Keeping My New Year's Resolutions... and taking a jewelry class!

Well, I think I am off to a good start, I signed up for a jewelry class. The class was held on January at the Manatee County Art Center, not too far away from where I live. I was shocked that it took me this many years to realize that I had access to some wonderful jewelry teachers and classes less than 30 minutes drive time away. I have to thank Lois Moon of Que Onda Q'town and her post about the class she took at the Florida Society of Goldsmiths, in Tallahassee, FL.

After reading about her post, I checked out the Society website and found that the ArtCenter Manatee, was a west coast chapter of the Society. Hooray! It did not take me long to pay them visit and sign up for a beginners weekend workshop.

The two-day workshop involved 12 hours of fun, so much fun that the six of us in class did not want to break for lunch. The workshop was an introduction to metal working techniques under the guidance of Wendy Thurlow. Check out some of her gorgeous work at her site Hammered by Wendy. She is a great teacher, and I plan on taking more classes with her in the Spring.

Now to show you what I made during the weekend workshop...

textured Sterling Silver Bangles...

stacked Sterling Silver Rings, one with a bezel set Lapis Lazuli cabochon...

coiled sterling silver textured rings

hammered copper disc earrings on a sterling silver earwire...

I am so proud of my little collection of jewelry! Can't wait for the next session of classes to get more experience under my belt. In the meantime, I have been checking out sales at jewelry stores to start my collection of tools for this new chapter in my jewelry making.