Fire is Fun!

This weekend, we had a "Train the Trainer" class at Bead World.  What was I thinking, giving a group of crazy jewelry instructors torches and letting them loose in my store?!  Remarkably, though there was much teasing and trash talk, no one was burned.  We learned important things like 1) Don't touch hot stuff!  and 2) Things stay hot longer than you think!  Really, though, all of the staffers did amazingly well.  They qualified to teach three classes each, significantly raising the number of torch classes we can offer.  I'm so excited!

"Introduction to the Torch" is our basic, beginner torch safety class.  It could really be called "Turn the torch on.  Turn the torch off.  Don't set yourself on fire."  This is the class that lets you experiment a bit with the feel of a torch in your hand, and helps you gain confidence.  We ball wire, which is how you make headpins.  We make a groovy wire wrapped interchangeable bail, too.  If you think you might like playing with fire, this is the first step to doing it safely.

"Fusing Fine Silver" is our first fusing class.  (You must have taken our "Intro to the Torch" or a similar course to take this class.)  We use the torch to close fine silver jump rings and build a stylish chain bracelet.  Then, we texture and work harden the chain using a hammer and steel bench block.  Gorgeous!

"Advanced Fusing Fine Silver" takes fused chain building to another level with the introduction of shaped links.  (Pre-requisite: "Fusing Fine Silver")  Learn the basics of chain customization, try several traditional link shapes and open your mind to a whole new world of posibilities.

Come try a class and see how fun fire can be!

Happy Wednesday! Torching did not happen last night as I had hoped. I got distracted by a movie that my husband was watching and ended up watching it with him until almost 11 pm. I did however write some notes in my beading journal after taking a good hard look at my cat.

If you find that you seem to have all kinds of ideas during the day but when you sit down to create your art you have forgotten what you wanted to make, seem to have miss placed your muse, or just don't feel the motivation then you need to keep a journal. It can be a simple notebook that you keep with you just about all the time. You never know when the inspiration bug will bite! I write down things such as color combinations I find, textures, shapes that intrigue me, things I want to make from glass. Even if you don't use what you write down right away you can go back to it at any time and find some inspiration.

So last night as I looked at my cat I realized what wonderful colors she is made of. Her colors will be soon seen in a glass bead of some type. I can't wait!

I did say I'd post photos from my torching play date with Sheila. This is a picture she took of some of the beads we made that day.

I hope everyone of you has a wonderful day full of inspiration. If you can't create your ideas right away - write them down!!