Something Sublime

Encouragements

 Resin Paper Wire Forms

I've been so very blessed by my students...online and in person...and you guys have come through for me in a big way, once again. My Sunday night Resin Paper Wire Forms class at Art Unraveled has sold out...thank you!

This is the first time I'll be teaching this class and I'm really excited about it. It goes hand in hand with my Bloom Bangles class (only a few seats are remaining in that one.) Fortunately, I'll be teaching the Wire Forms class a second time on Monday night. So, if you haven't registered for it yet, you have another whack at it.

 Also, I've been working on a brand new online class. My aim is to have it ready for you for spring...I'm thinking March-ish. I don't want to give away the surprise (does the above photo say too much?) but I will tell you it's going to be chock full of stuff you're going to love. I'll be posting it here on my blog and on my Jewelry Works site, once it's ready.

 One more thing...I'd like to, once more, thank those of you who encouraged me and left comments on this post...and those of you who sent me cards (so sweet.) It's been pretty quiet here, without my pal, and I so appreciate your kind consideration.

deryn xxoo

Art Retreat At The Prairie-Teaching Update

 

A Charming Reliquary

If you had plans to come to Houston this year to attend one of my very favorite teaching venues, Adorn Me, you've probably heard that it's been canceled for this year. *sad, sad face* I'm so, so disappointed about it as AM is held right in my backyard and it's such a wonderful event. I'm hoping that Linda will be able to offer it again next year but, I have a terrific alternative for you...

I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be teaching, April 26-28, at Barb Solem's brand new art venue, Art Retreat at the Prairie!

Wax On

If you've never heard of The Prairie, you're in for a treat. Let me tell you a little bit about it... It's near beautiful Round Top, Texas, and owned by the incomparable, Queen of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell. Rachel is famous for her gorgeous taste in interior design. I swear, she could make a rusty post look like something special. The Prairie is a dream come true for her so, you can imagine what it's like. It's the perfect venue for an art retreat and Barb has done a fabulous job of bringing it to us, here in Texas.

I'll be teaching three different classes at The Prairie...

Wax On

Back by popular demand, is my Wax On class. I had such fun teaching this one last fall...and the students loved it. I'll show you how to create your own bezel pendant, from scratch. Then we'll fill it with a surprise + wax (as if that's not surprising enough!)

A Charming Reliquary

A Charming Reliquary is one of my new classes. This is bracelet that I've wanted to teach for about five years, now, but it just never quite came together as a class, so I'm super excited to offer it here...for the first time. I'll be covering tons of cold connection technique in this class so hold onto your cowgirl hats!

Entrada

My Entrada bracelet is also a brand new class that I'm so looking forward to teaching. For this one, I'll show you how to make an amazing, large clasp with a bezel, set with a stone. It has a stylish, dramatic look and it's as much fun to make as it is to wear.

Entrada

To celebrate her inaugural event, Barb is giving away this pretty bit of sparkle...one of her own lovely designs...click here for details:

My friend and talented jewelry designer, Diane Cook will be teaching some fabulous classes, as well, so make sure you take a look, here (scroll down to see all of our class offerings.) Also, make sure you check out Barb's other events...The Beach, The Desert...for upcoming details!

Please, tell your friends and...come.

I hope to see you in class!

Revisiting

Wrapped in Silk

I thought it would be fun to revisit a few of my favorite pieces of jewelry although, looking through my photos, it's hard to choose. Every single one of them is like a child of mine and I have deep affection for them all. Isn't it funny how attached we get to the creations that come from our hands?

Remember my Wrapped in Silk bangles? They were featured in Rice's book Destination Creativity from when I taught them at Artful Texas. I've taught this class several times and have plans to teach it in the future, as well. Also, look for these bracelets in an upcoming article (so exciting!) One of the reasons I love these little bangles is because they're so addicting to make...and so much fun to wear in multiples. Love them!

Word

There are a couple of pieces in my Etsy shop that haven't sold and I'm not sure why (I adore them!) but I'm not in a big hurry to part with them, so that's ok with me. One of those is this turquoise and sterling piece, Word. When I first did this piece, I loved it so much that I made another for myself. I think the combination of turquoise and pearl is divine. For the focal, I layered antique Bible pages between mica and vintage brass to create a little holy "book" of sorts...hence the name of the piece. It's substantial but delicate and I love the secret message of the book.

A Minor Ornamentation

You might remember this piece from a challenge I ran, here on my blog, back in October. That was a lot of fun and this piece is one of those that just seemed to come naturally during the building of it. I loved making it but hadn't actually worn it until Christmas...

...when I was surprised to find that I loved it even more, once I put it on. It makes quite a dramatic statement without being overbearing. Very pretty! I'm actually offering it, to sell, but haven't listed it in my Etsy shop. Honestly, I've not done much with my shop for a while. It's a bit cumbersome to list things and I just haven't had the time. So, there you have it.

Beach Ring

Oh, how much I love this ring! It's big...really big. Yup, it's overbearing! But, that's one of the things I love about it. The top stone is Septarian, from Utah...a very interesting and beautiful stone...and the bottom stone is a quartz cabachon. I made it while visiting my bff Ronnie, in Florida, in November. But that's another post, for another day...

Bloom Bangles

I'm a bracelet gal, I admit it. I had so much fun making these bangles (and I think they're just lovely) I thought I'd pass it on...I'll be teaching this class at Art Unraveled, this August. I can hardly wait to see what the students reaction to this class will be. I think you all will love it as much as I do!

