Great Instruction is the Key

I have been talking quite a bit on this blog about the wonderful Wild Wire Woman's retreat where I studied under master teacher Sharilyn Miller at her home in Idywilld,Ca. Even though some of the techniques we learned were challenging and frustrating, my persistence has certainly paid off. Practice really does make a big difference and having Sharilyn's DVDS has helped tremendously.

Although I still enjoy working with genuine gemstones to make some feminine and delicate jewelry pieces, wire working has been so much fun and I find that I love wearing the bold, chunky pieces as much as the delicate ones. Working with wire is a very satisfying experience and I particularly love antiquing my pieces in liver of sulpher. Check my blog to see my current metal pieces.

Just Do It!

These three words have become my mantra after my fun and fabulous wire retreat at the home of Sharilyn Miller. Often people will sign up for a instructional course, buy all the materials, learn the techniques and then feel hesitant about trying them out once they are home in their own workshops. It's human nature to go back to what is easy for us and to push the challenges aside. This time, I decided to listen to the words of my teacher, Sharilyn and "just do it" with the help of her wonderful book Bead on a Wire. I am really pleased with the results and have so enjoyed working with silver and copper wire. So next time you are feeling insecure about trying something new, give a whirl and "just do it."

The Joy of Wire Wrapping

I am very excited about my new creations. As I mentioned in earlier posts, I recently attended a woman's retreat at the home of Sharilyn Miller in Idyllwild, Ca. where I learned to make the wire components of many of my new jewelry pieces. These two pieces are a result of my effort and yes frustrations in Sharilyn's workshop. Although I found some of the techniques to be difficult everything I learned was well worth the effort.

Sweet Spring

These are photos of my home in New York. There is nothing more glorious than this beautiful spot in early spring. The photos represent some of my favorite springtime delights. I love the view of the pond and the views of the mountains on a warm spring afternoon. The grape hyacinths and tips of hosta leaves poking through the ground are such a welcome sight after the long and cold winter days. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this season in the Berkshires is the smell of the air and the sweet scent of my Carlesii viburnum.

Proud to Present my Latest Creations!

These are two of my latest creations with wire wrapping. I learned wire working techniques and methods from Master Artisan, Sharilyn Miller, at her Wild Wire Women Retreat, at her home in Idyllwild, California (see my previous posts). Her wonderful books and DVDs are available on her website. Add these to your collection and perhaps you will be inspired to take one of Sharilyn's wonderful workshops. I did and couldn't be happier with the results.

Cat Lovers

Even if you are not a cat lover, you will fall in love with Sharilyn Miller's exquisite pets. Their names are Sparkle and Rosie. I fell in love with these gentle and unusual cats when I spent time in Idyllwild,Ca. at Sharilyn's wild women's bead retreat. Please read my previous post and come back soon to see the wonderful pieces of jewelry that I learned to make during my four amazing days at Sharilyn's home.

Wild Wire Women Retreats

I have just returned to New York from a two week trip to California. The first part of this adventure was the most interesting and challenging. Not long before my departure, I purchased a wonderful wire working book Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller. As a jewelry designer, I am always looking for new techniques and classes. New to wire work, I found Sharilyn's book well written and easy to follow. I decided to take a look at her website. When I looked at the photos of her picturesque home in Idyllwild, California I was intrigued by the monthly retreats she offers in her home. I signed up and started to email the other women who had joined as well.

Sharilyn is an excellent hostess and a master artisan, making this an outstanding experience. She provided 3 full days of lessons and wonderful breakfasts,lunches and snacks each day. The delicious first evening's dinner at a wonderful local restaurant was provided by Sharilyn as well. Each afternoon the aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air as we were hard at work on our creations. The scenery and wildlife surrounding us in this beautiful mountain home could not have been more welcoming and relaxing. The other three women Jill, Grayce and Teresa who joined this retreat were just wonderful and we all had an amazing time together in Sharilyn's home. We are hoping to have a reunion next year. If you are looking for fullfilling, relaxing and reasonable wire working classes in an atmosphere that is truly breathtaking, then don't miss this experience.