BEAD & BUTTON 2013

 Metal Clay Tube-Bead Bracelet #B130586 

 Metal Etching 101 #B130417, #B130586, #B131713
(3 different sessions)

 Metal Clay Embellished Bracelet #B130590

 Mixed-Metal Layered Acid-Etched Earrings #B130574

Etched and Riveted Metal Bracelet #B130788

It's only 144 days until the biggest jewelry spectacle on the planet.  Of course I'm talking about The Bead & Button Show held every June in Milwaukee.  Registration for classes opens January 8th at noon Central Time.  If you are planning to attend, then you've already been poring over the ample class catalog.  This years offerings look great, as always.  This will be my second year teaching at the show.  I taught last years' classes with my great friend and teaching partner Gail Lannum.  Gail and I really enjoy teaching together.  We both have different strengths and we have a lot of fun together.  Last year was so great.  The students were fun and eager and Gail and I had a blast teaching at such a venerable show.  The show was kind enough to have us back, so we're doing it all over again.  This year we're teaching 7 classes (yes, we are crazy!)  All of our classes are appropriate for beginners (one of the bonuses of having 2 teachers is that we can give students more attention) but they will be challenging enough for experienced students as well.  Students will walk away with finished pieces from all of our classes.
Our classes include a silver clay bracelet that combines lampwork with leather, 3 acid-etching 101 technique classes, a bracelet class that combines acid-etching, silver clay and riveting, an earring class that combines acid-etching and metal fabrication, and a bracelet class that combines acid-etching, riveting and metal fabrication. Wow, are we gonna be tired?  It's going to be a great week of jewelry technique and fun and we would love to see you in one or more of our classes!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: jewelry@cristinaleonard.com

2013

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope the new year finds you all happy and healthy.  It's been a hard year for so many people, but I suppose that's how it will always be.  I hope all who have lost so much find some peace in the upcoming days and weeks.
The year has been an interesting one for me personally.  My hand surgery taught me, I hope to be a bit more patient.  Happily, that's behind me and I'm working again. Making things with my hands is the thing besides my family and friends that brings me the most happiness in the world.  I'm taking it slow but it feels incredible to work without crippling pain in my hand.  I'm not pain free yet, but I feel sure that it's coming.
The past year included lots of travel for shows and vacations.  One of the highlights was a wonderful trip with Paul and my little sister Jamie up the California coast.  We had a spectacular time, every day was a new adventure.  Paul and I are hoping we can talk her into another trip this year.
This year I'll travel to Tucson again for the spectacle that is collectively known as the Gem Show.  I've been there several times and it never gets old.  Paul and I lived there during his internship and we really like going back. Right before that I'll be in Albuquerque for two classes at Rio Grande.  I'll also be going to Miami to see my wonderful friend Gigi sometime this winter or early spring.  In June I'll be at the Bead and Button Show teaching 7 classes and before that to hopefully take a class as well. I look forward to seeing many of you there.  That's the first half of the year, who knows what will unfold in the second half?  Lots of good times and laughs I hope.  I wish that for all of you too!