A happy ending... or is it the beginning?

I'm there... I'm at *THAT* Part... the part where i've been building up to, we have had the challenges and after all that has been overcome I get to share my passion for creating with people from around the corner, around the country and around the globe... technology is so amazing and I love being able to make use of it.



Since 2004 I have been passionately blazing a trail starting from my little desk in the corner of one of our bedrooms with a baby accompanying my every decision. I began uncovering my passion for teaching. It was like lighting the Christmas tree for the first time of the season or like the first tulips of Spring... I knew it was special to me and the start of something self defining. This is no epiphany... this is just simply the realization that *THIS* is my thing... teaching. Encouraging. Imparting SPARK (and sparkle!). Helping others to polish up, dust off or uncover their own inner creator. 

With the help of my friends and family and he encouragement of mentors along the way I have gotten to this little ole place... many many many artists have gotten here before me and a whole 'nuther load are coming with me and hopefully, with any luck my job will become something that is just common and a known necessity.



Can you imagine people saying remember when we only dreamed of such fancies as these...

I can.

So, Thursdays are about talking about upcoming workshops... guess what? Mine is up and coming...

(EEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep)

People #2

 I have the help of "The People" (People #2 and People #3 really are my biggest cheerleaders!) friends and family, the support of an amazing network of artists and technicians, many friends online and in person who are right there giving me the nudge... nudges like "Let me help you..."

So I took them up on the help and now I get to play with girls in Texas or Pennsylvania, Austria or San Diego, CA oh and Boys are allowed to play, too... I'm an equal opportunity to entertainer :)

Now its time to dream a bigger dream, wouldn't you say? mmmm what's next... How about teaching in Bali? Paris? oooooh I know! Italy....

Now Let's get OUR CRAFT on!!! (see how that's different?) ;)

xoxo

jul

FREE Soldering Tutorial: Jump Rings for Mixed Media Jewelry

P.S. I am SOOOOO not a fan of the commercials on here... I am going to investigate that a bit. Seriously? Violent Video Games and political ads... No, thanks! 

Anywhoooooooo......

I have been wanting to share this technique for so long and I finally got a little video together to share with students and friends. Have a peek and let me know what you think!

Go GET Your CRAFT ON!!!

Capture the Whimsy Soldered Reliquaries

I'm hoping you're planning on joining me at Luna's Memories in Half Moon Bay where the view is almost as lovely as the proprietors' hospitality! Come play!

The focus this time is on how you can use the German Bisque Dolly! These make FABULOUS gifts and you'll probably finish two if not three! Call Craig and Maureen for directions and to reserve your spot 650.726.1444 or book your workshop here and 20% will go to the folks at 29gifts.org for the month of March!

Enter Date of Desired Workshop

Curious about reliquaries? Check this out...
Reliquaries were historically used to hold various fragments of saints, the Buddha, the Christ. The fragments ranged from bits of bone, hair or flesh to snips of garments or pieces of the crucification cross. Some reliquaries are clear so that the bones of the person could be viewed. Some reliquaries that I saw while at the Vatican were inserted into the staff of the Pope at the time.

Reliquaries are sometimes decorative as in a brooch or pendant, but are often a simple box or coffin shape. In Victorian era reliquaries you could find a lock of hair of a loved one sealed into an item of jewelery.

My particular enjoyment of these tiny treasures is in the placement of odd items. I start with tiny collages for a background and then begin making a scene as in a diorama and then adding that element of surprise. They can also go in the direction of the macabre in which case employing the shape of a coffin is definitely in order!

Reliquaries range in size from teeny to life size coffins, but mine tend to stay in the range of quite small. I like to use mica to enclose the scene to give it a Victorian feeling and then I solder the entire piece. They are a rewarding project because they just come out SO COOL! This is a rewarding class because you get to make a few cool reliquaries AND you get to learn the skill of soldering.

Can't wait to get started... mark your calendars
Saturday March 14th 10:00 am – 3:00pm at Luna's Memories in Half Moon Bay

Please bring any of your own special relics, images, favorite glues, scissors, glitters or paints. Any small items from nature are also encouraged – tiny wings are cool, bits of lichen look neat. As always, bring your “basic kit” of scissors, cutting mat, ruler, plus any items you can't craft without AND we'll have a blast! But don't worry if all you have is your purse and your car keys - there is always room for one more and I love to share!

xoxo
jul