What a Gorgeous Day!

What another gorgeous day in S. Ontario! Warm, bright sunshine and a cool breeze.

I thought I'd post some pictures from our garden. It is totally perennial this year and has been established for about 6 years. We didn't have a single delphinium this year. I guess I'll have to plant some next year. Anyway, what we have is gorgeous. I go out and see the monarchs fluttering around the echinaceas. I love this time of year. I don't have a clue as to what the yellow flowers are.... they are prolific and gorgeous.

MY ART CLAY SILVER BEADS!!!!

As stated in a previous post I took an Art Clay Silver Class with Jennifer Tough at beadF/X in Scarborough on August 4, 2006. These are the finished product.... fired and tumbled. For a first time attempt, I'm pleased with the results. They aren't as rough as I thought they would be and my CZ's didn't fall out during tumbling, so I must have secured them better than I thought. The bead at 9 o'clock in the picture is the only round one. The long, tubular bead at 5 o'clock has 4 trillion (triangle shape) CZ's. I must say that I do love that shape.

I saw another student's work (HI, Erin), and her beads were awesome. This girl has the TOUCH! Go, ERIN!

Now, I have to start on my next batch of beads. I have some ideas floating in my head for designs. Now to do them.

Caribbean Flower Bangle Class

Goodness! Did I ever have a great time last Thursday evening, August 10, 2006 with the girls while teaching them how to do the Caribbean Flower Bangle at beadF/X in Scarborough, ON. It was a tad warm in the classroom, but the fan made a cool breeze while we made our bangles. I swear, I laughed so much that I felt light headed when I left the class. I hope the others had as good of a time.
I think they might have learned something too! I look forward to seeing Annick's necklace.

The Caribbean Flower Bangle is a beginner wire class that uses a twining technique. They are like potato chips, I just can't stop making them. Hopefully you will feel that way too when you take the class.

These pictures are from the Light & Lively, Chunky, Funky Necklace class held at beadF/X on Saturday, August 5, 2006. We learned how to make wrapped loops into a rosary chain style necklace approximately 32 inches long.

I am so proud of their finished necklaces. I sure hope the class feels the same way.

Now, Sharon and Susan aren't usually this serious, but they were concentrating!

I know, the pictures are small and blurry, but I AM learning. Any constructive criticism is appreciated.

My first Art Clay Silver Class at beadF/X

Friday evening, August 4, I attended a class in Art Clay Silver (ACS) Beads taught by Jennifer Tough at beadF/X. There were 7 of us in attendance and it was so much FUN! Thank you, Jen and thank you, girls, for the awesome learning experience and wonderful camaraderie. I think we all felt the same when Jen opened a fresh package of clay and we realized that 20 grams is the size of a piece of Double Bubble Gum. (yup, I'm dating myself.)

We made layered beads, hollow beads and a tube bead. We embellished our beads with stamps and applied ACS in cut out patterns. We even got to use cubic zirconias.

We used ACS 650 slow dry clay, ACS paste and an ACS syringe. Jen is now firing and tumbling our pieces. I can hardly wait to see the finished product . I want to critique my initial beads before I build more so that if I am making a mistake or two (G).... I won't be repeating them through ignorance.

I enjoy Jen's teaching style. She knows Art Clay Silver and she guided us patiently through each step. She is generous with materials and sources. She has a wonderful selection of stamps and cutters. I look forward to learning more from her. Oh and yes, I want to do more with ACS.

To purchase Art Clay Silver or to take classes, check out beadF/X in Scarborough or go online at www.beadF/X.com.