More Chances To Learn!

I was pretty excited to share last week what classes I'll be teaching on the Bead Cruise next year. I'm just as excited to share what I'll be teaching at this year's artBLISS!! This will be my 3rd year teaching at this wonderful event put on by my very dear friend, Cindy Wimmer, and her partner in work-shopping, Jeanette Blix Ryan. These two really know how to put on a retreat that is not only fun and educational but that also builds a sense of community and camaraderie. It's happening this September 21-23, 2012 in Sterling VA, just outside of Washington DC.

The jewelry blog world is going to be on fire today with all things artBLISS. Already my blog reader is over flowing with posts! I love it!! It just goes to show how much people truly connect with this event. You really really won't want to miss it. I could go on and on about it, really, but who has the time to read babble. Let's sum it up...

10. I'm bringing back my K.reating A.rt B.eads class! I taught this at the event in 2010 and I'm thrilled to be doing it again. Don't be intimidated by the flame! YOU CAN MAKE ART GLASS BEADS!! I'll teach you how. 

9. Oh my stars... Cindy gets the best desserts for the Meet & Greet party on Friday night and this year instructors will be doing demos. (Students get in for FREE, the general public can buy a ticket!) Plus there are giveaways during the gathering too. PLUS, this year there will be AUTHOR SIGNINGS!! Both Erin Siegel and myself will be signing copies of our new books. 

8. All new for 2013, the Don't Trash It, Destash It Social is happening Saturday night!! It's like a swap.  Bring beads from your stash that just aren't igniting your inspiration, drop them off at a set time (to be determined), and then, all the beads collected will be sorted/mixed into great packages that will picked up during the social! The more people that attend, the bigger the assortment that you get to take home. 

7. I'll be teaching the fast paced 3 hour version of Snaptastic Saturday night (after the Destash Social). Now, I realized that not everyone wants to take digital photos to sell there work. So maybe you have passed on Snaptastic in the past. BUT, look at it this way, even if you aren't selling your work, you want to be able to take great photos of the things you make to share with family and friends. This class is an opportunity to learn to do that. You can even take photos of the things you make at artBLISS to show off. 

6. EEEKKK!! I'm registered for Christine Damm's Color Your World class on Sunday! So you should totally come just to see me make a complete fool of myself trying to make polymer beads. HA!

5. You definitely want to learn my technique for making cold worked bezels and adding embossed color to metal in my all new True Colors class. I am so incredibly proud of this class. I want you there!

4. I'm driving down this year instead of flying so I will have so much more stuff with me!! That means more beads to sell, people... and kits... and books... without the restrictions of airline baggage weight limits. You want a good selection, right? You don't want to wait for me to post leftover when I get home, right? Be there.  

3. THE artBLISS ANNEX! I am so freaking stinking excited that Cindy is doing this!! That girl has an amazing eye for vintage goodies and antique treasures. She is going to be making her finds available for you to buy. Seriously, I would travel to DC for the weekend, even if I wasn't teaching, just to get my hands on some of the things she is bringing. 

2. The other instructors lined up are out of this world! There are classes from April Bowles-Olin, Diane Cook, Christine Damm, Stacie Florer, Erin Siegel, and Beth Taylor. Frankly, you are going to have a hard time choosing which class NOT to take. There are 13 workshops packed into 3 days!

And... DRUM ROLL PLEASE... 

The NUMBER 1 Reason YOU-WANT-TO-BE-THERE... 

1. You can win free stuff!! Cindy and Jeanette are giving away 4 of the gorgeous artBLISS canvas totes loaded up with goodies. Visit Cindy's blog to learn more about how you can win a new jewelry saw, blades, DVD, and some gel liver of sulfur. The giveaway ends May 2, 2012... so get on it!

A Glimpse At Bliss

As promised, today I'm sharing a little glimpse into my short time at ArtBliss this past weekend. Cindy and Jeanette really put on a wonderful event. The instructors are fantastic, the atmosphere lively, and the inspiration is endless. I think everyone there have already marked their calendars for next year.I know I have!

