GIVEAWAY ON E-WORKSHOPS!

First of all, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU who participated in the HUGE Bead Soup Exchange, and left a message!! Wow, what an amazing experience that was.  So cool I got to see so many new blogs and meet so many new artists.  Thanks again Lori!

There is a BIG GIVEAWAY I just posted on my new blog, e-workshops, so be sure to hop over there and sign up for all the goodies. 

 It's the "grand" launch of my new blog, and why not start it off with a fun giveaway and contest?? 

 Good luck!

And, I want to share my experience at the fantastic Art Is You Retreat, that took place last week in Petaluma, CA.  Now this was some fun...instructors like Thomas Mann, Thomas Ashman, Dee Foust, Stephanie Lee, Michael deMeng, Joanna Pierotti, Keith Lobue, on and on.

I took four amazing classes.  The first one was from Joanna Pierotti of Moss Hill Studio, and I attached her blog to the link. You have to go look at her work, wow! Just stunning. That was so much fun, I've never painted a face, or made any kind of a doll.  So this was so way out of my comfort zone, and way cool!

She gave us little faces she pre-made,and we painted them with the tiniest little paintbrushes.  Then we mounted them on tiny canvases, and decorated away.  I just love how she turned out!

I need to give her a name???

None of my classroom shots are very flattering to people, but it gives you a great idea of the action taking place. That is Joanna, third from the left, in the tan. Everyone is so busy.

Another class was with Michael deMeng. Check out his blog.  Another WOW!  I have never decorated a bottle before, and not painted one either. This was a blast, might be my fav of all the classes. I used burlap on the bottom, and painted it all over, then string on top, attaching a drawer handle.

I was able to get my eyeball in there (thanks Rochelle)! A sweet student gave that to me this summer, I was so excited to use it. This was a lot of fun. I used drawer hardware to bend and attach, giving the transparency a ghosty look.

Here's Michael in action outside the class. 

We're learning how to mix paints, and handle tools, too cool!

I took two Stephanie Lee classes!  I don't have my Pipe Dreams pendant done, I'll post when I do.  But in one class, Plaster Coffers, we made boxes from scratch cardboard, held them together with plaster and then painted them.  I know, pretty amazing. But it worked. For some reason, I made an owl, guess due to the fact I pulled out that hardware, and it talked to me, then I found the buttons, and voila, an owl box! Still some work to finish on him yet.

Sorry Steph, not the most flattering, but you still are a doll! Yep, that's Steph in the stripped apron, we all got so messy playing with paints and plaster. I felt like I was in grade school again, so freeing! I will have to make more of those for sure.

Thanks to all the amazing instructors, the organizers Ellen and Sal, and everyone who went.  It was probably the best retreat I've been to in ages, and loved every minute.  Hope you can go next year, it was quite a treat.

So be sure to sign up for the contest over at e-workshops.blogspot.com!

Riki

xox

BEAD SOUP REVEAL!

IT'S TIME TO REVEAL!

Every now and again in life, you just get lucky. Is it because you have eaten your Lucky Charms for breakfast, did the planets align correctly, or did you possibly pay it forward at some point and the sky opened up its beautiful treasures to warm your heart?

Well, I got lucky.  I was sweet Cindy Wimmer's  partner for my first Bead Soup exchange.  Believe me, that was lucky for so many reasons.  

Cindy and I have been blogging friends for a couple of years now, and I love to hop over to her blog for so many reasons. It is one of those feel good blogs, one that makes you smile, one that touches your heart, and pulls at all your heart strings.  Not only due to the adorable children pictures, but she is such a talented lady.  She is a partner in presenting the East coast retreat, Artbliss, check it out everyone! And she is published, makes amazing jewelry, and well...did I say talented??

She and I have drooled over our antique finds for years. Every time she posts some of the fun finds while antiquing, I lust after everything, you lucky guys on the East coast!

So while on vacation recently, guess who is thinking about wee little me? Cindy of course, because that's the kind of gal she is. Not busy enough chasing three boys around on holiday, she is shopping for the Bead Soup exchange.

