“Anytime Elegance Pendant and Spiral Rope”. and the “Springtime Elegance Pendant and Specialty Rope”
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in your medium. How did you get started?
My entire life has been dedicated to helping people grow in one way or another. I have taught complex academic topics, instructed nursing colleagues in a critical care setting, prepared esthetics students for State Board examinations, taught massage therapy, and was an educator for two major product lines. I was, at one time, a Ballroom Dancing instructor too. I have enjoyed all of my experiences but none compare to the joy experienced as a life coach, strengthening practical skills for people of various religions, cultures and walks of life. All of these situations and experiences have prepared me for my adventures in the Art World as a beading instructor.
As a child, I always had an interest and a knack for anything creative. I sewed my first button-down shirt when I was eight years old (out of an old, dry-rotted pillow case!) My love of designing and sewing clothes with master techniques started with that little seed, and I have carried and developed that love my entire life. As an adolescent in the 1970’s, I taught myself how to weave on an Inkle loom. Twelve years ago, thanks to YouTube, I accidentally discovered Beadweaving, Bead Embroidery and Bead Loom Weaving! This has given my love of sewing and weaving a new and fulfilling direction.
My first beading project was an intricate bracelet from an Italian teacher who didn’t speak a word of English, on Youtube. Using “pause” and “rewind” (often), I did it! It was amazing, and even though there were a few thread bridges that I didn’t notice… it didn’t matter – I was hooked! I continued teaching myself with the aid of many other YouTube teachers (most of them speaking English). Gradually, I developed my skill until I felt confident I could hold my own in a class of intermediate and advanced beaders, and the rest is history!
Having studied under some of the “Best of the Best” for the past 10 years, I feel qualified to impart a good foundation of basic beading stitches, techniques and skills. Over the years, I came to realize that I especially love teaching beginner to intermediate-level students, because that is where the “Magic” happens! My teaching style is methodical and detailed, demonstrating proper techniques that help students develop good beading habits, while sharing time-saving tips and tricks. My classes are designed to make elegant, complicated-looking jewelry using basic simple stitches and techniques. The joy for me is watching the shining eyes and smiling faces of students so proud of their accomplishments. What an honor to be part of their experience!
Side Note: I am a Registered nurse, licensed Esthetician, licensed massage therapist, licensed Nail technician, licensed master barber, Life coach, owner of an esthetics practice, past owner of a large Spa and Salon and some other crazy things! Smiles! Love to learn and love to teach!
2. Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process.
“The Anytime elegance Pendant and Spiral Rope Necklace” is a beautiful piece of wearable art. The class is perfect for the beginner to advanced intermediate students or for those who just need a refresher. With the use of videos, print tutorials, and live demonstrations the students will learn many foundational stitches and techniques for both bead weaving and bead embroidery. These foundation stitches are not difficult, but look intricate and elegant because of the design of the project. The kit for this project includes quality materials sourced from all over the world including some vintage Swarovski pearls, which presently are expensive and hard to come by. Every student will have personalized hands-on attention from the instructor. The students are provided a detailed syllabus so that the class can keep on tract and finish in time for some extra goodies planned. My goal as the instructor is that each student will master each stitch and technique independently, they complete their project within the class time and have loads of fun! This class can also be flexed up or down in complexity to accommodate the specific needs or levels of the students. The students will also have the option to customize the project blueprint, making their creation completely unique.
3. What can students expect to leave your class with?
From past classes I can say that the students will leave this course with a concrete grasp of the concepts, stitches and techniques that have been presented. They will have acquired the confidence that they can implement the stitches and techniques independently. They will have been inspired and motivated to pursue other classes after realizing their own potential in creating this beautiful piece of wearable art. They will have experienced the blessing of a loving and caring group of students helping one another, in a classroom culture set by the instructor and the Folk School mindset. They will have fun and feel supported by the instructor throughout their stay at the Folk School. The students can feel free to video my class demonstrations for personal reference and join my Facebook Page for future technical videos and instruction.
4. What attracted you to the Folk School? What are you most excited about teaching here?
Everything! Love to break a complicated process down methodically so that all students can grasp the concepts. Love to watch the excitement as the students master a new skill! Love when they make mistakes…those are critical teaching times….it is part of the process and there are solutions..not to worry! Love when they develop a love for the art or craft that you cherish, and get excited about learning more. It is so rewarding to see the happiness and pride in what the the student has accomplished, and it feels great to know that you had a small part in making that happen!
I have been a student of the Folk school for years and have loved every minute of it! I have taken a variety of classes and can’t wait to expand my experiences. Though I live in the area, I really enjoy the peace of this large campus and the network of trails that just slow me down, help me take a deep breath and ground me. It is a very healing environment, both physically and emotionally. As a massage therapist and energy worker I can testify the the folk school has great energy! I personally really enjoy meeting the diverse students and instructors from all over the country. In one week you bond with so many people that fill your life with interesting conversation, knowledge and joy. The instructors that I have had have all been great role models for me, They have all be very approachable and where possible, kept their studios open to give the students extra time to work. I look forward to being one of those wonderful instructors that the give their students a stellar experience so that they want to come back to this wonderful school!
5. Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?
I live in Maryland and in Andrews North Carolina. I was drawn to NC simply because it felt natural for me….It felt like HOME instantaneously. I am a mountain, stream and lake kind of a person…love being alone in the solitude of nature. I thrive in this type of environment. Honestly though, The Folk School did seal the area for me! It was the icing on the cake! 300 acres of peace, classes of everything I love, so many experienced artists to meet and enjoy….I couldn’t resist! Inspiration comes from so many places….It is drawn from nature, Native American beading and art, photos of jewelry, some from other artists, my international travels, etc. Most of the inspiration though, comes from the beads, crystals or gemstones themselves…..It just happens!
6. What’s one piece or craft object you’ve made recently that you are proud of, and why?
I just created a new piece for a class that I am teaching for the Community College of Baltimore called “The Springtime Elegance Pendant and Necklace”. It is similar but different to “The Anytime Elegance Pendant and Spiral Rope”. This new class takes Bead embroidery and bead weaving to the next level, introducing some new stitches and working with some new materials. It turned out so beautiful! I also recently wrote tutorial blueprints for various bezeling techniques. The videos to match will be finished soon. The tutorials and videos will become part of my website about creating more mental capacity or bandwidth through Nature, Creativity and organization. It is called “Create MindSpace”.
7. What tips would you give an aspiring craftsperson? Anything you wish you knew as a student?
The tip I would give an aspiring craftsperson is to ask an experienced person for advice and then take it to heart. This will save you much time, money and frustration. In my class I share my personal experience and the things I would have done differently 12 years later.
8. Where can folks find you if they want to stay up to date on your work?
Website: Createmindspace.net.
9. Anything else we should know about your, your class, or your practice?
Website: My website is under development. The are three devisions: Nature’s MindSpace, Creative MindSpace, and Functional MindSpace. In the Creative MindSpace Section I will be offering Live/online Classes. Also there will be some products that I can’t live without and can recommend heartily.
Facebook: Under Construction
YouTube: Under Construction