More About DeFindings

Do you notice anything special about these pieces of jewelry? I mean, other than the fact they are all bright and colorful. Not a single one of them contains a commercial finding. Okay, the chain is available commercially, but that is besides the point, I don't consider chain a finding. Look close and you'll see that all the clasps are handmade, all the links are handmade, and if I had a photo of earrings anywhere in my 261 pages of photos on Flickr you would see that all the ear wires I make are handmade as well. I truly couldn't be more excited about my new class DeFindings: Detailing Your Designs at ArtBliss (coming up in September!), because I will be teaching you all about adding these kind of handmade details to your own jewelry creations.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you exactly the kind of things I'll be showing you over the course of our 3 evening hours together...

• Clasps - hooks, s clasps, and two kinds of toggles
• Ear Wires - classic fish hook, french style, and hoops
• Extras - jump rings, headpins, dolled up wrapped loops, and easy s links

We'll spend about an hour on each of the topics, so the pace will be quick, but you will be learning a ton of information and I hope to be sending you back to your hotel rooms with a collection of your own handmade samples to begin using in your own designs.

Making your own findings saves you money, gives your pieces a more unique look, and is just one way you can begin to really set yourself apart from the massive ocean of jewelry designers out there. If you can make it to Washington DC on September 25, you are gonna LOVE this class!! Be sure to check out the supply list, I think everything you need is probably already in your jewelry studio (or toolbox).

As an added incentive, Cindy and Jeanette (ArtBliss Organizers) are waving the registration fee of $40 for students that will only be taking an evening class. If you are taking multiple classes throughout the event, the registration fee still applies. So that means, just $65 and you are going to be on your way to creating beautiful jewelry findings!!

I hope to see you there!!

PS... remember too... if you want to learn how to take your jewelry photos to the next level and learn to take photos like the ones shared in this post, I am teaching Snaptastic at ArtBliss on the 25th as well!! Come spend the entire day with me and by the end of the day, not only will you have loads of new things to add to your jewelry, you'll know how to take awesome photos of it as well. 

PPS... so many awesome things are happening behind the scenes in regards to my Snaptastic class. You really aren't going to want to miss this.

Cruisin' & Teachin'

I can hardly believe I am announcing what I am about to announce. It is really surreal to me. This weekend was a bit of whirlwind. The weather has been miserable, which made the house and the inhabitants miserable too. But then... I got an email that put my mood through the roof and brought sunshiny smiles to my face! I have been on pins and needles since Saturday wanting to tell you!! I just needed to wait until it was official. Now it is!

You ready for it?

I AM GOING TO BE AN INSTRUCTOR ON BEAD CRUISE 2012!!

What is Bead Cruise you ask? Well, it is just what it sounds like... a bead retreat on a cruise ship. You can find out lots of details on the Bead Cruise website or on the Memory Cruisin' website. Talk about heaven on earth! Can you just imagine it? It is March, the snow is hip high, the temps are so low the thermometer broke, and what are you doing? You are heading to Florida for an 8 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise with your gal pals to take beading classes on the open seas and have amazing adventures at each port of call. And lucky me... I am going to be there with you! (Oh yes, I know I am one spoiled rotten girl that has the BEST career in the world!)

This Bead Cruise event happens thanks to the work of master beading mind Heather Powers. This will be the 7th cruise that she has coordinated for jewelry makers. And I will be teaching along with Heather, Beverly Herman (Heather's mom), Tracy Stanley, and Jill Wiseman. What a fantastic line up instructors! Each so unique with so much to share.

While out on the water, I will be teaching 3 classes and here are the details:



Bang A Rang (6-hour)

Wire working is one of the hottest techniques around in jewelry making today. At the heart of every bangle design is strong wire core and in this class, we'll explore the art of bangle creation! Students will have the opportunity to create 3 unique wire bangles, first with copper wire and then with sterling silver. We'll talk about designing wearable pieces that combine bold color and a fun sense of playability. Who better to learn from than the author of Totally Twisted: Innovative Wire Work + Art Glass Jewelry, Kerry Bogert. Each student will have a one-of-a-kind set of lampwork glass beads to use in their finished bangle designs, including a limited edition color combination for your class kit design specifically for Bead Cruise students. This class is going to be a BLAST!