So not only did she purchase these amazing pieces, she gave great thought to the careful labeling and creative packaging of my sweet loot! Yes, I am a lucky girl, and I'm on my toes, singing with joy as I opened her thoughtful wrapping, oozing with love. Aren't these pieces to die for?

On top of the amazing antique and vintage, hand selected treasures, she finds this charming jar, and includes that as well.  Cindy, you have spoiled me completely!

This is what I created with Cindy's treasures. 

I hope you like it Cindy,  it was so easy to be inspired by your finds, and sit down and work with all these amazing pieces! Vintage leaves, a leaf broach, beautiful crystals, sari silk, a gorgeous hand made brass clasp, (big sigh here). Wow, a touch of bling, a whisper of silk, vintage chain, wow. 

Thank you to Lori Anderson for coordinating this Bead Soup, you are amazing Lori. I understand this was a record for the number of participants this time. 

I can't wait to go blog hopping and see what all of you have created from your exchange.

MUCH IS COMING!

I'M A SNOWBIRD

As the leaves on all the deciduous trees begin to rare up and throw out their flame of color, WH and I begin the routine dance of packing up our utmost belongings, and heading south for the winter.  We wave to the honkers (that's geese for city folks) as they fly up the runway in front of our cabin, honking loudly to announce their departure for the warmer country.

Well, I'm honkin', cause its time to go!  This is an unusual year however, since summer has just now decided to grace us with her warm rays here in the Pacific NW.  But, onward we go to California for continued sun for the winter months.  Its about a three day driving journey, very pleasant as WH does the driving, and Maddie and I do the looking! Heard it was raining there yesterday, go figure.

I'm so excited about a sweet adventure coming up with the successful Art Is You retreat, in Petaluma. The link is on my sidebar, check it out! I would love for you to be there so we can meet.

And if you are going to be there, let me know, would love to meet some more blogging friends.

Below is a little tease picture of my Blog Soup Party stash coming up.

Cindy Wimmer is my partner, and here is a preview of some of the amazing pieces she sent me.

Wow Cindy...more to follow soon, when my necklace is revealed.

The blog hop for the Bead Soup Party happens on Sept. 17th.  So be sure to my blog, and over 300 other participants, as we all reveal what we made with our generous assemblage of beads and goodies.

So exciting! So much going on. 

Be sure to visit my new blog, e-worshops, for learning opportunities and tutorials.

See you in California at Art is You!

Hugs,

Riki

NEW VIDEO

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND

I hope you were able to take a little time off and enjoy some relaxation somewhere, with loved ones??

I got a lot of work done, between house guests, grand daughter here for two weeks, WH's 65th birthday, and preparing for a big birthday party!

Whew! Time for a breather.

But in between all those free moments, I was able to shoot and edit another tutorial video!

I have to tell you, I love doing these, not that I'm great at it, but thanks to the support and amazing comments on my last video, I think I'll do more!  You spoke, and I'm listening.

That's really the impetus behind launching the e-workshops blog.  I can't tell you how excited I am about this.  I'm lining up blogging friends to be featured on there, to give tips and giveaways.

How cool will this be??

So here's a link to reading all about the latest video on "e-workshops.blogspot.com".  I think you'll enjoy it as much, if not more, than the last video.

Or you can go straight to my Etsy shop to purchase.

Thank you so much everyone, your support makes my heart swell with joy!!

Hugs,

Riki

New Blog!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

There is a now a new blog, dedicated to learning!   With the exquisite help from the amazingly talented Karen Valentine, I am launching a new blog called e-workshops.

This fun blog will deliver new adventures for you, adding to your current knowledge about jewelry making, or if you are new, what a great place to jump in and discover this amazing world.

My plan is to offer a variety of kits, tutorials, videos and on line classes, both by me, and blogging friends.  I will also offer tips, freebies, and a host of other offerings.

It is just getting started, but go check it out and let me know what you think.  You can hop back to my other blog, Riki Jewelry, by clicking that button anytime.

Please spread the word, post the button, and tell everyone!

I'm working on a fun, muti-item giveaway, so stay tuned.

Please leave me a comment, and let me know what you think.

And how about what you would like to learn about, any specific methods or projects you are hoping to see on here?

Thanks everyone.

Many hugs,

Riki