blog here. Didn't I sound a little odd? LOL... yeah that is my Kerry-acting-like-a-professional-writer voice. Rather formal, but still me if you look close. The afternoon and evening that followed that report was awesome. The book signing went really well, and eventually, over the weekend, Interweave sold out of the copies of Totally Twisted that they brought with them (as did I!). I swear I signed about 200 books in those three days. People bought them there, the brought them from home, and it was awesome to be surrounded by such a buzz. It really was super surreal to walk down a hallway and hear someone say "OMG... You are Kerry Bogert, I love your book!" One vendor even had me signing one of my projects in Chain Style and had me take a photo with the book too!! Dinner with bead friends was wonderful, but unfortunately rushed. I needed to be back in time to set up for Meet The Teachers and it meant we couldn't relax and enjoy a second "Bahamarita". Maybe in August we will though!! And as Cindy W said in her recent blog post, I really wonder what people thought of me. Am I like my blog? Am I what they expect? How am I different?



Okay, so Friday night, I popped into my pal Cassie's classroom, and OH MY STARS, the poor dear. She had two back to back classes full to capacity, and by 8:00pm you could tell she was fried. I got to jump in and help out some newbies that hadn't made a wire wrapped loop before. Gawd I love to teach! and that totally wet my whistle for Saturday morning. My first and second classes were small, just two students each. (Which, I noticed, lots of classes were low on students at this show, except the riveting and soldering ones... hmmm... that is food for thought.) Delightful was a great class. Both my students (Bev and Jen) had some wire experience so it was easy... I just showed them how I do a step and then they took off running. We spent the rest of the time chatting the day away. It really was a hoot... Jen's favorite part?... when I would mess up. That is what she said she needed to see... how I fix mistakes! I wonder if I should teach that as a class next year? How To Fix Disasters 101: Bring Your Failed Projects & Let's Fix 'Em. Nah, I don't think that will work.



It was nice on Sunday because the classes had a few more students (5 & 7). Someday, I hope to get to teach to a full crowd. I noticed my classes were quiet and at times really, really subdued. In a full room, there is just so much more energy!! I love that. But with more students, comes more responsibilities, lol... and that means, giving up bathroom breaks (which happened on Sunday, lol). Inevitably, there is one student that stays late because she couldn't finish her project... and there are those students that want to be first to the next class. That means no hour break in the day like you think there is going to be. Cassie will attest to this too. Not that we are complaining mind you. I can't say it enough... I love teaching.



As soon as my Bang Gals class finished on Sunday afternoon, I threw all my stuff in boxes, loaded my car, and settled in for the 5 1/2 hour drive back home. I pulled in to my drive way at 11:30pm. All was quiet, with everyone sound alseep. In the morning, I got the biggest hugs from Lauren, who, of course, missed me the most, and I, of course, missed her the most. ;)

Now life is going on... Bead Fest Wire is behind me and I start to think what next? Well, next weekend, April 24th, I am doing a book signing at the Memorial Art Gallery. I hope all you local gals will come for a visit. I doubt there are many people in Rochester that want me to sign there book, but, it will still be fun! Then, there are kits. I started editing and getting them ready to list this morning, but my internet was out most of the day. So, they will be listed tomorrow... for sure.

Afternoon Rambling

A few random photos from Bead Fest Wire this past weekend to go with a few random thoughts (for Random Mondays, of course!). More detailed post coming up later in the week.

:: This is a rather late in the day blog post. ugh, I am tired and drained.
:: Jacob has his first lacrosse game tomorrow.
:: Favorite quote from this weekend "I can't wait to wear this to work tomorrow."
:: Second favorite quote "I was feeling so uninspired by beading lately... you inspired me!"
:: Crap, I still need to work on our taxes. They are due this week, ugh.


(in this photo, Lori, Leslie, Cindy, me, Shelby, Jeanette)

:: SOLD OUT! of books this weekend... how cool is that?!?
:: The kids are going to be home soon and I should sweep the living room.
:: Ron took me out to lunch today and it was super nice to sit and talk with him.
:: Late night talks lasting until all hours with a girly beady friend ROCKS!
:: Teaching is exhausting... but I love it.



:: I really really hope I get more students for Bead Fest Philly.
:: Oh oh oh... details coming together about me teaching lampwork at a workshop in September, stay tuned for that!
:: damn, I wish we had some chocolate in the house.
:: I really thought I would have the energy to post kits on my website today, but it is going to have to wait. By the end of the week though, promise.
:: *sigh* I had such a blast this weekend.