Classes and Why I Teach

I have had some changes to my Spring Teaching Schedule for Bead Fest.  The full day ring class has been dropped.  However, my Sunday class, Painted Polymer Fossil Talisman is still on and has some spaces still available.  

This is a wonderful class that I had a blast teaching last August.  It is packed with techniques, both polymer and jewelry assembly.

What I love about teaching is that I get to share what I have learned with you, and I hope that you will take that, and use it to further your art.  I not only teach techniques, but also share tips for making quality pieces and making things easier along the way.  I hope that my class will encourage you to play and grow as an artist, and most of all, find your voice as an aritst.

My students rocked this class last time, here is a sample of their work.  I was so happy to see they nailed the project, while each having their own personal spin on their beads.  Most of them were beginners in at least one aspect, either polymer or wire work or both.  They did wonderful!

Since my Saturday class was canceled, I will demo'ing for Para Wire a couple times on Saturday.  When I know the times I will let you know.  Please stop by for some free wire demo's.

You can find more info on my class and sign up here

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/105619/stacismith

At August Bead Fest I am teaching a couple classes.  Both of them I am really excited about.  The first is a full day class, but I know it will go fast.  We will be learning to form a polymer sugar skull, paint it with my techniques, and then to cut and texture a copper backing from sheet metal, and rivet them together.  We will practice riveting first, which is a technique that you will be able to use a million different ways.  And to make it more fun, we will be using ball head rivets on the final project to make things looks nice.  

At the end of the day, you will go home with your own Sugar Skull necklace and a lot of new techniques.

Then on Sunday at the August Bead Fest I will be teaching a short 2 hours class with some fun and loose heavy gauge wire work.  This is another one of those classes where I think you can take this project and then find a million new ways to use it.  I totally love this one and I think you will too.

For more info on my classes in August or to sign up you can follow this link

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/106987/StaciSmith

I hope you can make it out for one of them- it would be great to meet more of you in person!

Productive Week

Bead Fest prep went really good this week.  I now have all the polymer done, but not painted.  I am feeling a bit better and still a lot overwhelmed at the same time.  Trying to take it one day at a time.  Here are some pics of what I got done this week.

 

 

I can't wait to paint these, that will probably take a few more days.  I may do a load or two of metal clay before I paint, to get that rolling.

 

I did a mock set up in the living room, to see how everything will look, and see how many trays I can fit on the table.

 

 

So I am on my way.  Haven't done any of the little stuff, like put cards in bags or make price tags or signs, but that stuff will get done, probably the night before the show.

 

Remember, if you are coming to Bead Fest, you can print this coupon and get in for only $5 instead of $15!!!!!!! 

 

 

If you stop by, give us a high five or a hug, or liquor, we will be in need of all those things by the time we hit that floor!  LOL!

 

Hope to see you guys there.

 

 



Back and On Track

Had a blast at the shore with family and friends!  However, it feels good to be home. 

 

Here are some fun pics of our week at LBI.

My best friends son and Collin loving the beach together, they are peas in a pod!

 My best friends kids and Collin crashing the photo

 Julia- mt little mermaid, you can't get her off the beach

 kids at Beach Haven

My little second cousin eating sand

 the girls at Barnegat Lighthouse- a tradition

surfin kids

 wine o clock

 my best friend and I- friends for over 20 years!!!!

My family at one of our favorite places on earth

 

 

It was great to see how much of the island has been rebuilt since Super storm Sandy wreaked havoc on there.

 

So of course, I came home feeling inspired to make some ocean themed beads. 

 

Meet the fish.  They are not painted yet, but I think they will be pretty awesome.  I am having fun making them too.  Making a mold from one of them to try it out in copper and bronze!!!

 

 

I am now in major crunch time to prepare for Bead Fest Philly.  I am not kidding either, I have so few beads right now, its horrible.  But I am inspired, and I have lists, and I plan to do NOTHING but beads until then.  (Well, except for stuff with the kids, and household duties, and Musikfest....) 

I have all these done, but most still need paint.

 

I am halfway through polymer production and need to start metal clay- ASAP!
 

Anyhow- wish me luck!  I will tease you with bead pictures as they are created!!!!

 

And if you can, come and see Genea  Beads and I at booth #371

Shops are both re-opened too, and I had added some new things before vacation, so if you didn't get to check them out, hop on over!

www.stacilouise.etsy.com

www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com
 

Bead Fest Philly: Where you can find me

I am taking on Bead Fest Philly this August, but I am not doing it alone.  You will be able to find me and Genea at booth # 371.

 

 

Genea Beads and Artisan Accents

 

Oh my Gosh, I really can't believe it. 

 

I just love how Genea's and my own beads both compliment and contrast each others.

 

 

You can visit her etsy shop and find awesome beads like these..........

 

 

She just has a way with glass!

 

Here is some of my more recent polymer work

 

 

 

We have a corner spot back to back with Starry Road Studio and Spin Culture  Booth #373- two awesome friends- it's totally gonna be the place to be!

 

Here is a map of where we will be (I totally stole it from Genea- you can read her blog post here).

 

 

This will actually be the first time I get to meet Genea in person- I am so very excited! 

 

So come and see us, our corner will be sure to have some laughs and fun, and LOTS of great beads!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And the best part, you can print this coupon to save $10 off admission. 

 

 

Let me know if you have problems printing this, and I can drop you some actual discount tickets in the mail.  staci.louise@hotmail.com

 

 

I hope to see you there! 

 



Moving In and Movin On

So, now that I am in the studio, there is still alot of little fine tuning to do, and a lot of fear on my part, that I will trash it quickly and it won't be so nice anymore!

 

I tried to set things up in a logical way, giving myself extra room to lay things, since I tend to pile..............and pile............and pile.

 

What can I say, I like things in arms reach.  That is why I made this.

 

 

 

It is a shoe rack, that I used on my desk top for bead storage.  I spray painted it, and drilled holes on the bottom to add casters.   (ok, the hubs did that part!  not me)

Then I added an extra crate I had on top. 

 

Since I LOVE to have everything within arms reach when I work on stuff, and never have enough desk top, I needed something that would help to avoid the piles of things next to my desk. 

 

This can be wheeled over to sit beside me, and hold things like my stamps and molds, polymer clays, metal clays toold, paints, whatever I am working on, and then, if I am not done at the end of the day, it can be wheeled to the side, out of the way.

 

When I am done with say, polymer clay, the bins can go back on the shelves here and my "pile cart" gets wheeled to the side again.

 

Then I can always walk through the room, which didn't happen too often before.

 



 

So I got to use my cart today while making some long overdue polymer beads. 

 

I really just played, I had nothing in mind when I sat down. 

 

I made some big top drilled spikes that I really think will make nice sets.



I made some funky start spikey donuts

And some black beads to be painted with coppery metal paint.

 



 

 

I am going to paint designs on them, like my floor.  The donut below is a sample.

 

 

 

 I also got to play with some metal paint and patina's.  LOVE the results.  These are gonna be REAL fun!

Some more new shapes and things

 

And my favorite beads of the day, skinny sugar skulls!  Can't wait to paint these!  Such a fun shape.  I even made some double sided.

 



Have I mentioned I love my studio?  (sorry, still in shock)

 

Here she is all moved into.

 

 

 

 

Stop by tomorrow for a post about Bead Fest Philly in August, and where you can find me and some other great beady friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!