I had signed up for the Rio Rewards Certification course, sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply for the fall of 2010, and I was all set to travel to the Dallas area to take it. But then we got our dachshund puppy Olivia, and I didn’t want to travel with a new puppy, so I canceled. When the course came available again, this time at Rio’s main office in Albuquerque for October 2011–much closer than Dallas!–I quickly paid the fee . . . in April. I had the money then, and I didn’t know if I would have it closer to class time, so I paid and made myself promise not to cancel again.

I am so glad I kept that promise. The course was taught by Terry Kovalcik, professional illustrator, metal clay genius, and master PMC instructor.

The course is structured so that students complete seven projects in three days of class time. The projects are meant to teach and test important techniques that help insure quality craftsmanship, but even though the projects are standardized, we were encouraged to put our own creative twist on most of them.

The only project that didn’t allow a lot of creative leeway was the tetrahedron, a deceptively simple pyramid-shaped object that drove us all a bit nuts, just as Terry promised it would. Even so, not one of us failed to complete the task successfully, though there was much grumbling and griping and sighs of frustration–not to mention a few curse words.Terry was a great teacher, exacting in his standards–not surprising, considering the miraculous detail of his work–but a lot of fun.

The woven earrings pictured above were one of the projects, partially made with a type of PMC that comes in a what looks like fabric form, which is cut in strips and woven together. After my earring pieces were fired, leaving only 99% fine silver, I oxidized them to give them the shades of blue, green and gold that you see in the photo.

Another project was the “double fire ring,” a kind of signet ring in which a cubic zirconia stone is set. This was a completely different method of making a ring than I had done before. The band is sized to account for shrinkage in the kiln and fired flat, then the cooled band is later bent around a ring mandrel before adding the signet portion and refiring. We had a kiln mishap when many of the rings were fired, so the rings of some of the students didn’t survive. I was one of the lucky ones.

Other projects included the saucer bead (aka lentil bead), another type of ring, a relief pendant, and the culminating project–a pen. Since my daughter’s wedding was coming up the very next weekend, I decided to make a pretty pen to use with the guest book. We made the pens on the last day of class, running late, so things were a bit rushed, and I was tired, so I wasn’t completely satisfied with the way my pen turned out. Even so, it was pretty, and it made a great decorative addition to the guestbook table. The next pen I make will be better. Oh, and I earned my certificate, too!

This was my 3rd year to participate in the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, and once again I had a great time. It was hot! Unseasonably hot for September in Santa Fe, but it was still great fun. I saw several familiar faces of customers who found my Kell’s Creations booth last year and the year before, and came back for more jewelry. That really made me feel good. In fact, I sold my Fire Mountain Gems contest piece to a very nice woman who has become a collector. I’m both thrilled and humbled.

While we were there, I did get away from the booth a little bit, leaving my husband to “babysit,” and while I was gone I saw some Irish dancing by Belisama Irish Dance. Of course I forgot my camera back at the booth! But I did see some belly dancers, and I got a shot of them.

I sold several of my new pieces, including these two dragonfly necklaces.

The resin wings were so much fun to make. I found the resin wing technique (among others) in a great book called Enchanted Adornments, by Cynthia Thornton. This book may be my new favorite for fun and unusual ideas to incorporate into my own work. I never like to copy anyone’s work exactly, but I can already see how I can adjust the ideas to suit my work and my style.

And I was both happy and sad when this bronze clay leaf pendant adorned with pearls left my booth to go to a new home.

I took a day off to rejuvenate, but now it’s time to get back to work. I’ll be teaching my “Three Ring Circus” class this coming Saturday, and the weekend of October 2 & 3 I’ll be attending the October Artfest in Cloudcroft as a vendor. Time to make more jewelry!

Note: The link to Enchanted Adornments at Amazon.com is an affiliate link, and if the item is purchased from my link, I will earn a small commission.

Since I’ll be participating in the arts and crafts fair in Schoolhouse Park during Ruidoso’s AspenFest, October 3 and 4, October classes will start a little later in the month. Here’s the schedule:

Sunday, October 11, 1:30-3 pm: “Three Ring Circus” 4-5:30–“Art Nouveau Bracelet”

Friday, October 16, 5-6:30 pm: “Embellished Focal Bead Pendants”

Sunday, October 25, 1:30-3 pm: “Bonsai Tree/Tree of Life”

New class

Friday, October 30, 5-6:30 pm: “Lucky Charms: Celtic Knot Earrings and Pendants.” Celebrate the Celtic roots of Halloween this year by learning the tricks and treats of creating your own lucky charms—Celtic knot earrings and pendants using wire and beads. In this class you will learn how to create a variation of the decorative “Carrick bend” knot. This strong knot was used by sailors, but it can also be found as a design motif at Ormonde Castle in Ireland. First you will practice making your knot with dyed hemp cord, then you will translate what you learn to copper wire and beads in order to make a pair of earrings or a pendant. Cord, wire and beads will be provided.

Location: Beads to Beauty
2500 Sudderth #3 (4 Seasons Mall)
Ruidoso, NM 88345
Contact Heather Kingsmore
575-257-9903 or h.kingsmore@gmail.com

Sunday, September 6: 2-3:30

“Embellished Focal Bead Pendants” Learn to turn large stone, lampwork glass, or polymer clay beads into one-of-a-kind embellished pendants using wire, seed beads, charms, pearls or small stone beads. In this class you will also learn how to create your own coiled ends and S clasps for use with leather, silk, ribbon or silky “rat-tail” cord—the perfect way to finish your unique new pendant creations. Included in the cost for this class will be one lampwork glass heart bead, one polymer clay focal bead, two 18” lengths of black rat-tail cord, and the wire to complete two embellished focal bead pendants. $45

Class attendees also receive a 10% discount coupon from Beads to Beauty.

Location: Beads to Beauty
2500 Sudderth #3
Ruidoso, NM 88345
Contact Heather Kingsmore
575-257-9903 or h.kingsmore@gmail.com