Introducing...R i N G S

Hi All- a special welcome to all new readers and email list recipients -
We have soooo much to catch up on. There's the story of the broken EZ-up, last weekend's Uptown show in Minneapolis, and some unrelated events that are kind of fun that I'd like to share. But first...I wanted to let you know about a very special upcoming event at the Iowa State Fair.

(Quick background - for almost 10 years I assisted a local glass beadmaker by demonstrating at the ISF 12 hrs a day for 11 days. After moving to Geneva I continued to return to Iowa, using my vacation time to 'work' the fair, it is just that good. If you've never been to it I highly recommend planning next year's family vacation now! My brother has since taken over my beadmaking responsibilities and I'm very excited to be returning to my 'state fair family' to offer this new event.)

I will teaching silver ring making workshops daily (Aug. 7 - 17) at 10 am, noon, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm and 8pm in the Cultural Building. Each participant will receive a silver ring blank and the side by side instruction to saw, stamp and solder it to create their own unique piece of jewelry.

The R i N G S workshop is for anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at jewelry making, from total beginners on up. Workshops are a little over an hour long and $40* ($35 if you bring in the coupon from the July 31st edition of Cityview). Please contact me to reserve a space.

Here's your chance to win a free workshop! Just leave a comment about why you are interested in taking this class and I will be choosing one submission by midnight Friday August 8th.

*cost of workshop does not include admission to the Iowa State Fair.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

After a full weekend of art show and then two solid days of errand running in the 'big city' (towns with populations under 2,000 aren't known for their large selection of amenities) I am finally back and ready to hit the studio again. Next show is in a little over two weeks in Wisconsin and I need to replenish my stock.

I met some interesting folks at ArtFest Midwest, some fellow Orchid members, saw some old friends and new people interested in my work. Granted, I didn't get out of my booth very often. I was demonstrating metalsmithing - 'like watching paint dry' as another jeweler commented. It's true, filing, sawing, sanding...not so interesting to watch, but I wasn't prepared to haul my anvil to do any forging - as well as selling my work. Set up for a 10' x 20' booth was a bear! We took 2 fully loaded vehicles out there and then made two more trips. After the show (of course, after!) I found this beauty....


How awesome is this? A portable bench! This would have been sooooo much easier to travel with and only 50lbs. Something to think about for the future. What can I say? I guess I am a gadgety sort of gal. I am still holding out for a laser welder (drool!), rolling mill, and drawbench. Sigh. :) Hope you all had a great weekend!