Win a Dream Jewelry Studio + a FREE Class Giveaway!

You all know that I am a class junkie. I love the experience of getting together with a group of like-minded individuals and exploring the limits of my creativity learning new tricks and soaking up the knowledge from a talented Master artist. If I could, I would travel all around the country seeking out those opportunities. But more often than not, my imagination is greater than my wallet and sometimes I forget how vast this country really is, so traveling great distances and footing the bill for all the expense that that entails is not reality for me, and it likely isn't for most of you.

But that doesn't mean the quest for knowledge has to end! Of course there are some wonderful books out there, and I have shelves of them, but it just isn't the same as seeing someone with your own eyes showing you the way. The internet has become my best friend if I want to learn something.

There are a lot of videos floating around out there. But not all videos are created equal. That is why I am excited to share with you a new (to me) service that taps into my need for creative play at a price, location and time that works for anyone on any budget, anywhere and at anytime.

I was just introduced to CraftArtEdu.com, an online portal and e-learning community filled with over 300 classes from renowned instructors that are hand selected for their high quality and commitment to excellence. The subjects range from jewelry, polymer clay and fiber to wood, mixed media and even fine art. Each class offered comes with step by step instructions, handouts and even feedback from the instructors. You can even watch a little teaser of the class which is helpful to know if you would like to invest your time and money into it.

I like that there is such a wide variety of subjects. I am not a one-note creative, and I am sure that most of you dabble in other inspiring pursuits. Obviously, I could learn a lot from the Jewelry section, but I am most intrigued by the Polymer Clay section. And I have my eye on the Carve Your Own Rubber Stamp class. You see, I work in polymer clay every day, but I am completely self-taught. And I have so many ideas for things I would like to do with my Simple Truths, if only I could carve it myself. It would be good to have some Polymer Clay classes under my belt if only to understand the wide ranges of this medium. And it would be awesome to come up with my own designs!

The website is very clean and easy to use. Each section has sub-sections that make it easy to find something you want to learn. I like that I can take the class at my leisure, and watch it again any time I want. The prices are reasonable as well. The average cost of a class is $28 but I found more intensive classes that were in the $70-125 range or as little as $10 or even FREE. Yes, I said FREE. They offer beginning level sample classes for free in all their sections. A great way to test out their service and get a taste of something new.

The generous folks at CraftArtEdu.com shared two things with me that I think you are going to love:

1::They would like to gift a class to one of our readers.
and
2::They are hosting a Dream Jewelry Studio sweepstakes with up to $4500 in prizes.

The grand prize is a custom CraftOptics Rx telescope valued at $475 (a must for my aging beader eyes!), a $150 gift certificate to RioGrande.com (sweet!) and $125 in CraftArtEdu.com classes (let the learning begin!). But that is not all! An additional nine winners will receive $150 Rio Grand give certiciates and $50 in classes at CraftArtEdu.com. Plus, twenty more winners will each receive a free class from CraftArtEdu.com. A total of 30 chances to win... Amazing!

Don't wait! The sweepstakes is open until September 30th! Follow this link to sign up:

My Dream Jewelry Studio sweepstakes

Okay! Now how about the FREE class from CraftArtEdu.com for one lucky random winner? Just answer the following question in the comments (must have an email to contact, please!):

If you could take a class in any subject other than jewelry, what would it be? Fine art like drawing or painting? Are you nuts about ceramics? Would you like to be able to knit or crochet? Or would you love to learn to sculpt? Just leave your answer in the comments.  

(It doesn't need to be something on the CraftArtEdu.com website, but what the heck! Go and check it out and let us know!)

Check back in one week from today for the random winner of the FREE class from CraftArtEdu.com. And don't forget to sign up for to win the My Dream Jewelry Studio sweepstakes!

Bead Cruise 2008

Ahoy there! Art beads are planning to stow away on the next Bead Cruise. Here are the classes that feature art beads:

Triton's Daughter by Beverly Herman features a mermaid pendant from Earthenwood Studio.

Garden by the Sea Cuff Bracelet by Beverly Herman, art bead by Humblebeads.

Siren's Song by Heather Powers, art beads from the artist.

My Seashell Collection by Heather Powers. Learn to make your own art beads.

Kelp Lariat by Marcia DeCoster uses lampwork and felt beads.

The next cruise sets sail in March 2008 for a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. Other instructors include Rachel Nelson-Smith and Eni Oken.
Class information and cruise details can be found on the Bead Cruise website. Registration opens July 20th. So take your art beads to the high seas and join us for the adventure of a lifetime!

Bead Scoop: beads-of-clay.org

Beads-of-Clay.org, a group that 4 of the ABS team members belong to, has recently received a face lift. This group is very helpful and informative for the earth clay bead artist.

Beads-of-clay.org is home to ceramic bead artists who are interested in working together to promote artisan ceramic beads. With members from all over the country and the world, the styles and techniques that we use vary greatly from artist to artist, giving us a rich and imaginative visual library from which we can inspire one another.

Porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, terra cotta, raku, Egyptian paste, and clay slip are among the varied materials our members use to make beads, buttons, and jewelry components.

If you are interested in learning about making or collecting ceramic beads, please check out our website which is full of information and artwork.

Earth clay is the common ceramic material used by all these beadmakers. The areas of expertise for these ceramic bead artists range from bright colored low fired clay all the way to high fired porcelain. Included in the beadmakers' skills are the handling of earthenware, stoneware, raku, porcelain and Egyptian Paste. The handmade beads and pendants may be glazed, unglazed or tumbled polished. Firing methods used include electric and gas kilns as well as raku and pit fired techniques. The variety and richness of these miniature works of art is a delight for the collector and jeweler.

In addition the BOC website, a new beads-of-clay blog has been started. Info on the lighter side of clay beads and the artists who make them. Please click on by and check it out.

The Bead Scoop - Beaducation

Want to take a jewelry-making class from one of the industry's top instructors in the comfort of your own home? Then you must check out the projects at Beaducation. Beaducation provides step-by-step video classes featuring techniques for all skill levels. Visit their website for a few free demos and to see their class offerings.