Painting With Fire with Barbara Lewis (and friends)

This past Saturday I had the utmost pleasure to start my exploration into classes by taking my first of many for the year -- "Painting With Fire" with Barbara Lewis, a metal enameling class that I'd been looking forward to for many reasons. One, the class is very cool. Two, I was going to get to meet some blogging buddies I'd yet to meet in person (always a fun thing).

Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio took some awesome pictures of the setup:

And Barbara Lewis who is the master of this technique ....


And of me when I wasn't looking. (Eek. I hate photos of me).


Notice that I have my finger in the water? Wondering why that is? I was the first burn victim. I very carefully avoided the hot flame and the hot mandrel but had no problem chasing the hot bead. Yup.

These are my beads:

I have a lot to learn -- I need to coat the beads more fully with the enamel, for one, but I actually quite like the more rustic look of the beads. You can see Barbara's professional lovelies at her web site, Painting With Fire, but hurry because her beads do go fast! You can also buy the tutorial and materials you need to get started on your own projects.

All I need now are enamel powders (I bought an arsenal of metal beads). I can see so many applications where this style of bead could be a beautiful addition in my work. I've got a birthday coming soon -- maybe I'll treat myself!

Thanks to Jeanette Blix and Cindy Wimmer for putting on this workshop, and to Barbara Lewis for sharing her talent!


Lori also writes for www.prettythingsblog.com

Another class -- enameling

(enameled heart by Barbara Lewis)

Keeping true to my word that I'm going to stretch my skills, I've signed up for yet another class, this one with Barbara Lewis of Jewelry of Distinction. She was recently featured in Belle Armoire magazine, and I'm so excited to get to take this class -- not just so I can learn metal enameling, but because I'll get to meet some of my online blogging friends!


I'm pretty proud of myself for jumping in with both feet and signing up for classes. With five classes scheduled already for this year, I'm taking as many as I've taken in the past five years! I think the next class I'll be looking for is a lampwork class, but I'll wait a while for that, taking the time instead to explore and play on my own for a while to get the basics handily under my belt before venturing into a classroom setting.


I'm on my way, baby step by baby step.


So how are you doing?


You can see my work at www.lorianderson.net, and read my other blog at www.prettythingsblog.com.