Almost done but hanging in there...

So my day started at 4AM! My brain is so jammed full of thoughts and ideas that it is trying to escape out my ears. I just couldn't stay asleep so I got up and worked on ideas for new classes to bring home. Bonnie and I actually got to go to class together today and it's a good thing. At this point in the game it takes two brains to understand what we are being told. We did the "Chain Gang" with Keith today and it was wonderful. Forging and working with re-bar tie wire is a new love! Check out our bracelets. It was our last class time with Keith so we will sadly bid adieu to our new found friend, but we will never forget all the skills he shared with us and his terrific sense of humor. Bonnie went on to her class with Lisa Palvelka doing faux dichroic glass and I finished up my class of color smash with Sabra Sowell-Lovejoy. I think I actually nodded off during the lecture portion. Sorry Sabra, but I really loved the class and learned so much. I promise it's all in the notes. I have 25 pages of notes so far. I did experimenting in that class and started what will turn out to be the base for a pin. One more day. Think we can make it?

Hey if you are checking the blog and like our stores, give us a comment back. We'd love to hear from you. joni

Expo day is here.

Today was full of hurry scurry! I had a papering class with Keith Lo Bue today and learned all about the properties and ways to use adhesives and resins. I had to dart in and out of class a bit as I was getting things finished up for showing in the Expo tonight. We only had an hour to set up, and 3 hours to sell, so we had to be ready quick. Other then our charge machine not being able to pick up satellite, the evening went well. After the show, we loaded up the truck with all the extra class supplies and show merchandise. Now it's regroup and get ready for tomorrow. Bonnie and I are taking the chain gang class. It will be great, except for listening to 20 plus hammer on steel for 8 hours. I'm really looking forward to these last 3 classes as they all have elements that are new to me. I think my hands are permanently stained from ink, paints and patinas and for some reason I have bruises, cuts and burns on one arm. We have sore backs and tired feet, but we'll come hobbling home soon with tales of new found friends and adventure.

and the journey continues... day 4

Well here I am again past midnight. I just got my class bags all repacked for tomorrow and I'm ready to grab a couple of hours of shut eye. You can see by the picture of our room that we have lots of stuff. But believe it or not, it is very organized. In fact everyone in my classes calls me the stash because I always have what everyone is needing.

Bonnie did Amy Hanna's Heritage House Canvas class tonight. She doesn't have it finished completely, but I like what I'm seeing. After she completes the houses, the canvas will hold adornments (jewelry) to contrast with the papers, ribbons and paints. I was back in Keith Lo Bue's classroom today for etching. I learned a lot of different ways to work with the chemicals, transfer resists and make our own patinas. Tonight I did a class called "Color Smash" that took me into a whole new world of fold forming and distress enameling. We will have so many techniques to share with everyone when we get home. And don't forget, not only do we have 3 more days of classes here, but I'll also be taking other types of classes in Santa Fe yet this month. I'm showing you the "work in progress" of my Precious Little class. I'm so excited about the journey finishing it will take me. Tune in tomorrow as I'll have a paper application class to tell you about.

The end of day 3

The clock just struck midnight and I just finished packing back up for tomorrow, but let me tell you about our wonderful day.

Bonnie took the "Twisted Sister" necklace class all day. She said it was so much fun and we can't wait to share with all of you back home. Wait till you see it in person, it is amazing.

I returned to my "Precious Little" class with Keith LoBue. The picture shows just part of the tables of all our found objects and tools. We worked right through both of our meal breaks. As you can see the pizza had to just stack up with all the rest of the stuff. We worked, slash that, played for 12 hours straight. I love the piece I'm working on, but it isn't ready to share yet. Actually, it will probably take me an entire day to finish. Saturday I'll be taking the class that will be making the chain for it.

Check out the picture of Keith showing us his famous boyscout lost in the woods acorn whistle. See, we were playing.

Must go get a bit of shut eye as 6AM will be here before I know it.

I can't tell you how many friends we have made. This is so fun!

Too.... tired in Texas

Boy guys, I'm loving the classes, but it's also really tiring. I had classes yesterday from 9-9. The day class was "Tools of the Trade" and how to use them. Keith Lo Bue taught us his caveman approach of leaning to get the best use of his tools and materials. I even have a little sample piece of glass he demonstrated on to add to my junk necklace. I have about 10 pages of notes to share with you all. When I get back, we will have a couple of extensive days on drilling. Last night in his class of "Precious Little" we did a fun group project. It really didn't matter how your piece came out as much as what you learned from going through the exercise. Needless to say, I didn't have any trouble sleeping last night. Today it's back to Keith's classroom to create a found object piece and then tonight Bonnie and I are both taking his riveting class together. I also made new friends Liza, Sandra and Laurie from Texas, Gail from Albequerque, Katie from Scottsdale, Greg from NY and many more. Well it's off to class for the day...

Opening Reception

The reception tonight was a blast. We met people from all over the county all excited to start the journey this week. We have new friends already... Joann from Kalamazoo MI, Kathy from Fayetteville, TN & Andi from West Virginia. We also had a chance to meet all the artist/teachers and see the pieces that they will be teaching us throughout this week.

Jill Allison Bryan is a singer/songwriter and creativity coach. She was our keynote speaker. Her theme for the evening was "infinite possibility" and she shared with us 5 steps to finding space in our lives for our passions. Now it's back to the room, but don't fret, I'm not going to bed. Of course I have to stay up and solder the trades I want to share. I'm just practicing finding space for my art.

"Adorn Me" here we come!

Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore! Greetings from sunny Houston. Bonnie & I had a great ride down yesterday and only broke one law, so far that is. In the middle of a 6 lanes of traffic we got in the EZ auto pay lane on the tollway (my auto pay card is only good for Kansas). Somewhere there is a picture being posted of 2 slightly confused ladies saying oops. FYI, the hotel is beautiful and everyone is so friendly. We ventured out this morning with the help of our new friend Agnes, our GPS. For an inanimate object she sure talks a lot, and her favorite word is "recalculate". Our morning outing was to the Texas Art Supply Store. Boy they have everything. We spent 2 hours perusing the isles and on the way out we saw more things that we hadn't noticed. But with our arms weighted down with shopping bags we decided to leave something for the rest of the Texas.

Now it's time to catch up on a bit of paperwork and some R&R before things get started tonight at the kick off party. The convention goers are starting to check into the hotel, so we will be making lots of new friends. Tune in again tomorrow to see where our adventure takes us.