Archive for March, 2009

Last night, the Charlotte Area Jewelry Artists (CAJA) held a meetup at Beadlush. We learned how to do a right angle weave using Swarovski crystals. There’s a photo of my weave on your left. It’s mostly done although I need to make or find a clasp to complete it.

Learning this weave was a blast. I don’t think I’m meant to be a bead weaver (could be wrong) but I’d love to learn more weaving techniques. I have some ideas that involve combining weaving with wire. Just not sure how to do what I want to yet and haven’t had the time to explore. Learning more about weaving is on my list!

Beadlush is quite the  happening bead shop. They donate their class space for CAJA’s meetups. I’d been there for a previous meetup and have taken an excellent soldering class with them. Of course, they sell all sorts of beads and supplies but the coolest part of the shop is it’s lovely staff. They are (more…)

I attended the Charlotte Beadaholics Meetup this afternoon. We celebrated the one-year anniversary of the group. Their first meetup was at the Intergalatic Bead Show last April. I joined the group last month so this was my second interaction with them.

We got together at Expressive Impressions. It’s a Charlotte bead shop that generously donates their workspace to the Beadaholics for meetups. The workspace is just amazing. It’s feels like you’re in a jewelry artist’s studio. Of course, that could be because they regularly hold jewelry classes there. They also sell a myriad of beads, findings and all sorts of supplies. (more…)

Over the past year, so much has changed. I’ve moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. I have a new dog and a new day job. I joined Art Fire and Twitter. Best of all, I have a renewed, stronger love of jewelry making. And of course, a new design for this site!

It’s sometimes hard (and makes me a little wistful) to let go of the old and run arms flailing into the new. But, hey, it’s Spring and I’m going for it. Stay tuned.