Creative Getaways

Reading Patty's post from the other day reminded me that I have a trip coming up at the end of March.  Now, I know that most people don't necessarily think of Chicago as a getaway winter destination - it's probably just as cold there as it is up here in upstate New York right now - but this year, I've decided to treat myself and take a four-day workshop with world-famous bead artist NanC Meinhardt.  

Bird With Antlers Artstick by Nanc Meinhardt

A few times each year, Nanc teaches a wonderful workshop called, "Art Sticks.  I'm Not an Artist.  I Can't Draw.  I Can Only Make Stick Figures."  It's a workshop that's not so much about making a specific project as it is about exploring your own creative process, looking at different ways of creative problem solving, and  learning to trust your own creative instincts.

Of course, one of the things that I'm hoping to take away from this workshop is a new way of looking at incorporating handmade items into my beadwork.  I see so many beautiful handmade items - not just jewelry items, but tiles, small pieces of wood work and polished stones - that I would love to use in my beadwork, but I'm just not sure how.  

It's never easy for me to be away from my little boy and my husband for very long, either - we're a very close-knit family - but I'm very excited that I get to spend so much time in the company of other talented beaders.  Many of us have never met before, but we've all been talking and getting to know each other through Facebook and Etsy.  There's such a wonderful creative energy that comes from spending time with other like-minded artists!


So, it might not be a beach in Hawaii, or a warm Caribbean cruise, but just the same, I'm looking forward to escaping some of the harsh mountain winter weather we've been having this year and spending some quality beading time with my friends.