looking forward to Coronado

 

Time has really been flying faster than a speeding bullet for me...

as in just 4 short days I will have already landed in

Coronado, California,

getting ready to teach three days of some of my favorite classes.

I have already packed up and shipped two boxes of supplies,

sending them off with many prayers that they'll land there safely on Tuesday!

I have enjoyed much family time this past week, but have also been happily enjoying my 

first of two summer online classes which began on June 6th.  The one that's going on now, 

Heart Strings, is the one I'll be teaching on Sunday (in person),
at Art Retreat by the Beach.

This past week I designed a Heart Strings I'll be wearing this next weekend,

called "My Grandmothers".

Another thankful nod to two ladies that gave birth to my parents, 

and taught me more than they probably ever realized.

After sharing these beauties in my previous post, I knew I had to use at least one of the three rhinestone watch bezels, so indeed I did...

in my newest Heart Strings.

Oh, now this was some fun...using that wonderful picture of my grandparents as a very young couple which I shared with you, seems like eons ago.

I also decided to use a resin bezel I had of my other grandmother, Rosa,

thus giving me the name for my piece.

I used some other great vintage pieces in this necklace,

an old tiny diary key, a vintage rosary, another vintage crucifix & religious metal, a sprinkle of vintage rhinestone buttons, a heart taken from some retro earrings, some of my favorite rhinestone connectors, oxidized rhinestone crystal rondells, and some gorgeous faceted Peruvian Opals.

I really am in love with the box chain I used in this Heart Strings...wish I had more.

But, I'm sure you know how that goes.

And, of course, I added some wonderful vintage lace, trim, tulle and some of my 

current favorite colors of recycled sari silk.  Yum.

 Oh yes, and one of my Tiny Etched Books,

which is currently shown in the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry~

along with step-out photos!

The picture above it just part of the class kit.

These are all fun elements we will be working on in Coronado,

in just one short week, as this class in on Sunday.

BTW...I'd like to show you a beautiful piece that one of my students posted online in our Artful Gathering Photo gallery.

This Heart Strings was made by Mary Royals.
What a great job Mary!

 Hope I'll see you in Coronado!  

Very soon...diane xo

 

 

Inspiration

Much of my inspiration is not premeditated, 

(I suppose inspiration always most often comes that way)

so when IT happens I still get all tingly inside & out.

Right now I am joyfully involved in my first ever online class that began 

last Wednesday at Artful Gathering.

But with all that to keep me busy, yesterday I began to focus on my little trip to California, which is coming up quicker than I can imagine.

In a little less than 2 weeks, I will be teaching  three classes at 

Art Retreat by the Beach.

One of which, is Heart Strings.

 So, as I feed my students at AG tidbits of inspiration,

maybe with the latest stash of recycled sari silk that's arrived in the mail...

  I magically find some myself.  What a bonus....

  I had no idea when I found these gorgeous vintage rhinestone watch bezels in an Etsy dealer's shop, that I might be using them in my next Heart Strings piece.

All three of them are more than gorgeous to me, and so very imperfect...one missing a rhinestone baguette, and its crystal.

But, then I remembered a watch I've had tucked away since my step-mother's passing quite a few years ago.

It was the watch she always wore.  A lovely Bulova, with a sprinkle of tiny diamonds on each side of the face.

 It has been safely tucked away with many other pieces of vintage jewelry I have bought.

This one is more important to me though, as it was Jewel's.

Just this last January, I had a small group of ladies come to my house to design their very own Heart Strings.

One, which has become a wonderful new friend, Bridget, used watch bezels in her Heart Strings, along with a vintage ID bracelet.  The watch bezel was from her father's watch.

I blogged about the class here, and then just a week (or so) later we got together and she had her finished necklace along to show me.

It really touched my heart.

I do hope to see some of you (in person) in just a couple of weeks in Coronado.

The venue is gorgeous, and no doubt, Barb will have goodies for everyone.

The classes are small.

I have begun to love small classes.  

So much more intimate, 

and so much more time for talking and spending time with you....

See you soon...in Coronado, I hope! 

diane

xo

Wanna Come Play at The Beach?

Crystal Confetti

I will show you how to take a beautiful vintage ear bob

like this...

 And turn it into a beautiful stunner 

like this...

Limited spaces are available in this class...won't you join me on 

Saturday, June 23rd?

Class details are here:

Art Retreat by the Beach

the rest of the story...

Window to My Heart

I will be teaching this cuff class for the first time this year.  It is a special one.

Made with layers of metal...some etched, some given a pattern with fire or metal stamping, layering of mica...it is packed full of super fun techniques.

Adding the tiny windows came natural, as this is really how I live my life.

I am pretty much, say what I am feeling, kind of girl. 

These pieces just seem to document that very fact...

starting clockwise in the picture above,

dance with heart

Feet seem to take me to places I've only dreamed of going...

And then there's

Granny Schultz

the cuff on the top right,

which holds my heart in a place only my granny, Josie, could ever hold.

That's her picture when she was only about 13 or 14 years old.

And then,

Stitched

the cuff on the lower bottom,

holds a tiny picture of a distant cousin.  One of two favorite sisters.

I've been using these girls in my art for several years...

So won't you join me in

Window to My Heart

this June in Coronado?  

Art Retreat by the Beach...I can't think of a better way to spend the summer.

Can you?

(I'll be sharing the rest of the story, about the other two classes I'll be teaching, 

in the weeks to come...)

~ diane

Just thought I’d check in and let you know what’s been happening at Vivi Magoo Presents. 

Lots of behind-the-scenes meetings and planning sessions with...

attorneys

accountants

G-men (yikes!)

Who knew that this new adventure would take so much time and attention to get it right! 

Whew! 

But, get it right I must, so I am being diligent and paying attention to all of the details that will make Vivi Magoo and all of the retreats successful! 

When really....

All I want to do is get fabulous instructors scheduled and open registration for y’all! 

Not my strongest suit when I have a vision and a plan....

Today begins the adventure called Vivi Magoo Presents along with the series of art retreats that I’ll be organizing this next year! I’m so excited ~ I think that everyone is going to LOVE the locations that I’ve chosen and the instructors that I’m lining up are beyond-fantastic!!! My goal is to provide havens where creative women (and men!) can reunite year-after-year, be inspired by others like themselves, create unique art taught by renowned instructors, and be energized by the whole experience. I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me and consider joining in one or more of the art retreats planned for the coming year!