The Wilmington Wrap Workshop - now FULL!!

  for years now, i've had students, blog readers, customers and friends asking when i would be teaching a workshop on the east coast.  i always seemed to be flying out west for the large art retreats, and even now i'm headed out to southern california (next week) to teach - excitement! - at the french general.  the workshops listed there quickly sold out, and a new one opened for those who had requested to be placed on a waiting list (there is still a few spots available for the new one, friday october 18 - go to french general for info and to register).  i've grown weary of the larger retreats; living out in the middle of nowhere for the past 8.5 years has left me a little shy of big groups of people and even more shy of large city hustle and bustle.  what to do?  i've moved into the log cabin my parents built 18 years ago, nestled in the woods with a remodeled studio space, and this next early spring i plan to begin holding small, intimate weekend workshops every now and then.  i still have a lot of kinks to iron out, so i'll coast through the winter getting ready to open those studio doors to those who want to come to these beautiful mountains and learn.  for now, though, i'm absolutely tickled to announce that i've been invited to teach in the glorious home state coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina, the weekend of November 9-10!     i realize  that this is short notice - only one month away - but when i received the invitation from the workshop hostess, kim beller, i trusted completely the intuitive feeling that this workshop/wilmington experience would be a very good thing (for an interview with kim, and some background history on her personal studio space, go here; to read about the workshop that fellow artist and friend judy wise taught there, read kim's words here).  i'm not always like that; those of you who know me well will attest to that fact.  i fret about leaving home, fret about leaving my pup walter at the kennel, fret about whether i'll feel up to teaching again after an extended period of time has passed since the last workshop wound down.  but i'm going with this, wholeheartedly.  it will be a fine opportunity for those of you who've not taken a workshop with me, for those who live on this side of the country, for those of you who are art retreat-weary, for those who prefer a smaller, more intimate setting.  kim has a large studio space on her residential property there in wilmington; she has invited walter to come and stay (this will be his first!), and i'm looking forward to taking that boy out onto the beach for his first introduction to the ocean.  picture smelly dead things for him to investigate (and onto which to roll), wave-chasing, you name it.  picture me walking down the beach the day before, in search of natural findings to incorporate into a new design.  picture yourself sitting with a group of 12 or so like minded spirits, creating and brainstorming and sharing together for two solid days of artful bliss.... a rare opportunity to take a smaller workshop with me, in a lovely and personal environment.  (Update, Oct. 15:  workshop now full, and closed; i'll be happy to keep a waiting list for those interested) 
i've decided to teach the ever-popular wrap bracelet/necklace design - it's still what i consider a new workshop, having only taught it at valley ridge studio in the summer of 2012, and i am teaching it to a very full gathering at french general next week.  the photos of these pieces on pinterest seem to gain more and more momentum, and i always sell these pieces immediately when i list them in my etsy shop.  once you have committed to taking the class, and have paid for it, i'll send you the materials list so that you can be pulling your trinkets together.
here is the workshop description: 

Spend two full days designing richly detailed jewelry wraps that are perfect for layering assorted treasured findings, beads, and ribbons around either your neck or wrist; if made long enough, these pieces will look wonderful wrapped around the waist as well.  I’ll be teaching a very wide variety of jewelry techniques for this workshop:   wire wrapping (hooks/clasps, charm connections, link fabrication, attachment of leather/ribbon to metal clasps, bead tip formation for dangling pearls from chain), letter stamping into metal, drilling, patina aging for brass, copper and silver, embroidery stitching for leather, my “cocoon wrap” bead using lace or ribbon with wire, incorporation of vintage laces and ribbons into jewelry design, bead wire crimping, and pearl/gemstone bead knotting onto silk cord.  The rest of the time we will have relaxed sessions sharing layering ideas as we hammer, stitch, dangle, attach, thread, and knot to our hearts’ content.   I’ll share with you how my quirky brain works
when forming a story with bits and pieces of jewelry findings, and discuss how
a few words and images can create a narrative piece of wearable art.   Prepare to head home with a full heart and a mind overflowing with inspiration from creating amongst like-minded kindred spirits in the beautiful coastal city of Wilmington, in my home state of North Carolina.

