THE CREATIVE JOURNEY.....FAUX DICHRO & POLYMER CLAY

This is one of those pieces that I made last week, Where it isnt quite finished....and I dont know that I will ever finish it. It's my take on the tutorial on Donna Kato's site about creating faux dichroic glass. I dont claim this to be as magnificent as her work...just that Im in the process of developing my own sense of style with this technique. Im taken with the ArtEmboss Pewter metal from AMACO and adding it to my pieces. The pewter is so "creamy" and easy to work with. I just want to add it to everything!! Just looking at this piece reminds me of the fun and relaxing time I had during this process.

As a reminder - there's only one space left for my class in Chicago on July 20. If you're in or near the Chicago area I can guarantee a fun creative time!

Also, check dont forget to take a peek at my website. The Home page is all new - with hopes of having a new site up in the next few weeks. Im looking at offering "craft on demand" downloads and writing a sequel to my book "Bead Techniques" - available as an E-book.

Today I am writing 5 tv segments - two for the upcoming Beads, Baubles and Jewels show on PBS and three segments for Amaco's new Web-TV. Stay tuned for the air dates!

CREATIVE MINDS ARE NEVER NEAT

Sometimes we just get on the road to creativity and the next thing we know....we wind up on a path we never knew existed. I thought I'd share my latest and greatest in creative spaces. (That's a joke..... really!!!) This is the "picasso" that came as a result of this weeks creative time where I had no real purpose, no real plan and no real project to create. Just explore...create....mess-up and discover!

Do you ever take the time to do just that? I rarely do. As a professional, sometimes I get locked into the mindset that everything I create has to be sellable...wonderful and an incredible masterpiece. In reality that's not always the case. Hours and hours can be spent on one design - tweeking and tweeking before the final piece is a winner. The sad thing is, to recreate the piece may take only mere minutes in comparison- once the tweeks have been worked thru. So what did I accomplish this week? Well, depends on who you ask. If you ask my husband, he would say "nothing! but a bunch of piddling". But if you ask me, I would tell you that I opened up a world of new creativity thanks to the inspiration of artists like Desiree of Desired Creations. I learned to solder brass to make bevels - something I always wanted to learn and to Donna Kato for her tutorial on her take of simulating dichroic glass pendants. While I didnt create a finished piece of jewelry....yet. I did get to explore, enrich and create. Who knows just what path that will lead me to..........





I'd love to hear your creative adventures. Oh...and by the way....my house...does not look like the studio. You can actually walk thru it!

Memory Charm Bracelet & Photo of upcoming class

This month has just zipped by. My intentions on getting this photo up sooner, were there...

Anyways...Please join me (ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!) at my class at More the Memories in July! We'll use your photo's to create a totally personal charm bracelet - unique to you and one that will capture those precious memories! Please see More than Memories for details and to sign up for the class. You'll see another bracelet featured on their website. I call it "the wedding" as it depicts our wedding from our 5 year old daughters eyes. She drew it on a Magna-Doodle which I turned into a digital enhanced photo. You'll learn transfer to polymer clay techniques, basic bead rollin' and how to create a faux silver setting using pewter artemboss metal. Each participant will need to provide me 5 photos ahead of class so that I can manipulate them and bring them with me. This is a very technique oriented class! I can't promise that you'll actually finish your bracelet - most of the time my students get really involved in making the pieces! I can guarantee loads of fun & tons of creative inspiration!! I look forward to the class and meeting you!! - BETTER HURRY - JUST CHECKED THE WEBSITE....NOW THERE'S ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT!

UPCOMING CLASS! - CHICAGO AREA - JULY 20

I'm excited to announce and participate in the "Passport to Creativity" sponsored by More than Memories located in Schaumburg, Illinois. Join Michele Charles, Peggy Budfuloski, Stephanie Sheetz, Robin Beam, Claire Hampton and myself on a CREATIVE Journey held July 15 thru 20th. Each night features a special guest artist and project. CLICK HERE for more information. HURRY!!!!! Space is limited to only 10 participants. This way each of you will receive special attention during the class.

My class will be taught Friday July 20 from 6pm to 8pm. I can tell you - I love to teach and love to have fun!! I haven't posted a picture.... YET! For that matter, I havent created the project, but driving down the road today an idea popped into my head... so here's my thinking..... "Wear your Art on your sleeve - or your ANKLE...WRIST??" you decide!" ( I know ...that's not an original phrase....) In any event, I'm thinking I will show how to make a rather artzy bracelet full of charms featuring Clay transfer techniques, polymer accent beads with some copper or pewter metal thrown in there somehow....

Personally Im going to make the charms of my kids photos and their artwork. This will be one of those projects that can morph over time...you just keep adding and adding until the bracelet is so heavy, your wrist falls off..... (just kidding!) Each participant will have to email me up to 5 pictures ahead of the class so I can prepare them. Sound intriguing?? Well stay tuned for the picture which I'll have sometime late next week. I love mixed media...and for some reason Im on a real CHARM craze lately - THIS SHOULD BE FUN!!!!! I would welcome your thoughts - so EMAIL ME!!

For more information - make sure you check out MORE THAN MEMORIES website. SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

DIY SHOW SPECIAL THIS SUNDAY

Hi Friends! Just a quick reminder to set your Calendar for the upcoming inside look at this years Winter CHA (Craft and Hobby Trade show) to be aired this Sunday May 7th at 7:30 pm eastern time on the DIY Network! And if you just cant make that.... it will air again on Saturday May 12 at 7 pm eastern time. You'll get an inside look at what goes on at this HUGE international trade show along with quick demo's from some of your favorite designers! Check it out!!