VICTORIAN BEAD RETREAT

DAY 3:Friday 11.07.2014

Another early start today & Ohhhhh I have quite the sore throat this morning from all that Karaoke LOL :-). Lucky for me I was feed lots of lozenges by my fellow campers throughout the day. A sharing caring bunch of women. I was back to normal by end of day. No more raspy sexy voice ....

I followed the same routine as the day before, up at 6.45am shower, off to the conference room to set up the work stations & off to breakfast.....The breakfasts at Camp Manyung where just yummy.

Today's class had 8 students so a full session. Again I was blessed with wonderfully talented ladies from all walks who really took to the class with great gusto, as had the ladies done prior to them.
Below is some shots from my students of there completed works & their during class shots.

WORKSHOP PIECES
FROM SEONA

COMPLETED PIECES
BY BRENDA

DURING CLASS SHOT

Again during the same time frame other classes where also being conducted, we had another day full of variety & something suitable for all skill sets.

Liz Reed was instructing her second Fold Forming Class,this was by popular request. We also had Natalie teaching a beginners class 'Working with Earthenware Clay Basic'

Sharon Hutton (teacher extraodinaire ) was today teaching a '4 Strand Chunky Crochet Necklace" which one of her students sent me a shot of completed, below left. Also being taught was Cellini Spiral taught by Coral of 

https://www.facebook.com/BeadWeaving see photo pictured right.

CELLINI SPIRAL IN PROGRESS
PHOTO FROM CHRISTINA ARMSTRONG

CROCHETED ROPE NECKLACE
PHOTO FROM KAT GRAY

A relatively quiet morning all in all, I think we were all a bit tuckered our from all the fun of the party the night before. Nothing a great lunch wont fix :-) The lunches were just yummy as the breakfast, lovely & healthy too!

After lunch it was time for the afternoon sessions. Now of course not everyone books into a class in every session. Some folks liked to relax back in their cabins, whilst others took walks on the beach, drives into the closest town or simply sat and created in the general beading area.
But for those who wished to partake a smorgasbord of classes were on offer starting with an,
"Introduction to Filigree' with Cheri Bate,pictured below left. Cheri has an online Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/GemsOfOz?ref=si_shop
'Cubic Right Angle Weave with Coral from https://www.facebook.com/BeadWeaving pictured below right.

CRAW IN ACTION WITH SUE & CORAL
WITH DEBI GOODWIN MODELLING
PHOTO JANELLE GRIMSHAW

INTRODUCTION TO FILIGREE
COMPLETED EARRINGS
PHOTO SEONA MCDONALD

 








We also had Chez Mathieson teaching 'Fluer DeLis Bracelet' https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southernbeadz/113826615305495?ref_type=bookmark will pop up a picture when once becomes available. Cheryl McLeod from Bead weaving was back again this time teaching 'Beaded Kumihimo Necklace" pictured below left, Val Spencer-Sun was also back on board this time teaching 'Oriental Lace Earrings' using chainmaille techniques,  pictured below right.

ANGIE FROM CHICKY BABE BEADS
MID WAY THROUGH KUMI CLASS

IN CLASS SHOT WITH NIKKI & SEONA
WITH NIKKI'S FINISHED PAIR & A CLOSE
UP OF ONE OF SEONA'S EARRINGS

Liz Reed was conducting her second class on 'Bezel Set Rings" with some outstanding pieces being produced. Pictured below

RINGS STARTING TOP LEFT & WORKING CLOCKWISE
JENNY HANSON, DI SHELDRICK, KAREN COOKE & DEBBI VAN LEEUWEN

Pauline Delaney's class had now moved to 'Intermediate Glass Making" https://www.facebook.com/PaulineDelaneyLampworkGlassBeads a wonderful transition & flow of classes from Pauline catering for all levels. Ladies busy creating pictured below.

INTERMEDIATE LAMP WORKING
PICTURE PAULINE DELANEY

Sharon Hutton was back again in the afternoon with another spectacular class "Free form Twisted Wire Necklace' I unfortunately do not have a photo of Janeen's piece but trust me I was blown away.

As you can see it was another jammed packed afternoon with loads of choice. With classes finishing again at 4.30pm we got out 1 1/2 hour downtime. I liked to use this time to go freshen up in preparation for dinner at 6pm as well as catch up with my roomies.

Now as if that wasn't enough to tickle your fancy you could have after dinner, registered for Debi Goodwin's class "Soy candles & Natural Body lotions"as pictured below.

LOADS OF LUSCIOUS GOODIES
PHOTOS ALIDA MACGREGOR

Now for me it was off to finishing class for my Resin pieces to learn how we de-mould successfully and do our fine finishing. Pictured below, still quite a bit of work to do on them.

Once I was all informed & up to scratch with my resin bits, I toddled off with new my buddy EK to sit in & watch some late night finishing up on projects with Liz Reed. 

A few relaxing beverages & off to bed I went......WOW by this time I was truly knackered.

The next retreat takes place in January in Canberra http://aussiebeadingretreats.com/
If you would like to be a part of the Aussie Bead Retreats please follow the links to the web pagehttp://aussiebeadingretreats.com/ & FB Page, https://www.facebook.com/AussieBeadingRetreats

All images & projects featured here in this Blog & on the Aussie Bead Retreats site are protected by IP laws of Australia. Photo's used have been done so with the permission of those who have taken the photo's.

VICTORIAN BEAD RETREAT

DAY 1: Wednesday 09.07.14

Up early to finish getting organised to leave for the retreat. Lucky for me, no flying this year as it's based an hour from my home, down in Mount Eliza. A lovely easy drive straight down the Eastlink.

