Well, now that the summer is over, it’s time to get back into the regular routines and fun indoors activities! If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make jewellery, this is your chance!

Once again, I am offering jewellery classes in my home studio, and I’d love it if you’d join in for this fun introduction to jewellery-making!

Jewellery making is a fun and exciting hobby, allowing you to create your very own pieces to compliment your own sense of style! Even if you have *never* made anything before,  you’ll be amazed at what you can do!

I have 15 years of experience making beautiful jewellery, and I can teach you everything you’ll need to know to make your own! Students tell me I am a patient and conscientious teacher, and I’ve taught all ages from children to seniors!

My classes are 2 1/2 – 3 hours in length, and in this time I teach the beginners techniques that will enable you to make everything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings, charms and more! The cost of $45 includes all supplies, use of tools and instruction – and students generally leave with at least two completed projects.

I normally take up to 4 students per class, so that each student can master the techniques, but I can also accommodate larger groups as well.  Feel free to get a group of friends together and book a class for yourselves, or register to meet new beading-buddies!

If you’d like to learn to make jewellery, and are in the Tri-Cities area (K-W, Cambridge, Guelph) feel free to send me an e-mail!

Willow : April 2009 – July 2009

Sadly missed and forever in our hearts, until we meet again…

I brought home a tiny stray kitten a few weeks ago.  She instantly stole our hearts, and even though we had previously had no intentions of getting another cat (we have 3 already) we decided to make her a loving home here with our animal-loving family.

Within a week, the horrible roller-coaster ride had begun, when my husband discovered her in the bathroom, barely breathing.  We rushed her to the vet, who managed to nurse her back to fair health over many days. After a HUGE amount of expense, they sent her home with many medications which we religiously administered multiple times daily.

She seemed to be getting better, beating the 10% odds of survival for kittens with Panleukopenia (distemper) .  She would sit with us and purr, cuddle up for warmth, and was beginning to become a much loved part of our family. Our children eagerly helped to care for her, and were excited at the prospect of her improving health, that would allow her to play with them.

On Thursday morning, I cam home to find her laying lifeless on our bedroom floor. Again, rushing her to the vet, and praying she would be okay, we were given the heart breaking news “the kindest thing you can do for her, is to euthanize her, as her chances of survival are so slim, and she will require much more intensive care and will not likely survive anyways…” It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make…

I brought her tiny body home, and we buried her by our memory pond.  I planted a beautiful Astilbe at her grave. I miss her so much already, and my heart feels empty and hurt.  My little Willow, taken way too soon.  She was not yet 10 weeks old.

I love you little friend, I will keep you forever in my heart, and until we meet again, may God hold you safe…

I finished my most successful show to date a matter of hours ago!  It was amazing, and despite the threat of rain, and the high winds which we were certain would elevate our tent into orbit, we did awesome!

Monsters seemed to be the beads-du-jour today! I think I sold *all* of my monster pendant beads…which means, I get to make more! I LOVE making monster beads, so I am thrilled! They seem to coma alive as I add their eyes, and it’s great fun playing with all the different colours of glass, creating new and amazing creatures each time I torch

Will post pictures as I have them…

In the meantime, feel free to contact me with custom monster bead and jewellery orders! I’m happy to oblige!

I decided to host a big jewellery sale right here at my house on Saturday! If you’re a Guelph local, pop by between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday July 11th for this fun event! I will have items ranging from under $1.00 to $60.00

Hopefully Saturday will be a beautiful day – we’ll be out front! Hope to see you there!

I wanted to post some of my more recent work! It’s been a busy and exciting summer so far with shows, events, and teaching and I’ve been busily working away making more designs!  I am looking forward to expanding my studio jewellery classes and venues for selling my work as well! This continues to be my favorite pass time, and while staying home with my children full-time, also allows me a creative outlet as well as a little extra money to support my passion!

Colourful Lampwork Bead Bracelets

Fun Lampwork Critters

Beautiful Black, White and Pink Bracelet

Garden Charm Bracelet

Funky Blues and Greens Lampwork Bracelet

Cute Little Mushroom Beads

I wanted to post some pictures here as a *sneak peek* of some of the work I am bringing to Faery Fest! June 20 & 21st at Riverside Park in Guelph, Ontario. These projects sure have kept me busy, and I’ve enjoyed making each and every one!

Lampwork Bead Pendants

Garden Charm Bracelet

Garden Charm Bracelet in Blues

Carl the Crab Lampwork Bead

This is just a tiny fraction of what I’ll have at the festival!  Put on your wings and glitter and c”mon out for a great event!

Check out my new listings in my Etsy Store!  Lots of my newest lampwork beads!!! Support me in my hobby and my passion by buying my work:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5288829

Look what’s just come out of my kiln! MORE penguin beads!  I love making penguins, they’re easy and sooo cute!

I’ve just started to offer jewelry-making classes! If you are local to the Guelph area, and are interested in taking one, just let me know!

Additionally, I love teaching young ones to make their own jewelry as well, so if you’ve got a little girl who would like to have a jewelry party, I can help with that too.

I have ads on Kijiji so you can check them out for more information, or e-mail me for details!