Wire Masters Weekend...

This just in from Interweave Press...

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February 26, 2010

Save the Date! Mark your calendars now to join us October 28-31 at the premier wire jewelry-making event of 2010: Weekend with the Wire Masters. This is your once-in-a lifetime opportunity to learn from 10 of the nation’s top Wire Jewelry Designers & Instructors. Immerse yourself in unique workshops, exciting special events and a relaxing setting. Our Wire Masters will offer the best workshops, share with you the latest techniques and help you to design and create those perfect pieces. If you enjoy the art of jewelry-making, plan now to join us at the most artistic and inspirational event of 2010. Online registration opens April 13, 2010. at www.wiremastersweekend.com A full schedule for Weekend with the Wire Masters is coming soon. Meet Our Master Instructors Janice Berkebile Lisa Claxton Connie Fox Mary Hettmansperger Susan Lenart Kazmer Lisa Niven Kelly Dallas Lovett Tracy Stanley Barb Switzer Ronna Sarvas Weltman at www.wiremastersweekend.com

Catching up with our Teachers...Barb Switzer

For the past few months, I have been scrambling to finish a ton of drawings and layouts and doing the weird behind-the-scenes work that makes teaching happen. What have I been working on? Design.

Each year I spend a good chunk of time designing an attractive, challenging and interesting project for Hooked on Wire. Most of my strongest designs have resulted from this endeavor, so I am willing to spend as much time as it takes. But this year I taught on the Bead Cruise in January, turning my usual month-long timeline into a brief 10 days of dedicated design time. My result, Fiore Selvatico, is an engineered chain mail and wirework bezel for a crystal rivoli.

Of course, Fiore had been in the works since October, when I created the original from scraps on my worktable. As much as I would like creativity to be an orderly process, I can't seem to work that way. Other artists have tidy studios and always put their tools away, but apparently, I am not that type of creator. I make scribbly drawings, lose my sketchbooks on airplanes (or my desk), and find myself inspired by chaotic, disjointed bits and pieces. In the end, I suppose work style matters far less than the results and I stand by the Fiore Selvatico, Vite Chain and Crystal Sandwich as proof that my method, although elusive, actually works! And I will now make peace with the idea that sometimes you have to work now and get paid later....Barb

Flurry of NEW class activity!

New and ready for you to view!

Helm Chain Earrings, by Colin Mahler

Byzantine Sunburst, by Colin Mahler

Beadily Dee Beads, by Barb Switzer

Check 'em out! Colin and Barb really made some beautiful new projects, don't you think?

TUCSON

Wooowee, we have been at the Bead True Blue Show in Tucson (at the Double Tree Reid Park) now for 6 days, in our WELL STOCKED booth. We are having a blast. It's wonderful to see our customers face to face and to meet and welcome some new ones. We have 3 more days to go with this show.

Kate and Lisa have had time to duck out a bit and go explore other shows. If you have never been to Tucson this time of year for this big ol' Gem/Jewelry/Bead/Random Stuff Show, you should know that there are like 20 shows going on at once. It's wonderful and crazy!

Our feet are a bit sore, but we are hanging in there. Come by and see us (and our cute new aprons) if you are in town!!!