Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
This program is suited for attendees at All levels of experience.

Spend three full days designing richly detailed jewelry wraps that are perfect for layering assorted treasured findings, beads, and ribbons around either your neck or wrist; if made long enough, these pieces will look wonderful wrapped around the waist as well.  

I’ll be teaching a very wide variety of jewelry techniques for this brand new workshop:   wire wrapping (hooks/clasps, charm connections, link fabrication, attachment of leather/ribbon to metal clasps, bead tip formation for dangling pearls from chain), letter stamping into metal, drilling, patina aging for brass, copper and silver, embroidery stitching for leather, my “cocoon wrap” bead using lace or ribbon with wire, incorporation of vintage laces and ribbons into jewelry design, bead wire crimping, and pearl/gemstone bead knotting onto silk cord.  

The rest of the time we will have relaxed sessions sharing layering ideas as we hammer, stitch, dangle, attach, thread, and knot to our hearts’ content.   I’ll share with you how my quirky brain works when forming a story with bits and pieces of jewelry findings, and discuss how a few words and images can create a narrative piece of wearable art.  i can’t think of a better environment for this special time than the beloved studio of valley ridge, surrounded by soft and beautiful  rolling farmland and the songs of swallows nesting in the eaves of the porch.  Prepare to head home with a full heart and a mind overflowing with inspiration from creating amongst like-minded kindred spirits.

Instructor’s Note: If making as a gift, try to discreetly measure width of wrist before leaving home….finished length of thrice-wrapped bracelet is 22”, give or take a bit of length (based on my own wrist); I love to keep going with five or six layered wraps around the wrist.

About the Instructor

Nina has been a professional jewelry designer since 1987, a mixed media artist for as long as she can remember (thinking here of a little clay mushroom “ensemble” that was created in perhaps the third grade, for starters), and has been teaching mixed media/jewelry workshops, both in the United States and worldwide, since 2000.  Her artwork is featured in many books and magazines, and has been sold in multiple boutiques and museum shops across the world.  Ever changing jewelry designs can be found in her etsy shop.  Nina’s blog of six years provides a wonderful outlet for writing and sharing with readers all the intricate beauties of the natural world that surrounds her in the mountains of western north Carolina.

• Visit Nina’s website
• Visit Nina’s blog

Studio and Material Fee

Material fee covers serrated leather needle, a length of silk cord with its own thin needle, a small length of vintage 1940’s copper chain from my studio collection, patina solutions for brass, copper and silver (will not affect other metals, please keep this in mind), a couple of 2” x ½” brass lengths for hammering words, one bronze swivel clasp (you will need to bring more clasps – lobster is best – for additional bracelet/necklace wraps), a bit of beading wire with crimp beads, a small square of polishing paper and miscellaneous studio supplies.

Student Supplies

Students should bring the following supplies:

• small package of slender leather cord (available from Michael’s, Tandy’s, or Etsy sellers, as well as Walmart and other craft stores); I used around five or six feet for one bracelet, so get enough for several; (alternately, you could cut lengths of leather yourself from large piece). remember to bring assorted ribbon, pearls and beads, vintage findings, lace, buttons, and additional leather bits (any width) to incorporate into your pieces. several beads with larger holes are wonderful for threading onto leather as well.
• scissors, embroidery needle, embroidery floss 
• small hammering block, if you have one (mandatory for hammering designs and letters into metal); available from volcanoarts.biz for around 16.00 – I’ll bring mine to share, as well as bracelet mandrel.
• small hammer
• masking tape
• ink pad, any type or color
• cutting mat with inch measurements on it
• bent needle-nosed pliers, round needle-nosed pliers, and wire snips (smaller version for jewelry craft work); a very reasonably priced set is available from volcanoarts.biz; do not bring huge tools from your garage, they will be too awkward to use!
• emory board for filing corners and edges
• at least ten feet of 20 gauge wire; copper will be MUCH cheaper to experiment with, so you will be happy if you bring some copper for practicing wire wrapping. I prefer round, dead soft sterling silver (the choice is yours), and purchase it from www.riogrande.com. Another good source, without a minimum requirement, is www.firemountaingems.com. If you have finer gauge wire, any metal, bring that too (will be used for wrapping “cocoon” beads and leather)
• small length of large-link chain, around 2” for each wrap, for “adjustable” end of wrapped design.
• if you have a 1/8” metal alphabet stamp set, please bring to share with others. I’ll bring my own as well, and will bring my 2 rawhide mallets for everyone to use. I’ll also bring a mandrel for bending metal strips into curved shape for wrist/neck.

Optional Supplies

No optional supplies recommended.

Additional Program Information

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Meals

Lunch is served in our community building at 12:30 p.m. and will be provided at an additional $15.00 per day.  You must make your lunch reservation in advance.  We pride ourselves in offering a healthy and organic lunch which will exceed your expectations. If you do not wish to make a reservation, please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Some workshops have optional evening meal events, which must also be reserved in advance. Evening meal event prices vary, ranging from $15.00-$30.00 per meal.

Networking

A social hour is provided from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. following the first day of each program. Wine, cheese and a non-alcolohic beverage will be served in the community room for you to enjoy.

Policies

CANCELLATIONS: While we understand that circumstances can arise causing a change in your plans, we must adhere to a business policy. Because it is impossible for Valley Ridge to favor one individual situation or circumstance over another, we must adhere to our policy in all situations and can make no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

• 45 Days or More prior to a workshop: Full refund of tuition, less a $75.00 cancellation fee.
• 44 Days or Less prior to a workshop: No refunds or credits for any reason.

Registration Fees: The entire registration fee is due in full at time of registration. Valley Ridge Art Studio provides an advance deposit option to make it easier for those with financial constraints to participate in our programs. The advance deposit fee secures your workshop space, and is applied to your entire workshop registration fee. Payment for your fee/materials balance and any other optional meals will be charged to your credit card 45 days prior to workshop. Non-credit card payments will receive an invoice, which is due upon receipt.

Transfer Policy: You may transfer out of a workshop to another program in the same season. Transfer request must be received at least 45 days prior to a program. There will be a $50.00 transfer fee assessed on each transfer.

Credit Card Transaction Reversal: You intended to reserve a workshop and registered for one instead. You noticed your credit card was charged for the entire balance and only wanted to apply $75.00. You would like your credit card credited for the difference. We at Valley Ridge Art Studio are willing to reverse your transaction. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee per reversal request. Your balance will be due 45 days prior to the workshop.

Program schedule is subject to change.

Release/Waiver

I understand the risks associated with my attendance at the Studio and the use of various tools, equipment and products found in the Studio.  I voluntarily agree to assume the risk of injury or illness or property damage that may arise out of my attendance at the Studio and use of tools, equipment and products found in the Studio and hereby waive and release the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses which I may suffer as a result of my attendance at and use of the Studio.  I further agree to  hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses arising out of my attendance at and use of the Studio or use of the tools, equipment and products found in the Studio regardless of the cause, including but not limited to the negligence of the Studio or its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns.