Hello from Bead & Button

 

James and I are having a great time. The locally made beer here in Milwaukee is really great. James and I have been trying out the pubs. One of the pubs has beer sampling on their menu - six little steins of different beers. The sausage factory has a great little store and I am going to have some shipped to us before Play Day. Then there is the cheese shop of locally made cheeses. My two favorites are the one made with horseradish and the chocolate cheese fudge. We will also have some cheese sent home for Play Day.

 

The class with Jay Humphries was great. I can't wait to show you all what else the veneer can do. Jay has a new book out. She has self-published this book and only printed a limited number for the Bead & Button show. We came close to selling out but I got five copies to ship home. She was going to order another run but Kalmbach is talking to her about buying the book. She is going to wait until they finish their negotiations before printing any more.

 

We shopped the market yesterday and I am bringing home some great items for all of you to see on Play Day. Mark your calendar - June 28th at the same place as last time. I can't wait to make a metal clay project using one of these new items. As soon as I get home and make something with it, I will post a photo.

 

I have been trying to get my hands on some of the unfired bronze clay to play with. No success yet. Several of the high end metal clay instructors are here and they were given some to test. Barbara Becker Simon showed me some fired samples she made. Wow. I tried to purchase one of her finished samples but to no avail. Have you all read the review in the current Art Jewelry magazine on this?

 

I am going to try to make Naomi's bracelet on the cover of this issue. Anyone want to join me? None of this is done with metal clay but it is spectacular. I wish I had taken her class.

 

I spent some time with Pat McAleer. A lot of us purchased her book after we took Patricia Walton's corregated metal class. She is going to come to teach us a five day workshop in 2009. The first three days will be techniques and then the next two days will be making projects using those techniques. Pat charges a flat fee and the shop hosting her class can decide how many students they will have to offset the cost. That is why her classes have a large range of how much they cost. I decided to limit the number of students to 10 so everyone will get a better class. The approximate cost will be $500 for the five days. Most of those taking the class will also want to purchase the tools so start saving your money if you are interested. In the two days since Pat and I talked, I already have someone signed up.

 

I wish each of you could have shopped the market here. The lampwork beads here are amazing. There are international bead makers who come to this show to sell. However, my favorite booth was Ann Choi's. The photos of her beads in the magazines are really great but seeing them in person is something else. I am definitely coming home inspired.

 

For those of you who know me well, know that I never sell my work. Well, at breakfast one morning someone really really wanted one of my rings. She does not work in the metal clay so she could not make it herself. Later that day when I ran into her, we talked again about my ring. I asked her what she would pay for it and I no longer have my ring. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did. Of course, I will probably make another something like it soon.

 

I received an email from the gallery that wants to talk to those of you who sell your work. Let me know if you are interested.

 

Well, got to run. Lots to do today.

 

Sallie