"Eight Counties" Exhibit

I am honored to have one of my neckpieces selected to be in the upcoming exhibit, "Eight Counties," at the John Michael Kohler Art Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. 520 artists submitted 1,550 pieces of artwork for consideration, so I am thrilled that my neckpiece made the cut. Held in the Art Center's Collections & Community Galleries, the juried exhibition will present the final selection of nearly 150 works by over 100 artists. The exhibit opens on January 24, 2010.

Registration For Classes At Valley Ridge Art Studio Opens Today!!!

"Art is the result

of a creative impulse

derived out of a

consciousness of life."

- John Sloan

Registration for classes for the 2010 season opens today at Valley Ridge Art Studio in Muscoda, Wisconsin, and I am privileged to be one of the instructors they invited to teach there. I will be there May 1 and 2, 2010 teaching the workshop, "Re-sin-blage: a charming exercise in jewelry adornments."

(Re-sin-blage Workshop Examples)

Come and experience the magic of creating resin objects. We'll make molds, fill bezel cups, and will explore the myriad of ways in which resin can be used. We will transform objects into elements which can be incorporated into unique jewelry pieces and embellishments to enhance your assemblage and journaling work. We will then take these elements to the next level, to assemble your own signature, one-of-a-kind, "charming" bracelet or neckpiece.

Valley Ridge is known for its beautiful surroundings, fabulous studio, yummy food, and top-notch known and published art instructors from throughout the United States and Australia. I've been taking workshops there for the past 5 years, and highly recommend going there. You'll be hooked, just like me!

If you are interested in registering for my workshop, or any of the other workshops at Valley Ridge, click here.

Girls Day Out

"There is no wilderness like a life

without friends.

Friendship multiplies blessings

and minimizes misfortunes.

It is a unique remedy against adversity,

and it soothes the soul."

- Beltasar Gracian

My friend and fellow artist, Bernie Berlin, rolled in from Tennessee yesterday after delivering a precious cargo of dogs to Chicago. I hadn't seen Bernie in ages, so I was excited to get together with her, Kim, and Debbie for the afternoon. We planned to meet at a Cafe in Mequon at 12:30 p.m. Kim, Debbie, and I arrived there a little early. Bernie, on the other hand, got there a little late. But anyone who knows Bernie, knows that she has the best intentions of getting there on time... she just gets a little sidetracked!

(Kim, Deb, Bernie, and Myself)

But we didn't have to wait too long before she showed up. It was sooo much fun catching up with her! That girl always has a million different things going on in her life - I don't know how she does it! We did a lot of laughing, and never ran out of things to talk about.

When we left the cafe, we went to some nice shoppes and looked around. - And I thought I used to be a shopaholic... Geez, Bernie's got me beat! She did some real power-shopping and got a lot her Christmas gifts bought. And I'm proud to say I got a little Christmas shopping out of the way, myself.

But finally, it was time to say our goodbyes and head for home. I love getting together with the girls, and look forward to the next time Bernie comes to town.

I Can't Believe It...

My husband just got fired from his job, and for no reason! The boss didn't even do it himself...he had another employee over Mike do his dirty work for him.

Yeah...Merry Christmas...