HomeMy JewelryTutorialsClassesContact Me

Thursday, July 13, 2017

RETIREMENT?



Hi sweet friends! Can't believe I haven't posted one time here in 2017. How is that possible, and where does the time go?

I don't know if anyone still reads blogs?? I will post this to FB too! But I thought I would mention that as of this year, I am retiring from jewelry making, designing, and teaching.  It has been about 21 years of bliss, but am ready to bow out.

I have loved every single minute of meeting new friends, helping others and creating. I can't thank everyone personally, so I will just say thank you to each and every one of you for making jewelry making a dream come true for me.  Stephanie Lee's instruction changed my life, as did Susan Lenart Kazmer.  And instructors like Richard Salley, Robert Danzik and many others were so helpful and giving.  And foremost, Zinnia Galliher with Artful Gathering, your support and friendship has been amazing.

So what's next? Not retirement for sure.  I'm going to sell all the stuff I've collected for over 20 years, wow there's a lot.  Then I'm going to clean out the workshop, take some painting classes and just play, play, play.  No stress!  I'm now planting and gardening, enjoying travel, the new She Shed (thank you Mark Gardner for the photo above), filling the bird feeders, cooking and not thinking of jewelry every waking moment, like I have for 20 years.

I will miss all of the special friends I've made over the years.  And who knows, might run in to you at an event somewhere, for a mixed media or painting workshop, or who knows!! I hope we stay in touch.

Maddie and I send love and happiness to each and every one of you, and wishing you many years of success in whatever your endeavors are.  Take each day and moment and make the best of it, I sure plan to!!

Saturday, April 30, 2016

CONTEST!!!
I am so excited to offer a free workshop to one lucky winner!
If you are interested in winning an online workshop from me for this upcoming ArtfulGathering.com session one, please leave a comment, and let me know.

Petite Photo Frames
Learn to make a pendant, necklace and a bracelet, soldered and unsoldered versions. There is over 7 hours of instruction in this class!! Filmed at edited by Fred and me, with lots of love.

Hey, let's get creative here! Why not tell me why you would like to win this workshop? I would love to know why this would make your heart beat faster. xoxoxo

For more info on the workshop, which starts June 6, 2016
go to www.ArtfulGathering.com.

**Good luck my sweet friends, winner chosen randomly.
If you win, you need to pay the $5 registration fee, that's all!!

Winner will be chosen on May 5th, 2016, cut off time to enter May 4th 12 midnight PDT.



Sunday, March 6, 2016

Come take some fun workshops with me in
Anacortes, Washington
June 25-26, 2016

Saturday June 25
Queen's Lace
Make a beautiful pendant, a touch of solder, a gorgeous picture, some rhinestones
and work it in to a beautiful necklace.
All levels welcome, most supplies provided.
Small kit fee on top of class fee.

Sunday June 26
Bird Cage Box
Build a birdcage from scratch! I'll show you how, then make a birdie to hang
and let dangle and tweet inside. Attach it to a darling patterned box
I provide. Too cute for works, and a keepsake forever.
Again most materials and supplies provided.
Small kit fee in addition to class.

For detailed info and materials list on these workshops please email me at
and I will send the info to you asap!

Class is limited! Sign up fast! Hope to see you.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Hi Everyone!
I'll be teaching at Artful Gathering Online Art Retreats 2016!
The preseason kick-off includes the AG annual Hop Contest begins today!
  I'm one of the featured instructors this week! 
Hope you'll hop along with us!


AND.... here's a sneak peak at the brand new workshop I designed for you
this year! I will be teaching in session One, starting in June.

I hope you will join me for the workshop in June,
and hope you start to play our contest beginning today.

Prizes and fun included!!


Love and hugs
Riki

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Where Bloggers Create party

Welcome to the annual
Where Bloggers Create party!


I'm so thrilled to be taking part in Karen Valentine's 
"Where Bloggers Create 2015".  Karen designed my blog many moons ago, and my other blog e-workshops, and does such a lovely job.

So this time I decided to post a little video of my workshop. It is as cleaned up as I could get it! I'm in full production mode right now, so sorry about the mess. But I hope you enjoy the video tour. I wanted to give you a glimpse of my stations, and treasures I work with.






