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!

BTW and A Giveaway or TWO!!!!!!

Well, Bead Table Wednesday is here again...and its about time I did another giveaway.  First of all, here is what is on my bead table...........

(left)This photo here is a close up of some idea's I have rolling around for Lorelei's C-Koop Enameled Shadowbox Challenge.  I think I love these little boxes.

These (below) are just some wings and such, and a bezel with a Lisa Peters Art Bead that needs to happen.  That wing focal on the bottom broke into all those pieces in the kiln.  I am still not sure why.   Maybe it wasn't fully dried.  Anyway- I was determined to save it....so I riveted it to a copper backing, and its now called, "Broken Dreams".

Ok- and now for the giveaway..................or TWO!

First I have this lovely pendant.  I made it for my sea glass and shell drilling demonstration last Saturday. 

It's a sterling silver bail and swirl, with genuine aquamarine and pink seaglass dangling from it, all adorning a large mother of pearl donut. Its bold and perfect for summer.  It will fit on most chains, it comes with an 18" silver plated snake chain.

The second giveaway is for you jewelry designers. 

This one is for two pieces of genuine sea glass, top drilled, two shells top drilled and one bronze ammonite charm, also top drilled, from my Artisan Accents store.

To enter, leave a comment, and I will pick two winner randomly next wednesday, August 3rd.  You get additional entries for facebooking or blogging or both, but PLEASE leave an additional comment for each way you shared.  Also- make sure I have a way to get ahold of you.  If you do not have a blog or your email linked to your blog, please leave your email in the comment.  If you win, and I cannot get ahold of you, a new winner will be picked.

So good luck, and thanks for checking out my bead table this wednesday!

Inspiration.....move me brightly................

(the title is actually lyrics from an old Grateful Dead song I love~it just fit perfectly)

Ahhh, inspiration.  It's a funny thing.  Sometimes it hits at the oddest times.  Sometimes it never hits at all.  I have really enjoyed doing challenges on various sites, such as the Love My Art Jewelry~ Art Spark, and the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge.  It pushes me, to create something outside my norm.  Yet, inpiration still has to strike.

July's Art Spark was based on nature.  Izzy challenged us to go outside, and look around, and be inspired.  Well, I did.

We spent an entire weekend with friends, outside, cooking, eating, swimming, laughing and having fun.  The kids were dirty and happy from a long weekend.  And we were enjoying catching up with friends.  But what I think I liked the best about it, was being outside, late at night.  The kids were catching fireflies, and the moon hung in the clear sky.  Two nights in a row, we were out, enjoying the best of the summer.  And both nights, I couldn't get over that moon.  It wasn't full, just bright, and perfect.  I love the night sky...the colors, and hues that sneak into everything we see in the dark.  So, without any more nonsense....here it is.  Created with passion, inspired by the summer nights, and that wonderful round moon that hangs above us all.

It took me awhile for this to come to fruition, because I had to make it from scratch...bronze center piece and all.  Its bronze clay, with a patina, riveted to some nickle silver clouds that are hammerd  and textured and given a little antiquing for depth.  Everything was then sealed in permalac over and over again (because of nickle allergies) and then waxed......AND then it still had to be made into a necklace.  I am so happy its done and I get to wear it now. 

So, how does inspiration hit you?  Do you have a color journal, or does your favorites list on etsy give you ideas?  Does nature inspire your designs, or the city or your sheer imagination?  I'd love to hear.