Jewelry Making New Year's Resolutions

The holidaze are still going strong around here, but I'm starting to think about my New Year's Resolutions. Most years, I try not to make them because I tend to break them by April. But, I'm going to make it nice and easy this year and you, dear readers, are going to hold me accountable. I'm going to take more classes!

I'd love to take a metals workshop from Beads, Baubles & Jewels' resident metalsmith Mark Nelson. Rio Grande is hosting a pre-Tucson version of Rio in Motion at their solar-powered facility in Albuquerque January 26-31st. I just checked their calendar and there are a few classes still open. Among them is a workshop on creating texture with a rolling mill, one of my favorite techniques from BB&J that I've never actually tried. (See photo of bracelet by Jack Berry.)

If you're resolving to take more classes this year, then I hope you'll join me at CREATE YOUR STYLE in TUCSON. The class offerings are downright delectable this year. I'm teaching two workshops and hope to squeeze in a class from at least one of my fellow SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Ambassadors.

Modern Patina by Katie Hacker
This necklace and earring set uses my Katiedids™ Creative Components with a multitude of sparkly SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

The CREATE YOUR STYLE in TUCSON event is located in downtown Tucson at 525 North Bonita Avenue, Tucson AZ 85745 from Tuesday, February 1 – Friday, February 4, 2011. There are 40 workshops guided by industry experts, including my fellow Beadalon Design Team Members Fernando Dasilva and Leslie Rogalski.

Very Violet by Katie Hacker
This is a fun combination of stringing and wirework techniques using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS with Katiedids Creative Components, Artistic Wire and Beadalon's Quick Links.

The CREATE YOUR STYLE IN TUCSON event is one of my favorites because it offers an impressive roster of creative classes using innovative techniques and the newest products. Plus, you can't beat the prices! There are also a number of inexpensive make-it-take-its free demonstrations throughout the show. If you're going to Tucson this year, don't miss it!