Many thanks to each of my students/friends for sharing their supplies, jokes, singing, music, and delicious goodies, (not all mentioned individually), all adding up to one of the best workshops I've ever been privileged to host!!

There you have it! Ten imaginative, advanced students = ten amazing and different designs in one great weekend. Although some of the designs didn't get totally completed, the creative juices won't stop flowing for a while now, and I expect each of these ladies to send me pictures of their "home-work" over the next few months. (Yes, I give home-work assignments to students, to keep them 'thinking' long after our time together.)

Hope to see YOU in one of my classes soon!!

Mary Kurak brought an amazing 'chunk' of Oregon sunstone, polished on each side, with a diamond set in the center. (What a specimen!!) She also brought some matching beads, rough and faceted, and the fossilized tooth of a sperm whale. (Talk about a really phenomenal collection to design with!) Her original idea was to design two pieces, one for each focal piece; however, combining both into one necklace resulted in this show-stopper. (Mary, many thanks for keeping us alert with the delicious pies and fresh bagels, and the ice water was so welcome!!)

Beth Evangelisto's original design idea also took a turn amidst creation. The result became this stunning collar, where the focal piece can be inter-changed. So very cool!! (Your home-made cookies are excellent - thanks!!)

Helene has been surprising me for several years. Her jewelry making covers a variety of mediums, and she is really comfortable working with square, half-hard wire. Although her design began much more complicated, she decided to 'stop' at the point where this elegant collar is now. Simply gorgeous! (Helene also does beautiful prong work!)

Beth Needham comes from Rhode Island every year, to work with me. I really enjoy watching as students/friends progress with time and practice. Her skills are really amazing! Beth is going out of her personal box here, by creating a symetrical design. Although the little details will be finished later, this is a really nice necklace, made in sterling silver with obsidian and amber. (Beth, thanks so much for the wonderful chocolate!)

Cynthia Pilchard has been working wire with me for several years now and began with one design in mind, then changed to something totally different! (As I often do as well.) She brought some nice unakite cabs and combined them with gold pattern wire and a variety of watermelon-colored beads, although we didn't have time to finish up a few 'loose ends', this piece is stunning!

At first, Jeanne Stives had thought she would work 'out-of-her-comfort-zone' with her color choices, but later changed and made this faerie-like neck collar using a pink sapphire. (The little 'details' will be finished later.)

Sande Hubbard also combined some of her choice pieces with stones I brought, and she actually made several pieces during our time together. This necklace is beautiful!

Joan Fairfield chose to combine some of the materials I provided with a couple of very special things she brought. The result is really cool!

We began by discussing different technique combinations within the displayed designs and then they were encouraged to use the cut stone/cab/bead selection they each received, (each was different), to sketch the design they had in mind. We then made a field trip to the vendor's area and went tool shopping together. This is a picture of Mint's piece, "in-progress".

Before I begin this update, I do have to apologize for not being a better photographer, and for not updating my blog on a more regular basis!

This past weekend, I conducted my first, 'Two Day, Wire Designer's Workshop' at Beadfest Wire in Philly, (hosted by Interweave Press). My goal was to simulate the 'wired retreats' I host in my studio. To accomplish this task, I combined the following ingredients: all types of hand-tools, a wide variety of wire, beads, cabochons, faceted stones, displays of OMG pieces, music, (provided by both me and my students), refreshments brought by students, added a small group of very enthusiastic and imaginative, advanced wire students and let things just 'happen'. As the following posts/pictures will show, the results were absolutely amazing!

Labels: Beadfest Wire 2009