Viking Knit Bracelet Workshop: Pensacola State College

When: October 18th & 20th,  6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Pensacola State College, 9th Avenue, Penscola, FL

Course Number: R 04759  PSC Registration Center online

     Students will learn to create the classic viking knit bracelet in this two day workshop.  Viking knit is a historic technique and one of the oldest known forms of knitting that uses a looping technique that preceded traditional knitting by centuries. Numerous chains created with this technique were found buried in tombs of some of the most famous and powerful Vikings, hence the name.   Despite the fact that this technique comes to us from the big, burly vikings of ages past it is incredibly lightweight and has a lace like appearance upon close inspection.

  Stuffing your viking knit with beads as shown above is optional.  If you elect to do so, bring a strand of 4mm – 5mm beads measuring at least seven inches in overall length.  Students will create a simple hammered closure for their bracelets.  It is preferred that students have some experience with wire work before taking this class.  You do not need to be a master of wire, but it is helpful if you have a ‘feel’ for working with wire.

Materials list: You will need approximately 15 ft of 24 gauge bare dead soft copper wire, 3 feet of 18 gauge bare dead soft copper wire.  You can find these materials at A Bead and Crystal House at 711 West Garden Street (850-432-3400).  A pair of round nose pliers and a pair of flush cutters will be required.  All other tools will be available on loan.

Introduction to Metal Etching for Jewlery: October 1st, 2011 at Pensacola State College

Date: October 1st, 2011

Time: 10:00 – 1:00

Location: Pensacola State College (http://www.pensacolastate.edu/ and click on ‘online course search’ then search by ‘Continuing Education/Art’)

Tools required: Round nose pliers, needle nose pliers and clippers.

Student Requirements: This project is suitable for beginners. No experience necessary.

Learn to etch copper sheet metal to create your own unique designs. In this workshop you will create a cuff bracelet etched with your own unique design.  Delia will teach you how to add your design using a resist, etch and then finish a completed piece of jewelry using this fun and easy technique. This technique is suited to beginners.

Please reserve your seat by registering with Pensacola State College (formerly Pensacola Junior College)  online: Registration or by calling the registration department: (850) 484-1600

Please note that it is not recommended that you wear old clothes to this class. This etchant can ruin clothes if it manages to get on them. While this is not likely to happen if participants are careful, it is possible that accidents might happen.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask by contacting me via email: Instructor@DeliaStone.com

Pensacola Seafood Festival

Join me at the 34th annual Pensacola Seafood Festival September 23rd, 24th and 25th in historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola, sponsored by the Fiesta of Five Flags.

With more than 130 arts and crafts vendors, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is also one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida. Live musical performances by local and regional acts will be held throughout the festival in Fountain Park adjacent to Seville Square. Click here to go to the entertainment page to see a listing of the 2011 bands.

The Pensacola Seafood Festival offers cooking demonstrations, a 5K run/walk, a cost-friendly children’s area, and other activities located in Bartram Park. For more information click here.

I will be working furiously all week to bring you even MORE new goodies.  Get your head start on holiday shopping.  I will be offering many early bird shopping incentives such as buy two get one free earring specials!  That’s a deal you just can’t beat!  Be sure to mention this blog post to cash in on the special savings.

Also, on Sunday, you can catch my Gemstone Diva at the show offering special stones for custom orders (or for magpie eye hoarding!).  See a wide selection of beautiful Australian Bolder Opals, Lapis Lazuli, Rhodocrosite, Mystic Topaz, Amethyst, Rainbow Moonstone and more.

 

Hope to see you there!

Angels Garden Art Show September 16th, 17th and 18th 2011

What: 16th Annual Angel’s Garden Art Show, a benefit for Favor House of Pensacola,  sponsored by Angels Garden.
Where:  Located in East Hill on the corner of 12th Avenue and Gonzalez in Pensacola, FL (across from the old Sacred Heart Hospital Building)
When: September 16th (4 p.m. to sunset), 17th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 18th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s been a while since I last posted so I thought I would pop in to share some of my latest creations that you can find at the 16th annual Angels Garden Arts Show this weekend.  I’ve been busy in the studio preparing for the fall show season and I have lots of new treasures to help you prepare for the holiday season ahead.  One thing you will see a lot of in my fall designs is beautiful, natural leather!  I have really enjoyed working in this medium and you’ll be seeing a lot more of it from me in the year ahead.  Here’s my first leather and pearl bracelet, which I call my cowgirl wrist-wrap!

Following that inspiration, more leather and pearl bracelets sprang from my workbench!  It was almost impossible to stop myself!

I became obsessed with the soft, supple leather and the sensual feel of the pearls.  Pearls warm to your own skin temperature as you work with or wear them.  They are absolutely the most sensual of all natural beads.

And still more leather and pearls poured from me as I slaved over my bench in August.  It was a lusty summer.  I procduced simple, no fuss leather and pearl bracelets;

Matching bracelet and earrings sets;

Leather and pearl earrings that did or did not match anything at all!

This was my favorite pair of leather and pearl earrings

I combined leather and pearls with fossils such as ammolite to create a lovely necklace;

And Crinoid fossil too!

I combined leather and pearl with some of my favorite metals, such as beautiful rosy bronze;

But don’t fret!  Wire wrap still remains my first love and I’ve created plenty of new items in my preferred medium as well.  There are hoop earrings;

And dangle earrings;

My favorite earring and cuff design ‘Solitude’ which is always a best seller;

Motivated by my featured artists gallery show entitiled ‘Jazzed: An Artistic Showing of Jewelry I created a few pieces with musical themes;

Beautiful green turquoise and oxidized copper are always a winning combination;

Amazing fiery labradorite herringbone earrings;

I’ve enjoyed experimenting with the ancient viking knit weave, and in this case even stuffed it with beads to match the amazing turquoise focal!  I have to say, it’ looks even better since I antiqued the bronze.

There is so much more than I haven’t even begun to photograph yet!  I have been and will be creating furiously at the bench to create wonderful new treasures to share with you.  Please come out and see me.  You know I am always happy to see a friendly face in the crowd!  Mention this blogpost and get 10% off of any purchase (not good on special BOGO offers).  I hope to see you there!