New workshops

I've had another busy week teaching for Oxfordshire Adult Learning and at The Oxford Bead Shop. Last Saturday I delivered my first More Beads and Wire workshop at Cheney School. I have taught this before but at my shop. We started the session by using oddments of memory wire to create chandelier type earrings then we moved onto making our own chunky jumprings, charms, coils, beads and more using mandrels, hammers and a 'Spiralling Gizmo'. I introduced the class to some new weights of wire and some coloured wires that are available. Within this bracelet design Helen made every part of it. She coiled the coloured sections using 0.5mm enamel coated copper, made the beads, clasp and base using 1mm silver plated wire then chose some beads to complement the design and create a focal point.

Sunday I taught More Beads & Stringing at the shop. This workshop, like More Beads & Wire, builds on techniques and designs previously covered in the intro workshop. We looked at using some of the coloured beadalon wires but rather then completely covering the wire with beads using this as part of the design and having sections showing. For lots more pictures and ideas visit The Oxford Bead Shop's Facebook page...

While I was teaching at Cheney School Lucy and Fiona were running a children's birthday workshop...I leave them the best jobs!!! This is one of the pieces that was made...obviously an experience wire worker!! We have an ever increasing number of young girls who are getting into making jewellery. They've all been attending a jewellery club set up at school by a teacher who had previously been on a workshop with me. Its great to see how keen they are to explore their new hobby. One girl who has been making memory wire bracelets has been selling them to friends and family and has almost saved up enough money to buy a Nintendo DS!!!

This week we also had a special birthday in the family....Harry turned 3 or in doggy years 21!!! We celebrated by having sausages...what more could a dog want!! He's getting a bit over grown so we're going to book him in at the groomers to get his hair cut soon - maybe after this week as snow is due again. We get him cut about every 10-14 weeks depending on the time of year. In the summer its nice to keep him short so he doesn't over heat but in the winter the extra coat is much needed. I've also started brushing his teeth, something I wish I'd have started when we first got him at 13 weeks. He doesn't seem to mind it and I think quite likes the poultry flavoured toothpaste!!

Precious Metal Clay Certification

This weekend I taught my first Precious Metal Clay Certification Module!! Since the beginning of the year Amy Surman - The Oxford Beadshop has been an Accredited Training Centre for the PMC Certification Programme. The programme is split into three modules...

• Module 1 - Naturals The 7 projects in this module are designed to teach you how to make a textured pendant, simple stone setting, combine PMC with glass, make a ring, use organic materials, make a clasp, dry construction and the use of wood clay.

• Module 2 - High Finish This module focuses on achieving a professional finish. The 6 projects also teach you how to use Japanese enamels, achieve a high shine, set a natural stone, use PMC 22K gold and combine PMC with fired ceramics and bisque.

• Module 3 - Innovative design Create your own designs whilst learning techniques such as Keum Boo (24K gold foil), syringe design, chain making, ring with natural stone setting, combining PMC and Sterling Silver and liver of sulphur.

The modules can be taken in any order and this weekend we completed Module 2. We had a great three days - everybody worked really hard to complete their projects. You can see how hard from the table mess!!!!

This module really did concentrate on achieving a high professional finish - this takes time so the three days were jam packed with technique and focus.

A Collection of all 6 Projects

One of the things I like about this module is the way it combines PMC and traditional jewellery making techniques. For example...enameling, rubover setting and high shine. These techniques are more commonly seen combined with traditional jewellery making but they work so well with PMC. Enameling is perfect for PMC work as it is fine silver so there is no need for depletion guilding and no risk of oxidisation to the surface.

Rubover Set Ring with Blue Goldstone

Out of the six projects we covered I think this is the most difficult - The Bezel Set Ring. Firstly rings are not the easiest project to make with PMC due to the shrinkage, sizing and the join can sometimes be problematic. Within this project you also have to make a bezel (the bit that sits around the stone) out of fine silver and set this into the PMC - again you have to be careful with the shrinkage so the setting doesn't go out of shape or splits the ring completely!! I was very pleased that this project went well for all of us!!

Enamel of Precious Metal Clay

There's lots more images on our Facebook page...Later on in the year I will be delivering the Module 1 & 3 alongside all our other workshops...busy..busy!!
Last week we also had our first Beading Group meeting - last Tuesday of the month. It went really well although I was doing some private tuition that I said to myself I wouldn't!! The next one is at the end of February - I going to take part this time. Everybody bought along their own projects, tools, we provided the cake and tea and we all made a £2.00 contribution to Breast Cancer Research. It was great to see lots of different projects and ideas around the table.

Sparkle, Sparkle!!

I've been meaning to post this for ages...remember last year I was
making some jewellery for a friends wedding but vowed to myself to
keep things secret until the big day?? Well this is the tiara I
made...I was very pleased with it and more important - Lucy the bride
was. The focal point is a brooch that Lucy found in an antique shop. I
then used silver plated wire, swarovski crystals, glass pearls and
silver-lined delicas to create the panels. Lucy & Duncan's wedding is
currently being featured in Cotswold Life Magazine....so Lucy!!!

