Home again.....

The Creative Soul Art Retreat was just wonderful !!!!! I did two classes with the wonderful Stephanie Lee, some of the results below. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience with soldering, butane torches, etching, casting. I was a bit daunted at the thought of taking this class as I have little (really..... no) experience in this area. What a blast! I looove that little butane torch!
The picture above is of the pendant I made in the first day of class and the journal we made on the last day. Both were made using a copper base and solder flooding technique. I have soldered part of an antique indian silver bracelet to the front cover of the journal.

The journal measures 6" x 3" and has gorgeous plaster pages..... not sure what I will put on these yet. To finish it off I will be making a binding using fabric and either beads or pearls (will post pics of that later). This is a close up of my pendant and also the plaster pages. Really enjoyed making these pages, getting all messy and smushy. If you ever get the chance to do one of Stephanies classes... jump at it. Such fun and you come away with some wonderful creations and so much knowledge and confidence.

And for you button enthusiasts..... my friend Jo and I (in our travels before the retreat) found this fabulous Button Shop in Glenferrie Road, Armadale. A real treasure trove... we were in there for an hour before we took a breath! The buttons, lace and wools were amazing.

Well the retreat is over and I had the best time. I had a couple of days with my art buddy from Queensland, Jo Wholohan before the retreat and a few days after the retreat with my art friend from Western Australia, Shirl. We found lots of wonderful shops and art goodies before and after the retreat.

I have to thank my gorgeous sister for Lee for making my friends and myself so welcome into her home over the retreat and helping up find our way around Melbourne. She spoilt us all rotten...talk about the hostess with the mostest! Thank you !

The retreat itself was such FUN. Lots of concentration in our classes but lots of fun out of the classes. Bevlea and her Creative Soul team did a fantastic job!!! They had everything covered so we were able just relax and make art. Lots of wonderful trade stands too!

Got to catch up with a lot of my online friends and it was so lovely to meet some of the girls whose blogs I visit too. Hopefully will catch up with some of them again next year as Bevlea already has next years retreat planned and ready for action.

Next post I will share my face painting from my class with DJ Pettitt with you all.

Take care.

Jacky xox