I had the pleasure of taking a few class with Mary Hettmansperger on Friday and Saturday at the Shepherdess (www.shepherdessbeads.com) here in San Diego. The classes where Stitched and Stacked and Copper Enameling with the torch.
I really enjoyed Mary she has a great personality and sense of humor which kept us all laughing out loud. Her teaching style is very laid back which puts you at ease, so you don’t feel the pressure to create something fabulous, unless your a perfectionist like me and you always put that added pressure on yourself.
Being a bead artist I don’t have much experience with metal and the torch, I have to tell you the fire kind of scares me; but after 2 days with Mary I REALLY like the torch and want to use more metal in my pieces.
But, I have to say that I wasn’t so hip to the torch enamel firing at first, having done the traditional kiln firing process in the past, I wasn’t getting the refined look from the torch firing that you do with the kiln firing. But after I embraced the funkiness of it I really liked how things came together. And thanks to Mary for spearing us on when we got discouraged.
I’m looking forward to when Mary comes back to San Diego to teach us new process.
If any of you want to learn more about Mary check out her website www.maryhetts.com and her new book Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop.
You are so fortunate to live in a city where such marvelous classes are offered. I'm envious! Living in rural Virginia, I don't have such opportunities...unless I'm willing to travel. I could maybe take a class on "How to whittle your own wooden teeth" or some such thing. Looking forward to my travels west, where I can see all your great new projects. Love the new "pretties" on your Etsy site. The bottles are fabulous! I particularily like how you incorporated the beeswax....doesn't it smell YUMMY? I'm addicted to the stuff. That and chocolate ANYTHING! Keep up the good work. You really are "living the creative life". Love Ya' - Mean It!
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