Polymer Paradise Cruise 2010
The last several months have made me feel like the ultimate road warrior; nearly non-stop since September. This has helped me to maintain my status as the infrequent blogger. While on the road, business and personal commitments prevents me from getting on the computer. During the brief periods between trips, I am busy getting caught up on deadlines, e-mails, household demands, and preparing for the next journey. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. It's truly a blessing to be this busy in my career.
I never imagined years ago when I began working part-time from home, that I would ever end up where I am today with my creative calling. Due to a rare lull in between trips, I finally have a chance to blog again. Here is a recap of the most interesting travels that have occurred since September. Let's start with the 4th annual Polymer Paradise Clay Cruise.
New and old friends came together for another fantastic creative journey at sea. It was a week filled with creativity, fun, and as always - non-stop laughter. Dear friends and fantastic teachers Christi Friesen, Barbara McGuire, and Jana Roberts Benzon joined me for an amazing five days departing from Jacksonville, Florida aboard the Carnival Fascination. Our days at sea were spent "claying around," while our port days were spent with fun in the sun in Nassau and Carnvial's private island cay.
We clayed and played with many repeat offenders, er...I mean, cruisers, along with several new polypals. Everyone received huge totes filled with clay tools and lots other creative goodies from our sponsors including: Viva Decor U.S./Pardo Clay, JHB International (and me), Art Across the Oceans, Fire Mountain Gems, CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Elements, AMACO, Bead IT!, Art Clay World, Polymer Clay Express, Tierra Cast, Beacon Adhesives, 3M, Artbeads.com, Spellbinders, Kabela Design, C-Koop Beads, Creative Options/Plano, Lisa Lambright, Makin's USA,Acme United Corporation, and our instructors listed above (of course)!
Be sure to visit the Polymer Paradise Cruise '10 gallery for lots more photos of this exciting retreat at sea.
Oh La La!!!
European Clay Extravaganza!
My journey to France this past September-October for Corbières Créatives was an amazing and wonderful experience I will never forget. Kylee and Andy Milner host this creative gathering where over 50 students from around the world came together to learn a variety of polymer clay and mixed media techniques. I was honored to be asked to teach along with some of the most talented artists around.
The adventure began with a few days in Toulouse, France, with time to acclimate myself with the 8 hour time zone difference. On day two, I met up with fellow teachers: Denise Peck (Editor of Step-by-Step Wire), Ronna Sarvas Weltman, and Laurie Mika who was traveling with her delightful sister Leslie.
Check out some of the trip's highlights by visiting the "France 2010" photo album here on my blog.
Clay Convergence - Greek Style
Sunset Over Oia, Santorini
This year saw me holding another creative weeklong workshop in an exotic locale with an intimate group of artists. On the glorious island of Santorini, Greece, I taught "Clay Convergence;" a mixed media concept for Art Clay Silver.
We created numerous pieces of wearable fine silver artwork that also incorporated the use of polymer clay and resin. Each participant gained a large skill set in torch firing metal clay along with millefiori cane work, image transfer, mold making and lots more.
In between workshops, everyone had time to explore the island, partake in a caldera cruise, and, shop to their hearts content, as well as eating some of the most incredible food anyone's ever had! Many evening began with a wine tasting or a visit to the Island's only Irish Pub where we made fast friends with our bartender, Anna. She treated us to her special drink whenever we popped by. One evening, we took an inspirational tour of the incredible jewelry stores in Thira and Oia, where we enjoyed seeing incredibly innovative concepts and applications for jewelry design. We stayed and clayed at the lovely El Greco resort just a short stroll from town.
It was an incredible week of learning, camaraderie, and endless laughter! It wasn't a chance tojust create jewelry, but an opportunity to make new friends. I was fortunate enough to have my husband, Allen along to enjoy the experience. I can't thank him enough for his help and all the fun we had with the entire group. Check out the Greece 2010 gallery here on the blog for some insight into this amazing week and gorgeous scenic photos of this amazing island.
Off to the Great White North!
Meeting clay artist Jessica Greschner at her booth
A few days after returning home, it was off to my 8th http://www.create-your-s trip to Toronto Canada's Creativ Festival. This is one of the largest consumer workshop and shopping events for the sewing, quilting and creative arts in North America.
Is It Hot in Here or is it Creativ Festival CEO Gorgeous Gowns Abound just Stephanie Dixon? Rita Gramsch MC's at the Design Student show
The days were filled with fun classes as always. The annual Charity Gala was a highlight as always. It was moving to learn about the successes that Crafting for Cure has had in building craft rooms in childrens' hospitals in Canada. The delicious dinner was followed by an amazing fashion show that rivals those found in Fashion Week in New York. It was an honor to sit in the front row and get an up-close look at the gorgeous couture designs by up and coming fashion institute students from Toronto.
Crystal Chix at Sea
Sparkly Chix
Two cruises in one year, what a treat! My partner in crime, Laura Timmons and I set off to sea to teach adventurous artisans to "Get Wired" with ourselves and guest instructor and fellow CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Ambassador, Lilian Chen. We tried a bold experiment with this cruise. We previously limit registration to no more than 15 students per class. This time, we set the student to teacher ratio much lower. Determination? We love the intimacy of a much smaller group and will be limiting the numbers for future cruises to between 10-12 students per class. That means that anyone interested in signing up will have to do so even earlier as we have reached our registration goals on every cruise.
Our Days at sea were spent crocheting, forming, hammering, bending and twisting wire and crystals to create stunning jewelry. Even my neighbor Margo came along for the experience!
As always, our participants got huge SWAG bags filled to the brim with tons of goodies, but the gifting didn't stop there. We've set a record with another cruise (seven so far) in which every participant has one at least one door prize.
Days at port were spent on excursions, laying around the pool, trips to the beach, spa treatments, shopping, or just hanging onboard letting those creative juices continue to flow!
A big highlight was when Cindy Wilson of Dreamtime Creations and Crystal Master, Kellie Defries gave bonus demos during one of our nightly sessions. Everyone including the lucky instructors got a glorious, crystal covered tote bag filled with tons of goodies from Cindy. In addition, we had a plethora of generous sponsors including Dreamtime Creations and: JHB International (and me), Laura Timmons/Vintage Moon Creations, Art Across the Oceans, CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Elements, Parawire, Tierra Cast, Artbeads.com, Spellbinders, Beadalon, Boye/Simplicity, Rings & Things, Judi Weers, Shipwreck Beads, Silk Painting is Fun, and CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Ambassadors: June Beach, Lilian Chen, Katie Hacker, Val Hirata, Debra Saucier, and Brenda Schweder
You can experience the cruise vicariously through the photos found in the "Crystal Chix 2010" gallery here on the blog. Be sure to look for information on next year's creative cruise(s). We haven't decided on one or two yet at Art Across the Oceans. The date and details will be coming in early 2011.
Since then, I have been at it with additional trips to teach in Colorado (at Bead IT!) and California, for private lessons and workshops at and Brea Beadworks.
Hoping to get a breather over the holidays to catch up on other exciting projects and then it's back on the road early 2011. Be sure to visit my website for the workshop list being updated all the time. Next year is already filled with exciting venues both here and in Europe. Now, if only I could arrange all this travel through one airline in order to get enough miles to take a vacation!