Prerequisites: Making simple loops and wrapped loops
Kit ($75) includes:
Sterling silver wire in assorted gauges
Colored copper wire
One-of-a-kind set of more than 12 lampwork glass beads created by Kerry



(Image coming soon for class two!! THIS IS A NEW CLASS!!)
Frameworks (3-hour)

The art of creating intricately wrapped coil wire frames for beads is so much easier than it looks and you'll learn just how easy it is in this choose-your-own-adventure class. Students can create a pair a unique boldly colored earrings or a fantastic bracelet. This truly is a cross over technique that complements many jewelry mediums. Once you have added this technique to your repertory of skills, you'll be wanting to add frameworks to all your jewelry projects.

Prerequisites: Making simple loops and wrapped loops
Kit ($60) includes:
Sterling silver wire in assorted gauges
Colored copper wire
One-of-a-kind set of lampwork glass beads created by Kerry




Snaptastic (3-hour optional)

In this fast paced digital age and highly competitive market, beautiful photos are a must if you are looking to sell your jewelry. If you have been struggling with your digital camera, and just can't seem to achieve the images you are hoping for, then this is the class for you. Jewelry designing, bead making, book writing, photo-taking blogger, Kerry Bogert will share her knowledge of jewelry photography in a way that is fun and informative. She'll share with you how to set up an inexpensive photo booth in your home studio, give tips and tricks on taking unique shots that grab attention, talk about props and product styling, walk you through the various settings on your camera for getting the types of images you are looking for, and the class will finish with instruction on photo editing in both free and professional grade programs. It is time to stop taking photos on your kitchen counter! This is truly a must-take class for jewelers looking to take their digital presence to the next level.

Prerequisites: None
Kit fee: ZERO!
Supplies needed:
Any style digital camera (helpful if it includes the flower icon)
Your own jewelry

I really don't think words can describe just how excited I am about this trip. If you can swing it, I would love to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with you!! From what I hear, it is quite the memory maker and everyone should do it (at least once). I will be sure to share more details when I have them (like info on the Bead Bazaar and evening activities)... but for now... YOO HOOOOOO!!! I'm going on BEAD CRUISE!!

Watch Out... I Am Manipulating Metal

I had an absolutely ammmaayyzing night last night. Before I tell you about it though, you need two brief histories. First, the one between me and metal. Primarily, I am a cold connection kinda gal. I love wire, I love coming up with innovative ways to combine wire into links, I love color, I just love love love what I do. I have been know though, a time or two, to experiment with metals. I have taken classes in PMC, and I have done enameling on metal. But when I have tried to teach myself soldering, frankly, it has been a struggle. I blame the equipment really. I haven't ever had a proper soldering torch. I have always either used the creme brulee torches with solder that melts at too high a temperature for it or I try my hot head which it too bushy a flame and just melts things into oblivion. It was frustrating and it sucked. But I had plenty of cold connections to keep me busy, so I didn't fret too bad. I knew the skills were there, I just needed the right equipment!

Remember that huge bummer of a let down a couple whiles ago? At the core of it was these metalsmithing skills of mine. I am not gonna go into details, but it was one of the main reasons that I decided to sign up for Stephanie Lee's Homesteaders Metalsmithing e-course. (She is having a second session by the way!!) I wanted to expand those skills. I loved working on the class and learned a ton, but more on that another day.

Now, to the second brief history. Rewind to a strange conversation with my husband about a month ago. It went something like this Ron: "Randy at work told his wife about your book and she makes jewelry and wants to talk to you about it. Is it okay if she calls you?" Me: "Of course she can call me." And that is how I met the amazing, Anna Sprague. Anna has been teaching jewelry making (specifically metalsmithing) for 18 years at both the high school and college levels. She is taking a year off from teaching formal classes though to get reacquainted with creating because she *loves* it without being drained by the *have to* creating and exhaustion that can come from teaching. So we chatted for about an hour one nice evening about how to get her jewelry business of the ground online. I was so happy to help! I told her all about my metalsmithing woes and she offered to teach me. It was to be an exchange of sorts, my knowledge for her's. Personally, I think I have the better end of the bargin :)

I had my first class with Anna last night. OH, MY, STARS!!! It was amazing. I couldn't dream of a better instructor in the world and look at the freaking incredible things I was able to create!! I knew that, with the right equipment and getting to see the solder flow for someone, I would be able to do it. I am over the moon I tell ya! I can't thank Anna enough. Next time, we are gonna sweat solder. But first, I told her she needs to work on getting her designs ready to launch an etsy shop and blog!! So, hopefully, in a few weeks, I will have a link to share with you. I got to see some work in progress pieces in person and they are just beautiful. I can't wait to share it with you.

(ps... man my hands need lotion. they look like granny hands magnified!)

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!!