This afternoon we are supposed to have more snow again! I'm tired of winter here in Michigan. We've had more snow this year than we've had in a long long time.
This winter has been one for trying new things....new crafts. January with Jeannette Cook of Beady Eyed Women, I spent a week with three other retreat mates playing with felting, wet and needle. We also beaded on our felt and had a special project with Marcia DeCoster! Very fun!! We had a lovely week in Mission Beach.
I have felted before, but only a specific project. Our retreat project was more open to interpretation and freeform. The bag/purse is the main project and we had time to play and create other felted items.
The bracelet I made on the last day of the retreat. The bezelled stone I finished as a ring just a couple of nights ago. This came about after the workshop with Marcia DeCoster, when I decided to try her bezeling method on a shape other than a circle. |
| Here we are at dinner the last night of the retreat! |
February for the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild means Bead Daze and this year we had four teachers for four days of classes! Two Bead teachers: Marcia DeCoster and Sherry Serafini AND Two Wire teachers: Kim St. Jean and Barb Switzer. It was a great week! These classes are some of the same classes that they teach at Bead & Button and other large shows around the country! As a Guild we are able to offer them to our members for a discounted class fee. You buy the kit or bring your own beads and supplies, fabulous!! We also have a "Meet the Teachers" evening at our regular membership meeting prior to class days! Lots of kits, supplies and finished pieces are purchased by our members that evening and throughout the week! Everyone has an opportunity to find something wonderful!
I really appreciate that our guild is able to have four nationally known teachers in for classes all at the same time, the problem is choosing only four. (one per day) Well, I decided to try something new, bead embroidery. What better time than with "Rock Star" bead embroidery teacher Sherry Serafini! I also took a class with Marcia DeCoster and a class with Barb Switzer (my second time in a class with her)!
Here is my progress as of last night on my Sherry Serafini Cuff - Crystals & Pearls Bracelet. I'm loving bead embroidery and Sherry has made this project so easy to do!!
March brings Jean Campbell to the GLBG and I plan to try out her new steampunk necklace and bracelet.
Then in April we have Christi Friesen of polymer clay fame!! I think this year I have to try it out!!
Having said all that....Andrew Thornton of Green Girl has posted a give away offer on his blog for some lovely Art Nouveau alphabet stamps and a bonus wing stamp. The stamps come from TJ Tool/Jewelry.
Now there is something that I may just have to bang out a try on!!
Go check it out! Good luck to you all and Happy Beading!