The thing about being caught up in a wonderful experience though... you are so in the moment that you often forget to take pictures!! (This from the teacher of the photography class, oops.)  I took my camera out just a couple of times for blog shots. During my Snaptastic class I took over 100 photos, but that is different. So you'll just have to make do with these few and read the recap words to relive the experience instead.

My plane left a little after 10am on Friday and after an hour that just flew right by (pun intended), I found myself in the Dullas airport grabbing the shuttle to the event hotel. I couldn't wait to see venue I had heard so much about in phone calls with Cindy through out the year. Lots of hugs were exchanged as well as little gifts, then we were all swept up in the hussle and bussle of the retreat. There was happy hour drinks, setting up for the Meet & Greet, introductions to new-to-me instructors and quick catch-ups with those from last year.

A few of my favorite Friday moments...

:: meeting Diane Cook in person and getting the inevitible comment about my height! (Cindy made the same comment the first time we met too. I'm not that tall, people.) Diane is an absolute sweetheart. I just love her!!
:: meeting Robert Dancik and having him tell me several times that melting glass is the sexiest medium. Oh yes, glass is sexy. He also gifted me a couple of tools to test out which will come in very handy for my OOAK Show prep.
:: meeting Richard Salley and talking all things books. He is one cool, laid back, dude. Richard's wife was teaching at the retreat as well, but unfortunately she was across the room and I didn't get a chance to chat with her.
:: finally getting to meet Christine Damm in person!! She is such a memorable character and so great to talk to. She is feisty and fun, and oh my stars, seeing her work in person... it is incredibly amazing.
:: seeing Deryn Mentock again and getting to hear an intriguing bit about toilet paper being a mezmorizing tool in her class earlier that day.




Yikes... so many memories are flooding back from the weekend that I fear this post is going to turn into a novel! Oh well, feel free to click away if you need to. Otherwise, it is time to tell you about Saturday!

If you asked Ron about the ride to the airport on Friday, he would tell you I was a nervous wreck. And not about flying, that doesn't bother me. It was all about Saturday. I love to teach, but, this time was different. I was debuting a class I had never taught before and the jitters about presenting that newness had the butterflies fluttering like crazy in my stomach. Friday night's fun was a great distraction from those jitters and Saturday morning, I threw on my new Fuzzy Ink Picturesque t-shirt and set out to set up the classroom. (Yes, I bought a t-shirt that had a camera on it for my class... wouldn't you?)

Once things got rolling, class really went by in a flash. I think deciding to make this a full day instead of a short 3 hours was the right move. And my Saturday night DeFindings class was just the right length too. Ya gotta love it when you follow your gut and it works out. So, some interesting things from Snaptastic...

:: every student was shooting with a Canon DSLR! I shoot with a Nikon, and both are great cameras. The great thing is that they were all digital slrs and that students were eager to shoot in manual mode.
:: although it is wonderful to shoot right along with students to show them exactly how I would take a photo, I really think this is going to translate wonderfully to the eCourse. (more info on that coming very very soon)
:: I'm thankful to have worked with real life students and hear their questions and feedback. It is going to make the online version of the class that much better.

There was a short break between Snaptastic and DeFindings where a few of us made a quick run to Wegmans. Living in the Rochester area, the hometown of the founder of Wegmans, I find it hilarious what a novelty our grocery store is down south of here. I have about 20 Wegmans stores with in 20 minutes of me, with the closest being less than a mile from my house. I go anytime. In the south though, shoppers will drive hours just to go to Wegmans! Wild.

But, I digress.

DeFindings was a slightly larger class with 9 students. I think it went really well. The three hour time frame was perfect. I was able to spend an hour on each of the three findings I wanted to cover: clasps, earwires, and extras. I was so bummed at the end of class when I realized I didn't take any photos. I would have loved to snap a group shot! Sorry gang! Y'all gotta come back next year so I can take it then.





Saturday really was a long long day. I was in my classroom from 8am until 10pm. I really loved it though and would have happily done it again on Sunday! Alas, it was time to go home. Before I left, I shapped those few Instagrams pics I shared yesterday. Then, it was time to grab the shuttle back to the airport and head back to my family. You see what I mean about it being a whirlwind of a trip?

