On Finding Bliss

I've been flying in the clouds...literally and figuratively.  I'm just home from ArtBliss, reflecting with a concoction of white lavender tea and honey in my hands and, wow, was it an inspiring, uplifting, amazingly positive event.  The first thing I saw, upon arriving in my room, was a thoughtful gift, adorned with the Inaugural Event logo...boy, do I love this logo!  So very patriotic and clever...perfect for a D.C. event.  Well, very close to D.C., anyway, we were in beautiful Sterling, Virginia, about 20 minutes away from the Capital.

Our amazing hostesses, Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix, made me feel just like a queen and I'm thrilled to have had the chance to explore Washington, D.C. if only a little.  I've always thought it would be a great experience to visit our nation's capital but it never occurred to me that it might actually happen.

Jeanette and Cindy

Friday night, Jeanette and Cindy arranged a meet and greet...so much fun.  I loved having a chance to talk with the students and many of them stopped by my table to chat.  It amazes me how y'all reach out to me, know me from my blog and my work...and want to talk about it, make me comfortable...maybe even take away a little piece of me through my jewelry.  Thank you for that!

It was a pleasure meeting the very talented ArtBliss instructors Lesley, Kerry and Melissa.

Saturday, I discovered that my lovely class assistant, Annabella Wewer, and I had met before, some years ago at a week long workshop in Seattle.  It's so funny, we were in Seattle for a week and were so busy, each in our own creative fugue, we never got a chance to connect.  I was glad to run into her and have that opportunity again.

I debuted my new class, Link Love, and consider it to be hugely successful.  It's cram packed with tons of technique, which the students really responded to.  All their shining potential, their creative energy, wafting around the room...they took away enough to keep them very busy for quite a while!

The students were really the stars of this event.  What an outstanding group of women.  It was a happy, chatty art weekend among friends.  Most of us were meeting for the first time but the retreat was such that everyone was familiar and friendly.

And, their work...oh, what pretty things they made!  These are a few lovelies from my Crowned Gems class.

Right now, I'm still basking in the warm glow of their excitement.  It's the very best thing to be able to pass along a little of what I've learned and I love being in class.  Thank you, thank you to all of you who joined me there!

Cindy and Jeanette were kind enough to share a few extra way-cool ArtBliss canvas bags with me. I'm giving them away  just as a way to spread the excitement about this retreat.  If you'd like to have one, leave me a comment on this post (make sure to include your email) and I'll randomly choose two winners.  Did I already say how much I love this logo?  

Photos of D.C. to come... 

Comments

[Celia Mercer]

This is my first look at your blog via the Bead Fountain. It will NOT be my last look. I absolutely love your jewelry style. It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Lee]

Looks like an amazing event. I wish I still lived in Pa., it would have been an wasy trip down. bummer. I'm sure your class was really fun and amazing!!

[carol sloan]

I just got back from spending a few days in DC! Did you get to go to the Museum of Natural History? Oh, I love that place!

[Lucia]

Looks like everyone was having tons of fun, so jealous. I wish we had an event like that in St. Louis.

[Dotty Young]

I wanna win! I wanna win! Oh, pick me, pick me! :)

[sandi m]

Deryn,
Your students' designs all look so charming; clearly showing all their learned techniques from a great teacher! Your class looked so wonderful.
Some day I'll get to take one. Have you ever considered classes in Chicago?
Thanks for sharing your memories! And, yes that bag is just too cute.
sandi

[last minute lynn]

Art Bliss looks like a wonderful time. I must keep it in mind for next year. Love your blog...

[Ginny Gaskill]

I would love to have a chance to win the bag. Just want to say I love your work.

[emanda]

Gosh, Deeryn, Looks like you had a great time in DC and you have spread even more of your muse. I would love to take one of your classes sometime. Please put my name in the pot for the ArtBliss bag.

Emanda
ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

[mary dunn]

It looks like you all had a great time by the pictures! I'd vote for a link class on line too, though I hope you get close to kansas for me to come and learn.
The class with Sharon on-line is supurb!

mary

[Nancy Johnston]

Love the logo. Love your work! Hopefully I'll get a chance sometime to take one of your classes.

Thanks for the chance.

Nancy in Michigan

[Amy]

Thanks for sharing ... always stop at your blog when I am looking for inspiration - never disappointed. Thanks!

[Sharon]

I would love to attend Art Bliss workshops, and so happy it was a rousing success! Love the bag, and curious about what's in it... ;)

[Jean Peter]

Looks Like you LL Had a great time. Would love to be able to get to one of your classes. It is on the list!

[Sally Turlington]

Sounds like your triip was great. Its always good to have a wonderful experience after doing all the prep, packing, and teaching - especially since all teaching venues aren't this accommodating. You deserve the queen treatment anyway. Looking forward to the pictures.

[Diana Frey]

Congratulations, Deryn....it looks as though your class and the event were a success. Very impressed with your class brochures....very classy. Also congrats on your article in BAMJ!!
Hugs
Diana

[Tammie]

It looks as though it was a magnificent time to share, learn and find ones muse. So much fun and creativity, I might have to join in some time.