Gladys my Little Niece

Those of you that have been in the shop over the past few months will
have probably met Gladys. She is the newest edition to the family and
is my sister Kay's little Pug. Had to share this fabulous picture with
you...Gladys on Kay's crocheted blanket! I can't actually crochet but
would love to learn...when I've got time I'm going to get Kay to teach
me so I can make a beautiful cozy blanket too.

Happy 2010....

What a start to the year!! I've been suffering with arthritis in my right hand since before Christmas...think it may have something to do with the cold weather. Apart from that and the downfall of snow the year has started very well. I must say that although I got completely fed up with not being able to go about my everyday business, due to my car refusing to work and the icy road conditions, I did enjoy the snow. Harry loves it...he got Stuart and I up VERY early the first morning it had settled and was so excited. The only trouble is it all gets stuck to his legs and just keeps collecting throughout the walk...by the end of it he's walking very strangely due to the weight and shape of his legs!!

In my garden and around the shop, I noticed these fabulous icicles. This picture is taken on the passion flower - due to the shape of the leaves the icicles formed in a cascade...it looked amazing! Some of the icicles got so big we had to break them down just in case they fell onto Harry while he was sniffing around.

We are well into the 2010 workshop programme now. So far we've had Intro to Beads & Knotting, Intro to Beads & Wire, Intro to Beads & Stringing, Wire Rings and this weekend we've got our first Certification course in Precious Metal Clay. I'm very excited about delivering the new course. Throughout the three days we will be covering high shine, enamelling, bezel settings, using 24ct gold PMC, bisque beads and lots more. Its going to be a busy few days but full of exciting techniques and lots of creativity.

Introduction to Beads & Knotting

Introduction to Beads & Wire

Look at my birthday present from Kay (my big sister)...she makes the most beautiful crocheted bears (amongst loads of other beautiful things). I saw this one when I went to visit her one day and said how much I liked it. She made him into a picture hanging for me with this fab sparkly pink paper behind him....I Love it!!

Weddings & Workshops

I've been working hard getting some commission pieces ready for a friends wedding next weekend. I'm very pleased with the result but keeping everything a secret until the special day....I'll release photos after Saturday!

This weekend I delivered an Introduction to Beads & Stringing workshop - we had nine attendees. The workshop had a great feel. We had sisters and family together, somebody making their wedding jewellery and others who jut wanted to add to their list of techniques. Some great pieces were made...

Judy made this piece using the some beads from a broken necklace she was given by a family member - she decided to add a few beads from the shop floor to enhance what she already had.

Heather bought in some beads she had bought from a charity shop - a very long string for £3.00!! She made a necklace, bracelet and still had more left. I think they have a wonderful colour to them - they almost glow.

Within this piece Christina used the clasp area as the focal point within the necklace and wired some beads to the hoop of the toggle. She also added some lengths of beads to build the focal point that will then sit at the front.

This piece is not yet quite finished. Ann bought in lots of pearls she had bought from antique shops and had been given. One of the strings had this beautiful clasp attached - to complement the clasp she added some Amethyst crystals...I can't wait to see it finished!

Wendy, Jayne & Denise all made a lariat - I long row of beads without a clasp. These are very popular at the moment. They can be worn in so many different ways and are perfect for using up a variety of oddments. I think the colours used within these pieces are gorgeous.

Lou is getting married in December so bought in some crystals that were her Grans and she is planning to wear on the special day. She had to give them a good clean, increase the length a little using some chain, and wired in a blue crystal to sit at the back of the neck - she's going to sparkle all day!

Janet has been coming along to a whole range of our workshops and its great to see how she is pulling all the techniques together. Here she's used the stringing and wire technique to create his beautiful bracelet. To add an area for the charms to hang she inserted a jumpring along the strung section. She eventually wants to use PMC to create the charms.

Work, work, work..

Well, the term has truly started. I'm back with full force into the adult learning evenings and very much enjoying my classes. I always love meeting new people especially because they all have an interest in making jewellery. I know this term is going to go so fast....Autumn term seems to flyby - before we know it, it'll be Christmas!! I've also been delivering some classes at the shop - Introduction to Beads and Knotting and Introduction to PMC 2 Day. As always some wonderful pieces made.

Beads and Knotting

Tracey made this piece using some silk cord, lampwork beads she bought from ebay and some of our glass beads. As the focal bead she used one of our new silver-plated hearts - I love the black, white, crystal an silver combination.

Introduction to Precious metal Clay Two Day

I really enjoy the two day workshop. Everyone can really get their teeth into the processes and techniques, and have time for reflection between day 1 and 2.

So you can see all the photo's taken from my workshops I've actually set up a Facebook page for Amy Surman - The Oxford Beadshop. Here you can see images of everything made on the workshops, make comments, add reviews and connect with other creative people...take a look.