I have some good news for you! Remember the kits I was showing you last week? The ones you were emailing me about? Well, I have a few left!! As soon as my supplies arrive back here, I'll post the goodies on my website. I have a couple of the Limited Edition ArtBliss kits, as well as the new Split Personality kits and Flying Trapeze pendants. These will be the last new items posted until after the big show in Decemeber. Until the box arrives, I'll be heading to the studio to start prepping for my next adventure coming up in October. I'm heading to NYC to shoot the process shots for Rustic Wrappings. Won't that be fun?!?

Beads and other things...

If you are looking for my Bead Soup Blog Party post, click this link to see what I made with Diane Cook's ingredients. A huge thank you to everyone taking the time to comment. Y'all are lovely.



:: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM TODAY!!! Hi MOM!
:: I am sipping coffee on the kind of morning that makes it very hard to come out from under the five heavy blankets on my bed.
:: I really busted butt last week to be ready for ArtBliss, and all my stuff is in a box on its way to Washington DC as we speak.
:: Along with the new kits I'll be releasing, I ran-sacked the studio and made over 40 beady grab bags!! Fun... and thanks for that idea, Cindy.
:: Went out antiquing with my Mom and Sister this weekend and it was a total bust. I'm so bummed.
:: I was gonna get my hair trimmed and do something fun with the color on Wednesday, but I think I might cancel that appointment.
:: I wonder if I will ever have time to knit again.
:: Maybe I can cast on for a hat or something else quick n' easy.

:: OH OH, my Snaptastic ebook is nearly finished!! I can't wait to share it with students this weekend.
:: 99 pages, people. Ninety-nine.
:: Been working on it with Brandi over at http://www.brandigirlblog.com/. Can't rave about her enough!!
:: I was thinking recently that I should brainstorm doing a 2012 calendar of my work. Anyone interested?
:: Just looked out the window and the sun is shining so brightly on a patch of leave turning a beautiful shade of red.
:: I <3 Fall.
:: I think I'll take my run outside this morning.

Limited Edition Preview

I mentioned the other day how excited I am about the new color combination for the Limited Edition Bang Gals Kit that I'll be taking to ArtBliss this year. The sets are only halfway through there construction, but I thought I would give you a little peek.

Dark red brown, transparent ink blue/purple, new lavender, transparent 14karat, RAKU!, and a yummy yellow color that I forgot the name of.

They have a crisp Fall feel that I am totally in love with. The purple brown yellow palette really hums together. And you throw in the touches of blue/green that the raku is giving off and gosh, I want a sweater and soup. I am mixing in some new surface designs too. In place of random dot patterns, I have raked the dots into falling leaf shapes. And there is one other design I am keeping top secret until the sets are complete. It is a design I have made several times for behind-the-scenes projects over the past few months. I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

This is just the beginning of the new kit colors I'll be rolling out! It feels good to be in the swing of thinking creatively in a beady way. School hasn't started yet (5 more days!), but I am sneaking up to work at the studio anytime I can. Stay tuned... it should be an inspiring ride on the way to ArtBliss!

soul satisfying sunrise and...

:: i saved the best photos from last week for today...
:: we were treated to the most beautiful sunrise e.v.e.r. on wednesday morning, or rather, the most beautiful half hour before the sun shown
:: i sat in awe
:: it was just last summer, at this same lake, that i learned i am a sunrise girl, not a sunset one... i still am
:: it really was a relaxing few days... wonderful weather, antiquing and wine tasting, a microbrewery, new friends (HI KATHERINE!), and memories made
:: it was bittersweet without Jacob though... it isn't a family photo without him
:: and in retrospect, i went over board with the national museum of play photos, oops... hope you weren't too bored!
:: time flies when you are having fun and i'm thankful for that! just 9 more days until school starts
:: i finish knitting my ruched sweater and i am head over heels in love with it
:: my friend makes the best grape pie ever and i may send my hubby to help hers with chopping trees more often if it will get me another slice
:: i hope my east coast friends made it through the big storms... i've been thinking of you
:: while the winds whipped, i spent an incredibly magical time in my studio on sunday... seriously, it was nothing short of magical... for my heart and soul
:: three solid hours at the torch and kit making for artbliss is officially underway
:: wait til you see the new color combo for the limited edition kits! do you remember the ones i made last year?
:: speaking of color... i wish i could pour the colors of that sunrise into a rod of glass
:: until that rod is invented, i'll wait, reveal in the warmth of torch toasted cheeks, and hold onto the threads of joy that were spun onto mandrels
:: it was down right invigorating
:: i hope i can sneak back to the studio tonight

(note, if you are into vacation photos, there are lots more in my flickr set - keuka 2011. there is so much more to see in the set!)

