Italian Ice

This is my submission to the May ABS challenge which hangs at approximately 14". 
I have called it Italian Ice after the inspiration piece by Maurice Utrillo entitled Italian's House at Monmarte.

Being obsessed with the color green, I immediately had ideas for a necklace.  I knew that the tree of life pendant I purchased from Odd Designs at the Milwaukee Bead & Button show would be perfect.  I am very much looking forward to visiting her booth (1117) on during the show preview on June 7th.

I completed the ribbon portion of the necklace at once.  I laid out the pattern of the beads and let the ribbon dry over night.
Then I became distracted as I sold jewelry at my first farmer's market on Mother's Day weekend (Thanks to Double D's B's for letting me share your booth).  Then several custody battles kept me busy with preparation and hearing time.

I did manage to create the earrings just before running off to the third day of a custody battle.  It helped that I had made the earwires while at the farmer's market which are pounded flat for extra flare.  These put a little bounce in my step that day.  Measures approximately 70mm/2 3/4" from curve of earwire.

I final managed to string the beads tonight:

15mm antiqued jade rounds
14mm Afghan jade discs
32mm acrylic peridot flat rounds

I attached the chain to the jumprings and added the lobster clasp.

The length of the necklace can be shortened by attaching the clasp to any loop on the chain.

Bead and Button Show Milwaukee classes

I am taking a week long break from being a lawyer to expand my jewelry skills. From June 1 - June 10 is the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee.  It is the largest consumer bead show in the world.  The actual show is open to the public June 8 - June 10.  However, there is a preview night on Thursday June 7 for registered attendees.  What, you are probably wondering, goes on between June 1 and June 7?  Classes!  The classes begin June 1 and continue through Sunday June 10.

The first class I have scheduled for Monday June 4th is Stone Wrapping Boot Camp taught by Irina Miech.  I will expand my repertoire on how to wrap cabochons (beads without holes).  Since I have never taken a jewelry class, I think that my stone wrapping techniques weren't TOO bad (example from Spring 2010).  I cannot wait to see what I will be able to do after the class (photo below).

 Colors in Bloom: Enameling is a class I am taking with Kieu Pham Gray (pictured above).  I am VERY excited.  She has already sent out emails getting us excited about the class.  She has a bead store in Cleveland and operates the online store - TheUrbandBeader.com.  Her jewelry has sold in over 30 stores in 10 states.  I will learn to use my torch to enamel and patina.  I will also learn to make copper ball pins.

I am taking Mixed-Metal Mania and Scrap Box Bracelet (and possibly Enameled Fold Forming) with Kim St. Jean.  I am going to learn a plethora of techniques to use on metal - stamping, texturing, patina, folding, riveting and other cold connections, and using my torch.

Spiraled Frenzy Bracelet with Maria Richmond will teach me how to use small wire in conjunction with large wire. I have tried this but would like to have some lessons to perfect the art.  I would love to be able to make and sell bracelets like this.  Put your requests in now!

The countdown has begun.  Rounding up my tools and supplies.  Getting a list of beads I want to purchase together.  Have my floor plan printed out.  Going through the 350+ vendors to determine which booths I MUST stop by.  Learning about Milwaukee....