Bead & Button Show and Rebranding!

Bead & Button Show
It's that time of the year again where I make my annual pilgrimage to Milwaukee to attend the Bead & Button Show!  My work peeps have absolutely no idea my excitement when I tell them about B&B but it's the event of the year for me!  This will be my third year attending and I have signed up for 12 workshops!  Yes I'm crazy but I don't have other opportunities to learn from the industry's best in person often so I have to make it worth every minute!

I'm starting off this year taking Linda Darty, yes THE Linda Darty of the enamel queen, Enameling Master Class!  What a way to kick off the event!  It is a 3 day in depth workshop and I am looking forwarding to learning various enameling techniques.  My jaw literally dropped when I learned Linda will be one of the Master Class teacher as I have admired her book The Art of Enameling for years and it's been my favorite bed side and studio reading.  I will be like a sponge and absorb as much as I can from the Master of Enameling!

I'm taking two classes from one of my favorite teacher, Richard Salley, this year.  I saw the Fire & Ice Pendant in last year's class and I had to wait an entire year to learn how!  Talk about keeping someone in suspense!  I'm also taking his Make the Impression class.  I love the primitive and rustic look it can achieve.  Right up my alley!  I hope to see his beautiful and kind assistant Martina Stein.  I just love her!

After moderate success with jeweler's saw, I decided it was time to learn from the master of sawing, Thomas Mann.  Francesca Watson was raving about his class so I decided I really need to master this technique.  I've also admired Thomas Mann's jewelry for years.  The way he uses cold connection is so ingenious.  Looking forward to learning two key techniques which I will use for years in future work!  Check out his beautiful work at his website Thomas Mann!

I took Joe Silvera's class two years ago and was blown away with the set up.  I walked into his class and there is a large monitor in the front and high quality tools on each table.  The monitor makes it so much easier to see the intricate techniques he is teaching when you have many in the class so everyone gets a great view.  I signed up for the Basket Prong class this year.  Being able to capture delicate stones without the standard bezel will add another option to set stones.  Looking forward to his gentle and thorough style workshop.  Visiting his jewelry school in Berkley is on my list!  

This year's hottest workshops is being offered by Robyn Cornelius!   Almost all of her 11 workshops are sold out and most sold out within the first 10 min when registration first opened!  My partner in crime this year, Heidi Kingman, are taking this class together which I'm sure going to make it extra special.  I can't wait to apply my new sawing skills from Thomas Mann and Robyn to pierce such intricate designs and get the amazing colors through liver of sulfur!

Another class that sold out within minutes was Lisa Barth's Cross Wire Pendant.  I kept bugging the B&B peeps and when they added additional seats, I got in!  Yay!  I have long admired Lisa's metal clay and wire weaving jewelry.   I just love the way she combines copper and turquoise in her work.  I started a small collection of turquoise as it is my favorite stone.  I can't wait to learn how to capture these beautiful stones and showcase them in a pendant!

When I saw Sherry Serafini's bead embroidery display 2 years ago at Bead & Button Show Exhibit, her work literally stopped me in my tracks.  Her work is beyond amazing and they are mesmerizing.  Bead Embroidery is so opposite of what I normally do which involves hammering, soldering, torching, and wire wrapping.  Working with intricate teeny tiny seed beads is a bit intimidating.  This is going to be the most quiet class I will take this year! It will be like a meditation session and I will look forward to learning from the Master of bead embroidery!

I learned metal etching from the fabulous duo Cristina Leonard and Gail Lannum last year who taught me how to use ferric chloride etchant to etch beautiful designs on metals.  This year I signed up for John Fetvedt's Electro-Etched Copper Earrings.  It will be great to have an alternative non-chemical etching method under my belt.  John is known for his beautiful chainmaille work. 

I met Eva Sherman online and have admired her gorgeous copper cuffs she posts on a weekly basis.  When I found out she was teaching at Bead & Button Show, I had to squeeze in one her classes.  I'm so excited to take her Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder Copper Ring class.  I wear so many copper jewelry but don't have a copper ring yet so it will be a great compliment to other copper jewelry.  So looking forward to meeting her in person!

My final class is Wire-Woven Filigree Ring with Kaska Firor.  I love the look for wire weaved jewelry and the ring caught my eyes!  I hope I have the patience in weaving intricate designs.  Looks so tedious!

REBRANDING!

I've decided to brand myself and change my jewelry design business to Kumi Fisher Designs!  I had sentimental attachment to Malie Kai as they were my children's middle names but a difficult name to remember, spell, or pronounce is not good for business.  I finally feel more confident branding myself as I go through this creative journey.  Finding your creative voice and brand wasn't an easy process and I'm still learning and growing.  Events like Bead & Button Show has really helped me find my creative voice.  Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends. 

I will have exciting news when I come back from Milwaukee.  

Mahalo for being part of my creative journey!
Kumi ♥

Kreativ Blogger Award - so honored!

I received a big surprise message from one of my dearest friends, Heidi Kingman from My Bead Therapy.  She included my blog amongst 9 other fabulous bloggers as her pick for the Kreativ Blogger Award!   Thank you Heidi for a special recognition and I will do my best to be deserving of this award.  With so many deserving bloggers out there I'm so humbled to be included on her list!

