Adorn Me!!

It is such a pleasure to announce the premier mixed media jewelry art retreat Adorn Me taking place March 2-7, 2010 in Houston, Tx. Adorn Me is the dream child of Linda Young who has successfully produced Art Unraveled in Phoenix for several years. Linda wanted to offer a week long retreat for those with a passion for mixed media art jewelry, offer fresh and new ideas, instructors and classes.

I am so honored to have been invited to teach two workshops at Adorn Me. I will be offering my Encrusted Viking Knit Choker class on Friday, March 5th. Students will learn the Viking's ancient, medieval technique of knitting with fine gauge wire. What looks very difficult to learn is fairly simple to master and the the result is a beautiful hand-crafted work of art that is flexible and comfortable to wear.

The first part of the day will be spent learning basic Viking Knit techniques and knitting enough cord for your necklace. The second part of the day will be spent finishing off your Viking Knit with end caps and embellishing it with an assortment of beads, stones, crystals or tiny found objects.

Basic bead stringing, wire wrapping, and drawing a bead with a butane torch will be demonstrated giving you the necessary elements to complete your Viking Knit Choker.

The second class I will be teaching is my Twisted Sistah Choker offered on Wednesday, March 3rd. In this class students will learn sculptural, free-form wire working techniques to create the foundation of their choker.

With a little forging, patina, and soldered touches, this wire structure will be ready for your selected embellishments. Working with a fine gauge wire and using techniques similar to weaving and sewing, various beads, stones, crystals, found objects, buttons, etc. will be whimsically attached creating the encrusted allure of this piece. Students will learn the basics of using resin and some fun ways to create dimension and texture to resin. A custom-made bezel will be provided in each kit. Various ways to finish your choker will be demonstrated such as adding lengths of chain, wire-wrapped beads, making a clasp and ball-ended headpins.

Check out the exceptional line-up of instructors....here are just a few: Diane Cook, Ruth Rae, Amy Hanna, Richard and Jane Salley, Deryn Mentock, Sherri Haab, Riki Schumacher, Janice Berkebile, Thomas Mann, Keith LoBue, Beverly Ash Gilbert, Lisa Pavelka, Stephanie Rubiano, and Melanie Schow. An excellent mix of classes are being offered including: chain making, soldering, polymer clay, wire wrapping, metalsmithing, fusing, copper clay, precious metal clay, copper and bronze clay, etching, weaving with metal, enameling, faux bone, assemblage, steampunk, resin, bead making, bead weaving and more.

Wow, I'm selecting my classes now and sending in my registration before October 1st which is when classes will start to be assigned. How about you? If you have a passion for mixed media jewelry art, this is the retreat for you.

Hope to see you all there.

Ta Ta

Diana