Monday, January 14, 2008

New Calendar by Lampworker Corina Tettinger



For friends and fans of Corina Tettinger, you need to know about her new calendar. There seem to be one or two "old" photos, but regardless, her beads are all stunning and rightly deserving of a calendar!

It is great to see that she seems to be doing better lately, and I look forward to visiting her website more often.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Monday Bead and Jewelry Updates

I got three very interesting updates in my e-mail box today!

1. Connie Fox - as mentioned in a previous post, tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. PST is when registration for Connie's classes begins. Classes book up fast, so have your desired classes ready (with alternates, just in case), and be ready to call right at 9 a.m. PST (that is 11 a.m. CST and 12 noon EST).

2. Sharilyn Miller - If you make wire jewelry, then you probably know Sharilyn Miller (if you don't, check out her wire and jewelry class website here). Here e-mail newsletter was chock full of updates, including the release of her new instructional DVD on Bohemian Bangles, in addition to her other instructional DVD's covering other wire jewelry techniques. Sharilyn's newsletter also announced the remainder of her 2007/early 2008 workshop schedule, and I hope to take one of her classes. The most exciting tidbit of information was about a Wire Art Jewelry Intensive, taking place in September 2008 - IN SANTORINI, GREECE! For more information, stop by Sharilyn's site at the link above. And if you don't already own her book Bead on a Wire, you really need to look at it!

3. Kim Miles announced her new lampwork beads, Memorial Beads. These beads are a different way to memorialize your loved ones who have passed, as she infuses a small amount of cremains into the bead. It is a beautiful way to keep your loved one near you all the time.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Kim Miles Lampwork Sale

If you love Kim Miles, or if you just love lampwork beads, this announcement is right up your alley.

I just got a notice that Kim Miles is clearing out her inventory, and her lampwork glass beads are marked down 30%! If you haven't seen Kim's beads before, they are amazing (she is one of my first inspirations for making floral beads, and below is an example of her work). They are on the pricey side, but demand for her beads is still strong and her beads typically sell as soon as they are listed.

Good luck getting the bead that you want!


Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Connie Fox Wire Jewelry Classes

Connie Fox has posted her class schedule for her wire and metal classes (as well as fine silver clay classes in her San Diego studio by Pattie Phipps), and registration opens on January 8th! Classes fill up fast, so take a look at Connie's class schedule so you are ready to reserve a space as soon as registration opens.

Connie's classes for the Winter/Spring term include: Basic Wire Skills, Earrings and Gemstones, Homage Bracelets, Designing Jewelry, Brangles, Cuffs, and Cold Joints.

I went to San Diego a few years ago with two of my friends to take her Charm Bracelet class (my class bracelet is pictured below). This class really opened a lot of doors for me in terms of developing my skills (both in jewelry design, wire technique, and teaching) and was one of the best things I've done for myself. Not only did I learn a lot, but I had a nice weekend trip to San Diego!

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to say to everyone that I hope you have a very prosperous and successful 2008!

I am a lampwork beadmaker, and haven't made beads in over a year. I sat down at the torch for the first time on New Year's Eve as I watched Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark count down to the new year, and I decided that I can't turn my back on my creativity any longer.

There is going to be a lot of glass and sterling wire in my future for 2008, and I hope that you find your heart's desire in expressing your creative spirit.