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.

It's a Snappy day...

Wow... wow, wow, wow... that's all I can say. I am up to my eyeballs in "work" today, but I still wanted to take a moment to pop in and catch up. Yes, yes, I still have plans to share with you that gem of a thing we stumbled upon this past weekend. That is on the back burner though while I am designing, organizing, writing, and editing the document that will become my new class, Snaptastic, that will debut at ArtBliss in September. I am so so excited to be doing this, truly. It has my mind buzzing, my nerves twitching, and heart soaring. It is feeding me with the best kind of anxious energy. What a challenge! I don't think I even dreamed that someday I would have the kind of knowledge about photography that others would be eager to know.

There are still spots available in class. So, if you are looking to take your jewelry photography to the next level, and want to make the best possible impression on potential buyers through images that are stylized, bold, and creative, then you need to make your way to Washington DC next month!!

Breaking News... ArtBliss Switch!

This just in... I am switching the times on the classes I will be teaching at ArtBliss 2011. So... strike that, reverse it. Snaptastic will now be a FULL DAY photography class. It is the only way we will be able to fit it all in and still have a high quality class. Defindings will now be an EVENING class. Which, will be a great way to cap off the day. You'll learn some great ideas is a fun relaxed way.

Hope to see you there!! And remember, registration opens tomorrow, May 7th 2011, at 9am!

Announcing ArtBliss 2011 Classes!

Defindings: Detailing Your Designs
Cost: $140 Kit fee: ZERO!
Time: Saturday Sept 24 9am-4pm

Working with wire is hotter than ever and in this full-day class with author Kerry Bogert, you'll learn the fundamentals to adding fantastic wire details to your jewelry designs. Head pins, ear wires, jump rings, and clasps are just a few of the pieces you could be making with your own two hands to give your necklaces, bracelets, and earrings unique touches. Throughout the day, you'll experiment creating and forging several styles of these components- Kerry will show you how. Be sure to bring a collection of your favorite beads and we'll design some creative pieces with your new skills.

Snaptastic!
Cost: $65 Kit Fee: ZERO! (and OMG, for that price *I* want to take my class!)
Time: Saturday Sept 24 6-9pm

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.

I really can't tell you how excited I am to be teaching at ArtBliss again this year. It truly is an out of this world event and I hope you'll join us!! If you have any questions about my classes and if they are right for you, don't hesitate sending me an email. Visit http://www.artblissworkshops.com/ for any info needed on the other classes, instructors, registration, the venue infor, etc.  

Twisted Tuesdays - K.reating A.rt B.eads

One of the things that a few of us instructors and students talked about this weekend at ArtBLISS was how bored blog readers must get after a big show takes place. For a week solid, it seems like it is all anyone can talk about and if you weren't there, you don't want to hear the same things over and over and over again. Right? Right. So, in an effort not to bore you into oblivion with overkill, while still giving those of you that want to hear about things some details, I am going to limit my posts about the show to just two. One post for each of my classes!!

K.reating A.rt B.eads - Saturday Sept 25th 2010 - ArtBLISS

I have to tell you, the experience of introducing a room full of wonderfully caring, bright, intelligent women to something that I am incredibly passionate about, glass, is something I am going to hold very close to my heart for a long time. I love to teach, I love glass, and I love being in such a mutually supportive environment. Oh how I wish I wasn't so nervous. That way, I would have been enjoying myself from the moment I opened my eyes that morning, instead of spending my early hours of prep worrying. Alas, jitters come with the territory. Thankfully, eventually, those butterflies calmed down enough that I was able to feel really connected to the moments we were having. One of my absolute favorite parts of a day was the last 45 minutes or so, when, even though class was over, we were all sitting around with each other just openly talking/questioning/sharing about experiences. Students got to pick my brain about my thoughts on things. We talked about making the choice to live a creative life and finding for yourself what you can let go to be more fulfilled as a person. The whole thing felt so genuine and intimate. I.loved.it.

