Bead Show Prep: The Madness

by Staci Louise Smith

It is that time of year again, Bead Fest is right around the corner.  I know I am not alone in this preparation hurricane.  If you make your own beads and components, and you are getting ready to do a big show.....now matter how much you plan, or prep ahead of time, you are making beads for weeks straight.  It is just how it is.

I love it and hate it.  I love the intense bead making, I love the last minute creativity that floods my brain, but I hate that my body doesn't always co-operate.  Oh well, this is 40.  I must listen to my body when it says NO MORE BEADS....lol

I have been snapping pictures, meaning to post, and share updates on how things are coming along, but I have hardly posted any at all.  So here is a glimpse into my world right now. (in no particular order, just to try to capture the chaos that is my home)

 antiqued bronze just rinsed on top, in liver of sulfur below

 kits being put together for class

a tray of bronze waiting for liver of sulfur

 my helper working off some debt!!! lol

 carved beads

 more carved beads

 organic metal clay shapes

black carved beads

 metal clay components for class

 class table stuff

sanity

 naked beads

 piles of junk

 sari ribbon

 sea glass for sale- drill bits and sea glass, and just sea glass packets

 figuring out the layout

sugar skulls riveted- still need a liver of sulfur bath and sealing

 the "still need to be riveted pile"

 the sound of a tumbler running non stop in my studio while the metal clay was beind made.  This double barrel tumbler from Harbor Freight totally saved me though- its awesome, and can hold an entire kiln load of bronze and copper in one shot.

So there you have it.  I am on track, so, hopefully all goes well and I complete everything in time.

Next phase is painting the polymer.  After they are done, its pricing and packing.  

 just a few to paint

Now, add all this to "three kids and end of the summer stuff, like Bible school, youth camp, and pre-school preparation" throw in some dental appointments and some asthma and allergy appointments, and I am going to be pretty busy.  Wish me luck, I can't wait to be there!



Teaching at BeadFest

by Staci L. Smith

I will be an instructor at BeadFest this year!  I am so excited to be teaching here for the first time.  I am offering a Painted Polymer Fossil Talisman class.

here is what the class samples look like

In the class you will learn to form an organic focal and accent bead in polymer clay, and then use paints and other materials to create a crackle antiqued finish on it.  To finish it up, you learn to make it into a necklace mixing many materials, teaching some organic style wire wrapping, and using sari silk in your designs, along with chain.

  

In order to make sure I was prepared, I had some lovely ladies to my house for a test run of the class.  I am so thankful I did.  They were wonderful with tips about things they liked and didn't like in instructors they have had in the past.  It also helped me to make a timeline for my class, so it runs smoothly.  The practice class really helped me to nail down how to work through the project. I write a lot of tutorials, and teaching it live was a whole new ball game! 

I was thrilled to see everyone work through all the stages of the class and go home with completed and wonderful projects!  They did amazing....and I know it has opened a lot of possibilities up to them.

Here are the extra beads they got to make, since we had plenty of time to play

And here are their finished necklaces

Didn't they do so great???

I came away from the day with an amazing feeling- so, I know I am on the right track and that teaching is a good fit for me.

I also got great feedback from the ladies.  They said it was packed with techniques and it was a very fun class to take.  That was great to hear, because I really did want the class to cover a multitude of techniques (and who doesn't want their class to be fun?)

So, I will open this up to you guys as well, because I want to be the best instructor possible.....

I am open to tips, suggestions, and / or just fun stories of teaching or taking classes! 

If you are interested in taking my class at Beadfest, you can sign up here

https://www.etouches.com/ehome/79000/StaciSmith

If you plan to come to Beadfest to shop, you can print this coupon and save $10 at the door- make sure to stop by and see me Booth #371!  I will be selling my beads there as well!

Never been to Bead Fest?  Check out my blog from last year after the show!!!!
http://www.lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/08/back-from-bead-fest.html

It's a great time on the East Coast....I have more fun every year I go!