Craft Shows and Festivals

A couple weekends ago Leonard and I went to Art in the Park in Uxbridge, ON. For an outdoor show, it is one of the most scenic. The trees are gorgeous and the weather was phenomenal this year too. I enjoyed looking at the different vendors. I bought a fused glass pendant from Judi Waymark of The Glass Garden. I liked her colour combinations and shapes. She has control over the shape of the glass.

We attended Kawartha Arts Festival at the Fenelon Fairgrounds in Fenelon Falls, ON this past weekend. It was another gorgeous day. Most of the art was paintings. A few of the artisans stood out though... One was Victor Lee. He enamels on coins and then puts them in a silver finding. (Lee's Fine Enamel, http://www.eEnamel.com/) Another was Bearpaw Jewellery (http://www.bearpawjewellery.com/). Most of their work was pierced silver designs. Then there was a non jewelry craftsman, William Edwards. He carves pictures and makes photo albums. I liked his work and his attitude. I like happy people.

There are a whole bunch of fairs and studio tours coming up, too. Guess it's that time of year!

Summer 2007 is Over

The summer has flown by. It has been a quiet and reflective time. I still love working with wire and want to get involved with silver clay and glass.

I made a few of these... mixed media charm bracelets. The only thing I didn't fabricate is the clasp. Wrapping all the dangles is meditative. Yes, the rounds are plastic, but I like the brightness and light-weightedness of them. I'm following my inner soul.

These are some of my memory wire neckwires I have been playing with. "Tween" jewelry interests me. The blue and orange neckwire is geared more for this age.

Where has the time gone?!

My last post was October 3, 2006. Today is March 22, 2007. My has time flown by.

This post is about the Bead Oasis Show in Toronto at the Convention Centre March 9-11, 2007. I worked with Dywn Tomlinson at Dragon Jools. (www.Dragonjools.com) Dywn's style is evolving quickly. Her dragon beads are so beautiful. She built one that looked like a dragon of hematite hanging onto a jewel of moonstone. It is awesome. I wish I had a picture of it. She doesn't have one on her website either. Bad, Dwyn...but of course, she has had her share of problems lately too. LOL

I so enjoyed seeing everyone at the show. It had been at least 6 months since I had seen anyone. Sue Wise, Kirstie Naray, Amy Waldman Smith, Amy Johnson, Erin Maloney, Neal, Grace (Lauscha Lady) and a lampworker from Celestial Stained Glass were in attendance. I enjoy looking at everyone's creations. Erin Maloney and her husband, Jay, from Air Wynn Glass Designs (www.airwynnglass.com) were attending the show for the first time. Erin is definitely an up and comer. I find it so amazing that people using the same type of equipment and same type of glass can come up with such decidedly different designs and techniques!

Yes, I made a few purchases. Rainbow Minerals and Beading (www.rainbowminerals.com) called my name in pearls. Cynthia from Kulu Trading (kulu@rogers.com) had some gorgeous Amazonite that I couldn't refuse. Then there was Dana from Stones and Findings (www.stonesandfindings.com). Dana designs her findings and creates the palettes of her dyed jade. I loved them all. Her chain is cutting edge and colours of jade gorgeous! I wish I had more money.

Bead Oasis Show, September 29 - October 1, 2006

I am so behind in this blog!!!!! I can't believe that September has flown by and it is already the third of October!

This past weekend was the Bead Oasis Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I was with Dwyn Tomlinson of DragonJools (http://www.dragonjools.com/). Of course, I got to see all the other lampworkers too and other beaders I haven't seen for a few months.

Dwyn moderates CdnJoolbead at Yahoo groups and some of the members were at the show. Hi, Suzanne and Charmaine from Edmonton! Annick, Eleni and Jean were there too. It is so nice to put faces and names together.

I still have to take and post picks of MY treasures that I acquired at the show. Hopefully this will be done and posted by Saturday, October 7, 2006.

Another notable, I met Shelley and Joseph from MetalDesignz from Saskatchewan. Dylon Whyte was with them too. So very exciting!!!! More about them later.

Gotta run..... check back by the weekend for more babbling and pics!

ba

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.

Look out world, I'm WIRED!!!!

I'm working on something new..... I'm Beth Ann in Ontario and I love working with wire, specifically Artistic Wire and I build jewelry. My company name is The Duchess of Wire Designs +. I teach wire classes, build necklaces, bracelets, rings, flowers, tiaras... if it has to do with wire and jewelry/wearables... I've probably done it or am working on it. How's that for ego?

I'm setting up this blog so I can post pics from my classes and projects. More will follow.