Thanks for visiting!!!
I'm going to try to get around and see many other studios listed on Karen's list.
Have a great day, and I hope to see you at a workshop I'm teaching somewhere!

Hugs,
Riki

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Artful Gathering 2015 workshop

It's time to get registered for 
ARTFUL GATHERING 2015!

My all new workshop starts on June 6, and I would love for you to join me.

This year, something completely new and different. I am going to show you how to make Mixed Media Music Boxes in Musical Delights.

Six full weeks of fun with me, can you stand it? These are so much fun, inexpensive and amazingly beautiful. I am thrilled to show you how, all on line.

So please get registered, get your supplies, and lets make some beautiful music together!!

Musical Delights: Mixed Media Music BoxesJune 6 - July 17
Join me for a fabulous workshop that is a feast for the eyes and ears! In Musical Delights: Mixed Media Music Boxes, you get to make a music box from almost scratch because you will start with a pre-made box from tin or from a simple cigar box. Yes! You will decorate it up while learning a wide variety of mixed media art techniques before installing a musical movement. These boxes will make your heart sing with delight and your finished work of art will be a treasure forever to enjoy.
To learn more click here.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Come join me in Houston, Texas
April 28-May 3, 2015!

I'm teaching four workshops, hope to see you!!!

Click HERE for more info and to register.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Video promo for Artful Gathering 2015

Sneak preview of this summer's on line workshop

MUSICAL DELIGHTS!

Pre-register now at www.ArtfulGathering.com
and register for my workshop
starting on May 1, 2015.

Hope to see you there!!
hugs,
Riki

Monday, March 2, 2015

Summer 2015 online workshop

ANNOUNCING!

My ArtfulGathering.com workshop coming this summer!

I am teaching in Session 1 only this year, but it is a doozy!! We are going to make music boxes from scratch.  Yep, take a plain ordinary cigar box or tin box, and give it some magical mixed media treatments, install a music movement and....

VOILA!

A keepsake forever, something friends and family will enjoy.


Here is the link for more info.
Pre-registration is now open. What that means is you give Artful Gathering a administrative fee for $5, yes only five dollars, and then you get to register for classes. You can see the descriptions without paying the fee, but who can resist all the amazing workshops being offered this summer?

Hope to see you in my
MUSICAL DELIGHTS
Workshop!!

Go here to register and read more.

xox
Riki



Monday, January 19, 2015

Vivi Art Retreat in the Desert 2015

Come join the fun at the
Vivi Magoo Art Retreat in the Desert!

I'll be teaching three amazing workshops, if I do say so!! These are full day projects, and so much fun to make and then enjoy.

The Tab Please

Another example of The Tab Please
 In this workshop I will be showing you how to custom make your tabs for a cabochon, an antique brooch or anything flat on the back really.


Queen's Lace
A touch of solder, some metal work, a little resin, and you have an amazing focal for your necklace.


Timeless Beauty
 We will be making custom watch bands from scratch! I'm bringing the watches and you provide the workmanship. So excited.

Here is the link for the retreat so you can read all about it.
Hope you can make it, did I mention the International Gem Show happens the same weekend? Bring some cash and some walking shoes, it is amazing!


Hugs,
Riki



Sunday, November 16, 2014

Spellbound event recap

How was SPELLBOUND?

As the old saying goes...a picture is worth a thousand words. The event was majestic, the hotel elegant, the hostesses warm, the service fantastic and the students....
over the top wonderful!!!! 

I taught two new classes, they were short ones, and taught them twice. A fun schedule and the students loved getting to take so many classes with the variety of talented instructors.

