more retreat fun

Day 2 at the retreat I found myself in a Chain Gang! A wonderful class of Stephanie Lee's...where I learnt the foundation skills of soldering and making links. Awesome.

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive trying to find the courage to hold a lit butane torch in one hand and managing to move the solder in the other. I have never worked with an open flame before. It didn't take long for me to realise that it was an amazing skill to master.

This was the first piece I put together. I brought along some buttons and beads for DJ's class, but I could see straight away where this could fit into my chain making.(sorry about the quality of the image!)

This was another technique using a flat strip of copper or brass. Stephanie showed us how to make a rectangle and then it could be filled with an image and resin. The shape didn't resonate with me and I found a heart shape appearing from my metal. And I liked the idea of it being simple. Stephanie said it showed my open heart. I had also brought along some ribbon for DJ's class....it came in very handy as I was able to wear my jewellery pieces with it. Would you believe it is ribbon from some Aldi tea towels. Love repurposing!

And this was my third piece. I was on fire! Cooking with gas you could say....the pieces came together with ease. And I found more goodies to embellish my chains. I am so grateful to Stephanie, she taught me to love my fire. I am making plans to set up materials at home to continue making fire inspired pieces. I just really clicked with the chain making techniques and got a big picture of how I can create ......Big thanks Stephanie.

This is the lovely Jo Wholohan...a fellow Queenslander and a beautiful soul. Jo and I kind of found each other on line just before I moved...bummer as we were only half an hour away from each other. Great to meet you in person.

Jo won a journal that I created and some of my cards. Couldn't have gone to a more deserving person. Please enjoy!

Here is another special lady that I connected with on many levels, Ro Bruhn. An amazing artist...look at that gorgeous piece of jewellery around her neck! I didn't have the pleasure to be in class with Ro, but the Universe put us together a number of times for some to help our colleagues heal.

And last, but no means least Dot (heaven forbid!). A found a special connection with this lady also...and we talked, and talked, laughed and cried.

ON another note, I think I have the travel bug. Now that I have been to Melbourne, nothing seems like a long way anymore. I am heading back to Toowoomba today to go to the Grammar Art show opening. Then coming back in the morning.. 4 hours isn't that far really.