[Christianne Teixeira]

looks like you had an awesome time! Hope I can take class with you and Sharon this month!! Hugs from Brazil. I love your artwork!!

[Lori Anderson]

I hope you'll be teaching next year, because I'll finally be there! I heard you were AWESOME!

[Elizabeth Parsons]

Last year I took my 9 year old grand daughter to DC for Easter week vacation-just the two of us. We went via train from NY to DC and we had a wonderful time seeing all of the sights! I love the area so much! Can't wait to see your pictures of DC!

[Greta]

Wow looks like you had an awesome time. So sad you are no longer coming Downunder :-(

Gretznetspace.net.au

[pamelajane]

Having a moment of internet connection here in Munich, and wanted to say again how much I enjoyed your Art Bliss class, even as a beginner. You opened up so many possibilities with such patience and didn't discourage my novice sidesteps. And until I finish my own necklace, I am thoroughly enjoying yours. :) See you next year!
p.s. already have my own bag, of course . . .

[Cindy]

Deryn, you have captured the weekend so beautifully in this post! I appreciate all of the high praises, but really it was an honor for US that you said yes and came all the way out East. We are really looking forward to seeing you again. :-)

[Pam Searles]

i'd like a bag, and i'd love it even more if you did a workshop in so. cal. xoxo

[Sandi]

Hey Deryn, that really is a cool logo!!! Glad to hear you had such a great time!

Sandi
sugarbushfarm219@yahoo.com

[donna joy]

Looks like a good time was had by all~thanks for sharing~

[Cindy]

Love, love, love this. Was so envious when I read your posts - this is another thing I want to attend once I am retired from teaching. Oh, I'd love the bag!
Cindy
cindy@vittoriabella.com

[Anabella]

Hi there! That was SO much fun! Thanks so much for sharing your tips and tricks and for a really great time. I wish I had been able to stay Sunday. Next year, though!I still think about figuring out we spent a week in the same room and never connected and just have to wonder how these things can even happen! Hope to see you soon...

[FryeStyle]

Will "Link Love" be offered online? Looks like it'd be a fun class to take!

[Sharon]

Look at those smiles and twinkles in everyone's eyes....it's obvious a good time was had by all!! Thank you so much for sharing with those of us unable to attend your wonderful experiences!!
...maybe next year...
~Sharon~
lunrei@yahoo.com
p.s. If by some chance I win the bag, will you autograph it?????

[Riki Schumacher]

I'm so glad it was a hugely successful event Deryn! That is so cool. Congrats to Cindy and Jeanette for all the hard work they put in. Your class projects are just wonderful. Take care, Riki

[SGist]

I would love to be able to attend an event like this. Or, just take a class, but, as a recent divorcee (totally blindsided) i'm afraid i'm financially more worried about keeping my house. That bag would be a wonderful incentive to hang on a doorknob and dream of better things! Thanks for showing us all the awesome things that go on in your world! Cheers, later...

[Linda Van Valkenburgh-Mills]

Wonderful Share! I love your work and your blog! Good Read and inspiration!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

When I first heard of this event, hosted by two of my favorite blog stops, and taught by some of the most wonderful instructors I could imagine, I really truly wished that I lived anywhere nearer the Eastern seaboard than I do! I have told you before that one day I WILL take a class that you are teaching (not just buying your tutorials!) It looks like it was a rousing success and the people are what make it so, don't you agree?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

[sharon]

I Know Cindy was so over the moon to have you there Deryn, She is really someone special, as I think a lot of our blogland artists are!
It is always so great to have that uplifting experience. As I have said before, you are a mentor to so many of us, but more importantly very sincere and kind, and sharing, a great person in other words. You teach us all without having an official class to do it in.
Love seeing all these pictures!

[Michelle]

Everything looked fantastic! Loved that the class was a huge hit but truthfully I'm not surprised! lol

[Carol Myers]

Don't include me in the drawing. . .I was blessed to BE THERE and already have a bag. . .just wanted to comment AGAIN on how much fun it all was and how great it was to meet face to face. Till next time!

[Susan Marling]

I so wanted to go and was going to take your class but unfortunately previous family commitments prevented me from coming. Hopefully you will be back to it again. It looked like everyone had fun.

[Crystal Neubauer]

The class looked like a good one Deryn - one of these days I do plan on sitting down and soaking in your jewelry making-wire bending expertise!!

[Beth Bricker]

I would have so loved to come to this event. It would have only been a day's drive away but alas, my last antique show of the season was this past weekend. I will keep watching for info for next year. The link love class looks awesome! I'm glad the event was a success for Cindy and Jeanette.

[Catherine Witherell]

That looks like it was really fun Deryn. I am so happy for your success! Happy times!

xo

[Renate]

Thanks for sharing some more of this obviously awesome event. Very apparent that a good time was had by all. I would love to experience the energy at such an event.
And now I sit here wondering - what does white lavender tea look and taste like?

[Lisa Bommarito]

Love Love Love that you are riding the crest of inspirational waves and basking in the glow of being appreciated! And yes, the logo is way cool!