i'm really pleased and excited to announce that i will once again be teaching a jewelry workshop in the lovely NC coastal town of Wilmington, May 2-3. the class will be held in the sweet studio of my artist friend, Kim Beller - who out of the blue texted me yesterday morning and asked when i would like to come back for another weekend of teaching techniques, camraderie, and creativity. i love Wilmington, love the ten minute drive to the beach, love being able to visit with my son Roy, love being able to bring walter along for the fun. the November 2013 group of gals was especially lovely, and Kim provided an encouraging and supportive atmosphere where we could all share and learn together.
this time around, i'll be sharing a wonderful net-wrapping technique that is easy on the hands and provides a wonderful look and tactile touch to focal treasures that are transformed into beautiful keepsake pieces of jewelry. since we have two full days, we will be able to spend ample time learning and honing the netting technique before launching into the necklaces (or bracelets) that each of us will design with our own unique looks. (please see note at bottom). this is wonderful for bits and pieces gathered on the seashore - small driftwood sticks, shells, worn beach glass, little bottles of sand.
we will spend a good amount of time discussing how to pull assorted treasures from the backs of drawers or shelves and create an "inspiration board" or montage tray that will help us find ways to bring a certain look or group of colors together into a unified jewelry design.
even the much larger bits from nature - pine cones, chunky driftwood bits, porcelain hands, hanks of beads - can all serve as catalysts for designs that might be forming in the subconscious corners of our minds.
i'm greatly looking forward to being with a group of kindred spirits on the coast of my beloved north carolina in the lovely spring month of may. after a long and difficult winter, this will be a glorious way to celebrate growth, newness, rebirth that always come with spring. the details have yet to be ironed out, but please let me know that you are interested. three people have already claimed spots, three more are waiting for workshop details and are certain they will attend. this leaves six more spots....
i'll be travelling all day tomorrow. if you wish to email kim for further details, her email address is kim@bigstronggirldesigns.com and mine is ninabagleync@gmail.com - the cost will be $320.00 for two days, which will include the use of kim's work space and assorted snacks/drinks. there are ample hotels in the area, and kim would be happy to advise on those choices for what is near her home. i'll be back here with a clearer description of the workshop, and a materials list, later this week. til then
(* i wanted to add this morning before i hit the road that this workshop is open to all levels of experience, beginners on up.... several of you had written to express concern that you might not be at an appropriate level to take the class, but i can assure you that you are! the workshop size is small - 12 maximum - and i will spend a lot of one on one time working with each of you. you needn't spend any more or less time than you wish on any one technique. the whole concept of this workshop is to create a meaningful piece of jewelry that tells your own story, whether it be with simple strung seashells, hammered word pieces, embroidered bits of cloth components. the wire netting technique is something that i've been utilitizing in my own jewelry for the past months, and have had quite a few folks ask if i would ever teach them how to weave it.
the price for the two day workshop is $320. i'm offering an early bird special through April 5, Easter Sunday, of $295.00 for those of you who sign up and pay between now and the 5th. after that, the price will be $320. all payments must be made in full. in the event of an unforeseen emergency with kim or myself, all payments will be fully refunded. cancellations by students after a certain date - i'll determine that tomorrow - will be unrefundable, outside of a serious emergency, simply for the benefit of students on a waiting list who would need to make their own plans to come. i'll be creating a paypal button, with a direct link to paypal, for you to use. thanks so much!
Would love to one day attend a workshop, meet you in person, share space and conversation...but, in the meantime, I am always content to read your words and pleasure my eyes with your images! Beautiful!
Posted by: Erin Gergen Halls | March 23, 2015 at 07:36 PM
Sending you a robin's call, the blue of her egg sky and a puffy cloud just for those first days of Spring. So good to see a posting. I just love your photography, your spirit, your creativity parading its Easter best. Much love!!!
Posted by: Kat Langford | March 23, 2015 at 08:25 PM
Would dearly love to do this dear friend love the inspirational board and the beautiful wire work. I am coming to Miami late Nov for a Golden convention and working my butt off to pay for it. Are you far from there.
Posted by: jacky mcfarlane | March 23, 2015 at 10:29 PM
Gorgeous...wish i lived much closer!
Posted by: Amy | March 24, 2015 at 09:29 AM
OH it takes my breath away what you have made. I wear mine a lot. Wish I could come sh we could finally meet. WOW that would be something. Happy Spring.
Posted by: Red | March 25, 2015 at 01:58 PM
can't wait to see you and walter again! yippee! we're going to have more adventures on the islands :)
xx
Posted by: kim beller | March 25, 2015 at 08:56 PM
Is this class full by now? I love your beautiful (creations, blog,way of seeing,collections) and it would be a thrill to learn some things from you!
Posted by: MaryJo Fisher | March 29, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Everything you make is so beautiful. I love the colors of the beads on between water and sky, and the metal work is gorgeous. I have only done painting, no work with metal at all....but it looks like so much fun.
Thinking of you there in NC and hope you are enjoying these early spring days....
Posted by: Laura | April 02, 2015 at 01:42 PM
The subscribe to this blog link doesn't seem to be working. Any tips?
Posted by: Colleen gilgenbach | April 23, 2015 at 02:03 PM
This is a lovely post. I do know that feeling of looking at past work and feeling wistful to have given it away. I just made a journal recently and have decided to keep it! Have ALWAYS loved your work. I own a small, house shaped charm necklace made by you that I bought long ago. You are a major inspiration - I make journals (not as beautiful as yours, but I try.) So glad you posted - will check back again.
Posted by: Dorothy | May 10, 2015 at 07:18 AM
What a JOY to read another of your insightful and delightful blog posts. Reading them is like sharing a bit of your time...as if we are having a visit. Your creations inspire me to think of the world around me with artistic possibility in every nook and cranny. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, pictures and yourself with all of us.
Posted by: kate mulligan | May 12, 2015 at 08:16 AM