I've got tons of photos of past and present pieces and could post so many more but I'll stop, for now. Did you know you can view some of my past pieces by clicking on my "Jewelry Portfolio" link under my blog banner? Or, click here.

I'm off to the studio to work!

deryn xxoo

Bead Soup 2012

 

 

This should be fun! It will be my first time to join Lori's Bead Soup Party...but I've heard fabulous things about it. My partner in crime will be Cassie Donlen. I don't know her but, that's part of the fun...isn't it? I've got so much stuff it makes my head spin just thinking about it so I'm looking forward to putting together an interesting mix for Cassie. Check back with me.

In the meantime, I'm working on brand new material for a brand new...brand spanking new...online class. I can hardly wait to get going on it after the long, long holiday. My guys have been home with us but are going back to school so it's back to work for me. I hope to have my class ready for the spring. I'll tell you more about it as I get more done but here's a peek...tell me what you think:

 

 

Art Unraveled-The Upcoming Extravaganza

Bloom Bangles

Gosh, I hardly know what to post. My head is swimming with all the things I've got to get done. I have a busy year ahead! I'd like to show you a few Christmas photos and some of a pre-Thanksgiving trip that I took to Florida but it will just have to wait until I can get my act together.

First, let me thank you all for the very kind and encouraging comments on my previous post. I started out answering each one, as I usually do with all comments to my blog, but I just didn't have the heart to continue. I hope you all will understand. Please know that your words went a long way toward healing, for me and I appreciate the outpouring of love and concern...more than you know.

So...what's coming up? I'm thrilled to announce three brand new classes that I'll be teaching at Art Unraveled this year! This is AU's tenth year...can you believe it? So, it's going to be an extravaganza of amazing classes and fun events. I can hardly wait!

The photos you're seeing here are of my new "Bloom" bangles class, and also my "Resin Paper Wire Forms" class. These bangles were inspired by my online BoHo Bliss class, from this last summer and are SO much fun to make.

It was all I could do not to show you the photos of them before this but I wanted it to be a sweet little surprise.

The Alchemy of Objects

The other class that I'm so excited to be teaching at AU is my Alchemy of Objects class. For those of you who have always wanted to pick my jewelry-making brain, this one's for you.

We're going to be covering lots of technique in this class with an emphasis on working with found objects...right up my alley...and probably yours. Hey...I hope you can join me in Phoenix. AU is one of those not-to-be-missed events!

xxoo deryn

Waiting

It's been a rough year end and I can hardly write this without drowning. I've lost my little friend, Maggie. She's been ill with a doggie disease that's got progressively worse and she passed, a few days ago. How can I even be writing those words? My heart is sick.

I hope and pray that she's on the other side...chasing squirrels, eating cookie cakes (yes, she ate one, once), bubble gum (she ate this too...a 6 foot piece of it) and other stuff she's not supposed to be into...and waiting for me...tail wagging at top speed.

xxoo to you, my sweet Miss Maggie.

OT&T Registration Deadline

Towers by Sharon Tomlinson

I've returned from my Christmas adventures and have been knocked down by a wicked, wicked head cold. Ugh! I came off the plane and have been sniffling in bed, ever since. So, in place of a real post (*sniff!*) this is a quick update on my Of Towers and Turrets online class. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sharon and I have had to move the registration deadline up to Jan. 9th. The class runs through Feb. 15 so there's plenty of time to get in on the fun....and believe me, we're having some serious fun! Take a look, here.

carved stamps from OT&T class by Sharon Tomlinson

OT&T samples by Deryn Mentock and Sally Turlington

Sharon and I won't be offering this class again for quite a while. I hope you'll  join us!

The Christmas Scene

⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
   will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:5-7

Everything's shrouded in frost, fog, sparkling lights...

...and Santa hats.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas, from the bottom of my heart!

Class Time-Of Towers And Turrets

THANK YOU! to those of you who have joined our Of Towers and Turrets online class.

Sharon and I have been SO very pleased with the excitement this class generates!

The first day of class was the 15th and we're going fast and furious but if you'd like to see what it's all about, click here.

Our students are now working on learning how to create their very own Towers collages. Sharon is superb at teaching this part of the class.

And then I show you how to make these...fabulous handmade soldered bezels, with cold connected embellishments; poured with resin.

Registration is still open...click here. We would LOVE to have you come play with us!

Oh, and here's a silly little video I dug up for you to see. We were goofing around, having fun, in the planning stages of this class but it gives you a peek into my jewelry journal....which is a whole different class I have in store for you!

 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Twelfth Day

Here it is...the very last day of this year's 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments swap. Today is my friend Jackie Allison's day. Jackie was one of the original ornament swappers, way back in the day. She's made some amazing mixed media artworks, over the years. Her kindness and goodness shows through in everything she does.

I'm afraid this terrible photo I took doesn't do Jackie's ornament justice but it's got SO many interesting elements! Jackie cleverly used a vintage salt shaker, filled with green German glass glitter, as the base of her ornament. The last few years she's given us lovely things made with frozen Charlottes and china doll heads. Just look at this...

The tiniest, sweetest, little Charlotte you've ever seen!

It's hard to believe our ornament exchange is over for another year. But wait!...I haven't posted my ornament. Yes, I'm still working on them, slowly and surely, as my shoulders allow. I'll post them when they're finished but I can't make any promises that it will be before Christmas! It's been a fun swap...thanks for tagging along!

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 ²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2: 14-21

"Adorn" ornament swappers:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison