A Break in Traveling

I'm home for a couple of days before taking off again for my trip to NY. My hurricane shutters are in place and my packing is half done. The jewelry making stuff is the most difficult to get packed up but I'm almost done. I'm happy I have someone to stay in my house for the time I'm away. This means I don't have to have everything totally locked down.
Today's picture is from a collection given to me by my son. He and his family just got back from a holiday in Arizona. One of the places that they went was the Grand Canyon.
I went there a few years back and I can tell you that pictures just don't do it justice! It is something that everyone should see sometime in their lives! Just one of the wonders of the country and the world that we live in!
Happy Birthday Dad!

For Bonnie Jean

Well I'm back. The story about the macrame class and the necklaces I made in that class is a long one but I'll try to condense. I was late, very late for this class! I thought it started at 1PM and it really started at 11AM. I got a call at 11:50 wondering where I was. I hurriedly got ready and drove there. The other two students were almost finished with their first necklace (we were to make two). The teacher was a beautiful women from Columbia South America who speaks very little English. In spite of that she was able to communicate the directions to me and I was able to do well. She stayed later and let me finish both of the necklaces. It seems she was a psychologist in Columbia but is not able to practice here. It's a shame but I'm sure she will do well once she is fluent in English. I was pretty impressed with her!

The Scottie necklace in the previous post contains the Scottie bead that I picked up in Beads and Baubles in Fort Pierce, FL when Luigi Cattelan visited last winter. He is pretty famous and comes from a long lineage of glass blowers in Murano, Italy. He will have an article in the coming October issure of Beads and Buttons. Along with Luigi, Susan Barrette, owner of Beads and Baubles with have her work with Luigi's beads, focused in that issue. I can't wait for that issue to appear on the news stands! It should be a treat for the eyes!
The Scottie necklace is in memory of our doggie, Bonnie Jean MacKenzie, who left us last July. We all miss her still!

The necklace in this post is bead crochet. I made it in one evening and it now adorns my daughter's pretty neck!

Birthday Party!

Yesterday was my granddaughter's ninth birthday and the party was at Chunk E Cheese! That place did a great job running the party. Our hostess was wonderfully helpful. To me, though, I think that that job is a nightmare job! The noise level alone would make me a wreak! But never the less a good time was had by all!

The picture is one of the macrame necklaces that I made at the class on Friday. More to come on that class later. I've gotta run and do some errands now!

Good Class

I taught the Lace Cuff again yesterday and had five students. It went well and everyone walked out with a bracelet on their arm........well everyone except the man in the class! He took the class to make this beautiful bracelet for his wife! His color choices were sky blue, silver and gold. Absolutely great combo. I'm sure his wife is very pleased with his efforts. If not, well she should know how lucky she is! His initial worries were that his large hands would not be able to handle the needle and thread and the small beads. He had no problems at all! Today I'll be teaching the Egyptian Coil at Crafts N Stuff in Vero Beach. I'm anxious to teach this piece since it's one of my favorites.

Rock & Gem Club

I've been concentrating more on chainmaille than anything. I've done two more Jens Pind and this Parallel weave. I've also done another Twice Around the World, this time in silver plate with purple beads. Not as nice as the bronze with carnelian!
I finally got to attend a St. Lucie Rock and Gem club meeting! It was very interesting and I've decided to take a table at their show in November. This show will be held at the Martin county fairgrounds the first weekend in November. Last year's was really nice so I'm looking forward to this one. I found out that the St. Lucie's chapter is the 2nd largest in Florida second only to the Jacksonville chapter so it should be a big show!

Twice Around the World

Yesterday's class went well. We did Wire/Bead Crochet. I've been lazing around the house today. It's the first day that I haven't had a lot to do. I finally have a date for the class at Crafts and Stuff! I'll be pretty busy next week!
The picture is one of my latest creations! The design of the chain portion is one of Mei's designs called Twice Around the World. The wire wrapped pendant is my own design. The wire is bronze which I like much more than copper! The stones are unknown to me. I have to pay more attention to what I buy! I think that this is one of the prettiest pieces that I have made. Thanks Mei!

Jens Pind

This Jens Pind weave has been bugging me since last November. I cancelled a class that I was going to take in West Palm Beach. I figured I could teach myself and save the money! Well it didn't work out that way. I've tried so many times to learn from on-line tutorials. I finally broke down and bought Spiderchain.com's 2nd instructional DVD with Jens Pind on it. In a matter of minutes it all became clear! Thank you Spider! Now on to try other weaves.