World longest beaded necklace...

This amazingly displayed necklace greeted us as we descended the stairs to the second floor of Beadfest. Of course we had to have pictures of it and quickly learned that it is a fund raiser for the Portable Playhouse which is a non-profit organization who brings specialized art programs to children in hospitals and out care programs. They are trying to make the worlds longest necklace for the Guinness Book of World Record's as they raise fund for these children. We were able to make a donation and add a bead to the necklace while we were there. But you can do it by going to their web site and do it on line. Check it out. What a great way to help children in need.

Home Sweet Home

I made it home last night after a long days drive. So nice to sleep in my own bed.

This morning we had breakfast while the crows surrounded our house. This guy is watching me as I'm watching his buddies! At our house this is a sign of fall. We have farmers fields on 2 sides of us, so when the harvest is ready the crows come for the feast. I know, I know, it's not fall yet but I'm afraid the signs of it coming are definitely here. As we drove North to come home we could see the slow yellowing of the leaves on the trees. And even a few orange and red as we got closer to home.
So get out there and enjoy what summer we have left. Fall is just around the corner.

The show is over.

Yes the Beadfest is over. What a great show. I learned so much. I'm anxious to get home and try all my new techniques out. Putting my own spin on them.Todays class was with Susan Lenart Kazmer. It was a little tough going in the morning. There was just so much information to absorb that I was overwhelmed. But after a long relaxing lunch I got back in there and got over my fear of her torches. My piece isn't quite finished yet and it's pretty rough. But it's a start in a new kind of jewelry making. I'll have to think a little longer on whether I want a larger torch than the micro torch that I have now, but it was a great experience.

Thanks for following along with me during the show. I hope you enjoyed the updates. I should be home again in a day or two.

Class projects

Here are my almost finished class projects from yesterdays class with Tracey Stanley.In this class we learned to make a bezel and then filled is with resin on top of beads, shells, etc.
Here we used a heavy gage wire to form a shape to contain the resin with beads, shells, etc.

I'm on my way back to the convention show to get a few more things so I can make some more creations that these classes have inspired in me. I've already purchased some amazing tools that are going to change my life! I just needed a little nap to keep up to Renee. But I'm ready to go now. Let's see if I can find her!

Busy with classes.

This is just a quick blog since I finished my class a little early. My 2 classes so far with Tracey Stanley have been great. She's a great teacher and I've learned so much. These are the components for a bracelet from my first class. Obviously not finished but well on their way, although I think I might turn them into a necklace. Haven't decided yet. Todays class used some resin so it's setting and the pictures didn't turn out very well. I'll try again tomorrow.

Here are the gargoyles as promised. They were inside a passage way through the town hall, so the lighting was a little difficult.

So it's off to the convention show now and then to meet the teacher night.

Philadelphia Architecture

As promised, here are some of the amazing buildings we saw while down town Philadelphia. The variety and enormity of them was wonderful.

This was one of the side walks we had to walk through.
This is City Hall. it was an enormous building. I couldn't get enough photos of it. I'll show you some gargoyles we came across while walking through the centre of this building tomorrow.

This building is home to the Philadelphia School of Art. How appropriate.
As you can see the variety of Architecture was amazing.

Well I'm off for some breakfast and then to my first class.

On tour.

Well I've left the country or entered the country I guess, depending on where you're reading this from. I'm with my friend Renee in King of Prussia Pennsylvania USA. We're here attending the Beadfest. Today we went into Philadelphia to check out the market and do some shopping. We had lunch in the market and then walked around down town doing some site seeing and shopping.

They have lost of fun and amazing sculptures down town that we enjoyed tremendously. Here are some of the ones we came across.

I also really enjoyed the architecture of the many buildings there. I'll share some photo's of them tomorrow.

Time to get some rest. Full day class tomorrow.