OK, not really but it sure sounded clever.

I am getting back into the swing of working after 5 days in Independence, LA with my friends, Deanna and Greg Chase (and their dog Disney). A couple of those days were travel so we’ll skip over that part. The rest of total relaxation. I left the laptop at home, never checked email or voicemail, and only occasionally checked online forums.

(Aren’t these beads pretty? You’ll have to keep reading for the scoop on them)

Deanna and I had a mini-university with jewelry and beadmaking on the agenda. I taught her how to make treasure bracelets (while reminding her that I was self-taught so she couldn’t hold me responsible). I’m not sure I converted her to the time-intensive bracelets, but she did a great job on her first one! Her blog recounts some of our starts and stops on its progression. I worked on finishing one for an exchange and starting another. As soon as I finish them I have some interesting ideas percolating with some interesting beads that Deanna made for me while I was there.

Here’s the bracelet Deanna put together. Isn’t it great? Told her she was a natural. Greg was a little concerned that we actually spent 7 or 8 hours working on them over the course of 2 days. But it gave him time to heap attenion on my little dog, Nash, who made the trip to LA with me (somewhat less expensive to travel than to board him!).

We had some amazing sushi and I now feel comfortable enough to head to a sushi restaurant myself and be able to order something delicious. (thanks to the Chases and my friend Misha)

Still wondering about the beads? I made them! With a great deal of help from Deanna and a tecnnique shared by another beady friend, Shawn. I have wrist problems and my last lampwork lesson (also from Deanna) was 14 months ago at Bead Camp. Using wrist supports clearly had a huge impact on my ability to shape beads. So we opted this lesson for more “organic” shapes. Greg pointed out that “organic” in glass usually refers to colors; however, I thought I was quite within bounds to call my wonky, less than perfectly shaped beads “organic.” As in  rock-shaped! The glass was a gorgeous teal/aqua shade and I rolled them in silver foil, (I mistakenly said “silver leaf”…what do I know?) then drizzled clear glass over and burned off the rest of the silver. That’s the short story anyway. Shawn taught Deanna that technique and Deanna taught me.

By my 4th and 5th bead, I was “getting” it again; though I don’t think any of my favorite beadmakers have to worry about me supplying myself with beads anytime soon. I enjoyed my lesson and it reminds me of how impressed I am with this medium and the artists who create in it. My talented bead friends were quick with praise for my efforts and I appreciate them looking beyond the quirks in them.

I’ve got plans for a bracelet with these beads…I’ll post the result when I’m finished. Suffice it to say,  you’ll never see it listed for sale!