The amazingly elegant Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, CA. 
Beautiful name tags made by Shea Fergosa. Wow! 
 Our opening dinner in a grand ballroom. So beautiful!
 First workshop on Friday morning for me, leather and rhinestone wraps. They loved it!
 Look at these happy faces!!! Can't ask for more. Great job ladies.
 More happy students, loved it guys!! You rocked. Two down!
 Gorgeous samples from that workshop, Sparkle Charm bracelet.
 That is Beth Walker Quinn and me with the amazingly talented and inspirational Celeste Shaw. She gave a talk about her life as we enjoyed our delicious lunch.  I can't begin to described how she touched everyone with her presentation. See our red faces? That's from tears.
 Talented ladies I had the pleasure of teaching with. Me on the far left, then Pamela Huntington, Debbie Murray, Shea Fragoso, Terri Brush, Beth Walker Quinn and Colleen Moody.
More beautiful work by the second class of Sparkle Charm Bracelet. Fantastico guys!!!
 Look at those smiles. And they were exhausted after two days of workshops!!

It was dark outside for this last workshop, so its a bit dark in the room. But they rocked it!! Great job ladies. So proud of all who took the Sparkle Charm Bracelet who have never held a torch!! Yea!! No tears, lots of smiles, lots of celebration. So proud of you.
 When the work was over, more play began! So great to meet a new dear friend, Beth Quinn Walker. Kind of like you knew someone for years.
 Same with these sweet ladies!!! Loved partying with Marilyn Hill Thorne, Michelle Hurtt (who has the coolest mother ever, love you Nancy, and the infamous and darling Colleen Moody.
 Then Sunday rolled around, and off to the fabulous Pasadena Bowl Flea Market. LOVED it, have never been and would go back in a heartbeat. I heard it was expensive, and it was with some, but reasonable with others.

I made some fun purchases. I was a happy camper.

So that was the weekend!! A thousand thank you's to all my amazing and talented students. I'm going to list you here just to say thanks again.

Friday AM
Sue Elseth, Melanie Corbin, Shawn Street, Dawn Hoelzle, Stephanie Chavez, Karen Hansen, Susan Jose, Cassie Fisher Hughes, Lacy Renard, Dawn Seeman, Susie Karlsen, Judy Lewis, Sherry Hardy, Laura Gendron, Lori Dams, Jeanie Hatch, Kim Hupke, Ursula Nieto.

Friday PM
Tosha Leyendekker, Melanie Corbin, Linda Duke, Angela Howard, Dorothy Johnson, Julie Cottrell, Julie Baxley, Jenifer Hilliard, Stephanie Chavez, Karen Hansen, Lacy Renard, Rebecca Feeken, Betti Zucker, Amy Garcia, Judy Lewis, Jane Lunegard, Sherry Hardy, Charlotte Smothers, Jane Hart, Debora Rodriguez, Laura Gendron.

Saturday PM
Tosha Leyendekker, Michele Blythe, Kristen Brown, Katie Johnston, Linda Duke, Michelle Hurtt, Julie Cottrell, Julie Baxley, Jenifer Hilliard, Rebecca Feeken, Charlotte Smothers, Julie Strohman, Dalia Blevins, Cindy Sepulveda-Wood, Betti Zucker.

Saturday EVE
Emily Kinslow, Sue Elseth, Robin Sanchez, Shawn Street, Marilyn Thorne, Libby Burns, Cassie Fisher Hughes, Dawn Seeman, Teresa Young, Lori Dams.

Hope I didn't leave anyone out. I know a few of you cancelled at the last minute, I'm so sorry you couldn't be there with us. I don't know if there will be a next time. The ladies haven't announced anything. But I will have some cherished memories, as we all will for sure.

And thank you Shea and Debbie, for such a wonderful and memorable event. It was over the moon fabulous in so many ways. You two are amazingly beautiful ladies, love to you both.

Thanks for taking a look!
Riki

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Art Retreat in the Desert 2015

VIVI MAGOO'S 
ART RETREAT IN THE DESERT
February 2015

Want to know what the classes will be?? 
Check out this video and see the projects first hand!!


Registration is open and classes are filling

Hope to see you in Tucson this February!

xo
Riki

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Urban Barn workshops 2014

(These workshops on hold until Urban Barn
gets relocated, will happen sometime in 2015 now)

Two workshops coming up in Escondido, CA!

At the Urban Barn
155 W. Crest St
Escondido, CA 92026
760-743-7225

December 6 & 7, 2014
workshops 10a-4p

Saturday Dec. 6
La Petite Photo
A wonderful metals workshop using a micro butane torch, and basic metal tools. We will be making a tiny frame, to displayed on a stand, or wear as a pendant. Adorable!





Sunday Dec. 7
Holiday Whimsies
Come make some adorable wall hangings, ornaments or whatever.  These are so much fun to make, and so whimsical!  You will love cutting a bit of metal, a touch of soldering, and a little wiring.  




Here is a link to their website, but info isn't posted yet. 
But you can reserve your space and pay now by calling 
Linda lou at 619-823-7253. She will take care of you!

Please contact me if you have any questions.  Descriptions will be posted on their website with a Paypal button soon.

Hope to see you!!!
Hugs,
Riki  

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Stackable Boho Bangles

The fun continues....

Stackable Boho Bangles
on line workshop
with Artful Gathering

starts July16th, 2014!!


Learn to make:
- all the charms you see
- wire bangles from scratch

Six weeks of a workshop to take at your own pace, in your jammies if you like!  I will be available for that full time to help, inspire and consult with.

How much better could it get???

Hope to see you there!! It's a blast, students are soooo happy with the workshop that just finished. I'm getting the most wonderful feedback for my on line workshops.

"I just wanted to tell how much I have enjoyed this class. You have taught us so many techniques that we can incorporate into many projects. The possibilities are endless and those of us who like to create, well our eyes glaze over and our minds whirl at warp speed. You are a GREAT instructor. I love the online classes because I can pause it, look close, and then proceed. Sometimes my mind says "GO" and my hands say "We need another look". I will continue to follow your site to keep up with more classes and videos. - Libby


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Spellbound - Pasadena, CA 2014

Did you hear the good news?
I'm was invited to take part in the Spellbound event this 
November 6-9 in Pasadena, hosted by Debbie and Shea, 
from A Gilded Life!! So exciting.

The bad news is that one of my workshops is already full!! 
Please sign up asap if you are coming, would love to see you in one of my workshops!

Here is the link for the event!!


I hope to see you there!!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

ARTFUL GATHERING 2014 - kits flying out

WORKSHOPS FOR 
ARTFUL GATHERING 2014

Just a quick note to let you know that the kits are selling out fast for both these workshops, happening this summer, on line with Artful Gathering!

If you are planning to get a kit, please do it quickly. I won't be listing more, this is the second batch I'm thrilled to say. 
(Sorry, all kits are sold out)

Downton Heirloom Bracelets  - starts June 6th
and
Stackable Boho Bangles - starts July 16

Here is the link to my Etsy store.

Thanks so much for you support, I'm over the moon excited about both workshops. And even if you are in a remote part of the world, you can take a six week workshop with me
this summer!! Yeah!

Thanks so much,
Riki

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Make Art in LA workshop, 2014

Three words describe this workshop at Make Art in LA, in La Brea, CA.

FUN, FUN FUN!
They came for some fun and to learn a few things,
and I think that happened!!
 You ladies were incredible!!
 We had a lot to learn and get through, and they did it all!
 There were many who had never held a butane torch in their hand, and they did so well, I was incredibly impressed.
 There was a little cutting, filing, and soldering
Then hand finished with a touch of pantina added.
 It was a sold out workshop, and we can't wait to get back there again next year.
It's already on the calendar, March 21-22.
Love the intensity and concentration!
And a lot of laughing as well.
What more could an instructor hope for?
Chocolate, ha ha. Mel took care of that!
Thanks Mel.
 Here is me and sweet Barb Buckles. Thank you Barb, such a great time everyone had.
Can't wait until next year.
Queen's Lace was so much fun, and everyone work turned out scrumptious!

 Most everyone is here. Many, many thanks to
Carol A, Theresa, Ally, Julia, Kim, Janett, Kathie, Caroline, Becky, Diane, Lora, Melanie,
Susan C, Renee and especially Barb. 
Becky, hope you are feeling better, and hope to see you next time!
I loved every minute of it. And got to have my sister there to help out, that was wonderful. Thank you Kami for all your help. You are the best.
lots of love, and until next time!

Riki