1-1-11

What a great holiday I had!  How about you?  My hubby and I, all our children, their significant others and grand children gathered to celebrate in grand fashion.  We always take a family portrait and here is a version of this year's group.  We would all like to wish you a very happy new year filled with good health and joy. 

Today I was sitting at my desk recording dates in my 2011 calendar and my this is going to be a fun, inspiring year indeed.  My sister and I will be attending our first Artfest in April in Port Townsend Wa.  I am signed up for an assortment of jewelry design classes here in California and look forward to learning new techniques.

I will also have the pleasure of teaching at Art Unraveled August 2 and 4 in Phoenix.  I will be teaching the following two classes:

Briar Rose Shrine Pendant

Using assemblage and dimensional soldering techniques, your Briar Rose will take on a fairy-tale essence as she is encased in glass and solder.  Let the fashionista in you shine as you design your Briar Rose's couture gown complete with sweet pewter shoes.  The theme, color and content is left up to your imagination.  Students will learn basic soldering, assemblage, collage and metal stamping.

Twisted Sistah Choker

Using heavy gauge wire, students will learn sculptural, free-form wire working techniques to create the foundation of this choker.  With a little forging and patina, this wire structure will be ready for your selected embellishments.  Working with fine gauge wire and using techniques similar to weaving and sewing, various beads, stones, crystals, found objects, shells, buttons will be whimsically attached creating the encrusted allure of this piece.

Art Unraveled is a fabulous mixed media art retreat with an outstanding line-up of classes.  I encourage you to check out the offerings and consider joining us the first week of August.  Registration is done by mail and the first class assignments will be made January 10th.  To be sure you are able to get into your first-choice classes, now is the time to send in your registration form.  I'm sending my registration in on Monday with crossed fingers and toes.  All the information is on the site. 

Hoping you are all having a relaxing New Year's Day.  Looking forward to the coming year and getting to know all of you better.  Thank you for stopping by.

Tootles

Diana