After a long night up with my roomies, I still managed an early start, up at 6.45am to be showered & organised for my first class. This is the first year I have participated as a tutor. I could hardly contain my excitement. So off I went to work off some nervous energy before breakkie, I organised the table arrangements for the morning classes, as well as setting up my own area.
Once everything was all done, I made my way to the mess hall to enjoy a hearty breakfast starting at 8am with classes beginning at 9.
Once everything was all done, I made my way to the mess hall to enjoy a hearty breakfast starting at 8am with classes beginning at 9.
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CLASS SET UP INTRODUCTION TO MICRO SCREWS & RIVETS |
I had a class of 6 for my first session,with the ladies all being of varying ages & backgrounds within the world of jewellery design.
We went along very smoothly with all set projects being completed. !!!! Woohoo & yippee. ( I felt so happy & such a sense of achievement) Here I was worried I wouldn't have enough for them to do in the 3 hours. I enjoyed every moment of the class with these wonderful women.
At the same time as my class was running other classes where also being conducted both in the conference hall where I was stationed as well as in the leaders cottage & the big room at the rear of the mess hall.
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| BEZELLED RIVOLI EARRINGS |
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Featured above left is a class run by Cheryl McLeod, she was teaching Bezelled Rivoli Earrings, FB page https://www.facebook.com/BeadWeaving (picture from Alida)
Featured above right (picture by Katy Chappelow) there was Lamp working taught by Pauline Delaney https://www.facebook.com/PaulineDelaneyLampworkGlassBeads
We also had Folforming run by Liz Reed of http://www.lizreedjewellery.com/
Flower Power Polymer clay class run by Karen Cooke photo's below. Karen to the left & Liz to the right
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| FLOWER POWER POLYMER CLAY |
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| FOLD FORMING WITH LIZ REED |
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| FOLD FORMED LEAF PHOTO KAREN COOKE |
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| MICRO MACRAME WITH KAT GRAY |
Other classes run in the same time slot where "Micro Macrame' with Kat Gray, "Freeform Wire Bezel" with Terri McDonald, "Working with Earthenware Clay Basic" with Natalie Fletcher-Jones from Peruzi https://www.facebook.com/Peruzi.net
After the morning classes had been completed it was time for a chill & a regroup over lunch. Loads of excited chatter filled the lunch room as we all eagerly discussed what we had done, & off course who's got what next. Little squeaks of excitement & phrases such as "Oh Yah I am in that class with you" could be heard across the room.
We also had a very neat surprise waiting for us at lunch this day. Our retreat organisers had been busily creating goodies bags for all attendees. Loaded with lots of wonderful pieces from our sponsors.
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| GOODY BAGS RECEIVED BY RETREAT ATTENDEES |
For me after lunch I was in Natalie's "Toggles/Connectors with Stoneware Clay" class.
I've had the privileged of previously been taught by Nat & new it was to be a very relaxing class. Designing & sculpting into clay. The 3 hour session simply flew by.
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| MID CLASS CLAYING SHOT |
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| MY STONEWARE PIECES SOME ARE TOGGLES THE REST ARE CABS ETC |
Other classes being conducted at the same time 1.30pm till 4.30pm where "3D Beaded Components" with Yvonne Ireland pictured below left (photo Nikki McPhan) "Beaded Triangles" run by Christina Armstrong pictured below right.
We also had "Celtic Knotting" run by Sharon Hutton, a continuation of the "Lampworking" run by Pauline & continuing on from the morning also was "Freeform Wire Bezel" with Terri. Val Spencer-Sun was teaching "Viking Weave with Pearl or Crystals", Liz Reed had started her sessions of "Bezel Set Rings" and Karen was finishing up her all day session with "Flower Power Polymer Clay"
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| 3D BEADED COMPONENT |
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| SEONA WITH HER COMPLETED BEADED TRIANGLES WHICH BECAME EARRINGS |
I decided that having a bit of free time between 4.30pm & 6pm (dinner) I would take a wander around the campus to see other classes as they where packing up. The girls in lamp working had been super productive after their session with Pauline. A stroll up the hill to Liz Reed's class where the ladies had been creating bezel set gemstone rings.....soooo delicious. It was the perfect time to catch up & look at all that had been created during class as everyone was relaxed and keen to show off there achievements.
Honestly there was so much creative energy the place was buzzing.
For the evening the retreat organisers had a wonderful themed party planned after dinner, so before we went off to dinner everyone retreated back to their cabins to get all dress up in the theme "Peace,Love Beads'
We were treated to a night of fun & frivolity by first picking a hippy flower from the bag & sitting at the relevant table. This was to encourage us all to sit with new peeps.We also had a trivia section, a handbag scavenger hunt, best dressed comp & after party karaoke. UH HUH yeap! I did get up and sing a long with a big bunch off girls.......We ROCKED IT teeheeee cough, cough, LOL
Now for a bunch of happy snaps from the night.
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| ALL DRESSED UP READY TO PARTY |
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| GROOVY SISTERS |
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| WAY OUT MAN! |
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| SOME SILLY TABLE ANTICS |
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| FINALISTS IN THE BEST DRESSED COMP |
To be a part of these fabulous retreats simply visit the Retreat website
or visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/AussieBeadingRetreats
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