Seminar Class Musings

First - I will not share pics of the class projects. The projects are copyright by the designers so....
I took 2 classes. I was careful not to choose classes that would fill during early registration as I didn't feel that it would be fair to other students knowing that I could be pulled out of class at any time and for any amount of time. I also chose classes that I felt my absence would not create a drag on the teacher or other students. That said - I did get my choices. As a courtesy to the teacher, I also notified each of the possibility that I might get pulled out or be late on my "returns", kept my cell phone on vibrate, and sat in an easily accessible place in class to enter/leave without disruption.

Michelle Roberts - Golden Poppies
Michelle is an excellent Goldwork teacher and as followers of my blog know, I can never do enough goldwork. She was one of my first goldwork teachers - her Napolean's Bee. This class was a great review and there were several "ah ha" moments in class for me. I asked if she minded my using a slate frame rather than stretcher frame, tacs and lacing and she made me show it off. We transferred the pattern using tissue and stitching which was a first for me. I knew of the technique but had not done it before. She also talked a lot about how the gold bullion bits were made and what made each unique. While I am sure I've heard it before, it makes more sense to me now that I have spent more time with the different bits and understand working with them better. Didn't get much done in class, but it was a great 2 refresher for me.

Deanna Powell - Barbary Bangle
Deanna is a former President of EGA and long time teacher. I had not taken from her before and I needed to up my beading game. The bangle is effectively 2 bracelets with flat peyote, flat herringbone - both wide and narrow, and peyote bezel. Lovely materials as well - 24 carat gilded beads. Glad the techniques were not too difficult since I my brain was fried by the end of Seminar (days 9 and 10 for me due to Board meetings). I was able to get the gems set and the peyote and herringbone to lay nicely. As I keep saying I am a tension-holic so getting the right tension was important to me.

Off on vacation for the rest of the month. Will take the bangle with me to finish since it will go with an outfit I plan on wearing. The vacation was planned before we got the kittens so have arranged live in care for them while we are gone.

Have posted pics of me in the Victorian outfits on my Facebook account. Not the best pics since I look really tired in each. I know there are better ones out there, but I don't have them - yet.

ATCs

Before I left for Seminar I attended a class at my local chapter on embellishment. The teacher covered how to do some fancy beading, working with Angelina, capturing stuff behind veiling, etc. Lots of ideas of things to do!

Then at Seminar we had an ATC Board - bring/make 1 and take 1 on Friday. Some brought several. I brought 4. I traded 2 and put 2 on the board for general trading.

These were from an introduction to ATCs that I did for our Region Meeting a few months ago. The idea was to dimystify the how of doing ATCs. The hardest part for most people is getting past the empty canvas. With acrylic paints in tubes, I did some graffitti on a piece of Aida cloth. It was interesting to see which paints would just soak in and which would actually "paint". The metallic copper worked well as a top layer. Then I cut the piece apart before adding embroidery and beads. The backing is Timtex (?sp) - glue for 3 and edge stitched for 1. Think I like the glue better. They aren't fine art, but they were fun!

Busy Times

The kittens helped us pack but failed to contribute enough fur to hold me over for the full time away. Sept 1 was pack the MDX full (well at least 2 full hotel carts full) for the move to the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Sept 2-3-4 were Board meetings - 8 + hours a day.

On the evening of the 3rd a group of us went to the Impressionist exhibit at the DeYoung. It was fascinating to see the paintings of an era all together. I've been to Degas, Monet, and other single artist exhibits, but this really set the stage to understand their youth and development. Impressionists are not my thing, but I can appreciate them.
The 4th evening was a birthday party for a fellow board member. She threw herself a party and invited the Board along. It was a lovely social evening.

Then the work really began.
The EGA National Seminar - classes started on the 3rd and ran through the 10th. Over 600 people, including 32 teachers from around the world (5 were international), 2 banquets, tours, a dozen lectures and other special events, a boutique with a huge bookstore, 2 needlework shops and 3 other shops, displays and more displays, AND a Merchandise Day with about 50 vendors. Our theme was Stitching on the Barbary Coast.

Beginning with the opening Banquet, I was in Victorian costume every day and evening -- 1 ball gown, 3 day gowns with appropriate hair, jewelry and makeup. I also wore a hat and gloves on Merchandise Day - after all I was shopping (even if it was indoors :). As Region Director, for the hosting Region, I felt it was important to be The Hostess for the event. This included sitting head table for both opening and closing banquets (with Will also dressed appropriately in Victorians for the opening and Tux for closing), doing the Invocations, Welcoming and Farewell speeches, pulling raffle tickets, making announcements, and directing the hordes as appropriate. Yes I can be heard across a loud lobby :). Wednesday night we went to Beach Blanket Babylon. It was fabulous, and as a VERY special event, the Director came out after and answered questions for about 30 minutes. I also hosted a social for our Region, attended the Annual Meeting, attended a lecture by Autumn from Dark Garden on Corsets, etc.

I took 2 classes - Michelle Roberts' Goldwork Poppy and Deanna Powell's Barbary Bangle (beaded bracelet). I will do a separate post on the classes themselves. While I had a few things that periodically made me late to class, I wasn't pulled out for any emergencies. The event flowed smoothly in large thanks to the fabulous and hardworking Seminar Committee and the many volunteers. Think I had 1 dinner to myself and half a lunch. In my "off time", I strolled around and gave out spot awards for wearable art. Each day had a theme. My goal was 100 awards, but I barely managed to give out half. In part because I was soooooooo busy and in part because it was a new concept.

Will came up about every other day to participate in various things. He was a hit in his Victorians and dashing in his tux. The ladies wanted to auction him off in the Thursday night live auction, but he said no.

All in all a good time - a fun time - a refreshing time.

Then yesterday we went to the gem show. Will bought me my birthday gift :) I make it easy on him - we just go to our favorite jeweler. Usually he is the one that spots the item for the gift. He has good taste :)

Now off to do the mundane chores the pile up when you are gone.