So...when you receive the Kreativ Blogger Award, here are the rules to follow:

1. Post a link to the person who awarded you
2. Share 7 well thought-out random things about yourself
3. Grant the Award to 10 other deserving bloggers and let them know

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Let me introduce you to my dear friend Heidi Kingman!  I met Heidi while attending the Weekend with Wiremasters in 2010.  From the first time I met her, I just had a connection with her and the more I get to know her, the more I appreciate having her in my life.  We have so much in common and I rely on her support and guidance.  Every artist needs a Heidi in her/his life!  She is part of the Artisan Group and her incredible Guitar Bracelet will be included in the official gift bag for the 46th Annual Country Music Awards!

She is truly a super woman!  She works full time as an attorney, happily married, and mother of three beautiful children and one gentle Mastiff.  Here is how you can find out more about Heidi Kingman and My Bead Therapy ~ Website, Blog, and Facebook Page!

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Here are 7 random things about me :)
1.  I'm a huge Dexter fan!  C'mon Season 7!  I can't wait to find out what happens!
2.  I love pasta and noodles!  I will never be on a no-carb diet!
3.  My favorite red wine is Prisoner...yum!
4.  My studio looks like I can be on the Hoarder's show >_<
5.  I'm a jewelry class and tool junkie :)
6.  I love listening to This American Life and the Moth during my commute.
7.  I have a white Standard Poodle named Kea who we rescued 13 years ago.  She was matted from head to toe and very skittish when we first adopted her.  She has been the kindest and most gentle soul.  Just love her!

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I'm so happy to give the following 10 bloggers the Kreativ Blogger Award in no particular order.

1.  Painting with Fire by Barbara Lewis ~ I first discovered Barbara Lewis' work on Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine.  When her book Torch Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop in Painting with Fire came out last year, I pre-ordered it.  Painting with Fire Ning is a enameling community she hosts and I have met so many talented and supportive people.  When I took her classes at Bead & Button in June of 2012, it was a dream come true.  She is an amazing artist and an incredible soul!  Love you Barbara!

2. Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox Design Journal by Melissa Muir ~ I've been following Melissa's blog and a big fan of her Tool Time Tuesday and I was pleasantly and humbly surprised when I was partnered with her for Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party!  She is one of the sweetest and talented person I am honored to know!

3.Eva Sherman Designs ~ I found Eva's blog during the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party and fell in love with her blog!  She has tutorials both in step by step photos and videos and many were published in magazines.  Her copper cuff designs are so gorgeous and inspirational.  She offers workshops at Tuscon, Beadfest, and Create in 2012.  Sure wish I can take one of her classes one day!

4. Sadafulee by Kashmira ~ I met Kashmira online on couple of Facebook groups this year.  When I found out she contributes to Project Why and donates most of the proceeds from her jewelry sales, I was so touched.  It's so great to know someone as passionate about learning new techniques and venturing into the creative journey together.  You can find Kashmira's work and support her cause at her online store.

5. Knot Just Macrame by Sherri ~ I also found Sherri's blog through the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party. Having just learned micro macrame with Joan Babcock, I truly appreciate Sherri's blog.  Her blog is full of eye candy creations by Sherri!  If you want to see beautiful micro macrame jewelry, check out her blog!  Here is her Etsy store.

6. Song Beads by Rebecca ~ Another great find is Rebecca's blog.  I found this talented lady while blog hopping during the 6th Bead Soup Blog Hop Party.  She is one of the contributors for Artbead Scene Blog which has a large following, her work has been published in multiple publications, she teaches and is a singer!  Whew, what an artist!  I can just scroll through so many of her photos and the colors just pop out.  Her Etsy Shop is filled with her beautiful designs!  Check out this talented artist from the UK!

7. Blue Antiquities by Laura ~ I met Laura in the Painting with Fire Ning and have admired her work ever since.  She is a talented mixed media artist and the way she combines colors is simply stunning.  I can just sit and look at the photos of her creations for hours!  She is getting ready to open her Etsy store soon :)

8. Yay Jewelry by Kristin ~ Kristin keeps posting eye candy jewelry creations on FB and her Etsy Store is filled with not just jewelry but gorgeous pursues!  I love her color and material choices.  Check out her blog and store!  The way she photographs her beautiful jewelry is something I would love to master!

9. Sue Lacy Designs ~ If you like fold forming, this is a must follow blog.  Sue just attended Charles Lewton-Brain's workshop and I savored every post reading her blog updates about the workshop.  She is also the host of Fold Forming Central FB Group and it's filled with great photos and supportive members. Her recent post about green patina is a must read and her bracelet she posted is just to die for!

10. Lorelei's Blog ~ Last on my list is certainly not the least and her blog is one of my very fav!  Lorelei Eurto is one of the author of the Bohemian Inspired Jewelry book which is a huge hit.  I follow her blog and FB page like a stalker as everything she makes is simply amazing!  I don't think it's any surprise she is on my top 10 list and I'm sure she is on so many other jewelry artists' list too!  Get ready to drool when you visit  Lorelei's Etsy Store!

Coming up with my list of 10 blogs was not easy as there are so many others that I diligently follow.  Mahalo for visiting and enjoy blog hopping over to the fabulous blogs above.  Have a creative and soulful day!

adorn your heart,
Kumi