A $10.00 kit (price is included in workshop cost) will include a serrated leather needle, a length of silk cord with its own thin needle, a small length of vintage 1940’s copper chain from my studio collection, patina solutions for brass, copper and silver (will not affect other metals, please keep this in mind),  a couple of 2” x ½” brass lengths for hammering words,  one large silverplate swivel watch fob clasp (you will need to bring more clasps – lobster is best – for additional bracelet/necklace wraps), a bit of beading
wire with crimp beads, a bit of mica, a few small eyelets, and a small square of polishing paper; this also covers the use of tools that I bring from home (eyelet setters, stamping blocks, flex shaft drill, diamond drill bits, masking tape, ink pads, metal alphabet stamps, base metal wire for practicing wraps, etc).
now for the gritty details: 

REGISTRATION POLICY

it is necessary to pre-register in advance.  fees are returnable if your cancellation is made at least 1 week prior to workshop date (less a 20% service fee).  if the class is cancelled by either myself or kim, for any unforeseen family emergency, your fee will be completely refunded. Fees are due at the time of registration in completion; sorry, there are no exceptions, and no refunds after the one week deadline.  i've set up a paypal button with its own link, over there in the righthand column, that says "buy now".  the workshop cost is $300.00 for both days, which includes a $10.00 kit fee.  just click on the link, and it will carry you straight to paypal, where your payment will be handled in full.  if you aren't familiar with paypal, there are instructions on the paypal site.  if you have any problem with the paypal button, you can email the funds
directly from your PayPal account (where it says "send money") to my email address of ninawitty@aol.com.  once you've sent payment, you will receive a comfirmation email from me.  remember, this workshop will be limited to 12-13 students, so decide quickly! 
it will be up to you to choose your own lodging and transportation, as well as food.  lunch will be available - perhaps take-out ordered that morning; those details will follow.  there is plenty to do in wilmington!  the downtown area is gorgeous, right there on the river, with a beautiful historical section filled with old buildings, homes, brick streets, gigantic trees.  there is the beach, of course, 10 minutes from the workshop locale.  so come early, stay later, that part is up to you.  as for myself, i'll be enjoying the opportunity to visit a bit with my younger son roy, who lives right there in that beautiful city with his sweetheart, happy as clams.   

i hope i'll see you there!

Comments

[kim beller]

YIPPEEEE!!!
cannot wait to see you and create with you.
i am beyond excited , and can't wait to meet walter :)
xxo

[LeslieM]

Oh boy! Lucky students!

[Sam Leonard]

Nina.....still waiting for you at Hacienda Mosaico in beautiful Puerto Vallarta. 5 day retreats available!

[Tracey]

PayPal clicked and confirmed, see you there! I can't tell you how much I need a recharge in the creativity dept. this will be just what I've been looking for!

[Tina M.]

oh how i wish! what a wonderful weekend for some lucky ones!!

[Michele Unger]

Wish I could make this, but not this time as I will just have returned from Africa. Kim has a lovely, great to work in, studio space and she is a class hostess with the mostess! ( I was a participant in the retreat with Judy Wise and know of what I speak). And any class with Nina is so special....I envy you lucky ones who will be able to attend.
XO

[Ann]

Sounds just wonderful--good for you as you build your new life!

I had a springer til last year and when we went to the beach, which was pretty often as I live near it, he just RAN, tongue hanging out with joy. I had another springer before that, also a male, who crunched away on shells before I could get to him and which led to...unfortunate consequences (he was fine but had some regurgitation going on and I had cleanup). You know how they are---joyful eccentrics!

[Lilylovekin]

Those of you close enough to attend please do, it is a treat to attend a Nina class. And Nina, I look forward to hearing more about the workshops held in your home studio. I would love yo visit your part of the country. Lorrie

[Lori]

I'd so love to do this, but have a family obligation that weekend. Looking forward to hearing about others to come.

[Cecile Nichols]

Nina, this workshop looks truly wonderful! I've admired your work from afar, but have never had the privilege of taking one. Might you consider turning this into an online workshop, or provide it on a DVD? Just think, you could do it in your jammies! Thanks for your consideration!

[sandy]

Hello there, I tried leaving a message before but for some reason it wouldn't take. Your place is beautiful as it's owner. Congratulations on revamping your teaching plans. The ornaments are lovely. I'm back. Missed you.

[martha chabinsky]

I'm looking forward to a workshop in the Northeast someday. I cannot make this one but will be there in spirit.

[christinaB]

Nina, had such a wonderful time with you and all of the lovely ladies that I met at the classes you taught at French General. I learned so much and am so excited to get practicing before I forget the techniques. It was so great to finally meet you in person and I had some truly wonderful tablemates at the two classes I attended.

So hoping to attend one of your more intimate classes once you get your studio up and running in the future.

Blessings to you.