Enough of my blather on though... you wanna see pics, right?!? Here ya go...











Thank you so so much Bev, Nadia, Heather, Amy, Michele, Frankie, and Patti for trusting me to introduce you to what I hope will be a long love affair with glass. Remember, I am here if you need me... ask questions anytime... and keep the rod hot, bead warm (not hot bead, cool rod)!

A Typical Hump Day

I have on my plate a very full "hump day". It is that middle of the week kinda day that has everything planned for it, and it is gonna be a p.i.t.a., but by the end of it, I will be one day closer to what will be an awesome weekend! Today, I am meeting with a potential new therapist for Andrew, I am getting my hair cut, meeting with Andrew's care coordinator, and then I have a football meeting for Jacob. I am doing all this today while nursing a very sore throat and stuffy nose (yep, I got the kids' colds, ugh). I am not complaining though. It is miserably dreary out, so naturally, my spirits are high and I am actually looking forward to the distractions of the day.

And, like I said, it means I am one day closer to Friday and the start of The Inaugural Event at ArtBliss. Today's beady photos are from kits I finished up over the weekend. The top photo is for Unhinged bangles!! If you want to hear a little about Unhinged's history, check out my February 2008 post about them! (It is one of my favorite posts I have ever written actually.) I call it up all the time, in my mind, and sometimes for others too. I was hoping to have 18 of these kits made, alas, the cold I have made is so I only have 14, but oh well. I can make more later. If by chance, any of the 14 are left post ArtBliss, it will be one of the new kits I release in the coming days!! Stay turned for that!!

Below are beads for a completely new design. Well, not completely new, it is kinda a hybrid of a design with a twist. Can I tell you a secret? When I proposed this class, I knew I would make 3 bangles with my students, and I knew what 2 of them would be off the bat, but, um, I didn't actually figure out the 3rd design until last Friday. Yeah, potentially irresponsible of me as an instructor, but it all worked out in the end! The new design can be seen here: Sample Bangle. Not a very glamorous name, I know, but the ones we make in class with be called "Create-A-Bang". In honor of all the "create"ing we will be doing this weekend, each student will have a "create" bead as a focal and I hope it becomes a sweet keepsake from our time together. The construction for it is actually very similar to my 2006 design seen in the background of this bracelet grouping. Anyone remember those?!? Yep, that bracelet eventually went on to be "Sandy Lanterns", one of my earliest projects seen in Step By Step Wire magazine!! Now wasn't that a fun little stroll down memory lane!?!

What has you busy this fine Wednesday?

A Bouquet Of Beads For You

Since The Inaugural Event for ArtBliss is set to be such a special creative weekend, I decided I wanted to make the kits for my class just as special. Rather than make another 25 sets of my usual BRIGHT color combo for my Bang Gals kits, I wanted to work in a different color combination. My favorite combination in fact. Purple, Periwinkle, Turquoise, and Lime!! I imaging this blend of colors is probably the most classic KABs combination. I could work in it for hours, nah, days and never get bored. These 18 limited edition sets took me three days to create with sitting at more torch for more than 5 hours at a stretch. For those that haven't ever torch worked, that is a lot of beading! My cheeks burned pink for hours afterward each day.

Did you hear that fancy phrase I threw out there a few moments ago? Yeah, limited edition. I won't be making more of this combination and the students and visitors to ArtBliss are the ones that will get dibs on them!! (if by some chance there are any left after the event, I will post them for y'all.) I am so excited by these. As I said several months ago when I launched my kits, I would love to make limited edition color combinations and every few months I would roll out new sets. I think it is about time for some new ones, don't you? In the coming weeks, I will be releasing a limited edition fall color combo for Bang Gals, plus new kits for Unhinged and The Eyes Have It. (check out your copy of Totally Twisted to see which projects those are!!)

Now I need to lock myself away and get back to work on the rest of the beads needed for my Bang A Rang class! Oh yes, I said we would be making 3 great bangles in class, not just one!! OH, for those of you stopping in that are ArtBliss students taking this class, you can purchase your class kits on my website. It will be waiting for you when you arrive to class!

Twisted Tuesdays - Countdown to ArtBLISS!

I just checked my calendar and I can hardly believe that ArtBLISS is just 18 days away!! I still have a megaton of work to do in that short time, but lots of the little details are falling into place. I couldn't be more excited. Seriously, this is going to be an amazingly fantastic event. Think: rocking workshops meets girly slumber party. Yeah, it is gonna be fun.

I wanted to be sure to let you know, there are still a few spots available in my classes!! Come on, you know you wanna come and join the fun!!

I am teaching K.reating A.rt B.eads on Saturday the 25th. This is an introduction to lampworking class designed for beginners that have never so much as lit a torch before. No worries, I am going to walk you through it every step of the way. And being that it is for beginners, I don't expect you to know what tools to buy for class. I am doing it for you! I just listed on my website, a special RESERVED listing, a class kit for my students. (Please, if you are not a student, do not purchase this item.) So, students, just show up to class, ready to learn, and all the tools/supplies/materials will be set up waiting for you!! Then, at the end of the day, we will safely package up these goodies for you to take home with you to your garage or kitchen or basement studios. how perfect is that?!? Also, as a little heads up, if you want more glass than what is provided in the kits, I will have additional rods available for $1 each!

Some of you maybe wondering what a lampworking class is like, and it is a good thing to wonder. I thought I would share with you how I plan to run my classes. It is going to start with an introduction where I talk about my experience, what we are working with, and I will cover all the important things like tools and, most importantly, safety. I am going to teach everyone how to light the torch and get started via a demonstration that is watched by students first. Then, I will let the learners have a go. We are gonna keep it simple at first. Just making solid color spacers will be tackled before lunch. After we eat, we will dig a bit deeper with another demo by me on pulling stringers and applying dots. You can trust me when I say, that is gonna keep you busy for a while when I let you all have a go at it. When ever students are working, I will be floating from station to station giving everyone some one on one instruction. We will finish the day with another demo by me that will cover a few of the more advanced techniques. I will show you things like encasing, making discs, and I may even have time to make a hollow or two. That last demo will give the student torches time to cool and that will end our time together. Sound good?

Before any of this happens on Saturday though, Cindy W and Jeanette B have a really great Friday night event planned... The Meet & Greet Reception! I can't wait!! ( I keep saying that, but I can't help it. I am really that excited!) I am actually, hopefully, planning on having a few NEW project kits available for sale at this event!! Fingers crossed I can get them done :) And I am so so excited to finally get to meet these other instructors. If I weren't teaching, it would be hard to choose which class to take!

After classes on Saturday will be another exciting event. Students are welcome to open up their hotel room doors for a ArtBliss Trunk Show Row! Yeah, it is the students turns to sell their wears. I can't think of another event in the world that give you this option. It is a brilliant idea, in my opinion! Set up mini trunk shows in your room, fellow students can drop in a shop. It doesn't get any better.

Sunday will be another jam packed day as I teach a new class called Bang A Rangs! This class was developed with some of the things I have learned from my previous teaching experiences this year. Hmmm... so you didn't think learning just one bracelet was really worth the price and you wanted more? OKAY! I am game! How about three bracelets? Yeah! That is what Bang A Rang is. We will be learning three fantastic bangle projects through out this day long class. I am telling you, you will leave this class with a wealth of inspiration and bangle making knowledge. The kit fee on this class is $75 and will include a set of 18 OOAK lampwork glass beads made by me (OMG, I know, right) and all the copper/sterling/colored wire you will need. I added a listing for this class kit on my website for you too! PLUS, if you are taking Saturday's class, you can bring your beads to this class and work them into the bangles we'll be making. Instant gratification jewelry, I tell ya.

So that is that. ArtBliss will be here really soon and I am positively over the moon about it. Seriously, you shouldn't miss out. I mean, the hotel is only $69 a night! Grab a friend and get your behinds to DC!!