My buddy and annual roommate, Diane Villano arrived this afternoon and I had my first class today. I’m having a blast already. The energy and enthusiasm here at the Bead & Button Show is fantastic. I love talking to other students about what classes they’ve taken so far. Despite the economy there seem to be plently of people here taking classes, and it seems like everyone is loving what they’ve learned.
My class today was “Microfold Textures” with Jack Berry, sponsored by Rio Grande. Their classes are great because they bring jeweler’s benches fully stocked with all the tools and supplies. All you have to bring is a pen and pad.
It was a really fun day. Jack Berry is a great teacher, very thorough and an altogether delightful person to be around. We used an industrial tube wringer and/or a microfold brake to crimp sheets of copper or silver and then refined the textures with pliers and punches.
The earrings I made are strictly based on the suggested pattern. My attempts to play around with some variations weren’t too successful. It’s something I want to explore some more when I get home.
Tomorrow I’ve got a beading class and the Meet the Teachers reception in the evening.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Janice 06.02.09 at 10:27 pm
I took a microfold workshop with Jack a while back – he has such a nice way about him. What a sweetheart! Glad you’re enjoying energy!
Kathi 06.03.09 at 8:59 am
sounds like you are having a blast Libby! I kind of like the design on those earrings.
Jenn 06.03.09 at 10:14 am
I met Jack at BeadFest a couple of years ago – I think he’d be great to take a class from. Your class sounds like it was a blast – and how cool is it that Rio provides those setups?
That texture looks similar (plus some folds) to one of my favorites from last year’s foldforming workshop. Reminds me, I want to get back to that some day – alas, so many ideas, so very little time…
Robyn Hawk 09.30.09 at 4:27 pm
Just a quick heads up – I quoted this post on my blog!
You can see it at: http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/
Robyn Hawk