Webinar

Source: google.com via Laura on Pinterest

Hey, who stole my red crayon?!!!  That might not be the title of my upcoming webinar for Create Mixed Media, but it may as well be.  When asked if I'd be interested in giving a webinar, I said, "Heck yeah! Wait. What's a webinar?"  I thought maybe I should find out what I was signing up for first. 


Low key and low stress ... yep, I'm interested.  It's basically a PowerPoint presentation narrated by me.  At the end of a 40 minute or so presentation, there's a Q&A period.


Besides covering the basic PWF technique, I will divulge some of our favorite color blends.  Being surrounded by over 100 enamel colors definitely has it's advantages and I want to share them with you.  So, please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 15 at 1 p.m. and we'll chat!  I'll be sharing the link with you soon. :-) 

Winners of Torch-Firing Kits and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for your encouragement this year.  Had it not been for you, this little hobby would not have turned into a business that allows us to continue to share the good news of torch-firing!

torch-firing kit

A giveaway for a torch-firing kit was announced during the virtual book tour.  Because sooo many people submitted book reviews, I've decided to give away two kits!  The winners are:  Sea Christine and Charlottegabriele.  Please get in touch with me through www.torchfiredenameljewelry.com!  Happy Thanksgiving!  


Now, we're on to Barnes and Noble!  If you purchased the book through B&N and you leave a review, your name will be entered into a drawing for another torch-firing kit.  The winner will be selected on December 10.  Please pass the word!  


Remember, you still have time to register for the drawing at Create Mixed Media ... the giveaway is good until the end of the month. 



Have a wonderful holiday with the ones you love! Be safe!

The iPhone 4S

What do grown-up people do with the iPhone 4S after they've had a few beers?  Okay, get your minds out of the gutter ... we're not THAT bad!  But we did have a little fun with Siri ... the iPhone's virtual assistant.  We definitely tested her patience!

I have to give you a little background first. My husband has been reluctant to get a smart phone.  In fact, he lovingly calls his phone a "dumb phone."  He can't imagine typing in a little small space on the screen of a smart phone.  He's not really technologically saavy.  Jim's life resides in a B&W marbled composition book!  You know the ones .... the OLD-fashioned kind!

Well, during the time we were at the Washington Bead Society Bead Bazaar, Jim couldn't find his phone.  The lady next to us on the exhibition floor had an iPhone.  By the time we left there, Jim was primed.  When we got home, however, he found his phone in the refrigerator!  This is how our lives are.  It's not pretty, but it is true!

So, Jim ordered his iPhone.  It came in two days ago.  Last night we decided to test it out.  First let me say that Jim has not "typed" a single thing into the phone.  If I were the jealous type, I'd be upset with Jim's relationship with Siri.  But, alas, after nearly 40 years of marriage I'm pretty secure in my relationship.  If he hasn't figured out how to escape by now,  he's not goin' anywhere!

Last night our relationship with Siri escalated to a new level.  My son, David, speaks into the phone, "Siri, I'm drunk."  She replies, "There are several meetings near your location." OMG!  We're laughing hysterically! He says, "Siri, I'd like a prostitute."  She replies, "There is an escort service 3.6 miles from your location."  It gets better ... David says, "Siri, I think you're beautiful."  She says, "I bet you say that to all the virtual assistants."  By then, we were laughing so hard we were crying. Of course you have to consider that we had been imbibing earlier in the evening and we were with friends of 35 years, so things became doubly funny. I have to tell you, though, with a clear mind this morning, I still think it's pretty damned funny!

Have a great day everyone! 

A Home for Painting with Fire Studio!

We went to settlement yesterday on a teaching and retail space for Painting with Fire! Here's a photo of how it looks today! 

The address is 2428 Central Avenue, which lies within the boundaries of Historic Kenwood and is two blocks from my house!  Central Avenue is the main drag from downtown St. Pete to the Gulf beaches.  The studio is in the Grand Central District, which is an artsy area full of personality.  The neighborhood is great about supporting local businesses and I can't wait to meet more of my neighbors.  Businesses on my block include those for stained glass and graphics, art supplies, cupcakes, a half a dozen restaurants, cigars, antiques, real estate ... and now torch-fired enamel! 

I'm really looking forward to this space being a place where torch-fired enamel artists can gather.  I'll have open torch times where you'll be able to try different enamels before buying them.  You can come in with questions.  It's going to be great. 


Getting back to the building ... the space on the far left will be the teaching part ... the torches will be lined up on the left wall and we're meeting with the ventilation guy tomorrow.  Behind that is storage room and office space.  The area behind the colorful balls will be the retail space.  We'll sell everything we currently do online, but will also have a greater selection of other beads and beading accessories. A very lovely bridal salon occupies one of our spots. 


There are two one-bedroom apartments upstairs, one for my son, David, and the other for Chris and Toni, all who are studio artists at PWF. Both David and Chris are talented teachers and Toni is a fine artist.   I love her eye for design and I look forward to getting into mischief with her.  Chris, Toni and David, all 25 year-olds, will infuse Painting with Fire with energy ... in more ways than one! 


I've had this urge to offer Winter Retreats in St. Petersburg.  Who wouldn't want to go on a learning vacation in January, February or March?  This space also will provide lots of opportunities for things like this. 


It will take us several months before we're down here full time.  My target date is May 1, but we'll be hosting lots of workshops and other events from now until then.  I hope you'll follow along as we make changes to the space to get ready for opening.  It should be fun! 

          

       Please come back tomorrow!    

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Life is funny!

Do you ever feel your life is like an episode of Seinfeld?

Source: Uploaded by user via Nick on Pinterest

If not Seinfeld, then how 'bout The Simpsons?

Source: sharetv.org via Dragana on Pinterest

That's exactly how I felt when I heard this announcement over the loud speaker at the Washington Bead Society Bead Bazaar on Saturday ...


"In fifteen minutes, Barbara Lewis will be doing a torch-firing demonstration in Room C."


"Is that Jim?" ... I said ... "THAT'S JIM!"  I started laughing so hard I had to wipe away the tears.  I guess the inside joke about this is how proud my husband is of me.  He's always been like that.  One time, when we were first married, I noticed that a bunch of our party guests had disappeared.  I started searching for them in a 2-bedroom apartment, which didn't take long.  I found them in my bedroom with Jim pulling clothes from my closet saying, "She made this and she made that."  You gotta love him! Really, though, Jim needs to be on this show ... 

Source: Uploaded by user via Mike on Pinterest

Have a great day everybody! 

Torch Firing Kit Giveaway at Create Mixed Media

If you haven't visited the Create Mixed Media site yet, you owe it to yourself to do so.  Sponsored by F&W Media, the parent company of North Light Books, CMM is beautiful ... just like North Light's books.  But more than that, there's great content.  They  present everything from the practical aspects of being an artist to downloadable how-to's.  But before I go into more information about the site, you MUST go there before the end of this month to register to win a Torch-Firing Kit and book!  With this combo, you'll be enameling your own beads and pendants in no time.

But, getting back to the CMM site, it's really kind of hard to describe because it's so comprehensive. There are podcasts, including one this week by Kelly Rae Roberts on finding balance. There are free e-books, including "Wired Up" with the work of Robert Dancik, Jennifer Swift, Giuseppina Cirincione, Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling.


There are four contributing editors with varied backgrounds from art therapy to creative coaching, but all share an interest in art ... and pretty soon there's going to be a fifth contributing editor ... me! I'm excited, but more than a little nervous ... I hope what I have to say will be of interest.  I mean, I'll try to make it interesting to you, but you'll just have to let me know. :-)   

A Steal of a Deal on The Book!

I interrupt this previously recorded program to bring you this message.  Shop Mixed Media, the publisher's website, is having a great deal on my book ... $11.75!  Buy it for yourself or for a friend for Christmas!

Another way to promote ...

Did you know that you can set up a google alert?  What's a google alert? It's a way for you to monitor the web for interesting new content.  You simply type in the words or series of words that you want to monitor. Everyday you'll find an email in your inbox with a list of goggle sightings for that word(s).  For instance, I've set up several google alerts, including for the words "Barbara Lewis," "torch-fired enamel," and "handmade jewelry."
Much of what I was reading were press releases, some by local newspapers, but lots by press release services like PR Web. Here's a little blurb from their website that explains the overall concept ... 
"It’s simple. You write an announcement about your organization – a new product launch, current promotion, or local team sponsorship - whatever. We distribute your release to every major news site and search engine on the Web, and can put you in front of consumers and journalists."

They'll give you as much or as little help as you need ... for a price, 

of course.  Here's what came to my inbox today ...

When I clicked on the message, it brought me to this spot ...

You can track how many times your press release has been read fully and people's impressions of the headline. 

#1 Craft Book of 2011 on Amazon!

I had a different blog post planned for today, but yesterday something really amazing happened.  I received an email from the F&W Media's publicist.  She was talking about something else and midway down the email she says, 

"On a separate note, TFEJ has been named the #1 Craft book of 2011 on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000744591." 

What?!!! Holy Cow! I'm still floating on Cloud 9.  Where is Cloud 9 anyway?  Wherever it is, I'm on it!  I'm grateful to all of you for your encouragement over these many months.  I'm glad the book is doing what I intended it to do, which was to encourage you to try this incredible technique.  The "immersion process" of torch firing has taken on a life of its own ... no doubt about it. 

I've written the first page of Book No. 2 ... actually it's the book concept.  It will thoroughly explore enameling decorative techniques and color through the creation of jewelry.  Having taught for the past couple of years and moderating the ning for nearly the same amount of time, I've been in a position to see what inquiring minds want to know.  I'm thinking that writing Book No. 2 may be easier than Book No. 1 ... kind of like having a baby!  

Sale ... Washington Bead Society Bazaar ... Look What I Made!

A Christmas Sale!  We love saving money, yay! For a limited time, when you buy the kit, you'll get 4 - 3 oz jars of enamel instead of 3 jars, which is nearly a 10% discount off the retail price of the kit.  We'll also throw in some extra beads to help you get started. :-) The offer applies to kits without torches and those with torches. 

Next ... I'll be at the Washington Bead Society Bazaar this Saturday and Sunday.  If you come to the booth to say hello and tell us that you're a follower, you'll get a 10% discount off your entire order.  Besides that, I'll get to meet you!  Just click on the link for details. I'll be doing a demo from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday ... something I love to do!   And, for your viewing pleasure, look what I made today ... which was photographed by Toni Maddox, the newest member of the Painting with Fire Team.  Thank you, Toni, you did a great job!   "Shabby Chic Bouquet" at Etsy

Knotty Do-It-All ... it's more than about knots!

Cords, fibers, leather, and suede are so in vogue now.  I think the cost of metals is partly responsible for this really wonderful trend.  Sometimes working with a new medium can seem daunting, but Sandra Younger, inventor of Knotty Do-It-All is eager to help.  Not only has she created this wonderful tool, but she also has great videos and demos that will talk you through the process of using the Knotty Do-It-All while providing you with lots of inspiration.  

The Knotty Do-It-All by Sandra Younger

I've used the Knotty Do-It-All for knotted bracelets like this one ...

But what I really like about the Knotty Do-It-All is it's ability to keep chains straight!  Making charm bracelets and any piece with a series of dangles used to be an exercise in frustration!  They required a lot of after-creation fiddling.  You think you've got it straight and then there's one (or two or three) little dangle(s) sticking out like a stray hair(s)!  


The Knotty Do-It-All comes with assorted steel pegs.  It has neat channels for holding jump rings and beads. Sandra's thought of everything, including little rubber feet that prevent the board from slipping. 

Some of Knotty's tools

There's a handy ruler to measure your chain, leather, etc. I used the Knotty Do-It-All today to make a necklace. Here's how I did it ... 

  My chain was 9" long. I placed a steel peg with alligator clip at the 0" and 9" marks on the board. I clipped one end of the chain in the 0" alligator clip and the other end at the 9" alligator clip, making sure to have the links straight and the chain taut. I wanted to add dangles to the center four inches of the chain. I started at dead center, which was indicated by the 4.5" mark, but I also marked the center of the chain with a piece of wire. I worked out 2" in one direction from center and 2" in the other direction from center.   The Knotty Do-It-All had my dangles lined up like little soldiers!

   When you're finished you'll end up with something like this ... 

"Harvest Moons" for sale at Etsy

The Knotty-Do-It-All is worth every penny.  I highly recommend it  for lots of things, including for measuring out yards and yards of sari ribbon! :-)  One complete trip 'round the Knotty Do-It-All is 1 yard!  I really like this thing! 

Just some eye candy!

THE END

Enameling on Clay!

One of the best things about teaching is that you learn so much from your students.  When I was teaching in Tucson last year I had a student contact me about taking a workshop.  She asked if I had tried enameling ceramic beads.  I told her that I didn't know if it could be done, but to bring some things she'd like to try.  Usually I suggest that students not bring anything too precious in case it doesn't work.  But I'm all for trying new things, which is how I found out that enameling iron beads worked!


Here we are, months later and one of the members at the Painting with Fire Ning site is experimenting with enameling on clay ... and having great success I might add.  We're up to 1760 members at the site, so things are really getting interesting and diverse!  The day before I left for Florida I knew I just had to take a few moments and try it myself.  Sure enough, it worked!  These are the results of that afternoon, which are headed to Lisa Petrillo today as one of the winners at the Virtual Book Tour! 

Enameled Ceramic Beads

The lovely Marla James of Bisque Bead Supply and Beads of Clay member contacted me and generously offered to send me some beads to play with.  I didn't expect a whole big box of them, but was grateful! Thank you, Marla.  I couldn't wait to tear into the box and get started.    Here are the results of that session.

Bisque beads from Marla James of Bisque Bead Supply

While there is some crazing (crackle lines) in the enamel, I never considered that a defect in pottery glazes  unless the purpose of the piece was to serve food.  Actually, my next step will be to rub some India ink into the crackle lines to accentuate them. 

There are a couple of things that make this an outstanding discovery.  First is the selection of enamel colors provided by Thompson Enamel.  Any potter will tell you how difficult it is to get a beautiful blue-green Celadon glaze.  Well, it wasn't hard for me ... all I had to do is to reach for the Nile Green transparent.  The red in the back is Woodrow Red transparent, the pink is Rose transparent, the lovely lavender is Harold transparent, and the yellow is Egg Yellow transparent.  

But what might be even more important than that is the fact that you can design on the fly!  What I mean by that is usually you glaze your piece, put it into the kiln, fire it, wait for it to cool before you decide whether you like it or not.  Well, with enameling the piece, I was able to make adjustments DURING the firing process.  I enameled one of the shells with Opalescent Green transparent but thought a pinch of Lime Yellow transparent would spice things up a bit.  Sure enough, punch!

I enameled the pieces like I would a metal bead by putting them on a mandrel and heating them in the flame.  A slow warm up is recommended, which takes only a few seconds longer, but insures no cracking for delicate piece. If you'd like more information about this process, please get in touch with me ... I'd love to share my excitement!  In fact, the talented Sally Stevens, a wonderful Baltimore, MD jewelry designer, wrote yesterday, "We have been enameling all the many clay charms and doodads that we have made over the years and it is so much fun to see the transformation."  So, there you have it!