LOCATION OF RETREAT

Taking a moment to squeeze in a workout to calm the nerves & excitement of actually teaching this time round......

Also using this time to visualize in my mind all that I need to take, towels, pillows, hair dryer, chargers..... The list is endless.

However I did manage to become organised & ready to go two hours early. (I did discover once I arrived & unpacked I forgot my supply sheet for class) Oh well...At least I can email this to all students.

After some time filling activities I still managed to arrive before the 2pm check-in. So I chilled out in the car waiting patiently for other retreaters to arrive. The weather was slightly unfavourable but being winter I was prepared. The rain & cold however did not dampen the tranquillity & beauty of the selected venue.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE VENUE SO VERY LUSH & GREEN

The first person after myself to arrive was Karen Cooke. Karen had the list showing the bunking arrangements, so her & I registered the Retreats arrival & got to sorting out the cabins.

Slowly people began to trickle in & the buzz of the retreat had begun.

Once I was settled in my cabin I was off to help Sharon H with workshop area set up,  a lovely large conference area with kitchen/ stage & bathroom facilities. After the initial base setting up was done it was time to meet my roomies & take some time to wander & chat & put some faces to names.

MARY-ANNE & ALI

  

NAT & ANGIE

Late afternoon had come around & it was time to set up for the mini market. This was to take place after dinner.Where those who create & sell  kits, lamp work,ceramics & supplies all had the opportunity to sell their wares. Pictured above are Natalie from Peruzi http://www.peruzi.net/ as well as Angie who runs Chicky Babe Beads http://chickybabesbeads.com.au. To the right is a snap of both Mary-Anne & Ali Kelly who are both lamp workers.

After Mini-Market set up, with a majority of us all having arrived, it was time for our organisers Alida & Nikki to give us all a big warm welcome. This included a lovely welcoming speech from one of the YMCA camp organizers.

With the formalities out of the way it was time for dinner, I had certainly worked up an appetite during setting up time :-). With dinner complete some where heading off to get the Mini Market under way. Whilst others headed up to the area for those who wanted to sit & create. 

With no real plans at this point I happened to wander into the area where the Resin class was above to take place. As luck would have it I was able to partake. Our teacher for this class was Sue Connors from https://www.facebook.com/pages/SueNique-Designs/357352558207

MY POURED PIECES

DURING CLASS SHOT

A fabulous class with what looks to be great results. De-Moulding happens around 24-48 hours after we pour & then it's a butt load of finishing. 

With Resin class finishing around 9ish, I decided to head up to the big conference room for a bit more of a chit chat & see all the designs out for the challenge.

Each retreat has a theme & this one was "Flower Power"

CHALLENGE PIECES

CHALLENGE PIECES

CHALLENGE PIECES

Some absolutely magnificent work . With such a lot of wonderful ideas & creativity.

Phewwww what a day!!! Time for bed..so I thought LOL...... My cabin mates and I were up chatting & getting to know each other better till the wee hours. The sheer excitement of being here at the retreat was too great.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

The next retreat takes place in January in Canberra http://aussiebeadingretreats.com/
If you would like to be a part of the Aussie Bead Retreats please follow the links to the web pagehttp://aussiebeadingretreats.com/ & FB Page, https://www.facebook.com/AussieBeadingRetreats

All images & projects featured here in this Blog & on the Aussie Bead Retreats site are protected by IP laws of Australia. Photo's used have been done so with the permission of those who have taken the photo's.

THE BEADING RETREAT DAY 3

BEAD EMBROIDERY

DAY 3:

After another wonderful early start & a hearty brekkie,it was off to the first class for the day.

I was about to embark of my first adventure into Bead Embroidery.......I was very hesitant indeed.
However I was of course nervous for no reason,the class was run by a very accomplished teacher , Sharon Hutton & packed with wonderful experienced ladies, all of which were eager to lend a hand.



Now I must admit in the year & a bit it's been since I had attended this retreat I never did finish the project. Never the less it did lead to more beading, to which I thoroughly enjoy.

Now after a little break, we are off to our next class, I was SUUUUPPPER excited about this one. TORCH FIRE ENAMELLING...... Oh yes :-)

RESULTS OF A FUN ENJOYABLE ENAMELLING SESSION

Pictured above were the results of a double session of Torch Fire Enamelling,something I highly recommend you do if you ever have the chance.

The results are amazing and of course once you get over the fear of the flame ( I was a fraction scared in the beginning) there really is no stopping you.

I bought all the required tools to set up at home & do a bit here in there when a piece calls for it. It is a skill that required constant practice,which only makes the results more spectacular.

Our teacher was one Mrs Liz DeLuca based in Brisbane,Qld & runs classes regularly and is quite the accomplished Lampworker also.

To contact Liz regarding any classes you can contact her via her FB page as well as her website

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeArtyFacts

http://www.creativeartyfacts.com.au/

Lunch was in there somewhere :-)
Tha last class for me was back with Natalie Fletcher-Jones of https://www.facebook.com/Peruzi.net where we would be decorating our hand created ceramic piece

OUR CLEVER TEACHER GIVING US A BIG SMILE FOR THE CAMERA

HERE WE ALL ARE MADLY DECORATING AWAY

Once we had painted out glazes Nat had to cart all of our pieces back with her to her tranquil Qld farm studio setting for there big final firing.

Some of my pieces were starfish & sea urchins,which I really loved creating & then getting them back home to design with.

I do hope you enjoyed reading about the fun & frivolity had by us all at the Retreat. If you are interested in being a part of any of the Retreats please go to the website for all the relevant info http://aussiebeadingretreats.com/

I hope to catch you there sometime, our next retreat is happening in July in Victoria, where I shall be teaching :-).